A NEW PATH TO WELLNESS

From friends and family to social media reels, everyone has their own take on what makes a “successful” life — but what about a happy and healthy one? A life that makes us grateful for each step of the journey, whether the path is uphill or smooth sailing. A life that makes us resilient and keeps us balanced.

The Greenhouse at Serpentine is here to nurture your personal wellness journey and support you in looking and feeling healthier — mind, body, and spirit. Our amazing bank of skilled wellness therapists and mental health professionals provide the perfect combination of light, warmth and care you need to flourish. 

Take time for self-care, connect with nature, explore your potential, and access the healing power within. We’re growing something meaningful and lasting, and we can’t wait for you to join us! 

Here’s a peek at what to expect:

• A welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home, including a restorative garden space where you can relax and unwind 

• Expertly crafted coffee, fresh fruit juices and delightful delicacies 

• Highly trained therapists who consider wellness from a holistic perspective, including craniosacral therapy, Korean hand acupuncture, and a range of massage modalities, including reflexology, Ayurvedic body therapies, Chinese acupressure, Thai yoga massage, and traditional Indonesian healing techniques

• A wonderfully diverse array of products that have your good health in mind, from local art, handmade crafts and décor to fresh flowers and organic cleaning products

• A sense of community as we come together to socialise, play, give back, learn and support one another in making life everything it can be.

After our launch at the end of November, The Greenhouse at Serpentine will be open from Monday December 2, 2024, Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Our vibrant schedule of events changes every week, and our activities, treatments and workshops are sure to make you feel grounded, rejuvenated, and truly connected. We look forward to seeing you there!  

RE-SCULPT YOURSELF!

From turkey neck to other sagging areas, we’ve got amazing treatments that can help…

Lasers and other modern-day skin and body treatments may not be able to stop the natural ageing process, but they have redefined its parameters. Two of the first areas that can give away your age are the neck and jawline — but turkey neck no longer has to be a thing, thanks to effective non-invasive treatments that firm and tighten sagging skin and loose muscles.

What is turkey neck? 

Brought on by a natural breakdown in collagen and elastin as we age (and sometimes exacerbated by repeated muscle movements), wrinkled or loose skin around the neck and lax muscles in the jawline begin to resemble the wattle of a turkey, adding years to your face. 

Other factors like sun exposure (especially if you don’t wear sunscreen), weight fluctuations, and genetics can also play a role in whether people get turkey neck. Regardless, skin loses firmness and elasticity as we age. As muscles weaken, the sagging effect can be exaggerated — so how do we counteract it? 

Botox

Traditionally used to smooth forehead lines and crow’s feet, a Botox neck lift involves injecting the potent protein into the neck muscles. This relaxes them and reduces the appearance of neck bands, creating a smoother, firmer look. 

While results are temporary, typically lasting anywhere from 3-6 months, Botox is always a minimally invasive and highly effective option for anyone looking to soften their neck line without downtime.

Morpheus

If you’re looking for advanced skin tightening for your neck — and well beyond — the Morpheus8 is a skin rejuvenation treatment that combines microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy to counteract sagging, wrinkles, and uneven skin texture. 

It works by creating tiny micro-injuries in the skin while delivering RF energy deep into the dermis, stimulating collagen and elastin production. It’s a powerful dual approach that tightens skin from within, making Morpheus ideal for tackling turkey neck and restoring firmness and smoothness to the area.

Even better, Morpheus treatments can be used to rejuvenate various areas of the body:

• Face — Morpheus turns back the clock by reducing fine lines and wrinkles, tightening skin, and improving its texture. It’s super-effective for softening the folds that extend from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth, and addressing sagging cheeks.

• Tummy — Tighten and firm the loose skin around your abs after weight loss or postpartum, and look leaner and smoother.

• Arms and thighs — Morpheus can also firm crêpe-like skin in these areas, improving the appearance of skin laxity and texture.

• Hands — Often exposed to sun and environmental damage, the skin on our hands can easily look thin and wrinkled. Morpheus can help rejuvenate this area by stimulating collagen production.

It’s undoubtedly a standout treatment for many reasons: 

• Non-invasive — Morpheus produces results that rival surgical lifts, but without the downtime. Most people experience only mild redness or swelling, allowing them to get back to their usual routine quickly.

• Customisable — It can be adjusted to treat different depths, making it versatile enough for various skin types and areas.

• Lasting Results — The collagen boost from Morpheus can lead to lasting improvements in skin texture and elasticity, with results continuing to develop over time.

  To figure out whether Botox or Morpheus is right for you, give us a call or come in for a consultation. We’ll help you determine the best approach based on your skin type, goals, and preferences, and voilà — you can look as youthful on the outside as you feel on the inside, while ageing gracefully and beautifully.

THE CREEPING TERROR OF CUTANEOUS LARVAE

They’re way more common than you think 

“After parasitic larvae lay their eggs in human skin, a survivor and her dermatologist must stop the infestation before the worms create a breeding ground for the next generation of horrors.” Far from being the logline to a scary movie, this is the nightmare a couple of our patients have been facing recently. 

Both cases of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM), a skin condition caused by the larvae of certain parasitic hookworms — most commonly the Ancylostoma species usually found in dogs and cats — began soon after the patients had visited two popular local beaches. CLM is most common in tropical regions like the Caribbean, since the climate is favourable for breeding. 

We deduced that by doing something completely regular, like walking barefoot in the sand or sitting directly on the beach without a towel, both patients unwittingly came into contact with the parasite, likely left behind by stray animals. (That’s not the worst part!) These hookworms then burrowed under the patients’ skin and laid their eggs, effectively making their bodies a breeding ground. 

Soon, our patients noticed redness and inflammation, complete with the telltale sign of CLM’s raised, winding lesions on their skin. The horror story gets worse: the larvae move beneath the skin, leaving tracks as they go and causing intense itching and swelling. The longer the condition goes undiagnosed, the higher the risk of secondary, bacterial infections taking hold as a result of scratching. 

Just as irritating is that the condition can last for weeks — and while it’s rarely life-threatening, it can cause significant discomfort and potential complications if left untreated. Don’t think the larvae can only enter through cuts, scratches or otherwise broken skin, either — they are perfectly capable of breaking through healthy skin.

Avoiding infection  

Beaches are not the only places that pose a risk of CLM contamination. Anywhere animals are allowed to roam freely, including in playgrounds and public parks — even your own garden — can potentially be favourable breeding grounds for the larvae. One of the worst cases we’ve ever seen was on the torso, caused by a patient doing some work under this house while bare backed.

Here are a few ways to keep yourself safe from this menace: 

• Protect your feet by wearing slippers, sandals or shoes

• Be conscious of where you put your hands

• Pick up your pets' poop before it has time to fester, and dispose of it carefully

• Deworm your pets regularly 

• Avoid sitting directly on the ground, especially in public spaces; use a mat or towel as a barrier

Treatment 

Of course, sometimes these things still happen, despite taking reasonable precautions. That’s where we come in. Depending on the patient and the level of infection, we can prescribe anything from topical anti-parasitic creams (early stage) to oral medications (more advanced), both highly effective at eliminating the hookworms.  

In terms of symptom relief, we usually recommend antihistamines or corticosteroid creams to reduce inflammation and irritation. The trick is coming to see us early. If symptoms do appear, tackling the infection in its preliminary stages can provide swift relief and get you back to normal faster.

BENEATH THE SURFACE

The scary truth about melanoma in hair and nails

WARNING: This post contains an image of advanced melanoma, which may be disturbing to sensitive readers. It is shared here with our patient’s kind permission, in order to help raise awareness. 

Melanoma is not the most common of skin cancers, but it tends to be an aggressive type that can spread to other parts of the body not caught early. They’re very surreptitious, lurking in places you’d never think about — moles you may have on your body, under your hair or nails, or even on the soles of your feet. 

This form of skin cancer develops in the melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. While the perception is that skin cancer on the whole is associated with sun-exposure, the reality is that melanomas in particular can develop in places that the sun barely touches, making them potentially more dangerous as they’re often detected late. 

Melanoma image used with patient’s permission

One patient actually had the condition misdiagnosed by a general practitioner, who deemed the dark spot on the sole of her foot a wart, and treated it as such.  so if you have concerns about anything on your skin, it’s really best to come straight to a dermatologist — this increases the likelihood of early intervention and treatment.

Scalp melanomas occur on the head, often hidden beneath the hair and therefore more difficult to spot. People with fair skin and light hair tend to be more at risk, especially if they have had a history of sunburn. They are also more common in older adults and usually take the form of: 

• An unusual mole or spot on the scalp that may be irregular in shape or colour

• A patch of skin that feels tender or itchy

• A sore that doesn’t heal or continues to bleed

We therefore recommend regular checks and professional scalp exams, especially if you fall into the higher risk category.

Subungual melanomas affect the nail bed and can show up under the nails of both fingers and toes. Such cancers are rare, but can be aggressive. People who are 50+, as well as those with darker skin tones, may be at higher risk for this type of cancer. Previous trauma to the nail can increase the risk. Patients usually notice: 

• Dark streaks — usually brown or black — under the nail that do not grow out

• A new spot or band of pigment on or around the nail

• Brittle nails start separating from the nail bed

• Pain, tenderness, or swelling in the affected area

Because these melanomas present in much the same way that final infections or damaged nails might, they often go unnoticed until the disease has progressed. Remember: Any unexplained changes to your nails should be examined by a dermatologist.

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALMs) is a rare subtype of melanomas. They tend to show up on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and under the nails. Though darker skin types are at higher risk, it is important for everyone to be vigilant. Most cases appear without any direct cause, but injuries to the sole of the foot may aid in predisposition. Symptoms include: 

• A dark, irregularly shaped patch or lesion on the sole of the foot

• A sore that bleeds and doesn’t heal

• Itching or pain in the affected area

• Discolouration (brown, black, or even colourless) 

Because most people do not expect skin cancers to occur in parts of the body that are not exposed to sunlight, this type of melanoma can often be mistaken for blisters or warts — but they grow deep into tissue and can spread quickly.

Protect yourself

Melanomas often behave like the bogey-man of skin cancers, but there are ways to protect yourself: 

• Be vigilant — Conduct regular self-examinations, and check your scalp, nails, and soles regularly for any new or changing spots, lesions, or discolouration. 

• Go pro — Dermatologists can examine hard-to-see areas and provide expert evaluations of any suspicious changes.

• Screen from the sun — While melanoma in these areas is not always linked to UV exposure, protecting your skin from the sun is essential in reducing your risk.

• Play it safe — If you notice persistent changes in your nails, scalp, or feet that don’t improve, come in and see us as soon as possible, as early detection greatly improves outcomes.

Remember, regular skin checks by both you and your dermatologist are key to maintaining your skin health.

SEE US ON SATURDAYS /

We’re here to support you and your skin!

Now, to help avoid time lost at school or work, we’re accommodating dermatological appointments on Saturdays, starting at 9:00 a.m. and finishing at noon.

We look forward to seeing you at a time that suits your schedule.