Nigeria has about 176 million people with many people located in major cities and town because of work and technology. Nigeria economy is growing and therefore medical tourism needs to be explored. There are well over 200 Plastic Surgeons in Nigeria with major Plastic Surgeons located in Teaching Hospitals.
There has always been high demand on Plastic Surgery procedures e.g. Liposuction, Tummy tucking, Botox, Derma fillers, Skincare issues and so on, but because of misunderstanding and mistrust for the medical system, many people would prefer to go abroad for treatment; meanwhile, a lot of money is being lost to medical tourism running into billions of naira.
There is also the syndrome of bringing in Plastic Surgeons from abroad to help in doing procedures. There are however a lot of complains because some of these surgeons do not get medical practice clearance from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. Some do not have good standing with their country medical board and therefore look for cheap medical practice leverage.
Our concern also goes to those who go overseas for procedures with no proper follow up therefore making them an easy target and where there are complications after the procedures, there will not be anyone to manage them or they end up in the hand of the same people they do not trust. With this, the patient is aggrieved.
In a small Plastic Surgery Clinic situated at Surulere, some of these procedures are done and our people are realizing that things can still be done properly. Procedures like liposucturing, tummy tucking, breast lift, breast reduction, blepharoplasty, face lift, thigh lift, arm lift, Botox, Derma filler, fat grafting, skin grafting, scar revision, laser procedures, gynaecomastia, contracture release, burn wound management, acute burn, cleft lip and palate to mention a few.
Laser in Aesthetics use: What you need to know as a pigmented skin
LASER is an acronym that simply means Light Amplification by Stimulation Emission of Radiation. The radiation in this sense is not a dangerous radiation as it sounds rather it is light being put to useful use.
Laser converts certain element or compound around us to produce what is called photon a form of energy which was first described by Albert Einstein on the theory of light.
In laser system different component of light are reproduced using specific elements like argon which is known as Argon Laser and Ruby which is also known as Ruby laser.
Ruby laser is used to handle vascular lesion. Other examples of lasers are ND:YAG, diode, ruby, argon, Er:YAG, CO2 laser and IPL.
Laser has existed for more than fifty years and they have been use for both industrial and Medical purposes.
Aesthetic Lasers have different manufacturers and they can come in different brand names e.g cynosure, Lumenis, palomar and so on. The above brand names are manufacturers name and do not necessarily mean they are ideal for your skin especially the pigmented skin.
Aesthetic laser is a new and growing field in Nigeria and there have been uncontrolled usage of laser in Nigeria health care services especially by artisans.
There are different laser systems and there is a need to understand what is best for your skin before you get injured by either untrained professionals or trained cosmeticians who just want to move with the flow.
In ensuring that your professionals or laser centers are on point please ask them the following questions and even in some places overseas they use the wrong laser for the pigmented skin
First ask them what type of laser system they are using and even though you might not be able to differentiate it except you see the specifics of the laser it is preferable as a pigment skin person to have treatment with the ND:YAg laser for laser hair removal or removal of pigment growth on your body not IPL. The latter is recommended mainly for white skin and in medical jargon Fitzpatrick 1-3.The black skin is Fitzpatrick 4-6.Please tell them not to use IPL on your skin though some may argue that it can be used at low energy but tell them you prefer the ND:Yag as a colored person. The risk of skin damaged on pigment skin is higher when IPL is used. IPL simply means ‘Intense Pulse Laser’
Secondly, ask for the trained professional background and skill in this area. It should be a health professional e.g. Doctor, Nurse or a laser technician with certification in laser systems.
In skin resurfacing the pigment skin can get treatment using CO2(carbon dioxide) laser and Er:Yag(Er:YAG lasers are solid-state component lasers whose lasing medium is erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:Y3Al5O12). Er:YAG lasers typically emit light with a wavelength of 2940 nm, which is infrared light.
In summary it is better to get guided and be treated by the right professional when it comes to laser use in Aesthetics especially if your skin is pigmented.
What is liposculpting?
Liposuctioningis a minimally invasive surgery done to shape the body. Liposuction is a minimal risk procedure which is safe and use in improving and reshaping of the body. Liposuction does not require you spending days after the procedure, you can return to daily activity as soon as you feel comfortable. The procedure is not a whole day thing, its takes few hours or less and you’re ready to go. Fat removed from one part of the body can be injected to other part where contouring is desired(fat transfer).This same fat can serve as a good substitute for prostheticsbreast implants or silicon breast implant which we noticed n many especially the colored skin that they are averse to it.
Areas of concern for body sculpturing are theabdomen, thighs, breasts, hips, pubis, buttocks, male breast tissue (gynaecomastia), chin/neck, , back of the arms, the love handles, the legs and the forehand.
How it works
In our clinic, we make use of the power assisted liposuction machine (2015 edition Moller) with tumescent technique in liposuction and fat transfer. This technique uses cannula that has a spinning end to break the fat while the fat is being suctioned. In this procedure we use standard markings and incisions less than 5mm to pass the cannula under the skin to the fat layer while the cannula with a spinning end breaks the deep and superficial fats and simultaneously suck the fats.
This technique has been proven to reduce bruising and bleeding, less risk and discomfort. Liposuction is usually done as anoutpatient procedure in our properly equipped clinic for localized areas of the body especially when there is no other major procedure to be done. In general, it does not require an overnight hospital stay unless a large volume of fat is being removed or additional procedure is done. Local anesthesia is used in some cases and you may or may not be given a sedative to help you relax. If a large area or volume of fat is being removed, general anesthesia or deep sedation with a local anesthetic may be used.
Our fat transfer is by use of Tulip cannula an American device after careful separation of the fat before transfer is done to request areas of the body e.g. the butt or the face.
Stretch marks
Stretch marks occur when skin doesn't bounce back after it's been stretched due to pregnancy, rapid weight gain, extreme weight loss, or use of toning and bleaching products. Hence, stretch marks seem to be caused, literally, by stretching of the skin.
Many have been asking how effective, how true can stretch marks be treated. Some even wished the stretch could disappear overnight; the truth is we can assure you best treatment that can rejuvenate and bring back the beauty of your skin.
How We Work
We use the fraxel or fractional laser or simply called the CO2 in the treatment of stretch mark.
With a fraxel or CO2 laser, you are sure of the result of treatment. This laser works on two principles which is removing some layer of the skin involved and also sending heat to the dermis to stimulate more collagen formation.
The first few days will cause reddening and darkening of the area involved with exfoliation and discomfort.
Subsequently there will be total removal of the stretch mark in the involve area because new skin formation and collagen formation in the involved area.
The down time is between 2-4 weeks and you are sure of a clear new skin. This procedure requires multiple sessions especially if they are old stretch mark.
The areas treated with the CO2 laser or fraxel laser might be sore for some days but the skin strength and integrity is restored back in no time. Other functions of the CO2 laser include vaginal tightening, acne scars, post burn scars, keloids, hypertrophic scars, wrinkles, pigment removal, skin resurfacing etc.
There is also option of micro needling, derma brasion and chemical peeling with combine use of medical productsto cause new cell renewal and collagen stimulation.
Just in case you’re too far from our clinic and thinking about the distance, do not be discourage, you can place order for some of our products which in fact its effective as you can expect. Just simply combine any of the following products:-Copper Serum, SND Corrector, and Intensive Scar repair with Microneedle Roller.
These products contain medical ingredients that either increases or stimulate collagen formation.
Common complications are: Redness, Pain, Hyperpigmentation, Scarring, Superficial wound.
LASER VAGINA REJUVENATION (VAGINAL TIGHTENING)
Women are not only concern about their body; they feel more concern about their Vagina. Some men even categories women based on how wide or loose the vaginal. They seem to forget age, child birth, how frequently they make love to their woman affect the firmness of the vaginal. Some are even opting for caesarian section to reduce this effect. Loose Vagina is one of the most embarrassing problems that can negatively affect a satisfied relationship and vaginal dryness which is extremely uncomfortable and painful during sex may be misinterpreted by your partner as uncaring attitude and lack of interest in sex.
Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation is about a one-hour outpatient procedure designed to enhance sexual gratification. While the details of this procedure will be discussed with the Consultant during your consultation, it is important to understand the primary goal of vaginal tightening is to enhance sexual gratification for the patient. This is achieved by reducing the external diameter of the vagina and tightening the internal muscles to a patient’s specifications, thereby increasing friction experienced during intercourse. It also increases the collagen production in the mucous layer in the vagina area leading to more firm introitus.
Patients with involuntary loss of urine while coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, or sex can have their stress urinary incontinence corrected along with enhancement of sexual gratification with Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation
Acne
This is a common skin problem that affects both young and old, either in the active phase or reminiscences stage with scarring of the face, arm, back and shoulder. While it might sound funny from our observation and experience, acne affects teenagers and it is also common in people in their early age. Many adult are also living with the consequence of acne they had in past or the complications from the acne or as a result of products recommended by people or cosmetic shops.
It should be clear that a block or clog of the skin pore will result into acne after the sebaceous gland secretion fails to get to the surface of the skin. In addition there are also organisms in or on the skin that facilitate more oil product with resultant effect of more acne or oil production. A lot of people having active acne, in addition to excess oil secretion, while people look for solution, many problems therefore occur as a result of using all sorts of skin care products.
What can be done?
Understanding of what is good and appropriate for the face is very important. Treatment of the menace starts from visit of specialist doctor or getting the right recommendation of products.
Treatment with a peel ranging from Vitamin A propionate peel, one of our Favourites peel with no downtime. You come in for the peel and you don't peel at all which means you can go home and to work the same hour without any skin flaking after the treatment and the resultant reduction and clearance of the black spots. With subsequent application of our acne solution and a mandelic cleanser you are sure to have a radiant skin.
Other recommendations are the use of Vitamin C serum or Vitamin A propionate cream which will help with the spots or Hyperpigmentation.
Our Derma bright is also very good for Hyperpigmented spots but this should be separated from dark circle around the eyes which is as a result of breakdown of blood and blood products due to stress.
Glutathione Skin Whitening Treatment
Glutathione is an antioxidant that helps whiten the skin, synthesize and repair DNA, facilitate the recycling of vitamins C and E and it is made of all-natural amino acids that occur in nature and are beneficial to our bodies. Glutathione can be found in many healthy foods that people eat on a regular basis, some of which are actually considered among the healthiest foods in the world such as asparagus, broccoli, spinach, garlic, raw tomatoes and avocadoes however they won’t actually work to whiten your skin because of low amount gotten from this foods.
Glutathione is commonly taken in pill form or it can also be taken via intravenous injection, though you’ll need to visit your dermatologist to have this procedure done. Glutathione injections are highly effective and as such many dermatologists recommend Glutathione injections because they get 100-percent of the dose into your bloodstream. This antioxidant slows your body’s aging process and helps the body to detoxify. Most people use glutathione in the treatment of skin blemishes such as moles, freckles, uneven skin tone, age spot, skin patches, spots, wrinkles and getting a light skin. Therefore it is the best anti-aging product in the market now. It can also be done in combination with other skin procedures to enhance the effect of the drug.
Botox in Facial Ageing
Botox as it name may sound is not used for the butt but rather to cancel out wrinkles in common areas of the body like the face and the neck.Botulinium toxin injections are used to temporarily paralyze muscle activities in specific areas of the body. Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin used to make Botox (Allergan) and some other brand names. There’re 7 types of Botulinium toxins, which are: botulinium toxin A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Botulinium toxin A and C are the recommended and widely used Botox.
Mode of Action/How it works
Botox blocks the release of a chemical called acetylcholine which triggers the muscle contractions that create wrinkles. Botox works beneath the skin’s surface and targets the
Underlying muscle activity that causes frown lines and crow’s feet. The needles use in
Administering Botox is so thin and fine that the procedure is often painless. It should only be
Injected with sterile instruments in a doctor's office or a medical spa, not at Botox parties at your
Local nail salon or neighbour's living room.
Results are visible within one week after treatment and remain for a minimum of six months and more. Though it could be longer or shorter in duration based on the muscle built ad activity in the specific area of the body. Depending on the extent of treatment, the procedure can take few minutes or more.
Uses
• Frown lines between the eyebrows
• Crow's-feet (the lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes)
• Forehead furrows (the horizontal lines that form when you raise your eyebrows)
• Ocular muscle spasms disorder
• Problem with eye coordination
• Severe armpit perspiration (excessive sweating).
• Migraine headaches
• Overactive bladder/ Urinary incontinence
Common Side Effect
Botox cosmetic may cause headache, nausea, flu-like symptoms loss of strength or general
muscle weakness, vision problems, or dizziness after taking Botox cosmetic. If this happens, do
not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities. These side effects usually
resolve within hours or days.
For more details and enquiries, please call the phone numbers below. We will be there to help you.
Powered by Grandville Medical and Laser at 36, Ogunlana drive, Surulere, Lagos. Website:www.grandvillemed.com, Instagram:@grandvillemedlaser, Facebook: Grandville Med,
Twitter:@grandvillelaser, Email:grandvillemedlaser@gmail.com,info@grandvillemed.com,
BBM 5C436024 .
Tel: 09091770981, 08120208868
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