- Best Results1-2 treatments
- Treatment RecoveryImmediate
- Procedure Time20 minutes
- Skin SpecialistNurse injector
- Duration of Results3 months
- AnaestheticNil
- Back to WorkImmediately
- Cost$$
Aquagold Facials
Aquagold is a tiny microneedling applicator containing super fine 24 karat gold needles. This device precisely delivers formulations such as platelet-rich-plasma, dermal fillers, muscle relaxants, retinoic acid, peptides & vitamins directly into the skin. This is a form of ‘nano’ needling, with super-fine needles.
FactsFacts on Aquagold Micro Treatments
- Bespoke skin products are delivered into the dermal layer with superfine needles
- Improves fine lines, wrinkles, open pores, redness
- Aquagold facial is a no-downtime facial that actually works
- Microchanneling also result in collagen induction therapy
- This is a no downtime procedure that takes 15 to 20 min to perform
What conditions can be treated with Aquagold?
Fine lines & wrinkles: A bespoke mix of muscle relaxants coupled with hyaluronic acid can decrease wrinkles, infuse the dermis, & hydrate skin. Results are seen immediately, with maximal wrinkle reduction at week two.
Enlarged pores: By relaxing the muscles responsible that regulate hair follicles, enlarged pores can be treated. This effect is seen within 10 days & can last up to 3 months. Top ups at 6-week intervals can keep pores small. Ideal for patients who don’t have the downtime associated with chemical peels or lasers.
Rosacea: This subgroup of patients will have redness, broken capillaries, & enlarged pores due to chronic inflammation of the skin. Microbotox & hyaluronic acid delivered via an Aquagold facial can hydrate the epidermis & modulate the blood flow. Results can last 2-4 months, often best combined with vascular lasers.
Melasma & pigmentation: Aquagold can improve melasma by modifying blood vessel supply to the pigment cells. This form of skin rejuvenation is super safe as it can potentially treat melasma. Lasers & peels must be approached with utmost care in this group of patients as to not flare up pigmentation.
Sweating & perspiration: Ideal treatment for the hot summer months in Brisbane! How do we do it? Adding tiny amounts of Botox in the Aquagold facial will decrease activity of your sweat glands. The result? Makeup that sits better, with up to 90% less facial sweating. Lasts up to 3 months.
How does the Aquagold facial work?
Micro or nano needling causes microscopic channels in the epidermis. This results in cell signalling to the dermal layer of skin, in turn activating cells that produce collagen, & hyaluronic acid. This is known as collagen induction therapy.
Microchannels also allow delivery of bespoke formulations containing Botox, hyaluronic acid, & skin vitamins to be delivered into the dermal layers of skin. The problem with the vast majority of skin care products & actives, is that their large molecular weight does not allow entry into the dermal layers (where they exert their biochemical effects). Micro-channelling via nano-needles from the Aquagold applicator delivers products directly to the dermal ‘action zone’.
How long does the Aquagold facial last?
Results following Aquagold are seen within 4-9 days after treatment and typically last approximately 2-5 months (depending on your skin quality, condition & care). This treatment can be repeated every 6-10 weeks to help maintain the results.
Is the treatment painful?
Treatment is super comfortable & is performed without the need of any numbing cream. Patients can return to work right after the treatment, albeit some redness. Make up can be applied directly after treatment.
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What is Micro-Botox?
Micro–Botox, also known as meso-Botox is delivered through the Aquagold microneedling system. Tiny amounts of Botox are infused into the dermal layer through microscopic channels. This treatment can address fine lines, open pores, surface imperfections while still maintaining muscle movement. This is a no downtime facial rejuvenation treatment.
What is the typical dilution for Micro-Botox - Aquagold?
Typical dilution ranges from 8 to 20 units depending on clinical features. This is reconstituted into 1 to 2.5 mls of normal saline. In some cases a low molecular weight hyaluronic acid dermal filler gel is mixed in with Botox. Another antioxidant infusion mix is with ascorbic acid, tocopherol & ferulic acid. Bespoke formulations can be made according to patient concerns.
A slightly acidic skin environment optimizes skin barrier function & reduces the chances of infections as a low (ish) pH is disadvantageous to pathogens
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👉What about very low pH ingredients? Some formulations such as #ascorbic acid, lactic, glycolic, salicylic, mandelic, citric, and beta hydroxy acids function best in a low pH formulation as this increases bioavailability & skin penetration. Not an issue for most skin types, but maybe an issue for those with compromised skin barrier function- namely acne, rosacea, dermatitis-eczema patients.
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👉What about higher pH products? Fortunately the days of alkaline washes/cleansers/soaps are limited. Mainstream brands such as La Roche Posay, Paula’s Choice & CeraVe have cleansers ranging between pH 5.1 to 5.4.
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😎Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane/Sydney🇦🇺
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#skincare #skincarescience #skinscience #dermaltherapy #dermatology
#healthyskin #skinhealth #drdavinlim #davinlim #dermatoloigstsydney #brisbanedermatology
Picosecond fractional resurfacing with Picosure Pro, 2 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart
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👉Indication: Pigment in all skin types. Our pilot study suggests that off label picosecond laser in the 755 wavelength, delivered in full beam to select spots & high powered fractional is superior to IPL & non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing💯
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👉Cons: It’s off label. Downtime of 48+ hours (still less than 1927 Fraxel & IPL). With the marked cytokine release, I now give a short sharp application of topical CS post treatment to reduce post treatment swelling. For patients with pigment > solar dysplasia, I prefer pico to thulium lasers (& TCA-Jesser peels). The Picosure Pro by #Cynosure is really that good👍🏻
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😎Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane/Sydney🇦🇺
.
#picosure #skinscience #dermatology #picosurepro #picolasers #skinrejuvenation
#drdavinlim #davinlim #dermatoloigstsydney #brisbanedermatology
Can Aquagold be combined with other treatments?
Yes. MIcroinfusions can be combined with Fraxel, Fractional lasers, Tixel as well as Hydrafacials. Lasers improve skin quality, whilst infusions improve the dermal layers.
Are all micro applicators the same?
No. I have tested many different applications over the years. The original Aquagold is head and shoulders above all cheaper knock offs! The unique spring system gives precise delivery of micro-injectables with each push, whilst the 24 Karat gold micro needles enable efficient & painless penetration into the dermis.
What do I prefer, traditional Botox or Aquagold?
I don’t think they are mutually exclusive. Traditional injectable muscle relaxants play a role in the treatment & prevention of both dynamic & static wrinkles, whilst micro-Botox addresses the smaller details including fine lines, open pores & skin texture.
For wrinkles such as the frown lines & crow’s feet, or simple elevation of the brow, injectable Botox, Dysport of Xeomin provides a predictable anti-wrinkle solution.
What is the difference between microneedling & Aquagold?
Microneedling is performed with skin pens, stamps, or rollers. Micro needles are much larger & blunt compared to the gold needles of Aquagold. Additionally the spring based delivery system of Aquagold simultaneously delivers products into the deeper dermal layers with each action. Microneedling with subsequent product application allows clotting, hence product delivery is poor with this technique.
There are many ‘made in China’ copies of Aquagold circulating within the aesthetic world however none of them deliver the correct flow rate. If flow rate is impaired, the product cannot be effectively delivered in the dermal layer.
How do I know if this treatment is for me?
To see if the Aquagold facial is the correct treatment for your concerns, book a consultation with my nurse injectors @cliniccutis
Our bespoke approach means that we will tailor treatments based upon your concerns, expectations, skin type, & downtime. Cutis offers the latest in laser & light technology, coupled with decades of chemical peel experience, & extensive skin product testing. This ensures that each treatment will deliver the best possible outcomes.
Davin’s Take On Aquagold Facials & MesoBotox
This is probably the only facial that actually delivers, with results lasting up to 3 months. How is this different from normal no downtime treatments such as Oxygen facials, Hydrafacials, enzyme masks & lunchtime peels? The answer lies in the depth of delivery. Facials & superficial peels have very limited dermal penetration, whilst microneedling actually goes into the upper papillary dermal layer of the skin.
In my practice, Aquagold has two functions. Firstly, this no-downtime facial can help treat & maintain skin concerns including fine textural changes, redness & sweating. Secondly it gives a nervous patient entry into the realm of injectables, without the higher dosing of Botox – dermal fillers. MicroBotox is literally a steppingstone into the injectable space.
