KM Surgical & Dermatology Associates

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KM Surgical & Dermatology Associates

Christchurch Cosmetic Surgery, Specialist Dermatology and Laser Skin Specialist Facility. Run by Dr

Laser, Liposuction & Cosmetic Surgery

KM Surgical is a medical and surgical facility in Christchurch, New Zealand. We specialise in liposuction, laser resurfacing, skin cancer and cosmetic surgery. This facility is directed by Dermatologist and Dermatologic Surgeon Dr Ken Macdonald, FRACP, FRCP.

29/03/2026

Prepping this patinet for Endolift we are doing lower face, chin and neck today.

Endolift® is a minimally invasive laser treatment that works beneath the skin not on the surface like most devices. Endolift has a very fine laser fibre (thinner than a needle) which is carefully inserted just under the skin.

This delivers targeted laser energy into the deeper layers, which does 3 key things:

Tightens the skin (immediate effect) - The laser heat causes controlled thermal contraction of collagen fibres. This creates an instant tightening effect.
stimulates new collagen (long-term effect)

The heat also triggers your body to produce new collagen over time. Skin becomes:
Firmer
Thicker
More elastic
Results continue to improve over 3–6 months

Targets small fat pockets - In areas like the chin or jawline, the laser can:
Disrupt fat cells
Help contour and refine the area

This is why it’s great for:
Jowls
Double chin
Lower face heaviness

What does it feel like?
Performed under local anaesthetic, you may feel pressure or warmth. The procedure may cause some possible swelling/bruising. Most patients would give it a 3/10 for discomfort.

26/03/2026

Melanoma

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world ☀
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer but when caught early, it is highly treatable.

What does melanoma look like?

Use the ABCDE rule:

A – Asymmetry
One half doesn’t match the other
B – Border
Irregular, blurred, or jagged edges
C – Colour
Multiple colours (brown, black, red, white, blue)
D – Diameter
Usually larger than 6mm (but can be smaller)
E – Evolving
Changing in size, shape, colour, or symptoms

Why melanoma is serious

*Can spread to other parts of the body
*May become life-threatening if not treated early
*Early detection = treatment & excellent outcomes

Common sites
Back (especially in men)
Legs (especially in women)
Face, scalp, and neck

Anywhere on the body even areas not exposed to sun.

Some melanomas are rare, subtle, and easily missed

RARE & LESS obvious melanomas

*Amelanotic melanoma (no pigment)
Pink, red, or skin-coloured
May look like a pimple, sore, or BCC

*Nodular melanoma
Fast-growing, aggressive
Often symmetrical (breaks the ABCDE rule!)
Can be black, red, or even skin-coloured
May bleed or ulcerate

*Acral lentiginous melanoma
Found on palms, soles, or under nails
Not related to sun exposure
Look for: Dark streaks in nails, pigmentation on palms/soles

*Subungual melanoma (under the nail)
Dark line or pigmentation in the nail
May widen over time
Can be mistaken for bruising

*Desmoplastic melanoma
Scar-like, firm, skin-coloured lesion
Often on sun-damaged skin
Very easy to miss clinically

EYE and MUCOSAL also can occur but are rare.

Regular self checking is important! If you notice any changes with your skin please seek advice from a medical professional.

24/03/2026

Mohs Surgery at KM Surgical – Precision Skin Cancer Treatment

At KM Surgical, we are proud to offer Mohs Micrographic Surgery, performed by
Dr Tom Middelburg.

What is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery is an advanced technique used to treat skin cancers such as:

✔️ Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
✔️ Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

It involves:
Removing the cancer layer by layer
Examining each layer under a microscope in real time
Continuing until all cancer cells are completely cleared

Why Mohs?

✔️ Highest cure rate for many skin cancers
✔️ Maximum preservation of healthy tissue
✔️ Ideal for face, nose, lips, and delicate areas
✔️ Immediate confirmation that the cancer is fully removed

What to expect

Performed under local anaesthetic
Same-day procedure with staged removal
Reconstruction performed once margins are clear
Personalised aftercare and follow-up

When is Mohs recommended?

Skin cancers on the face or cosmetically sensitive areas
Recurrent or previously treated cancers
Aggressive or poorly defined lesions

Please note you will need GP referral for Mohs surgery. For more information please call us on 033799467

23/03/2026

Endolift® – Advanced Non-Surgical Skin Tightening at KM Surgical

Looking for skin tightening and contouring without surgery?

At KM Surgical, we offer Endolift®, performed by
Dr Ken Macdonald – an experienced dermatologist with international training in Endolift techniques.

What is Endolift®?

Endolift® is a minimally invasive laser treatment that works beneath the skin to:

✔️ Tighten and lift
✔️ Stimulate collagen production
✔️ Reduce excess fat in targeted areas
✔️ Improve skin quality and firmness

All with no surgical incisions and minimal downtime

What areas can be treated?

Jawline & jowls
Under chin (submental area)
Neck
Face - including upper eyelids
Arms
Knees
Inner thighs
Stomach

What to expect

✔️ Performed under local anaesthetic
✔️ Minimal downtime
✔️ Gradual, natural-looking results
✔️ Continued improvement over several months

We offer a complimentry consultation with our nurses to book in call us on 033771010 or email kmdsurgical@derm.co.nz

21/03/2026

Another lesion we see in clinic is : Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a common skin cancer in New Zealand and unlike some others, it can spread if left untreated. Early detection is key!

What does an SCC look like?

SCCs can vary, but watch for:

✨ A scaly, rough, or crusted patch
✨ A thickened, raised lesion
✨ A non-healing sore that may bleed or ooze
✨ A wart-like growth
✨ A lesion that is tender or painful

Where do they occur? Most commonly on sun-damaged skin

Why SCC matters

*SCC can grow more aggressively
*It has the potential to spread to lymph nodes
*Delayed treatment can lead to more complex surgery

How do we treat SCC? Generally surgical excision

19/03/2026

New Botulinum Toxin Relfydess

Lasts up to 6 months. After photo below is 1 hour after injection so has worked very quickly for this client.

RELFYDESS® prescription medicine contains 150 units of relabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of frown lines and crow’s feet around the eyes. Relfydess has risks and benefits. Ask your healthcare professional if Relfydess is right for you and to explain the possible side effects. Tell them if any side effects concern you. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS YOU ARE GIVEN. For details on precautions and side effects, see the Consumer Medicines Information at www.medsafe.govt.nz. Unfunded for aesthetic indications. Product and treatment costs apply. AUS: Galderma Australia Pty Ltd, Level 18, 1 Denison St, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia. ABN 12 003 976 930. NZ: Galderma Australia Pty Ltd, 58 Richard Pearse Drive, Airport Oaks, Mangere 2022. NZBN 9429051812249. Distributed in NZ by Healthcare Logistics, 58 Richard Pearse Drive, Airport Oaks, Mangere 2022, NZ.

18/03/2026

Another lesion we see in clinic at KM Surgical is Keratoacanthoma

A keratoacanthoma (KA) is a type of skin lesion that can look alarming because it grows very quickly.

It’s often considered a low-grade skin cancer or closely related to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), so it should always be assessed by a medical professional.

What does a keratoacanthoma look like?

✨ A rapidly growing lump (often over weeks)
✨ A dome-shaped nodule with a central keratin plug (crater)
✨ Skin-coloured, pink, or red lesion
✨ May become quite large in a short time
✨ Can sometimes become sore or inflamed

There are several variants and syndromes of keratoacanthoma.

How do we treat them? Most keratoacanthomas are treated surgically.

For more information please go to:
www. dermnetnz.org

18/03/2026

At KM Surgical we see Basal Cell Carcinomas on a daily basis in clinic.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer and here in New Zealand, we see it often due to our high UV exposure.

What does a BCC look like?

✨ A pearly or shiny bump (often skin-coloured or pink)
✨ A sore that doesn’t heal or keeps bleeding/scabbing
✨ A flat, red or pale patch that slowly grows
✨ A scar-like area that looks shiny or waxy
✨ Visible tiny blood vessels (telangiectasia) on the surface

Where do they appear? Most commonly on sun-exposed areas.

Why early detection matters, BCCs grow slowly, but they can:

*Invade deeper into skin
*Cause tissue damage
*Become more complex to treat if left too long

Not sure about a spot?

If something is new, changing, or not healing get it checked. We offer nurse led skin and mole checks, please see our website for details or call us on 03 3799467

Early reassurance or early treatment makes all the difference.

16/03/2026

Polynucleotides: Regenerative Skin Rejuvenation

In recent years, polynucleotide treatments have become one of the most exciting developments in regenerative aesthetic medicine. Rather than simply adding volume like traditional dermal fillers, polynucleotides work by stimulating the skin’s natural repair and regeneration processes.

Polynucleotides are highly purified DNA fragments that help support cellular repair, improve hydration, and stimulate collagen production within the skin. When injected into the skin, they act as powerful biostimulators, encouraging the body to repair damaged tissue and improve overall skin quality.

This makes them particularly beneficial for patients who want healthier, stronger, more radiant skin rather than added volume.

How Polynucleotides Help the Skin

Polynucleotides work at a cellular level to:

• Stimulate collagen and elastin production
• Improve skin hydration and elasticity
• Support tissue repair and regeneration
• Strengthen the skin barrier
• Reduce fine lines and improve skin texture
• Help improve the delicate under-eye area

Because they improve the quality and health of the skin itself, results tend to look very natural and progressive rather than dramatic or overdone.
Areas That Can Be Treated:

Polynucleotides are commonly used to treat:

• Face
• Under-eye area
• Neck
• Décolletage
• Acne scars and damaged skin

They are especially helpful in areas where the skin is thin, delicate, or beginning to show early signs of ageing.

At KM Surgical, regenerative treatments such as polynucleotides are used to improve the quality, strength, and resilience of the skin while maintaining a natural appearance.

Call to book your complimentry consultation with one of our registered nurses on 03 3771010

13/03/2026

Why We Don’t Post Many Before & Afters

You may have noticed that we don’t regularly post before-and-after photos on social media. While these images are common in the aesthetic industry, our approach has always prioritised patient privacy and discretion above all else.

Many of our patients value a confidential, professional environment where they can feel comfortable seeking treatment without their images appearing online. Cosmetic and medical treatments are deeply personal decisions, and for many people, maintaining their privacy is extremely important.

Although some patients are happy to share their results, many prefer to keep their treatments completely private, and we fully respect that choice. Protecting our patients’ confidentiality is a fundamental part of the trust they place in us.

At KM Surgical, we have always believed that exceptional results should speak for themselves. Much of our work comes through word-of-mouth referrals and long-standing patient relationships, which we consider the greatest compliment.

During a consultation, we are very happy to discuss realistic expectations, treatment options, and outcomes, and in some cases we may be able to show examples privately where appropriate and with permission.

Our focus is always on delivering natural, balanced results in a safe and professional medical setting while ensuring every patient feels respected, comfortable, and protected.

Because for us, your privacy matters just as much as your results.

12/03/2026

Understanding “Filler Fatigue”

Dermal fillers can be a wonderful way to restore lost volume, soften lines, and subtly enhance facial features. When performed carefully and conservatively, they can refresh the face while still maintaining natural expression. However, a concept that is increasingly discussed in aesthetic medicine is something known as “filler fatigue.”

Filler fatigue refers to the changes that can occur when dermal fillers are repeatedly topped up over time without allowing previous treatments to fully settle or naturally metabolise. While fillers are often marketed as lasting 6–12 months, research and clinical experience suggest that small amounts of product can remain in the tissues for much longer.

When additional filler is layered on top over several years, the face can gradually begin to look puffy, heavy, or slightly different from its natural structure. Patients may notice that their features start to lose definition or that their face looks “tired,” “overfilled,” or swollen, even though they have not had a large amount of filler at any one time.

Signs sometimes associated with filler fatigue may include:
• Soft or puffy cheeks
• Loss of natural facial contours
• Lips that appear heavier over time
• Under-eye fullness or swelling
• A face that looks different in photos compared with earlier years

In many cases the issue is not the filler itself, but rather the accumulation of filler over time.

A modern, thoughtful approach to cosmetic injectables focuses on subtle enhancement, facial balance, and long-term planning rather than frequent “top-ups.” Sometimes the best plan may involve allowing time between treatments, using smaller amounts, or occasionally dissolving older filler before starting again.

Dermal filler, Medical Device Class III to smooth facial wrinkles and folds, correct facial atrophic scars, restore or enhance the lips, or restore facial volume. Dermal filler has risk and benefits. Ask your doctor if dermal filler is right for you. For product information, check with your doctors or from product details with supplier

10/03/2026

As the cooler months approach, it signals the start of what we call “laser season.” Winter is widely considered the ideal time to undergo laser treatments, and for good reason.

During winter we naturally spend less time in the sun, wear more protective clothing, and UV levels are significantly lower. This reduces the risk of complications such as post-inflammatory pigmentation, allowing the skin to heal optimally and achieve the best results.

At KM Surgical, we offer a range of advanced laser treatments tailored to your skin concerns, including:

• Skin rejuvenation
• Pigmentation treatment
• Scar improvement
• Texture refinement
• Advanced resurfacing

Many laser treatments are performed as a series over several months, which makes winter the perfect time to start. Now is the time to book your consultation to plan your winter laser treatments!

We offer a complimentry consultation with our nurses or dermal therapist. Call to book on 03 3771010

Address

202 Bealey Avenue
Christchurch
8052

Telephone

+6433799467

Website

http://www.kmsurgical.co.nz/Home

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