“Being an African woman, I thought there was not cure for my pigmentation and acne break-outs.
I decided to undergo the Cosmelan depigmentation treatment at The Melrose Aesthetic Centre and was pleasantly surprised at the results.  My skin is smooth and blemish free.  Even my husband mentioned that this is the only treatment that has ever worked.  My initial fear was that it wouldn’t be successful as I have tried so many products, but this was the only treatment that I had tried in 7 years that reduced my scars and removed my acne & pigmentation.
I no longer wear layers and layers of make-up.  Now I only wear make-up because I want to, not because I have to. 

Dr Gordon Cohen, you are the best!”

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Khanyi Mbau recently underwent a series of treatments at The Melrose Aesthetic Centre which were very prominently featured in print and TV media, such as The Real Goboza on SABC 1, Heat Magazine and True Love magazine. 
Khanyi wrote to us about her experience at The Melrose Aesthetic Centre: “I have a relatively well-shaped nose, but I wanted a bit more definition on my bridge. I decided to undergo a non-surgical rhinoplasty procedure – there is no cutting involved and only tissue fillers are used to change the shape of your nose. I liked the idea because the results aren’t permanent and the treatment not as traumatic as a surgical procedure. Initially I was a bit concerned that it might be painful but I needn’t have worried. The treatment is such a party-trick – it was over before I knew and I instantly had a better shaped nose! According to my Facebook fan-page I look like a picture of perfection and my Twitter-following has tripled. I would recommend this treatment to anybody. Your nose defines your face after all!”

Khanyi also underwent a body-sculpting procedure called Laser Lipolysis, performed by Dr Cohen. Regarding this treatment she had the following to say:
“I have a very busy schedule and don’t always have time for gym. Having a few swim wear shoots coming up, I wanted to shape my thighs and decided to undergo the Laser Lipo procedure. I must admit that I was a bit sceptical at first. I was scared about the possible pain involved and also whether I would see any difference afterwards. Once again, my fears were unfounded. I knew I would see change but I didn’t know there would be such a remarkable difference so soon! My following on Faceb

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Kedibone Nathan embarked on The Melrose Aesthetic Centre’s Detox and Wellness programme on the 20th of Aug 2011.

Nearly 2 weeks into the programme she had the following to say:
“My main reasons for going on the D & W programme were that I wanted to be healthy, for my clothes to fit and I wanted to sleep better.  My initial concern was that it might not work or that it might be one of those diets that leave one hungry, lacking essential nutrients and I was worried about whether I’d be able to maintain the weight-loss once I’ve reached my goal.  Just a few weeks into the programme I have already lost a few centimetres and my clothes are starting to fall off!  My confidence is restored and my daughter isn’t embarrassed to appear in public with me anymore.  Some people say I look younger!  One of the things that changed is my relationship with food.  I know now what food to buy, what is good for me and what isn’t and the purpose that food serves in one’s life.  I have much more energy and exercise is now part of my lifestyle.  I also make sure I drink enough water to keep my body hydrated.  My life is literally changing one shake at a time and I am loving it”.

A month into the programme Kedibone stated:  “I am still losing centimetres and gaining confidence.  I somehow feel “taller”, because I’m slimmer.  My family still remark that I am looking even younger.  Initially one of my concerns, the D & W programme is so easy to follow – unlike some diets that are difficult to keep up with!  I am feeling great and don’t hide in the background when meeting my friends anymore.  I look forward to dressing up and don’t hate shopping for clothes anymore”.

A month and a half into the programme Kedibone added:  “Although I was expecting to lose weight, my expectations were met beyond belief.  I have learned to control myself when it comes to eating – food no longer controls me.  I know what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat.  My friends and family are all enquiring as to what my secret is.  My dress-sense has changed completely.  I am no longer afraid to show my body and my confidence is still growing on a daily basis.  The Detox and Wellness programme has brought tremendous change and improvement in my life – on a physiological, social and emotional level”.

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Today, the mention of skin care for men no longer leaves guys punching one another and flexing their muscles to reassert their masculinity. It is now pretty widely recognized that the need to care for this vital and largest of all human organs is equally important to both sexes.

Damaged or unhealthy skin opens a route for infection and can also reduce the body’s ability to protect itself against the harmful UV radiation in sunlight; now an even greater hazard due to the diminished ozone layer.

Skin care for men does, however, tend to differ somewhat form that of women since it is normally more directed at maintaining the health of skin than with short-term cosmetic enhancements. This is evident in a differing range of products all, nevertheless, manufactured with the same aim of avoiding damage to the skin and to promoting its long-term health.

Correctly formulated, such products can be an important means to retard the signs and some of the risks associated with aging skin.

Banish Blemishes

Skin care for men is, of course, not restricted to products and may also address concerns about one’s appearance. One example might be the use of broadband light (BBL) therapy to remove unsightly blemishes such as broken capillaries, age spots or birth marks. Sadly, people do tend to judge us by appearances and, because of this, bad skin could even obstruct career progress if ignored, thus men need to treat such issues as seriously as women.

Youthful is Useful

Maintaining a young appearance for longer is an important aim of skin care for men. Despite laws to the contrary, many interviewers are still inclined to assess a candidate’s age by appearance and to allow these assessments to influence life-changing decisions. In this respect, many men may benefit from a little attention to those signs, and a good place to start could be with a course of Botox injections to iron out, at least, some of the more pronounced wrinkles.

For those who have not yet developed marked frown or laughter lines then a god skin care tip for men is to replace that harsh aftershave with a balm that is vitamin and perhaps collagen enriched. Incidentally, that habit of washing your face in ice cold or very hot water may be refreshing or comforting, but neither is particularly good for the skin and are common a cause of the same broken veins in the cheeks and on the nose that may occur in heavy drinkers.

Tan Safely

Most people believe they look better with a tan and, in moderation, it’s true. An important aspect of skin care for men, and for women and children also, is to take stringent precautions against the risk of UV damage from over exposure to sunshine.

Step one is to apply a quality sunscreen with the highest protection factor. Not all live up to their claims, so review them carefully. Next, it is important to observe the time limits for any given SPF. Maintain shorter exposure times rather than longer and avoid the harsh midday sun at all costs. Nothing ages more rapidly than sunlight; look what it does to your dashboard.

Facials

Effective skin care for men should include some specialist attention and a facial treatment can have amazing results. There’s nothing girly about a facial and although there are kits for home use, they can’t match the attentions of a trained expert. Men’s skin is more likely to develop blackheads and blocked pores than women’s so the treatment makes sense if you want healthier skin.

The treatments take varying forms depending on the main need. A general approach would include cleansing and exfoliation and follow up with some toning and moisturising.

For sun damage the steps are likely to be similar but may require a little extra time.

Times have changed; so has skin care for men.

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Skin Care – A Quick Guide

For women, a skin care guide is often limited to branded makeup designed to conceal any imperfections and astringents to remove the makeup. For men, happy with a quick rinse with soap and water and a dab of aftershave, it often appears irrelevant. This is even more surprising if one considers that the skin is the largest of all human organs and the body’s first line of defence to protect many of the others.

Apart from improving our overall appearance, healthy skin is better able to perform its protective tasks, so an effective skin care guide should not confined to mere cosmetic needs but address everything that may contribute to the improved health of the skin. Furthermore, such advice is as important for men as it is for women.

The following list of do’s and don’ts should serve as a fairly good start but a professional consultation with a qualified, specialist at the  Melrose Aesthetic Centre, for instance, is strongly recommended and will be able to provide you with a far more in-depth and personalised approach to your skin care and a guide to the most effective products.

First the Do’s

Though these tips are essentially common sense, they are, all too often, ignored. They are important because they can retard the rate at which your skin ages, becoming thinner, losing much of its elastic properties and ability to repair damage.

Sun: Yes, sunshine aids the synthesis of vitamin D, but today’s vitamin enhanced foods are more than adequate. The sun is also one of the skin’s biggest enemies, so a good sunscreen should be at the top of any skin care guide.

Water: Since you will probably sit in the sun anyway, as well as a good sunscreen, be sure to have a plentiful supply of water or juice handy. Dehydration is an ongoing risk in the, often fierce, South African sun and its long-term effect on your skin can be devastating.

Cleanliness: Not only next to Godliness but important for healthy skin; although only if using quality, dermatologically approved products. Take care with cheaper scented soaps that could contain allergens.

Moisture: No skin care guide would be complete if it failed to mention the need to keep the skin well moisturised. Dehydration occurs from both inside and outside the body so anointing your exterior with a quality moisturising lotion is as vital as maintaining your internal fluid levels.

Diet: This is not about weight loss but about adequate nutrition and nutrition is not about quantity but about quality. Healthy skin depends on a mix of vitamins and though you may not be in danger of scurvy, this skin care guide would be incomplete unless it emphasised the need for balance. That means not just your five-a-day fruit and veggies but a diet that incorporates all major food groups.

And Now the Don’ts

With the most important Do’s behind us, it may be a relief to learn that there is really only one important don’t. However, you may not like it.

Alcohol: As strongly dehydrating as sunshine; excessive use of alcohol will damage your skin just as rapidly and give your liver a hard time too. One last addition to this basic skin care guide – keep your alcohol intake to a minimum!

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