News

Our team recently returned from IMCAS in Paris, one of the world’s leading congresses for medical aesthetics and dermatology. It was a fantastic few days immersed in innovation, education, and the latest advancements shaping our industry.

IMCAS brings together globally respected dermatologists, doctors, surgeons, and aesthetic experts to share research, techniques, and emerging technologies. Attending conferences of this calibre allows us to stay at the forefront of best practice, ensuring that the treatments we offer are grounded in the most up-to-date medical evidence and clinical expertise.

From advanced injectables and laser technologies to evolving approaches in skin health and patient care, the insights gained at IMCAS directly influence how we continue to refine our services. Continuous professional development is central to our ethos, and we believe that investing in education is essential to delivering safe, effective, and results-driven treatments.

At Southface Dermatology Clinic, our commitment is to bring the very best techniques, treatments, and knowledge back to our patients. Experiences like IMCAS ensure we remain forward-thinking, clinically informed, and dedicated to excellence in dermatology and medical aesthetics.

Always learning. Always evolving. Always putting patient care first.

Choosing the right form of contraception is a personal decision and an important part of women’s health care. Coils, also known as intrauterine devices (IUDs), are a highly effective, long-acting, and reversible form of contraception suitable for many women.

Southface Dermatology Clinic is pleased to offer coil and IUD services as part of its women’s health care provision, providing expert assessment, safe insertion, and ongoing support in a professional medical setting.

What Are Coils and IUDs?

A coil or intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Once in place, it provides long-term contraception without the need for daily attention.

There are two main types of coils:

• Hormonal coils (IUS), which release a small amount of progesterone
• Copper coils (IUD), which are hormone-free

Both types are highly effective and can last for several years, depending on the device used.

How Do They Work?

Hormonal coils work by:

• Thickening cervical mucus to prevent sperm reaching the egg
• Thinning the lining of the uterus
• In some cases, suppressing ovulation

Copper coils work by releasing copper ions, which are toxic to sperm and prevent fertilisation.

Your clinician will help you decide which option is most suitable based on your medical history, symptoms, and preferences.

Benefits of Coils and IUDs

Coils and IUDs offer several advantages, including:

• Over 99% effectiveness at preventing pregnancy
• Long-term protection lasting between 3 and 10 years
• No need to remember daily contraception
• Rapid return to fertility once removed

Hormonal coils may also help with heavy or painful periods, while copper coils provide a hormone-free option for those who prefer or require it.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Before insertion, you will have a consultation to discuss:

• Your medical and gynaecological history
• The different coil options available
• Benefits, risks, and possible side effects

Insertion is a straightforward medical procedure that is usually completed within a short appointment. Some women experience mild to moderate discomfort during insertion, which settles quickly. Aftercare advice and guidance on what to expect in the days following the procedure are provided.

Follow-up support is available should you have any concerns.

Is a Coil Right for You?

Coils and IUDs are suitable for many women, including those who have not had children. However, they may not be appropriate for everyone.

A thorough medical assessment ensures that the chosen method is safe, appropriate, and aligned with your health needs and lifestyle.

Women’s Health Care at Southface Dermatology Clinic

At Southface Dermatology Clinic, coil and IUD services are delivered with the same commitment to clinical excellence, patient comfort, and personalised care that underpins all medical services.

Whether you are considering contraception for the first time, looking to change methods, or seeking a long-term solution, expert advice and care are available in a supportive and discreet environment.

If you would like to discuss coils or IUDs, a consultation is the first step to understanding your options and making an informed choice about your reproductive health.

Actinic keratosis (also known as solar keratosis) is a common skin condition caused by long-term sun exposure. It appears as rough, scaly patches on the skin and is most often found on areas regularly exposed to the sun, such as the face, scalp, ears, hands, and forearms.

While actinic keratoses are not skin cancers, they are considered pre-cancerous lesions. Early assessment and appropriate treatment are important, as a small proportion can progress to squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated.

At Southface Dermatology Clinic, actinic keratosis is assessed and managed by a Consultant Dermatologist, ensuring accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and long-term skin health monitoring.

What Is Actinic Keratosis?

Actinic keratosis develops as a result of cumulative ultraviolet (UV) exposure over many years. The damage caused by the sun leads to abnormal growth of skin cells, resulting in rough, scaly, or crusted patches.

These lesions may:

• Feel rough or gritty, like sandpaper
• Be skin-coloured, red, pink, or brown
• Come and go over time
• Occasionally itch, sting, or become tender

Some actinic keratoses are easier to feel than see, which is why professional skin assessment is important.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Actinic keratosis is more common in individuals who:

• Have fair skin
• Have a history of significant sun exposure or sunburn
• Spend a lot of time outdoors for work or leisure
• Are over the age of 40
• Have a weakened immune system

However, actinic keratosis can occur in anyone with sufficient cumulative sun exposure.

Why Is Treatment Important?

Although many actinic keratoses remain stable, some can progress into squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. It is not possible to predict which lesions will change, which is why early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are recommended.

Treating actinic keratosis also helps improve overall skin health and can reduce the development of further sun-related damage.

How Is Actinic Keratosis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is usually made through clinical examination by a Consultant Dermatologist. In some cases, dermoscopy may be used to examine the lesion in greater detail. If there is any uncertainty, or if a lesion appears suspicious, a skin biopsy may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis.

How Southface Dermatology Can Help

At Southface Dermatology Clinic, management of actinic keratosis is tailored to the individual, taking into account the number of lesions, their location, skin type, and overall sun damage.

Treatment options may include:

• Cryotherapy (freezing the lesion)
• Topical treatments to treat visible and early, unseen lesions
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for field treatment of sun-damaged skin
• Surgical removal or biopsy where necessary

Your Consultant Dermatologist will explain the most appropriate treatment options, expected outcomes, and aftercare clearly and thoroughly.

Ongoing Monitoring and Prevention

Because actinic keratosis reflects cumulative sun damage, ongoing monitoring is important. Patients may be advised to:

• Attend regular skin checks
• Perform self-examinations at home
• Use daily broad-spectrum sun protection
• Adopt sun-safe behaviours year-round

Southface Dermatology Clinic provides long-term care and follow-up, ensuring any new or changing lesions are identified early.

Specialist-Led Skin Care You Can Trust

At Southface Dermatology, all assessments and treatments for actinic keratosis are consultant-led. This ensures accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and a personalised approach focused on both treatment and prevention.

If you have noticed rough or scaly patches on your skin, or have concerns about sun damage, a professional assessment is an important first step in protecting your skin health.

Unwanted hair can be frustrating to manage, particularly when shaving, waxing, or threading lead to irritation, ingrown hairs, or short-lived results. Laser hair removal offers a safe, effective, and long-term solution — when delivered under specialist dermatology care.

At Southface Dermatology Clinic, laser hair removal is performed using medical-grade laser technology and tailored to each individual’s skin type, hair type, and treatment goals.

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal uses targeted laser energy to selectively heat and damage the hair follicle, reducing its ability to produce new hair. Over a course of treatments, this leads to a significant and long-lasting reduction in hair growth.

The treatment works best on hair in its active growth phase, which is why multiple sessions are required to achieve optimal results.

What Areas Can Be Treated?

Laser hair removal can be used on most areas of the body, including:

• Face and neck
• Underarms
• Arms
• Legs
• Bikini area
• Back and chest

During your consultation, your dermatologist will advise on suitability, expected outcomes, and the number of sessions required for your chosen treatment area.

Who Is Suitable for Laser Hair Removal?

Advances in laser technology mean laser hair removal is now suitable for a wide range of skin types. However, not all lasers are appropriate for every skin tone or hair type.

A specialist-led consultation at Southface Dermatology ensures:

• Careful assessment of your skin and hair type
• Selection of the most appropriate laser settings
• Safe treatment with minimal risk of side effects

This personalised approach is particularly important for patients with darker skin tones, sensitive skin, or a history of pigmentation concerns.

What Happens During Treatment?

Before treatment, the area is assessed and prepared. Protective measures are taken to ensure safety and comfort throughout the procedure.

During treatment, the laser delivers brief pulses of energy to the hair follicles. Most patients describe the sensation as mild to moderate discomfort, often compared to a warm snapping feeling. Cooling technology is used to protect the skin and improve comfort.

Treatment times vary depending on the size of the area being treated.

How Many Sessions Are Needed?

Because hair grows in cycles, laser hair removal requires a course of treatments. Most patients require several sessions spaced a few weeks apart to achieve optimal hair reduction.

Your dermatologist will advise on the expected number of sessions based on:

• Treatment area
• Hair density and thickness
• Skin and hair colour

Maintenance treatments may be recommended over time to sustain results.

Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?

When performed by trained medical professionals using appropriate technology, laser hair removal is a safe and well-tolerated procedure.

At Southface Dermatology Clinic, treatments are delivered under dermatology supervision, with safety, skin health, and long-term outcomes as the priority. Potential side effects such as temporary redness or sensitivity are discussed in advance, and clear aftercare guidance is provided.

Results and Long-Term Benefits

Laser hair removal offers long-lasting hair reduction, smoother skin, and fewer ingrown hairs compared to traditional hair removal methods. Many patients also notice an improvement in skin texture and reduced irritation over time.

Results develop gradually over the course of treatment and vary between individuals, but most patients experience a significant reduction in unwanted hair.

A Specialist-Led Approach to Laser Hair Removal

At Southface Dermatology Clinic, laser hair removal is approached with the same care and clinical precision as all dermatological treatments. Every patient receives a tailored treatment plan based on expert assessment, ensuring safe, effective, and natural results.

If you are considering laser hair removal and would like expert advice on whether it is right for you, a consultation is the first step.

The start of a new year is a natural time to pause, reflect, and look ahead. For many, it is also an opportunity to refocus on health and wellbeing — and skin health is an important part of that journey.

As we move into the new year, you may be noticing changes in your skin or thinking about concerns you would like to address, whether that is acne, rosacea, pigmentation, sun damage, or the effects of time and lifestyle on your skin. Others may simply wish to take a more proactive approach to maintaining healthy skin long term.

At Southface Dermatology Clinic, we believe that effective skin care begins with understanding your skin. A specialist-led consultation allows for accurate diagnosis, clear advice, and a personalised treatment plan tailored to your individual needs — rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

The new year is an ideal time to

• Review your skin health and current skincare routine
• Address ongoing or new skin concerns
• Consider evidence-based medical, surgical, cosmetic, or laser treatments
• Focus on prevention and long-term skin health

Whether your goal is to manage a medical skin condition, improve skin quality, or simply feel more confident in your skin, our team is here to guide and support you with expert, considered care.

We wish all our patients a happy and healthy new year and look forward to supporting your skin health throughout the year ahead.