The Longevity Best in Aging Survey 2021: Personalized Beauty and Aesthetics Products is a comprehensive, digitally driven assessment completed voluntarily by several local general practitioners, dermatologists, medical-industry professionals, and experienced beauty-industry experts, who identified what they consider to be the best products, treatments, and services available in healthy aging and aesthetic personalization.

This is not an awards project, but a review of what the industry experts who participated deem to be most innovative, cost-effective, and results-driven in their respective categories. In some categories, specialists have chosen not to name a brand, but have rather specified ingredients or therapies. In these instances, we omit any mention of brands.

Best in Aging Supplements

Immune Support

1. Medford DefenCELL 

“Estrogen and liver detoxification, antioxidant, immune support.” – Dr Maureen Allem

2. Moducare

“Invented by Prof Bouic of Stellenbosch University, these plant sterols and sterolins are internationally recognized immune modulators. Balance is key, as one can over- or under-stimulate the immune system. Research has shown that Moducare prevents flu and infections, as well as autoimmune diseases and allergies.” – Dr Joanne Pautz

3. Rawbiotics Probiotics

“Since 70% of our immunity lies in the gut, by supporting the gut with probiotics, your immunity can strengthen automatically” – Dr Riaz Wadvalla

Bone health

1. Wings Herbal K2C2D3

“It contains vitamin K, calcium, vitamin C and vitamin D3, which act synergistically to improve bone health and to prevent calcification in arteries, which is often the downfall of regular calcium supplements.” – Dr Joanne Pautz

2. iSkin Collagen with Vitamin C

“It supports strong, healthy bones and offers joint support.” – Dr Maureen Allem

3. BioCultura Pure Collagen Protein

“BioCultura marine or bovine collagen assists with inflammation, joint and bone health.” – Dr Riaz Wadvalla

Detox

1. Solgar NAC

“N-acetyl cysteine is the precursor to glutathione and will also help to produce glutathione, which aids liver detoxification.” – Dr Joanne Pautz

2. Milk Thistle

“Milk Thistle promotes phase 2 detoxification of the liver and upregulates the important antioxidant glutathione.” – Roxanna Gunter

3. Glutathione

“Works on both phases of the liver detox, and has many other benefits in the body as well.” – Dr Hema Kalan

Gut health

1. Metagenics UltraGI Replenish

“I find this a very good combination formula to restore gut health.” – Dr Craige Golding

2. Inulin

“I have seen good results practically with this supplement.” – Dr Louise Lindenberg

3. Glutamine

“L-Glutamine is an amino acid treatment that helps to correct and restore excessive permeability of the gut membrane. This is helpful for the treatment of food intolerances and allergies.” – Dr Roxanna Gunter

1. Coyne Healthcare Purest Omega 3 Wild Alaskan Fish Oil

“It uses Alaskan fish and boasts the world-leading TOTOX score, which is a measure for oxidation. – Dr Joanne Pautz

2. Metagenics SPM Active

“The Metagenics SPM Active are all excellent, potent sources of essential fatty acids.” – Dr Maureen Allem

3. The Real Thing Mega Omega Supreme

*voted by Dr Riaz Wadvalla

Packed with omega fatty acids, these capsules help to boost both heart and brain health. – Longevity

Multivitamins

1. Solal Vitamin D3

“It remains a very good multivitamin supplement.” – Dr Craige Golding

2. The Real Thing Barley Grass Powder

“It’s 100% organic and highly absorbable – a multivitamin that is in a food form. A superfood at its most alkaline!” – Dr Joanne Pautz

3. Vibrant Health Trilogy (for Men and Women)

“This brand does a high-quality, bioavailable multivitamin tailored to suit the body needs of men and women.” – Dr Roxanna Gunter

BEST IN AGING FITNESS

Running shoes

1. Vivo Barefoot Shoes

“They are minimalistic shoes that allow your body to move naturally. They are designed to protect the soles of your feet, while allowing for a natural feel of walking barefoot. With Vivo’s stylish designs and sleek look, this is a fantastic shoe for anyone who is concerned about the health of their feet.” – Nick Da Silva

2. Nike Flyknit

“When it comes to running, the two things I prioritize are cushioning, which usually is best with shoes that have a thick foam base, protefcting the soles of the feet, especially when running long distances, and flexibility, which is the way the shoe shapes the foot as you run. Flyknit, shoes intended to feel like socks, are by far the most comfortable and have a good foam base.” – Shingai Pasipanodya

3. Salomon Supercross

“Great shoes for trail.” – Derek Archer

Yoga mats

1. Airex Fitline Mats

“They are by far superior to any other mat, comfortable to the touch, hard-wearing and long-lasting, with no memory effect. The mat is lightweight, easy to clean, roll up and store. It’s flat and has a non-slip surface. The mats are worth the investment, as they’re smartly designed for a lifetime of dynamic use. This is the only mat I use and can’t trustingly recommend any other mat.” – Natalie Schenk

2. OTG Yoga Mat

“Great thickness.” – Lotte Hamm

3. Lululemon Reversible Mat

“Typically, yoga mats are at their best when the price is equal to the value, and what determines the value is thickness, the material used, weight and design. Yoga mats that are made of rubber, such as the Lululemon ones, are often best at preventing slipping, a common problem with yoga mats, but their material also ensures that the mats are durable and light.” – Shingai Pasipanodya

Fitness gear

1. Nike

“Great technical details and style make them the best of all! Plus, I wear mainly black, and they always have great items in black.” – Sandra Leyck

2. Sweaty Betty

“Great style and products, and fabrics are unmatched.” – Alison Jennifer Rivett

3. Varley

“A soft, breathable and movable material – specifically their leggings. I spend my life in activewear, so finding a brand that is just as stylish as it is functional is very important in my everyday life.” – Natalie Schenk

NON-INVASIVE TREATMENTS

Innovative aesthetic treatments

1. Ultherapy

“This device helps to lift and tighten the skin by stimulating collagen regeneration. It’s a great non-surgical option, especially for people looking for a non-surgical, yet effective treatment.” – Dr Anushka Reddy

2. Morpheus8

“Morpheus8 is a fractional device that uses microneedling combined with radiofrequency. On its own, microneedling provokes a healing response that stimulates collagen regeneration. By adding radiofrequency energy to the skin, the device prompts tissue remodeling, which includes skin thickening and tightening. Improvement of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, skin texture and loose, saggy skin can be achieved. Excess fat in the face and neck can also be improved.” – Dr Farheen Ghoor

3. Fraxel DUAL

“Fraxel DUAL is an FDA-approved non-invasive laser. The microscopic laser beams are attracted to water in the underlying skin, where the laser energy is converted to heat energy. Fraxel creates controlled microthermal injury in the underlying skin, which mobilizes the surrounding cells to produce collagen and elastin as part of the body’s healing response. Fraxel is fractional in nature, and only around 20% of the skin is treated per session, improving healing times and reducing risk. The different wavelength settings allow for both ablative (mainly epidermis) and non-ablative (dermal collagen mid-layer of skin) treatment. This allows Fraxel DUAL to treat both sun-damaged and aging skin conditions. The more superficial 1927nm wavelength treats discoloration (hyperpigmentation, brown spots and skin damage caused by sun exposure). The 1550nm wavelength penetrates deeper, refining the skin texture, fine lines, wrinkles and scarring (acne and other).”

“Fraxel DUAL is effective on fine lines and wrinkles, crow’s feet, brow lines, pigmentation, age spots, lip wrinkling, stretch marks, hypertrophic scars, keloids and burn scars. Dermatologist Dr David Presbury has found Fraxel to be the best laser for abnormal brown pigmentation. It can safely be used on darker skin tones by using lower settings, treating a smaller fraction of the skin over more sessions.” – Dr Renske van der Walt

Popular treatments

1. Botulinum toxin

“Safe, reproducible and predictable when done by an experienced provider. When patients see the results, they can’t wait to come back. No downtime, minimal pain and a fast treatment have made this our most popular treatment for over 10 years.” – Dr Nicole Kanaris

2. Skin boosting with platelet-rich plasma

“Skin boosting with platelet-rich plasma is the injection of growth factors directly into the deeper layers of the skin by means of a multi-injector. These growth factors are obtained from blood that has been drawn and spun to remove red blood cells. These are popular treatments, due to the fact that they can be performed in the presence of Botulinum toxin and fillers, without compromising the longevity of these treatments.”

“PRP treatments reduce inflammation in the skin due to the anti-inflammatory nature of the injected growth factors, and therefore improve acne and pigmentation. Growth factors also actively stimulate regeneration of the skin.” – Dr Aniali Aucamp-Nel

3. HydraFacial

“HydraFacial uses a unique, patented Vortex-Fusion delivery system to exfoliate, extract and hydrate skin, and the spiral design delivers painless extractions. HydraFacial super-serums are made with nourishing ingredients that create an instantly gratifying glow in just three steps:

• Cleanse + Peel: Uncover a new layer of skin with gentle exfoliation and relaxing resurfacing.
• Extract + Hydrate: Remove debris from pores with painless suction. Nourish with intense moisturizers that quench skin.
• Fuse + Protect: Saturate the skin’s surface with antioxidants and peptides to maximise your glow.” – Dr Deepa Parbhoo

Recommended treatments

1. Liquid and stitch facelift

“A technique designed to lift and rejuvenate eight strategic areas of the face. The treatment uses a combination of dermal fillers, neuromodulator injections (Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau and Xeomin), PDO and bi-directional absorbable barbed threads to lift the tissues and structure of the face. Price depends on the amount of filler and Botulinum injectable, and threads needed to achieve the desired result per individual patient. The use of synthetic fillers to restore facial volume is one of the most important strategies in non-surgical rejuvenation and constitutes one of the four pillars of rejuvenation:

• Relax the muscles with Botulinum injectable or similar neurotoxin
• Restore the volume with injectable synthetic fillers
• Re-drape the sagging tissues with barbed sutures
• Resurface the skin with non-ablative modalities.” – Dr Janine Olivier

2. Picosecond laser rejuvenation

“Now, laser treatments can be done on all skin types, with reduced downtime and reduced risk. Sun damage of the skin is a major problem leading to numerous aging concerns.” – Dr Riekie Smit

3. Midface dermal fillers

“The midface loses volume with age, and this can start from your 30s. The effects of this are to make the face look tired, saggy and heavy in the jowl area. Refilling and optimizing the midface area with dermal fillers is the cornerstone of optimal aging. It softly lifts and maintains the face in a youthful position.” – Dr Melanie Lambrechts

Fine lines and wrinkles 

1. TriBella

“TriBella combines nanofractional radio frequency with a magnetic field and radio frequency treatment, and IPL, for powerful and dramatic resurfacing, with minimal downtime.” – Dr Cara Duminy

2. Profhilo

“This is an innovative skin booster that contains 64mg of hyaluronic acid and is designed to spread in the tissues. It’s injected using five strategic BAP points on each side of the face (bio-aesthetic points) or 10 points on the neck. It’s also great for the neck area. Profhilo acts on the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fat to improve skin hydration, collagen and elastin.” – Dr Debbie Norval

3. MINT Fine Mono

“MINT is an absorbable polydioxanone (PDO) suture indicated for use in soft tissue. As a safe raw material that is completely absorbed by the body through hydrolysis, PDO causes minimum tissue reaction and tissue trauma. These “mini” threads can be inserted superficially into the skin to create a “scaffold” of collagen stimulation, thereby plumping up fine lines and wrinkles, as well as a degree of tightening.” – Dr Deepa Parbhoo

Sagging skin

1. Silhouette Soft Thread Lifts

“Silhouette Soft Thread Lifts are a non-surgical intervention that allows lifting of skin without having to fill it, a tool previously unavailable to non-surgeons. Filler, when appropriately prescribed, can lift certain areas of the face by replacing lost volume that leaves the face looking deflated and saggy.” – Dr Cara Duminy

2. Bipolar radiofrequency

“Bipolar radiofrequency, such as Sublime, can lead to vasodilation and the influx of oxygen and nutrients into the treated area(s), and rejuvenate facial tissues. The long radiofrequency waves cause contraction of collagen and elastin fibres, with resultant tightening of the facial structures. These treatments cause no downtime and can be repeated at intervals of 2 weeks.” – Dr Aniali Aucamp-Nel

3. Bionutrilift

“An injectable treatment that stimulates the skin’s collagen and elastin content to provide a progressive tightening, and a very important preventive management of sagging.” – Dr Riekie Smit

Eye bags

1. Tear trough fillers

“I use a calcium hydroxyapatite filler, which helps to stimulate collagen under the eyes, providing long-lasting results with a reduced chance of puffiness post-procedure.” – Dr Anushka Reddy

2. Plexr plasma skin tightening

“Eye bags are notoriously difficult to treat and may need surgical intervention. But no matter how you decide to treat them, skin tightening is an integral part of helping the bags look better. The single most powerful skin-tightening treatment for the under-eye area is using a Plexr plasma device. The tightening and collagen stimulation mean that the appearance of the eye bag improves, and the eye looks fresher and healthier.” – Dr Melanie Lambrechts

3. Thermage eye treatment

“It uses monopoly radio frequency to tighten skin and underlying tissues. It works deeper than most skin-tightening treatments, and therefore also improves eye bags.” – Dr Riekie Smit

Thinned lips

1. Restylane Kysse

“Lips lose volume, color and elasticity with age. Restylane Kysse is a lip filler that adds volume, smooths upper-lip lines and enhances lip color, leaving you with soft, natural-looking, velvety lips.” – Dr Farheen Ghoor

2. Bespoke lip augmentation

“3 treatments in combination therapy, which include:

• Lip fillers (different cross-linkage and viscosity, depending on area)
• Neurotoxins (Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau and Xeomin)
• Chemical resurfacing of perioral skin”

“Because of the complex structure of the perioral region, which includes the vermillion border (where you apply lip-liner), philtral folds (extending upwards centrally from the cupid’s bow to the nose) and the body of the lips (where you apply lipstick), there is no “one size fits all” approach when it comes to lip augmentation. A combination therapy with up to 3 different types of filler, with or without neurotoxin and chemical resurfacing, is necessary to produce the perfect pout.” – Dr Janine Olivier

3. Tixel

“Tixel uses fractional thermo-mechanical ablative (TMA) technology to stimulate collagen production in the skin around the lip area. It irons out fine lines or smoker’s lines. Three treatments are recommended 4 weeks apart. Tixel is known for its rapid healing and minimum downtime.” – Dr Debbie Norval

Stubborn fat pockets

1. Ceccarelli injections

*voted by Dr. Nishanie Maharaj

Acting on fat cells, this treatment helps you to achieve a slimmer body shape as it triggers the breakdown of fat cells. – Longevity

2. Emsculpt

“This treatment helps to burn fat and tone the skin through electromagnetic energy. These pulses help to simulate muscle contractions, which breaks down neighboring fat naturally, eliminating it from the body.” – Dr Anushka Reddy

3. CoolSculpting

“CoolSculpting is a fat-freezing method that aims to get rid of stubborn fat in certain areas of the body. The method is called cryolipolysis. Fat freezes at a higher temperature than skin. The device cools your fat to a temperature that destroys it, while leaving your skin and other tissues unharmed.” – Dr Farheen Ghoor

Cellulite

1. Carboxytherapy

“Injecting tiny amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) beneath the skin to break down fatty deposits and stimulate collagen production, the treatment has no downtime, and a single session can take between 15 minutes and an hour.”

“Carboxytherapy infuses CO2 just beneath the skin’s surface; the body interprets this as an oxygen deficit, and responds by providing a surge of oxygen and nutrients to the treated area, improving circulation and resulting in cell restoration. This increased oxygen concentration also improves the water retention, or edema, in the area. For cellulite reduction, a lymph drainage treatment increases the circulation to the area, thereby reducing the build-up of toxins, which is a major cause of cellulite. When the gas is introduced into the dermis, it breaks down the superficial fat causing the cottage-cheese effect, and stimulates dermal collagen levels. This all leads to improved texture and appearance of the cellulite, or orange-peel appearance.” – Dr Janine Olivier

2. Velashape

*voted by Dr Herman van Rooyen

“Velashape uses radiofrequency, infrared, Mechanical Vacuum Massage, and Lymphatic Drainage to not only shrink fat cells but to also encourage blood circulation helping to target cellulite.

3. Lipolytic injections

“Proven and consistent delivery.” – Dr Zama Tladi

Unwanted hair

1. Candela GentleMaxPro Laser (Alexandrite 755nm)

“This FDA-approved wavelength-specific laser targets the pigment (melanin) in the hair follicle during its first hair growth phase. The laser energy destroys the follicle on impact. Alexandrite is scientifically proven to be an effective laser to remove dark hair on light skin tones. This laser also eliminates age spots and brown pigmentation, reduces fine lines and rejuvenates the skin. The Candela range of lasers uses epidermal cooling for maximum comfort and safety. Hair removal usually requires 6-8 sessions.” – Dr Renske van der Walt

2. IPL

“This procedure helps to reduce unwanted hair through intense pulsed light. The pulsed light waves convert to heat, which targets the hair follicle.” – Dr Anushka Reddy

3. Hairfree

“The Hairfree Hair Removal System is a topically applied hair-removal cream, but with permanent hair removal – just like laser treatment. Most hair-removal creams just get rid of surface hair. Hairfree dissolves hair above and below the surface of the skin. It’s absorbed into the hair follicle and reacts with the matrix bulb of the hair root – the place where hair growth starts – to neutralize the hair root and stop hair growth.” – Dr Debbie Norval

SURGICAL TREATMENTS

Procedures for scarring

1. Pearl Fractional Laser

“This treatment is used to renew your skin’s surface, with quick, visible results. It targets scarring on the face and body, uneven skin texture, and light and dark spots caused by sun damage. It’s powered with fractional laser technology and is the most advanced laser treatment on the market, with medical data to prove its effectiveness.” – Dr Kamlen Pillay

2. Nano-fat

“Nano-fat for scarring is fine, emulsified fat removed from one part of your body, then processed and injected into the scarred tissue, to soften scars, improve discoloration of the scar, and may efface indentations.” – Dr Isabel do Vale

3. Microneedling combined with PRP

“Scar therapy with PRP injections and microneedling minimizes or eliminates scars by stimulating connective tissue cells, called fibroblasts, and epidermal cells, called keratinocytes. When these skin-related cells are produced in a greater quantity, new collagen is created. One of the benefits of this is the production of healthy new skin tissue.” – Dr Nerina Wilkinson

Innovative surgeries

1. Blepharoplasty

“Blepharoplasty is a surgery that repairs droopy eyelids and involves removing excess skin. As you age, your eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. Upper-eyelid surgery can best benefit patients who have sagging skin reducing their field of vision. This procedure removes fatty deposits and excess skin from the upper eyelid. It can be performed under either local or general anesthetic. Incisions are made in the natural crease of the eye. A lower-eyelid surgery removes fatty deposits and skin from the lower lid. A small incision is made on the inside of the eyelid to hide the scar. This creates a firmer, more youthful look. Lower-eyelid surgery allows the surgeon to transfer fat or dermal fillers to hollowed areas under the eye, creating a plump, smoother appearance.” – Dr Kamlen Pillay

2. Stemcell4DLift

“A youthful face is a face with beautiful, soft curves, created by perfectly placed volume and radiant skin. Therefore, to achieve a totally rejuvenating effect, it’s of utmost importance to correct both volume and skin quality. The Stemcell4DLift is a scarless facelift that uses a combination of stem cell technology and fractionated CO2 laser to naturally rejuvenate the face.” – Dr Nerina Wilkinson

3. Hybrid breast augmentation

“It involves augmenting or enlarging the breasts with a combination of fat grafting and an implant. This allows for the use of a smaller implant than might otherwise have been used, as well as a more natural result.” – Dr Isabel do Vale

Popular elective surgical procedures

1. Breast surgery

“The reduction of large breasts can improve the quality of life for many ladies. Breast augmentation may increase confidence in ladies with small breasts. Breast lift surgery can turn back the aging clock.” – Dr Nicolette Landman

2. Gynecomastia

“Men are becoming more aware of their appearance, and taking care and pride in it. More men are embracing the option of undergoing a surgical procedure to enhance their appearance. The desire for a more defined chest has increased the request for gynecomastia surgery. This can be done in a variety of ways, from minimally invasive techniques using liposuction to larger resection patterns, depending on the amount of tissue to be removed.” – Dr Saajida Ghoor

3. Deep plane facelift with fat grafting

“The lifting and repositioning of facial tissue, with restoration of volume, for those seeking a more durable facial rejuvenation.” – Dr Vernon Ching

Skincare regime recommended to support elective aesthetic surgery

“I recommend a simple, safe and scientifically proven skincare regime that can be followed by everyone: twice-a-day cleansing with an agent of your choice. Soap-free alternatives are great for sensitive skins. I don’t recommend an alcohol-based “toner”. In the morning, an SPF30 serves as both moisturizer and sunblock. Non-greasy formulas are available. In the evening, a simple emollient moisturizer of your choice, followed by topical retinoid, as recommended by your doctor. Patients vary widely in their tolerances of certain components within any topical treatment, so it would be impossible to recommend one brand over another. The bottom line is to keep it consistent and keep it simple.” – Dr Marshall Murdoch

Innovative non-invasive services

1. Optiphi DNA Skin Test

“The Optiphi DNA Skin Test report allows you to fully understand your skin and where it’s likely to be heading in the future, so you can plan for it. The results of the DNA Skin Test give you the knowledge and power to target these internal skin concerns, in combination with the external factors contributing to skin imperfections and aging, allowing you to select the ideal skincare products and professional skin treatments to greatly improve your skin’s future. Your DNA is what makes you unique. What would be better than to base your skincare regime, diet and lifestyle behaviors on your individual genetic needs?” – Dr Kamlen Pillay

2. LipStrobing

“The concept of lip fillers, in the aesthetic world, has taken on a new dimension. The goal is to achieve subtle, natural-looking, beautiful, and plump lips. This requires great technical skills, an in-depth understanding of the artistic shape of lips, and the science of light reflection. The lips are an integral part of the face as a whole, and therefore the first step to creating beautiful lips is to focus on facial reshaping as a whole, as well as the support of the surrounding lip structures, and not to simply place a needle directly into the lips first. An example of this is injecting a miniscule bolus of filler on the cheekbone, to strengthen the muscle, which in turn elevates the corner of the mouth, resulting in a stronger, more beautiful smile.” – Dr Nerina Wilkinson

3. 3D photographic imaging

“I use 3D imaging for face and skin analysis and consultation, to formulate an individualized plan to meet the client’s skincare and rejuvenation needs over the coming 12 months. This helps clients to know what work they need to do on their skincare and rejuvenation goals, and helps them to work their treatments into their schedule, as well as budget ahead of time. 3D imaging is also used for surgical planning and for rendering simulations that will give the client an indication of the results they might expect from surgery.” – Dr Isabel do Vale

DENTAL TREATMENTS

Teeth whitening

1. Laser tooth whitening

“There is less sensitivity with lasers.” – Dr Bryan Sher

2. In-chair light-activated tooth whitening

“Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is applied to the teeth and an LED light is used from a chair side lamp. The LED light heats up the gel, speeding up the chemical reaction that whitens teeth and removes stains.
In all teeth-whitening cases, the patient’s lips are retracted, a protective gel is applied to the gums, and great care is taken when applying and removing the peroxide, so as not to cause any damage to oral tissues.” – Dr Melisha Moodley

3. Non-vital bleaching –Opalescence Endo

“This type of bleaching achieves incredible results for discolored front teeth if they have sustained trauma and have been root-canal treated. This type of gel is especially formulated to deliver bleaching gel inside the tooth, to change color from within.” – Dr Busi Mathibela

Innovative dental procedures

1. Bioactive restorations

“Activa is a new, highly aesthetic, bioactive composite that delivers all the advantages of glass ionomers in a strong, resilient, resin matrix that will not chip or crumble. It chemically bonds to teeth, seals against microleakage, releases more calcium, phosphate and fluoride, and is more bioactive than glass ionomers, and more durable and fracture-resistant than composites.” – Dr Zak Schabort

2. 3D printing of dental crowns, veneers and bridges

“This has meant a patient can get a full mouth rehabilitation done in a single day, or the replacement of a missing tooth in a matter of hours. This is done with great accuracy and efficiency.” – Dr Melisha Moodley

3. Clear aligners

“A number of very thin, practically invisible, sequentially worn, see-through or clear plastic-type plates that are worn for 22 hours per day and changed every two weeks, to straighten teeth using CAD CAM technology. This is done without traditional braces and wires. It may not be possible to treat all types of skew teeth with this technique.” – Dr Busi Mathibela

Chipped or broken teeth

1. Diamineers

“Diamineers is the tradename of a very durable, thin, tooth-like veneer. It’s highly aesthetic, and will fix chipped teeth in a non-invasive fashion.” – Dr Zak Schabort

2. Crown

“It’s a tooth-shaped “cap” that is used to reinforce the strength of a tooth by bonding/cementing it onto the remaining tooth structure. This can be made of metal-free materials such as zirconia or lithium disilicate, or, in some instances (quite rarely), we still use porcelain fused to metal. There are tremendous options available to our patients to cover different color needs and biologic requirements – for instance, on people who grind their teeth.” – Dr Busi Mathibela

3. Composite fillings

“Resin materials which blend seamlessly with natural teeth, making them virtually invisible.” – Dr Aayesha Desai

BEAUTY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

Facial treatments to look out for

1. Tata Harper Illuminating Face Peel

“Your skin will be instantly brighter, refined and glowing with the use of natural acid peel in this facial treatment. The peel’s effective formulas treat hyperpigmentation, even out skin texture and illuminate skin tone. Benefits of this facial include even skin tone, smooth skin texture, bright and glowing complexion.” – Jackie Armitage

2. Acoustic Meridian Intelligence Rejuvenation Facial

“A powerful facial treatment that includes the use of organic rose oils. Combination of ancient reflexology techniques and cutting-edge sound technology.” – Lizande Rossouw

3. Dermaplaning

“Dermaplaning is a resurfacing treatment that removes the top layers of your skin. The procedure aims to remove fine wrinkles and make the skin’s surface look smooth and feel soft.” – Shelene Shaer

Menopausal side-effects

1. Hormone replacement therapy

*voted by Dr Antonio Rodrigues

Changes in hormone levels can cause uncomfortable side-effects. However, with HRT, you can address symptoms such as hot flashes, dry skin and vaginal dryness. – Longevity

2. Healthy exercise and diet

“Menopause is associated with a midlife spread – weight gain which is central, due to a reduction in estrogen. This raises the risk of heart disease to that of men. Patients complain of no change in diet, but added weight, when indeed, as hormones change, diet needs to be changed appropriately.”

“Exercise – muscle shakes bones and assists with the resorption and growth process, to reduce tension on brittle bones. Obviously, this cannot be high-stress exercise; it has to be in accordance with the patient’s fitness level. Stretching approximately is of extreme importance in this age group.” – Dr Serasheni Moodley

3. Counselling

“As the placebo cure rate in menopause can be as high as 30%, it demonstrates the need for good, thorough, informative counselling. The patient needs to understand the process and when to take treatment.” – Dr Colin Marais

Detox treatments

1. Emothion

“Emothion is an orally absorbable glutathione, which is the master detoxifier.” – Dr Craige Golding

2. Infrared sauna

“Infrared sauna has been shown in trials to detoxify the body of toxic chemicals. Compared to a traditional sauna, the infrared allows you to get a more intense sweat at a lower temperature, thus allowing you to stay in the sauna for longer. Take niacin before your sauna, or a cup of peppermint tea into the sauna, to intensify the detoxification.” – Dr Joanne Pautz

3. Detoxifying IVI (Intravenous Infusion Therapy)

“IVs with ingredients that aid in detoxification are hugely helpful. Ingredients delivered directly into the bloodstream are very effective (a number of ingredients can be used, as well as homeopathic ingredients).” – Dr Maureen Allem

ECO-BEAUTY

Eco-friendly skincare brands that help to support aesthetic treatments

Dr Schrammek

“Cruelty free and not tested on animals. 70% of Schrammek is vegan friendly.” – Dr Farheen Ghoor

2. Lulu & Marula

“Lula & Marula’s beautiful packaging is enough to get anyone excited, and that’s not mentioning what’s inside. From scented body balms and bath oils to cleansing bars and lip balms, all products are as natural as they come. They don’t test on animals, and they use recyclable packaging.” – Dr Janine Olivier

3. pH Formula

“Innovation, pharma-cosmeceutic and 100% plant-based.” – Dr Zama Tladi

Eco-friendly cosmetic brands

1. Esse

“Esse is a South African skincare brand founded and developed by Trevor Steyn, an organic chemist, whose research began with African plants and their use in cosmetics. Over the last 100 years, industrial beauty has disrupted our skin’s ecosystem; we pay the price with huge increases in sensitive skin and acne. Esse researches rewilding techniques to restore the skin’s microbiome with probiotics and green chemistry.”

“Esse doesn’t believe in damaging skin in pursuit of short-term results. It optimizes skin health to slow aging in the long term. It uses prebiotics to feed good microbes and includes live probiotic microbes in two serums, to make functional changes to the microbiome. Esse has remained true to its principles since its inception: it’s a certified organic, vegan and cruelty-free brand that is carbon and plastic-neutral, supporting fair-trade practices” – Jackie Armitage

2. Codex

“This brand stands for being kind to the Earth. It’s vegan and cruelty-free. At the same time, I find that my skin looks and feels great.” – Liz Ferrett

3. Himalaya

“Himalaya is a completely natural range, and every product is effective.” – Shelene Shaer

Skincare Brands

1. Kiehl’s

“Renewable ingredients and sustainable packaging make this a great eco-friendly product. – Dr Gerda Olmesdahl

2. Reitzers

“Uses formulas without ingredients that are harmful.” – Dr Sian Hartshorne

3. African Extracts

*voted by Dr Dilshaad Asmal

Inspired by the South African rooibos plant, the products contain sustainably sourced, natural plant-based ingredients. – Longevity

Haircare Brands

1. Authentic Beauty Concept

*voted by Riaaz Galiem

With vegan formulas, this range offers premium haircare solutions, all while putting its best sustainable foot forward. – Longevity

2. Pureology

*voted by Candice Thurston

Committed to sustainability, Pureology provides you with professional-rated products that cater specifically for color-treated hair, using vegan ingredients. – Longevity

3. L’Oréal

L’Oréal is evolving at a rapid rate with eco-friendly packaging, and has committed that, by 2025, 100% of its plastic will be recyclable, reusable and compostable. – Shelene Shaer