I remember seeing photos of the way skin changes as one ages and thinking what a long way off it was. But recently I had to come to terms with the fact that I now am one of those ageing faces. Every time I looked in the mirror, I saw a version of myself that didn’t quite match how I felt inside. My skin was looking tired like someone had dimmed the brightness setting. At 50+, I knew my skin was changing, but I wasn’t ready to accept dullness as the new normal.
Not ready to try anything too invasive I chatted to Dr. Tracey Garner at Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates about treatments that would genuinely refresh my skin. After a very thorough consultation which included an assessment of my skin, health and lifestyle and a genuine interest in my concerns, Dr. Tracey recommended a signature two-step approach: an injectable cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) skin booster from the makers of Juvéderm designed to deeply hydrate and improve skin quality, and the Melanostop MD Peel, a specialised chemical peel to target pigmentation, uneven texture and dullness. The combination promised to not only improve skin texture, luminosity (glow) and hydration but also improve its long-term resilience.
To help me understand her recommendation, Dr. Tracey drew the analogy of my face being like a house. “A house has a foundation, walls, a roof and paint. The question we ask is what maintenance does this house need to keep it looking good? The answer is we need to look at each one of those layers. The foundation is the deep support – the bone and deep fat pads which we lose as we age. The walls are the supporting connective tissue. The roof is the structure of the skin which also loses collagen and weakens as we age and becomes less connected to the lower levels of the skin, which leads to skin laxity. The paint on the house is the quality of the skin. If you repaint a house, it will always look better, so skin quality is extremely important.”
So, while I am feeding my skin with good ingredients daily, it was time to do a bit more and improving my skin’s quality was the place to start.
Glow from within
I had heard of injectable HA skin boosters by Juvéderm before, but I didn’t quite understand what set it apart. Unlike fillers that add volume, HA skin boosters work on multiple levels to promote healthier skin function by improving hydration, collagen and elastin, as well as subdermal fat production. This results in a plumper, more radiant complexion, refined texture and a noticeable reduction in fine lines. The specific skin booster recommended for me is a cross-linked HA injectable. Cross-linked HA skin boosters differ from non-cross-linked versions by providing longer-lasting hydration. The cross-linking process creates a soft matrix in the form of a gel that breaks down more slowly, delivering sustained hydration and regeneration over time. This results in a longer-lasting glow that requires less frequent top-ups than with non-cross-linked HA skin boosters.
The process: The skin is prepared with a peeling agent to optimise the surface (epidermis) and appearance. This is followed by injecting the skin booster into the skin with a fine needle. The treatment itself was quick – about 15 to 20 minutes of tiny micro-injections across my face and neck. It wasn’t painless (think quick pricks rather than deep needles), but it was manageable.
Peel Away Dullness
The Melanostop MD Peel is designed specifically for dull, uneven and pigmented skin. Unlike deeper peels that can leave you red and flaking for weeks, this one is formulated to be powerful yet gentle – perfect for mature skin.
The process: The application was straightforward – a few layers of solution were brushed onto my skin, followed by a short wait. I felt a mild tingling sensation, but nothing uncomfortable. Dr. Tracey advised that I might experience some dryness and flaking over the next few days. To end off the treatment Dr. Tracey applied a mask to soothe and nourish the skin, while I dozed off to light music.
The Verdict
Immediately after the session, there was some redness and slight lumpiness in places, but within a couple of days, it was back to normal. There was slight flaking from the peel but it was not too noticeable and a bruise on my neck which took about a week to disappear. After about three days, my skin tone looked more even and the lingering dullness had visibly lifted. Within two weeks I could see a marked difference – the fine lines around my eyes and mouth were less noticeable, my skin appeared plumper and my neck smoother. It was a good “paint job” and, as Dr.Tracey said, it made “my house” look so much fresher. What I loved about the signature approach of combining the Juvéderm skin booster and the Melanostop MD Peel is that they addressed different issues in tandem – deep hydration from within and gentle resurfacing on the outside. Together, they gave my skin a second wind. And I learnt a valuable lesson with the house DIY analogy: it’s not about chasing youth; it’s about restoring vitality.
So, would this treatment give you the results that I saw? There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach – we all have different skin types and concerns, which is why a truly curated approach for each individual is key. In this way, each client receives bespoke recommendations for improved skin quality and natural-looking results that last.
For appointments, contact Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates at (021) 422 4811
