Vitamin A is the greatest deficiency in the world, most people are unaware they suffer from a chronic, localised deficiency of vitamin A. As vitamin A is light sensitive, it is destroyed everyday in our skin and that is the main reason why we develop photoaging. You could say that the skin is constantly in need of vitamin A” -Dr Des Fernandes
In 1930 scientists first suggested that aging skin is caused by a vitamin A deficiency. This sparked ongoing trials and research that has now become the “gold standard” of results driven skincare, particularly with aging, acne and photodamage.
What is Vitamin A?
Vitamin A can be an ester, alcohol, or acid (depending on the form) and belongs to a family of organic chemicals called retinoids. Retinoids are something your body naturally produces, and is closely linked to vision in the retina of our eyes.
The different forms of vitamin A found in skincare (in order of bioavailability) are retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinyl propionate, retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinoic acid to name a few.
All forms of Vitamin A applied to the skin go through an enzymatic process to be transformed into retinoic acid, the more pathways the vitamin A has to go through (e.g retinyl palmitate), the longer it’ll take to see visible results, however sensitive skins may benefit more from a weaker form of vitamin A due to less irritation.
Vitamin A is the most essential molecule for maintaining healthy skin.
Everybody is exposed to UV light, whether that’s intentional or not. This exposure damages the vitamin A naturally found in our skin.
The more abundant our skin is in vitamin A, the more protected it will be against UV light.
It is essential that vitamin A is replenished on a daily basis to promote healthy looking skin, as well as minimize the effects of photoaging.
How does Vitamin A benefit our skin?
Our stratum corneum (the outermost layer of our skin) becomes more compact and smooth. This strengthens our skin barrier function, improving our skin’s first line of defence against environmental factors.
The Langerhan cells (responsible for our skin’s immunity) become far more effective, efficiently dealing with any foreign invaders such as microbes and pathogens that may be harmful to the health of our skin.
The effectiveness of our fibroblasts are improved, meaning healthier collagen and elastin are produced.
Melanin becomes more evenly distributed, making hyperpigmentation less noticeable.
Abnormal cells are normalised through DNA repair, and a process called cell apoptosis occurs. This means that skin cells that are no longer helpful, or are damaged beyond repair are programmed for cell death. This also plays a crucial role in preventing skin cancer.
Normalises sebaceous gland activity, this makes vitamin A particularly helpful for people concerned with acne/congestion.
With this we can conclude that Vitamin A deficiency is the main cause for hyperpigmentation, loss of elasticity (saggyness), wrinkles, roughness, irregular pigmentation, sallow skin, elastosis and breakouts. By topically applying vitamin A daily, we can improve the appearance of all these symptoms mentioned.
At TFP Academy, we believe that mastering the foundations is crucial before learners move on to practical, hands-on training. That’s why we’ve designed a comprehensive learning platform that our learners will utilise prior to any face-to-face training. This platform serves as the cornerstone of our training program, providing all the essential theories, knowledge, and detailed explanations needed to establish a strong foundation in aesthetic medicine.
So, what should you expect from our learning platform? Our platform is structured into multiple modules, each carefully crafted to cover the most important aspects of aesthetic treatment, including the science behind botulinum toxin, complex anatomy, patient safety, and many more essential components and fundamental factors.
We also understand that everyone learns differently, which is why our courses are designed to be both engaging and adaptable. The learning platform combines videos and theoretical content, ensuring that students with varying learning styles, whether visual, auditory, or reading-based, can fully absorb the materials provided. This blend of media makes the content not only useful but also highly interactive and engaging, catering to all types of learners.
By the end of each module, students will complete an assessment or examination to ensure they fully understand the basics before moving on. We aim for a 100% score on these assessments, as this is a critical step to ensuring learners are well-prepared for the next stage of their training.
We don’t believe in simply issuing certificates upon completion of coursework. Instead, our mission is to ensure every student who passes through our academy is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to practice safely and confidently. As trainers, it’s our responsibility to craft not just certified practitioners, but well-informed and capable professionals who can work independently with 3c’s – competence, confidence and compassion.
What Happens After the Modules?
Once learners have completed the theoretical modules and passed all assessments, they will then proceed to the next phase of their journey – the face-to-face practical training. This is where theory meets practice. Learners will engage in hands-on training focused on the safe application of botulinum toxin, working under direct guidance to develop real-world skills. With the support of our expert trainers, learners will gain the practical experience and confidence needed to perform these procedures safely on their own clients.
We’ll be with our learners every step of the way – supporting, guiding, and ensuring they feel fully prepared before they begin practicing independently.
At TFP Academy, safety and confidence are our top priorities, and we look forward to supporting our learners on their journey to becoming skilled aesthetic practitioners.
Our Medical Team have the privilege of attending major conferences for Cosmetic Medicine here in New Zealand and across the ditch, because our clinic’s leader and founder, Dr Catherine Stone, is relentless in investing in her team’s pursuit of continuous learning. Myself and my nurse colleagues have been sent to attend the Non-Surgical Symposium in the Gold Coast, and New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Medicine annual conference in Queenstown in the past few months, and we were front and centre listening to fabulous doctors present topics strongly centred on optimising skin quality. Long story short, we can never underestimate the power of skin!
I particularly enjoyed Dr Priya Chadha’s presentation on Skin Quality. Facial skin quality affects an individual’s appearance, and has a profound influence on perceived attractiveness, youthfulness, and health. Poor skin quality can have huge negative effects and negative consequences on quality of life.
She shared that on data, attractive individuals tend to be favoured in job admission processes, have improved likelihood of promotion and career success. Research also showed that people tend to see attractive individuals as possessing positive traits. There’s also research that people tend to be more favourable of unethical behaviours with people of better skin or perceived attractiveness. (ahah! Flashback of myself watching news from overseas and wondering how those people got away with doing wrong things for a long time!)
While it is worrying to learn that there is research-based data that people actually make inferences based on skin quality, across all ethnicities and age groups, it is a fact. Whether we like it or not, people will make judgements of us, even before they actually speak to us. Someone would have made judgements on how much we earn, our job satisfaction, our happiness in life at home, our emotional state based on our level of skin health. Heck, if someone is a member of a jury, they’d be more inclined to give us a shorter sentence if we had healthy looking skin.
Shocking, but yes, one’s skin has a strong psychosocial influence on other individuals. On the flip side, poor skin quality may negatively impact a person’s mental health, quality of life, self-perception and interactions with others. These are my learnings, backed by data from research conducted overseas.
Let’s lighten this blog by focusing on insights from closer to home?
Skin quality and achieving “the glow” is becoming a more common concern for our Cosmedicine clients, and this is across all age groups.
Younger clients want that fresh or glass look, aiming to keep up with the #nofilter trend on social media.
Women my age (hello perimenopausal ladies!) notice that their usual skin care is just not cutting it anymore … and in the ideal world, we should NOT be getting acne in our 40s!
Strong wahine powering through menopause know that despite the moisturiser’s and supplements they have, the skin just feels dehydrated before the end of the day.
Our fabulous dermal clinicians are excellent in working with each client, identifying their concerns and unique needs, then proposing a bespoke long term plan to achieve healthier looking skin. It is a process that can take time, and patience is key. However, we can boost the process with a little help from our injecting team, by harnessing the power of Botox combined with SkinVive aka “The Power of Two!”
What’s that?
Botox is injected into the appropriate upper facial muscle to temporarily relax the muscles and improve the appearance of dynamic wrinkles. Then, SkinVive is injected into your facial skin. SkinVive is a hyaluronic acid, similar to your dermal fillers used for volume restoration, but different in that it has a lower concentration and is a skin booster.
We sprinkle micro-droplets of hyaluronic acid (using the tiniest needle) for overall treatment. We do this to improve your complexion, to give you longer lasting hydration, improve texture for cheek smoothness, and that much coveted glow or luminosity. When SkinVive is injected under the skin, it’s literally stimulating the production of cells called aquaporins which are responsible for hydrating our skin. SkinVive is among several Skin Boosters that we offer at The Face Place. Profhilo is also a very good one to use for people who have some laxity and crepey skin on the lower face and neck. While it is not the most pleasant treatment, it is only a few injections and it’s over in a jiffy! Viscoderm can soften fine lines on the lower face, and deliver deep hydration as well.
Combining Botox and Skin Hydrators in a single appointment unleashes “The Power of Two.” Treating the full face to achieve fresh, radiant looking skin.
Come see our team to know if The Power of Two is right for you!
Queza Bernardo, Medical Team Leader
Botox®, Prescription Medicine
Botox® treatments work by relaxing facial muscles that cause wrinkles and lines when you smile or frown. Botox® is a prescription medicine containing 100 units of Botulinum Toxin Type A. Botox® has risks and benefits. Ask your doctor if Botox is right for you. All medicines, medical devices and treatments carry risks and benefits. Individual results will vary. Botox® is not a funded medicine. For product information check with your Cosmetic Nurse or Doctor. For further information visit https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/regulatory/ProductDetail.asp?ID=1753 Supplier Allergan Aesthetics, an Abbvie company, Auckland The Face Place.
Juvederm SkinVive™, Medical Device. Class III
Juvederm SkinVive™ is an injectable gel made from synthesised hyaluronic acid. It can reduce the appearance of fine lines, boost skin hydration and enhance skin elasticity. Juvederm SkinVive™ can be used on the face, neck and decolletage.
Juvederm SkinVive™ contains 12mg/mL cross-linked hyaluronic acid and is intended for the treatment of restoring lost volume to the face. All medicines, medical devices and treatments carry risks and benefits. Individual results will vary. Speak to one of our qualified Cosmedicine Nurses or Doctors to see what might be right for you and to explain the possible side effects. Supplier Allergan Aesthetics, an Abbvie company, Auckland The Face Place.
As you read this, I’ll be recovering from mastectomy and reconstruction at Ascot hospital, just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
On the advice of my breast surgeon, I did more scans when I got back from Denver and the Galapagos, which initially looked great. However a last minute decision to do a mammogram proved to be the turning point when it showed the precancer was a lot more extensive than we had originally thought. As a precaution, we moved the mastectomy forward, because if we catch it at the precancer stage, then no further treatment is required – and with no more breast tissue left, I can then close the chapter on this breast cancer journey (other than a couple of reconstructive ops) and move on with my life – no longer be looking over my shoulder wondering when it’s coming back next. Although it’s an emotional journey as I’ll be losing my other breast and nipple, it’s actually a big relief!
With it being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I did an interview with The Herald about my story, so keep an eye out in the next few weeks for the article! I feel that if sharing my story can help others, it gives it at least some purpose. Breast cancer can affect both men and women, so it’s important to understand how to self check your breasts and know what is normal for you. If there are any changes, see your doctor to have it checked! I have found a lump every time I’ve had cancer – but I’ve also found lumps that weren’t cancer, so be aware that not every lump is a cancer diagnosis, but it’s important to make sure! I’ve been fortunate to catch the cancer at an early stage every time, which means I’ve avoided chemo – so it’s worth checking!
As a record of my body through this journey, I’ve done beautiful artistic photos with @peter_at_photoshoot before and after the first mastectomy and reconstruction, and just last week I did ‘before’ photos for this mastectomy and reconstruction. Once my journey is complete, I hope to do more photos, collate the pictures and artistic shots and stories of other breast cancer survivors into a coffee table book called ‘The Beauty Of Survival’. I’d love to make this into a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Foundation, and have it available to gift to those newly diagnosed with breast cancer so they can see that we can survive and thrive – and still be sexy – after a breast cancer journey. I’d love to add in hints and tricks for both those journeying with breast cancer and those supporting them through the journey. If you have ideas of what else you’d like to see, don’t hesitate to message me with them, it will very much be a collaborative effort!
Queza, Eve and I had a fabulous weekend in Sydney for the SkinVive launch with Allergan a couple of weeks ago, reinforcing the strong message coming through the industry about the importance of skin quality in getting great results with other treatments. You might notice a subtle shift in our focus over the next few months as we really start to hone in on skin quality, both through our skin team and injectables. You may already know that we focus on improving skin quality with the skin team through appropriate skin care before more invasive procedures such as skin needling, IPL, Exion or Vampire Facial Plus. More and more evidence is suggesting that we get much better results with our injectables if skin quality is improved first – which makes sense as we have a stronger ‘canvas’ of the skin to work with.
Queza has written a wonderful blog talking about the importance of skin quality, and some of the injectable hyaluronic treatments that we can provide medically such as SkinVive, Profhilo and Viscoderm, which all hydrate and strengthen the skin with hyaluronic acid. When we improve skin quality, not only do we improve the strength, but as the cells become more plump and hydrated, we also improve the healthy ‘glow’. What I loved learning at the SkinVive launch is that we can actually ‘tailor’ the glow, and focus it in specific areas on the cheeks and chin, like we would a highlighter makeup. It is also theorised that more hydration in the skin should give better results with EmFace, Exion and skin needling, so combining your medical grade skin care with injectable HA products before moving on to fillers or advanced skin treatments is now recommended.
We are still finalising our trials with Sunekos, polynucleotides (such as Rejuran) and Exosomes, which can also be used to strengthen the skin in a different way. So watch this space, as this category of regenerative treatments continues to expand!
Vitamin A is a cornerstone of excellent skin health and appropriate turnover of the skin cells, so definitely read the skin blog on Vitamin A this month to find out more about this essential skin vitamin!
And we are in October already, so the silly season will roll around fast – Christmas decorations in shops are literally just around the corner, and I saw the first flowering pohutukawa (commonly called the Maori Xmas tree) today! If you want to ensure you get your bookings when you want, make sure you book in now for your pre-xmas treatments so you are not disappointed!
October also signals the end of IPL season until next year, but if you are struggling with redness, pigmentation or scarring, there are other options we can discuss with you, and you get the best results with IPL if your skin is well prepped, so make sure you book in with the skin team to have a chat, an initial consult, or an update!
The team has some gorgeous skin care gift boxes in clinic, so if you’re looking for a gift (or want one for yourself), pop in or order one (or five) online! Have friends or family that have everything? A gift box of skin care and a voucher for a skin consult would likely be a wonderful gift!
I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has reached out with gifts and messages of support over this time, it really is incredible how much love is out there, and I’m beyond grateful to be so well supported, by both our amazing team, and you, our incredible patients.
Wishing you a wonderful October, and please check your boobies!
50th Birthday bucket list Galapagos trip ticked! I’ve spent the last 8 days fulfilling a childhood dream to visit the Galápagos Islands – as a massive fan of nature documentaries and being a science/biology geek growing up, the Galapagos has been high on my bucket list for a very long time… and it was absolutely incredible!
Stepping over iguanas while navigating our way around sea lions and giant tortoises lying in the middle of our walking tracks was mind blowing – the animals are so completely unafraid of humans. On day 1 we were welcomed by dolphins around the boat and a humpback whale with her calf, and the animal encounters just accelerated from there! Swimming with marine iguanas and sea turtles, watching albatross, frigates and blue-footed boobies’ nest and feed their babies, and playing with young sea lions in the water were all highlights for me. I took way too many photos of the cute young sea lion pups, and we saw several who had just recently been born. I have filled my phone with incredible photos, and my heart with cherished memories.
For my actual birthday on 29th August, the wonderful team on our boat ‘Natural Paradise’ crafted a beautiful surprise for me in my room, with amazing towel art, gifts and even a birthday crown, reminiscent of our TFP birthday crown for many years!
As a bucket list item, my Galapagos tour over delivered. I chose ‘Natural Paradise’ as it was a smaller boat with just 14-16 passengers, but I underestimated how wonderful the crew, and our guide Andres would be. Everything was made so easy, the food was varied and delicious, the wildlife and scenery were spectacular, and while it was busy with 3-4 activities such as snorkelling and hiking every day, it was well paced to allow us to see as much as possible and still have some downtime. I will post some more of my photos from the Galapagos on my Instagram @drcatstone if you are interested! I would like to extend a big ‘thank you’ to the people who reached out to wish me happy birthday… I’m still catching up on messages after my trip, and it was heart warming to receive so many beautiful messages!
My other big news, if you haven’t seen it on my Instagram already, is that I found another lump, this time in my other breast. In the week before flying to Denver I had a flurry of tests, including biopsies, which revealed a high-grade precancer (DCIS) in my right breast. In view of my previous recurrence and multiple scares on the left side, and my inability to tolerate Tamoxifen, my oncologist has recommended that I proceed straight to mastectomy. I have an online meeting with my breast surgeon this week to discuss the plan forward, so the Galapagos and Denver trip has also been a wonderful opportunity to have the time and space to process this news.
It was a busy few days before I flew to Denver, not only with all the medical tests, but on the day I flew out, I delivered a 75 minute keynote presentation for the NZ Observ Conference on ‘Facial Ageing in 3D’ and in the afternoon was interviewed on the ‘Little Things’ podcast by Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey about a variety of topics including ageing, medical uses of Botox and sexual rejuvenation. You can listen to the podcast here if you’re curious. It was a load of fun!
Our full skin team attended the Observ conference, and I was proud to see them in the front row centre stage! They also attended the Environ conference last month, sustaining our team focus on continued learning.
Our medical team have also been busy with training in the new Profhilo Structura, which (as per its name) helps support the structure of the face with bio rejuvenation of the superficial fat pads that deplete as we age – it’s designed to help those who have started to notice their face ‘sagging’ or ‘sinking’.
The medical team is continuing our trials of polynucleotides, exosomes and similar products, and I’m excited to see the results of these trials. As you probably already know, we trial a lot of different products and treatments, but only a small selection makes it past our rigorous trial process, where it has to be simple, effective, naturally based, medically proven and we are happy to trial it on ourselves. When we proceed with trials, we want to ensure that what we are trialing is high reward, low risk and good value for money. As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, these treatments would need to give a significantly better result than PRP for us to consider offering them in clinic, as PRP is such an effective treatment, and as medical professionals we are obligated to consider the delicate balance between risks and benefits for every treatment.
Eve, Queza and I will be flying to Sydney at the end of this month for the relaunch of Allergan’s Volite product as ‘SkinVive’. There are apparently new techniques and ways of using the product, so I look forward to sharing more with you in the next newsletter.
Also coming up in the next month for our training academy is our Hyperhidrosis Workshop on 16 September discussing all things sweaty and the multiple ways to treat excessive sweating, and on 9 September the online preparation call for our Challenging Cases Masterclass next month.
Our industry is constantly changing, and I have noticed that many clinicians in our industry are unsure in how to explore and critically appraise the research literature to understand how to confidently implement evidence-based medicine. The online call will discuss the various portals available to access the medical literature, and provide training on how to assess the quality of the research and how applicable it is to a specific challenging case. To practice this skill, each attendee will then choose a case of theirs that was challenging in some way and explore what specific question(s) they want to answer so they can review and appraise the relevant literature and develop guidelines for how they might manage a similar case in the future. They will each prepare a 25-30 minute presentation, and present their case, literature review and guidelines at our Challenging Cases workshop on Monday 7 October. It was a great success last year, and I’m looking forward to the presentations this year!
The last month has been quite the rollercoaster of highs and lows, so I’m beyond grateful for all the support from our incredible team, and from you as one of our patients. Thank you so much for your ongoing support,
Love and hugs,
Dr Cat 😻
PROFHILO® STRUCTURA containing low and high molecular weight Hyaluronic acid is a class 3 medical device for face treatment and for restoring adipose tissues -in the dermal tissue repair process, and in cases of acne scars. PROFHILO® STRUCTURA has risks and benefits. Do not use it along with treatments such as laser resurfacing or medium/deep skin peeling. Do not inject into inflamed areas or intravenously or intramuscularly. Possible side effects are pain, itching or swelling at the injection site. All medicines, medical devices and treatments carry risks and benefits. Individual results will vary. Speak to one of our qualified Cosmedicine Nurses or Doctors to see what might be right for you and to explain the possible side effects.
Toka Puia AT Carpark is the closest under-cover option at 15 Northcroft Street. Pay by Plate at the pay machine or via the AT Parking app ($2.50 per hour on weekdays / free weekend parking for a limited time only).
Other options…
Northcroft Street Parking (pay by meter) – One hour – $1.50 – Two hours – $3 – Hours thereafter – $3 per hour
Wilson Parking – 11 Northcorft Street (pay by plate machine or Parkmate app) – Casual – from $3 per hour – Earlybird (Mon-Fri) – from $14 valid for 12 hours – Night (Mon-Fri from 4 pm) – $4 flat rate valid until 8 am – Weekend (Sat-Sun) – $4 flat rate, valid for 12 hours from time of purchase
Anzac Street Carpark (pay by plate machine or via the AT app) – First 2 hours – $1.50 per hour – Hours thereafter – $3 per hour – Monday – Saturday (6 pm – 8 am) – No Charge – Sunday and Public Holidays – No Charge – Motorcycle and Mobility parking P180 – No Charge
Britomart Carparking
Currently, Britomart Carpark is offering 2 hours free parking* with a receipt of $50 or more from a Britomart store (such as The Face Place).
Britomart Carpark Valet Parking $20* for two hours (includes parking charges) $5 each additional half-hour to a daily maximum of $45 (to midnight). Available from 10am-8pm.
The Central Valet drop-off point is located on the corner of Gore and Tyler Streets, opposite Takutai Square. Drive in via the entrance on Gore Street, where you’ll be greeted by a friendly valet concierge. Leave your engine running, take your ticket and your car will be parked for you. Retrieve your car by taking your valet ticket to Britomart Car Park Reception on the corner of Britomart Place and Scene Lane.
Train An excellent alternative with Britomart Train Station being a short walk to us, plus, public transport is 50% off until 30th June 2023.
