0418 988 384
Corns, Callus & Cracked Heels
Cracked heels, fissures, corns and calluses can be the bane of your existence. Ageing skin, constant weight-bearing forces and ill-fitting footwear can all contribute to breaks in the skin. Ageing skin also produces less sweat and oil, and cell division slows, causing the soles of our feet to become dry, cracked and crusted.
As well as being painful, breaks in the skin can lead to ulcers and infections. Regular foot care ie essential to keep your feet in tip top shape.
​
At home :
Slough off surface skin cells with exfoliating scrub or pumice stone. Use moisturiser daily on the heels but NOT between the toes.
​
Come to see us if :
Home treatments are ineffective, the problem is persistent OR if you have any general concerns and would like us to do some general foot care for you.
​Fungal Toenails
Onycomycosis is a fungal infection that causes dry, yellow and brittle nails in the toenails.
​
Fungus is the most common cause of discoloured, deformed toenails in people of all ages, but is more prevalent in older people due to decreased blood flow to the toes. This means fewer antibodies and infection-fighting blood cells are present to fight fungus.
​
Other risk factors include poor foot hygiene, excess sugar in the diet, systemic illness, hyperhidrosis (excessive perspiration) or just being in wet shoes too much (fungus loves warm, moist spaces!)
At home :
It can take 12 months to properly clear a fungal nail infection and grow out the new, clear nail. In the meantime, continue with scrupulous foot hygiene (especially between the toes) and consider talking to your pharmacists about over-the-counter remedies.
Come and see us if :
your fungal nails are unsightly and causing you distress. As well as working with you to reduce any contributing factors, we can discuss a course of laser therapy, which works by eradicating the pathogens causing fungus.
Varicose Veins
The term Varicose Veins usually refers to veins in the legs (although they can occur anywhere) which are enlarged and usually blue or purple in colour.
There may be associated broken capillaries, skin discolouration and or leg & ankle swelling.
​
Varicose veins are not only a cosmetic issue but can also cause tired, aching legs which may feel worse after standing for long periods. If left untreated, long-standing varicose veins can lead to worsening leg and ankle swelling, venous eczema, skin thickening and ulceration.
​
They are generally not considered dangerous, however varicose veins may at times be confused with deep vein thrombosis, which can be life threatening.
​
Leg veins have to carry blood up the leg and back to the heart. In order to counter the effects of gravity, these leg veins have small valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards (this is known as retrograde flow or venous reflux). Varicose veins occur when these valves become incompetent and no longer prevent backflow, leading to dilated, enlarged (varicose) veins.
​
Varicose veins occur most commonly in the superficial veins of the leg as these are most subject to gravitational forces, particularly when standing.
At home :
Try and ensure regular exercise and avoid standing still for too long so the muscles in your legs can help the venous return. You may want to consider support stockings and/or regular lymphatic drainage massages.
Where possible rest your feet up when sitting and wiggle your toes regularly (especially if on a long flight!)
Come and see us if :
You are starting to notice worsening or prominent veins, swelling or discomfort in your legs, ankles or feet, OR if you would like more information about treatment options. In most cases, we will use a combination of laser with injectable sclerotherapy to shrink the veins. This will also improve the skin texture and quality.
Lipolysis / Fat Dissolving Injections
Some of us have stubborn fat deposits, typically caused by genetics, poor muscle composition and/or simply carrying more weight than we would like. Unfortunately, we can’t ‘spot reduce’ fat deposits from diet and exercise, our genetic patterns dictate how our body stores and distributes fat.
In some cases, we may be able to use lipolysis “fat dissolving” injections to dissolve and permanently eliminate fatty deposits, typically in the inner thighs or upper knees.
This involves injections of a substance that destroys and breaks up the fat cells so they can be gradually eliminated by the body. This elimination process can take up to 10 weeks, at which time, we will typically do a follow up injection.
​
Important: This is not a weight loss procedure, rather it is for removing stubborn pockets of fat that can’t be removed by diet and exercise.
Scar & Cellulite Reduction
About Scarring & Stretch Marks:
Scarring is the end result of damage to the skin, such as from burns, wounds and/or acne. The scar occurs when the skin is unable to completely heal from the damage and instead develops fibrous connective tissue to help repair the breach in the skin’s integrity. Scars may be keloid, atrophied, hypertrophic or contractures.
Stretch marks are a type of scar that occurs when the skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching, such as from rapid weight gain and body growth (i, during pregnancy and puberty)​ or conversely, sudden weight loss. The skin responds to this sudden change by tearing the dermis and stretching the collagen fibres, creating the visible ‘stretch’ marks.
Treatment For Scarring & Stretch Marks:
Some common treatments include subcision, PDO threads and skin needling.
It can be difficult to treat scars however, treatment typically involves further damaging the skin to give it the chance to heal more uniformly. Furthermore, post treatment aftercare and compliance with instructions - such as avoiding sun while the skin is healing - is paramount. Multiple treatments may be required.
​
Treatments may be offered as a one-off, or as part of a package, depending on your individual preference as well as the size, type and severity of the issues.
Laser/IPL Skin Rejuvenation & Pigment Removal
Like the rest of our body, our feet and legs are not unscathed by the ravages of the sun and the marching of time. Laser & IPL can work just as well on the feet as on the face to rejuvenate and repair the skin.
Laser treatments have been around for many years now as an effective therapy for scars and stretch marks. Lasers work by stimulating collagen production to repair the skin, reducing the size and therefore appearance of lines, dips and breaks.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is similar to a laser in that it uses light-based therapy for skin resurfacing and rejuvenation.
Laser & IPL can also help reduce redness and treat vascular lesions.
At home :
Use sunblock to prevent further sun damage. Many people are starting to use creams containing mild acids to help exfoliate the skin, stimulate collagen and maintain skin tone.
Come and see us if :
You would like your feet and legs to look fresher, and/or remove unwanted hair and pigment, especially before a big event!