As a doctor, I always try to base my research on independent, peer reviewed evidence.  It is amazing how often conflicts of interest appear in research with the vast majority of drug trials being sponsored by the companies that manufacture these drugs.  Even doctors giving presentations at conferences are often sponsored by drug companies.

As consumers, I would advise seeking advice from independent sources.  Any doctor or clinic that is offering a cosmetic treatment and advertises that treatment has a potential conflict of interest and may present incomplete or biased information.  There is always a balancing act between ethical responsibilities and professional standards and business interests. 

Independent information is often difficult to find.  I have located some independent information about botox injections on the following site:

http://www.mydr.com.au/skin-hair/botox-injections 

Skin Integrity is pleased to announce that Penthrox is now available to assist with pain relief during cosmetic procedures.  Penthrox is an inhaled analgesic (similar to happy gas) that can make procedures such as dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections, chemical peels and photodynamic therapy considerably more comfortable. 

Penthrox is a hand held device that has been used in Australia for more than thirty years and is often used by ambulances.  It provides strong pain relief. The client is in control of the device, therefore feeling more comfortable. Penthrox is safe and can be used in most situations.

Penthrox has a rapid onset of action and is short lasting.  After a short period of observation (generally around 30 minutes) most clients are able to drive home.  Understandably, many clients are anxious about needles or pain during procedures.  Penthrox is an excellent option to help these clients tolerate their procedure.  Other modalities used at Skin Integrity for pain relief include ice, local anaesthetic cream and nerve blocks.

The cost of Penthrox is $50 in addition to the procedure cost.  It can only be administered under medical supervision.

Despite its increasing popularity, it is important to realise that Cosmetic Injections such as botox and dermal fillers are medical procedures.  In addition, the products used are prescription only and can only be prescribed by a Registered Medical Practioner.  Therefore, it is illegal for these products to be administered by a Nurse or any other person unless the injector is being supervised by a doctor.

Availability for follow up following any Medical procedure including Cosmetic injections is also important.  As with any Medical procedure, Cosmetic Injections can have adverse reactions and side-effects.  It is essential that the treating doctor be available to address any concerns following your treatment, preferably by face to face consultation.  By operating at one location on the Central Coast, Dr Stephen Wassall from Skin Integrity is able to offer the highest level of Medical care and follow up.

Skin Integrity is a properly equipped Medical Clinic.  It has been purpose designed to ensure that all treatments are given in an appropriate Medical environment.  Medical standards and procedures such as patient confidentiality are strictly adhered to.

Be aware that some practitioners working out of Beauty or Hairdressing Salons are describing these as "Clinics".  In Dr Wassall's opinion, this is potentially misleading.

For more information on delegation of Cosmetic injections please click here.

Skin Integrity has just become aware of the best kept beauty secret ever!  We now know what keeps those Hollywood stars looking amazing.  Watch the video below to reveal the secret.  This video is only recommended for those people with a sense of humour ............

 

Fotoshop by Adobé from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

Skin Integrity is pleased to be classified as a Platinum Plus Injecting Clinic. This status is awarded by Allergan, the manufacturer of botox. The Platinum Plus status is awarded based on the amount of botox used over the preceeding three months. It is an achievement that Skin Integrity is very proud of, particularly as Dr Wassall is the only doctor injecting at the clinic.

Platinum Plus status is a further reassurance that your cosmetic injections are being performed by a very eperienced practitioner. Dr Wassall started performing cosmetic procedures in 2002 and has performed thousands of procedures. Despite his experience, he maintains a very competitive pricing structure. Furthermore, Platinum Plus status guarantees that the botox used is fresh, giving the best opportunity for optimal outcomes. By being based at one location on the Central Coast and not travelling to multiple sites the potential problem of product dergredation is also avoided.

Total Body Photography has emerged as the single most useful tool for early detection of melanoma in high risk individuals. If detected early enough, melanoma is 100% curable. Once a melanoma has spread to other parts of the body the cure rate falls to below 50%.

For more information click here.

The combination of Microdermabrasion followed by Sonophoresis delivers healthy, radiant looking skin and is called Microplus.  It is an effective treatment for:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Acne, blackheads and congestion
• Pigmentation  
• Rejuvenation of dull, tired skin
• Open pores

Skin Integrity is currently offering an introductory 30 minute treatment for $75.

For more information click here:

 

Dr Stephen Wassall was born on the New South Wales Central Coast.  He continues to work and live on the Central Coast and is actively involved with the local community.  As he lives locally, he is available to attend to your needs in the unlikely event of a complication or side-effect.  He is always contactable by telephone.

Some practitioners travel from other destinations to perform treatments on the Central Coast.  They will usually offer services at Beauty Salons or even hairdressers.  Some medical cosmetic treatments consist of the administration of a relatively fragile purified protein.  The integrity of this protein can suffer if it is not stored at a certain temperature or it is subject to movement.  Always ensure that your practitioner is using fresh, non-reconstituted product for each site they are performing procedures, particularly if they have travelled long distances.

Dr Wassall has been performing Medical Cosmetic Procedures on the Central Coast for 10 years.  He is highly experienced and has performed thousands of procedures.  Despite this, he offers a very competitive pricing structure.  Clients that purchase larger volumes of product can save more.  There are practitioners that are considerably less experienced charging considerably more for the same products.  Dr Wassall offers complimentary, no obligation consultations and price quotations.

Dr Wassall is committed to ethics, integrity and professionalism.  He will not compromise his medical standards for profit.  He often declines to perform procedures he does not believe are in the best interests of his clients. For further information on Dr Wassall's education and training click here.

Dr Wassall was the first doctor on the New South Wales Central Coast to use a MoleMax machine. This device is designed to take a digital image of a suspicious mole to allow monitoring for future changes which may indicate that it is a melanoma. Dr Wassall used this machine as the workhorse of his Skin Cancer Practice from 1998 until 2006. Due to advances in technology, Dr Wassall no longer uses the MoleMax camera but rather uses a digital camera attached to a dermatoscope to take photographs of suspicious moles.

A lot of patients ask him why he has changed his method. Look at the photographs below and the answer should be apparent.

Dr Wassall has taken a photograph of a melanoma using the two systems. The first photograph is taken with the MoleMax camera and the second one with a digital camera attached to a dermatoscope. It is obvious that the digital camera image is much clearer with more colours and features visible. These photographs had to be reduced in size for publication on the internet. When these photographs are looked at next to each other at full size the difference in quality is even more apparent. Some of the features that identify this lesion as a melanoma are not visible on the MoleMax photograph.

It is more time consuming to photograph and store images using a digital camera as opposed to a MoleMax machine. However, Dr Wassall believes the extra time and effort is justified when the differences in image quality are so significant. It is also for this reason that Dr Wassall uses hand held dermatoscopes for his examination rather than the MoleMax machine. He believes that the features visible with the MoleMax machine are often not sufficient to allow a precise diagnosis in many circumstances. His opinion is that the MoleMax machine is still a useful tool for monitoring moles for change but is not the best tool available for initial diagnosis.

For more photographs taken with a digital camera attached to a dermatoscope, please go to the Image Gallery.

As many of you may be aware I recently resigned as a partner of Terrigal Medical Centre. From July Mediskin Clinic will be renamed Skin Integrity and I will be responsible for running the business. It will operate exclusively as a Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Medicine Clinic.

I wish to offer a premium Skin Cancer service and will be expanding the range of services available. Total Body Photography has been proven to be an invaluable tool in the early detection of melanoma in high risk individuals. I will installing a high quality photography studio to offer this service to new and existing patients. I have also recently invested in equipment to perform a procedure known as Photdynamic Therapy. Photodynamic Therapy is a light based treatment used to eliminate certain precancerous spots and superficial skin cancers. It gives excellent cosmetic results and is considered the gold standard treatment for skin cancers in certain circumstances. This system complements the array of treatment options I already offer to ensure each patient is given the optimum treatment for their particular condition. I will also be setting up a dedicated Operating Theatre with modern sterilising and surgical equipment. We are also hoping to offer twilight sedation and will be able to perform more complex surgical procedures onsite than is currently possible. We will continue to use digital monitoring of suspicious moles but with higher resolution cameras and monitors.

I will be employing Registered Nurses and investing in their ongoing education in Skin Cancer Medicine. They will be able to assist me in offering the highest standard of care. I have completed a Masters Degree in Primary Care Skin Cancer Medicine and I am hoping to continue my education by undertaking Diplomas and Degrees with the University of Graz in Austria. The Skin Cancer training available at this facility is highly regarded internationally.

New computers and software will be installed to streamline the appointment process. SMS and email reminders will be available for appointments and follow up. We are hopeful of reducing waiting times for appointments and improving access to care. We will also be liasing more closely with your usual GP to ensure they are informed of significant findings.

The aim of Skin Integrity is to offer the highest quality Primary Care Skin Cancer service possible. Service and treatments will be personalised and optimised for each individual. As you can imagine, the costs involved in setting up and running a premium service of this nature are considerable. Unfortunately the Medicare rebate from the Government is insufficient to subsidise this level of service and facilities. As a result, there will be a modest increase in fees for skin checks and procedures performed in the Operating Theatre.  Discounts are available for Pensioners and Children under 16 but bulk billing will generally be unavailable. I understand that some individuals suffer genuine financial hardship and I am always happy to discuss individual circumstances to ensure patients are not denied access to care.

Skin Integrity will offer a more comprehensive range of diagnostic and treatment services than any other Primary Care Skin Cancer facility on the Central Coast.