Fusing three age-erasing technologies in one, TriDerma is a unique skin rejuvenation treatment created to address the ageing concerns most of us share. Editor Trudi Brewer shares this skin-changing treatment exclusive to Auckland’s Clinic 42 Venus Versa.
Editor Trudi Brewer, makeup-free, the before and after shots of the TriDerma treatment. The before shot (on the left) was taken in April. Post-treatment, the skin is red and puffy. A few weeks later, the browns shed, and my skin feels much firmer. While the last shot was taken six weeks later, my skin looks smoother, brighter, and firmer.
I hate my brown spots, but more recently, I hate the look of saggy-thinning skin more. My skin is losing its lustre, and it's annoying. TriDerma could be the answer. A multi-treatment system called Venus Versa tackles not one but multiple ageing concerns. It's non-surgical, non-invasive, and (relatively) pain-free. There is little downtime and an excellent option for busy women who want a quick fix. "It combines three non-surgical therapies including photo facial (IPL), radiofrequency, skin tightening, as well as nano-frac skin resurfacing, all in one session," says Dr Joanna Romanowski of Clinic 42. So was I the right candidate? Yes. It would tackle that persistent sun damage, brown spots and an uneven-looking complexion. Yes, to sagging, thinning skin on my jaw and cheeks, and yes to fine lines. So yes, yes, yes. My skin was ripe for TriDerma. After one treatment, I can say it was the best two hours I've spent investing in my skin. Here's what to expect.
Step one: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Step one of the TriDerma treatment at Clinic 42
Before the treatment starts, there is the regulatory paperwork with questions such as no tanning, including self-tanners prior or active skincare (like glycolic cleansers or vitamin C or retinol). No lotions, creams, perfumes, or makeup before your treatment. No jewellery, and a quick medical history rundown, then my nurse was good to go. Once my skin is cleansed, eye protection is needed to shield my eyes from light flashing, and a cooling gel is applied. Multiple wavelengths of high-intensity light target my dark spots, and with each zap, a sensation is much like a rubber band snapping against the skin, helps shatter the pigment under the skin. My pain tolerance is pretty high, but I won't lie IPL is uncomfortable, and there is no numbing cream with this IPL session. However, the Venus Versa machine pumps cool air to calm my skin as the treatment heats up. The IPL tool passes over my skin twice, targeting the dark spots on my temples and cheeks and down the sides of my face. The cooling air is such a bonus, and just when the words 'I'm done' were on the tip of my tongue, the first step of this skin service was over. My skin looked blotchy and the pigment darker.
Step two: radio-frequency, skin tightening
Step two of TriDerma treatment at Clinic 42
You need to relish this part of the treatment. It's the calm before the storm; a relaxing, skin warming treat that you will marvel at the instant results. No jar of cream can tackle sagging thinning skin, but this tightening treatment can. It uses energy waves to heat the layers deep in the skin (dermis); to stimulate your collagen and elastin, the cushion that youthful-looking skin has in abundance. "When the energy waves make contact with the skin, they trigger tissue contraction, which effectively results in tighter, lifted-looking skin," says Romanowska. To me. It feels like a warm stone massage, rolling across the skin, lifting every inch of my face. Another 10 minutes down, and I sit up to look at the results. WOW. My skin is red but smooth and firm. I am impressed.
Step three: Nano-frac skin resurfacing
Step three of the TriDerma treatment at Clinic 42
I hate my brown spots, but more recently, I hate the look of saggy-thinning skin more. My skin is losing its lustre, and it's irritating. TriDerma could be the answer. A multi-treatment system called Venus Versa tackles not one but multiple ageing concerns. It's non-surgical, non-invasive, and (relatively) pain-free. There is little downtime and an excellent option for busy women who want a quick fix. "It combines three non-surgical therapies including photo facial (IPL), radiofrequency, skin tightening, as well as nano-frac skin resurfacing, all in one session," says Dr Joanna Romanowski of Clinic 42. So was I the right candidate? Yes. It would tackle that persistent sun damage, brown spots and an uneven-looking complexion. Yes, to sagging, thinning skin on my jaw and cheeks, and yes to fine lines. So yes, yes, yes. My skin was ripe for TriDerma. After one treatment, I can say it was the best two hours I've spent investing in my skin. Here's what to expect.
Take home
TriDerma costs $750 per treatment, and you need to allow two hours. Three treatments will give optimum results; it's also a great option before fillers as the skin integrity is improved to help the effects of cosmetic treatments last longer. For maintenance, one treatment every twelve months will help boost skin radiance and address that crepey, saggy-looking skin. While it's a significant investment, it's a treatment that tackles all those annoying signs of ageing, which ultimately was my goal - I am beyond impressed.
Editor Trudi Brewer was gifted this treatment at Clinic 42.