Anti Aging

As seen in:

Here’s how to treat sun damaged skin

Kate
#Sun Damaged
Before
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Joahn
#Sun Damaged
Before
After
Mia
#Sun Damaged
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Eliza
#Sun Damaged
Before
After

If you’re like others experiencing dark spots, enlarged pores, texture, lines & wrinkles, and loss of elasticity caused by sun damage, you’ll also understand how frustrating it is to treat these.

Perhaps you’ve felt confused by conflicting advice about how to minimise these and wonder what the most safe and effective treatment is.

And, you may be tired of spending hundreds of dollars on skincare products, supplements, and treatments, that make big promises but often produce temporary results.

You’re not alone. We see many people with sun damaged skin, and they tell us their similar frustrations with treating their skin. But, there is an answer. And it begins by understanding that sun damaged skin can be treated using a medical approach.

QR8 Mediskin is a doctor-prescribed and nurse-supported skincare service designed to address your specific challenges with evidence-based topical treatments that are simple to use (just a few minutes each day).

We help you:

  • Get a medical assessment of your skin – sun damaged skin can be treated, and future damage minimised with topical treatments but, if very advanced, may require in-clinic treatments for best results
  • Get a simple-to use, at-home, treatment cream with evidence-based ingredients that are considered the gold-standard in the scientific literature to treat lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, texture, lack of elasticity and enlarged pores due to sun exposure
  • Understand the causes of prematurely aged skin, and how to manage these in the long-term, including the important role that sun protection plays
  • Find simple and inexpensive skincare products that support your skin

Our online skincare team gets to know you and your skin (using a detailed questionnaire combined with a secure video consultation) and prescribes a science-backed treatment from a choice of 20+ evidence-based ingredients that are targeted and blended for your specific skin condition.

As part of your treatment you also receive comprehensive skincare recommendations and ongoing support from our dermatology nurse via SMS, phone, email, and or video call.

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What Causes Wrinkles?

Any discussion of anti-aging skincare and treatment starts with understanding how skin ages and wrinkles develop. There are a whole host of factors involved, but we can group them into 2 categories: intrinsic and extrinsic:

Intrinsic

Intrinsic aging simply results from the passage of time. It is genetically-programmed, and results in cells slowing down and becoming less responsive. Skin cell turnover in the epidermis slows, along with the skin’s ability to repair itself (so treat it gently!).

There is less natural exfoliation of skin cells from the skin surface, caused by changes to the type and amount of moisturising substances (ceramides, fatty acids, cholesterol) produced in older skin. Dried skin cells accumulate, giving skin a rough, dry, dull appearance.

Female hormones like oestrogen also play a part. Skin cells (including fibroblasts – cells that make collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid) have receptors that bind oestrogen. Around menopause, less circulating oestrogen means there’s less around to bind to cells, resulting in thinner, more wrinkled, frail and drier skin. This is more obvious in facial skin as these cells have more oestrogen receptors than other areas of the body (the reason signs of aging accelerate around menopause, and we start searching in earnest for the best anti-aging treatments and anti-wrinkle skincare).

Hormonally aged skin has:

  1. Less collagen: 30% of skin collagen is lost in the first 5 postmenopausal years, with an average decline of 2% per year over a period of 15 years. Hormone replacement therapy can reduce this: one study of oestrogen replacement showed 33% increase in skin thickness over 12 months of therapy.
  2. Decreased water content in the skin: xerosis (dry skin) is a common complaint in menopausal women, leading to loss of the skin’s barrier function and increased susceptibility to contact dermatitis reactions – in short, this means that this age group has more sensitive skin (one study also reported increased skin sensitivity in premenstrual and menstrual women, possibly as a result of lower oestrogen in this phase of the menstrual cycle)
  3. Reduced skin elasticity – Degenerative changes in elastic fibres of menopausal women give rise to skin wrinkling and sagging.

Extrinsic

External lifestyle factors that contribute to aged skin include: sun exposure, smoking, pollution, diet, stress. These are typically things we can control versus the intrinsic factors. Read more about how diet can help with ‘future proofing’ your skin HERE.

Of these, the most important aging factor is damage caused by chronic UV exposure (also called ‘photodamage’ or ‘photoaging’). Around 90% of the changes we see in aged skin (rough, dry, deeply wrinkled, saggy skin with uneven texture and tone, depigmented white spots called ‘guttate hypomelanosis’ and broken vessels) are caused by the sun!

Chronic exposure the sun’s UV rays:

  1. Tricks skin into overproducing skin cells (‘epidermal hyperplasia’) to thicken the epidermis to protect itself from the sun (called ‘hyperkeratosis’). The resulting appearance is rough, thickened skin without any glow.
  2. Triggers melanin pigment production and the appearance of the dreaded ‘age spots’ and uneven skin tone (if you don’t believe us, compare the skin on your torso that doesn’t see as much sun vs the skin on your arms, chest, face and hands!)
  3. Causes dilated and broken blood vessels (called ‘telangiectasia’ or ‘spider veins’)
  4. Upregulates hormones in the skin that break down collagen and elastin – contributing to deeper wrinkles and saggy skin
  5. Damages skin cell DNA both directly, and indirectly by producing DNA-damaging ROS (‘Reactive Oxygen Species’, also called ‘Free Radicals’). At the same time, it depletes our skin’s own supply of antioxidants (like vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid, Coenzyme Q10 and others) so they can’t prevent free radical damage.

Don’t Forget Anti-Wrinkle Treatment
For Your Neck And Decolletage!

Photodamage doesn’t just affect the face – your neck and chest are also in the firing line! A good reason to take your anti-wrinkle skincare past the jawline.

Click HERE to read more about neck/chest sun damage

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What’s The Best Anti-Wrinkle And Anti-Aging Cream?

It’s no surprise that the least sexy and inexpensive anti-wrinkle skincare product in Australia is… SUNSCREEN!

Click HERE to read our tips for how to use sunscreen as part of your overall anti-aging skincare routine.

Pro Tip You don’t need a specialized anti-aging eye cream or serum – the best anti-wrinkle eye cream in Australia is… (you guessed it) SUNSCREEN! Don’t forget to apply it around your eyes which are often the first place to show signs of aging.

Click HERE to read more about using retinoids in summer, and HERE for how to use your retinoid if the worst happens and you get sunburnt!

HOW DO WE TREAT LINES & WRINKLES AT QR8 MEDISKIN?

We don’t just give you access to the best customised anti-aging skin treatments. We are the Australia’s go-to medical service for support so you can use them safely and effectively to get results:

01

Detailed
Questionnaire & Photos

Tell us about yourself and the challenges you’re having with your skin. Click here to get started.

02

Online Consult

Schedule a Video Consultation with one of our Trained Doctors who will diagnose your skin and prescribe a medical treatment cream specifically for you.

03

Receive Treatment

Your very own custom treatment will be delivered within days via Medical Express Shipping.

04

Expert Support

Schedule a Video Consultation with our nurse to receive your personal skincare recommendations, then get ongoing support via SMS, phone, email, or video call during your 3-month treatment cycle.

Can Over-The-Counter
Anti-Aging Moisturizers, Eye Creams And Anti-Wrinkle Serum
Really Produce Wrinkle-Free Skin?

No they can’t. At best, cosmetic anti-wrinkle moisturisers , serums and eye creams simply plump skin with added moisture to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It’s a temporary fix.

Our anti-aging products include a prescription retinoid – the only anti-aging ingredient backed by 100% of dermatologists, with scientific evidence that it works to reduce lines and wrinkles, improve sun damage, increase skin cell turnover and restore collagen production. If pigmentated age spots are present, we can also add fading ingredients like hydroquinone to target anti-aging and hyperpigmentation in the same cream.

Hydroquinone
Licorice
Perscription Retinoids
Resorcinol
Aza Acid
Niacinamide
Alpha-Arbutin
Resveratrol
Kojic Acid
Hydrocortisone

Read more about how our prescription skincare
service works in Body+Soul HERE

QR8 MEDISKIN
VS
COSMETIC SKINCARE

Qr8 MediSkin Over-The-Counter/Cosmetic/
Cosmeceutical Skincare
Fully customizable from 15 different evidence-based ingredients
One product suits all
Penetrates through all skin layers to change skin’s function
Acts on outer skin layers to temporarily improve skin’s appearance
Decades of scientific evidence and rigorous clinical trials proving safety and effectivenes
Doesn’t affect skin function so effectiveness studies not required
Effective dose of ingredients
Low (often ineffective) dose of ingredients
Only basic cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen required to support your treatment
Marketed as needing an extensive routine of products to get results (with constant new additions)
Prescribed by medical doctors who know you and your skin, using the latest evidence-based protocols
Can be purchased over the counter or online without expert diagnosis
Skincare support from a team of scientists, nurses, doctors and pharmacists
Minimal follow-up support

HOW LONG BEFORE PRESCRIPTION RETINOIDS WORKS TO IMPROVE WRINKLED SKIN?

Here’s what science says about how long it takes for wrinkle (and other signs of photoaging) improvement with daily use of a prescriptions retinoid:

1 week - 3 months

Early
Changes

It’s possible to notice a difference this early. The skin cel ls within the skin barrier become compacted and epidermal water retention increases, resulting in overall smoother texture (if retinoid dermatitis is well managed). What you don’t see is the early changes to your skin cells’ turnover mechanism – they are getting ready to send fresh skin cells to the surface more frequently.

3 months - 6 months

Noticeable
results

An overwhelming number of studies show that 0.05% of a prescription retinoid applied daily produces significant reductions in signs of photoaging like fine wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and roughness when compared to a cream that doesn’t contain a prescription retinoid. These results are after *daily* use – which is why we help you manage side effects to get you to an effective dose as quickly and safely as possible. In reality, if you’re a retinoid novice you will likely notice results closer to 6 months than 3.

6 months - 12 months

Dramatic
Results

Again, a vast array of studies show continued improvement in fine and coarse wrinkles, skin laxity and roughness at the 6+ month point, e ven when starting dose is low (0.025%) and increases (to 0.1%) during this time period. Daily use and the maximum tolerable dose is key to getting maximum results. This doesn’t mean that you need the highest dose if your skin doesn’t tolerate it – studies show significant improvement over 12 months, even with daily application of a low dose of a prescription retinoid (0.01% or 0.02%). Pigment reduction (age spots, PIH, freckles, melasma) become significant during this period, by the 10 month mark.

2 years - 4 years

Sustained results & safety

A 2 year study of daily 0.05% prescription retinoid use showed continued improvements in signs of photoaging, without untoward effects. A 4 year study showed continued clinical improvement and sustained results, again with no untoward effects on skin, the health of test subjects, or microscopically on skin cells or melanocytes.

Myths About Retinoids And Retinol

We discussed this with UK dermatologist, Dr Natalia Spierings in our Instagram Live Skin Sessions Series.
Click HERE to watch part 1.

Anti-Aging Skincare Starts With A Great (And Minimal!) Skincare Routine

Read what our founder, Dr Michele Squire, told our friends at UltraViolette about designing your best skincare routine ever!

Get Started

Does QR8 actually treat aging skin? See our results

Thousands of customers are thrilled to finally discover skincare that works. Some even say using QR8 Mediskin has eliminated the need for expensive salon treatments, uncomfortable laser therapies, and invasive injectables and surgery. Here are some of the untouched before-and-after images we’ve received from our incredible community.

Joahn
#Sun Damage
Before
After
Eliza
#Sun Damage
Before
After
Kate
#Sun Damage
Before
After
Mia
#Sun Damage
Before
After

People are talking about QR8 Mediskin

Here’s what some of our customers have to say about us

Your Biggest
Questions Answered

What skin conditions can QR8 treat?

We have customisable medical solutions for:

  • Skin ageing concerns (lines & wrinkles, sagging skin, pigmentation)
  • Sun damage
  • Acne
  • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
  • Melasma
  • Texture, congestion, enlarged pores
  • Rosacea
  • Perioral Dermatitis

Our doctors only prescribe skin treatments where it is safe and appropriate to do so. You may be advised during your consult that it is in your best interests to see a dermatologist or other medical professional in person.

How much does it cost?

Our 3-month service is supportive, all-inclusive,  and convenient – no more trips to the pharmacy or GP, no waiting in line, no unexpected costs, and no more wasted money on skincare products that don’t work. Just effective, evidence-based results with minimal wait time.

The one-off cost of $220 / 3 months includes:

  • A review of your questionnaire and photos by your doctor prior to your video consult
  • A 1:1 video consult to design your treatment plan with an experienced doctor
  • 50g treatment cream with a customised blend of prescription-only active ingredients sufficient for 3 months of daily application. Our ingredients are the gold-standard for treating skin concerns like acne, sun damage, pigmentation, melasma, rosacea, lines & wrinkles, sun damage, and perioral dermatitis. The concentration and inclusion of active ingredients will be customised to suit your specific skin requirements and allergies/intolerences. We can generally treat multiple concerns in a single cream but sometimes you may require more than 1 cream to address your concerns. Your doctor will discuss this with you, and provide treatment options to fit with your goals and budget. The cost for 2 creams purchased in a single transaction is $380 (discounted from $440).
  • Detailed instructions
  • Australia Post Medical Express delivery to your door within 5 working days following payment
  • Unlimited SMS, email and phone support by our expert support team for 3 months
  • A video skincare routine consult with our dermatology nurse to assess your current skincare products to ensure they are safe to use with medical treatment creams, including personalised product recommendations if required
  • Access to our patient library
  • Monthly virtual masterclasses
  • Discounts, gifts and giveaways exclusive to our MediSkin patients

PLEASE NOTE: There is no government Medicare or private health telehealth rebate currently available for our service. You may be able to claim the drug component of the service on your private health (and we can provide a receipt for this upon request.

Can I claim it on private health insurance?

Yes, you may be able to claim the prescription cream component of your treatment using Extras cover on your private health insurance.

The rebate amount will differ depending on your fund and level of cover, but we’re happy to provide you with a pharmacy receipt that you can present to your insurer to help you claim your rebate.

Unfortunately, neither Medicare nor private health insurers currently offer rebates for the telehealth or support components of our service. However, we believe that our support services are an essential part of your treatment plan and we’re committed to providing you with the best possible care and attention.

How long does it take to arrive?

We’re so excited to help you achieve your skincare goals with our personalised treatment! Our team is dedicated to processing your order quickly, so you can start seeing the benefits as soon as possible.

Once our Qr8 admin team receive your payment, we’ll process your order within 24 working hours and confirm with you via text message. Then the pharmacy will work hard to compound your treatment promptly. Please allow 2-5 working days for your treatment to be compounded and shipped.

For your peace of mind, please note that orders cannot be safe dropped and will require a signature on delivery. If you’re not available to sign for your order, it will be taken to the closest post office for collection. If the order is not collected within 5 working days, it will be returned to the pharmacy.

Your order will be shipped directly from the pharmacy to the address you provided on your form, so please ensure this is up-to-date. If your address changes, or you have a special request for your delivery, please let us know so we can update your details and ensure a seamless delivery.

Do I have to subscribe?

We want you to feel completely in control of your treatment, which is why we’re not a subscription service. You’ll never have to worry about us taking money from your account without your permission.

Instead, you’ll be the one in charge of your payments. Every three months, we will remind you to book with your doctor for a progress and treatment review, and you can decide when the pharmacy dispenses your treatment.

Then we’ll take care of all the logistics for you, so you can focus on what matters most – getting the results you want.

How do I pay?

After your video consult, your doctor will send you an email confirming your recommended treatment plan and cost. We want to make sure you have all the details you need to make an informed decision about your treatment.

If you are ready to move forward, simply log into your profile using the link in the email, and pay the invoice. We process all orders within 24 working hours of payment being cleared into our account.

To make the payment process as easy as possible, we accept online payments via Visa and Mastercard, and we also offer Afterpay. You can also pay by direct debit. The choice is yours!

If you have any questions or concerns about payment or the treatment process, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team HERE, or phone us on (07) 3325-9700 M-F, during QLD business hours.

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Skincare Program

Meet our Founder

Dr Michele Squire

PhD, BSc (Hons), BBus, BN

Dr Michele Squire, PhD scientist and former healthcare executive and Registered Nurse, recognised the crucial synergy between medicine, science and skincare in treating chronic skin concerns. In 2019, she established Qr8 (pronounced ‘curate’), a ground-breaking venture aimed at offering video telehealth-delivered medical treatment and uncomplicated skincare guidance rooted in scientific evidence. By promoting evidence-based medicine and combining it with the kind of expert support known to significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients, Qr8 empowers patients to make informed decisions about their skin and get results.

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Meet our Clinical Team

Dr Kristina Jonaityte

Vrac, FRACGP AHPRA Registration Number:MED0001907048

Dr Kristina has a keen interest in skincare and skin health. Helping her patients achieve their best skin and improve their self-confidence is the part of her practice she enjoys most.⁠ She believes beautiful skin needs commitment, not a miracle, combined with a knowledgeable support team to help patients reach their best skin health!

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Dr Yeshika Naidoo

MBBS, FRACGP AHPRA Registration Number:MED0000962959

Dr Yeshika focusses on what the patient is trying to achieve and adapts their treatment according to their individual lifestyles. She loves to see long-term and returning patients who are happy with their results, and she finds this to be the most rewarding part of her practice.

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Dr Sarah Newby

MD AHPRA Registration Number:MED0002066429

Dr Sarah has a warm and empathetic approach to her practice and listens deeply to ensure that she can work with patients to get to the root of the problem and arrive at an effective solution together. She finds being trusted with her patient’s stories and seeing how simple changes can make a world of difference to be the most rewarding part of her practice.

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Dr Jeremy Chou

MChD, FRACGP AHPRA Registration Number:MED0002066673

Dr Jeremy is holistic, thorough, and willing to take the necessary time and care to ensure his patients are empowered to take charge of their health. He specifically enjoys seeing patients enjoy positive results and become empowered to make better decisions for their skin and wellbeing.

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Dr Kathy Robinson

MBBS, MSc (Pharmacy), MForensMed, FACLM AHPRA Registration Number:MED0001399354

Dr Kathy combines science and evidence-based practice with a warm and compassionate approach to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients. She enjoys seeing the holistic benefits for patients that come with achieving great skin health and providing patients with the knowledge and tools to empower them to maintain great skin for life.

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Dr Maeve Anna

MBChB, BSc Med Sci (Hons), MSc (Aesthetic Med) AHPRA Registration Number:MED0001841436

Dr Maeve Anna approaches her patient’s skin concerns with warmth and empathy. Her personal journey with skin became the driving force behind her Master’s Degree Thesis which focused specifically on the science of skincare in Acne, her area of particular interest. Dr Maeve gains significant fulfilment from contributing to the positive transformation of her patients’ self-esteem throughout their treatment.

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Dr Hamish Beeston

BPharm, MBBS, FRACGP AHPRA Registration Number:MED0001998401

Dr Hamish’s approach to practice is personable and professional which allows him to connect with patients, easily understand their problems, and create effective solutions. Being able to find and create solutions to people’s concerns is his favourite part of his practice.

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Nurse Kristen Meiklejohn

EEN AHPRA Registration Number:NMW0001612708

Kristen is an integral part of our Qr8 MediSkin Skincare Support Team. If you have questions, need skincare product recommendations, or help setting up a simple but personalised skincare routine to support your prescription treatment, Kristen is your skincare guardian angel.⁠⁠

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Pharmacist Matthew Belgrove

BPharm AHPRA Registration Number:PHA0000982524

I have been a pharmacist for 14 years, owned and worked in a variety of Pharmacies including NCC for the last 10 years. When not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife, 4 kids & dog and also swim, bike and running. I find compounding pharmacy a rewarding profession because of NCC’s ability to customise medicine for any type of patient. I often find ourselves solving challenges which standard medicine couldn’t and the gratitude from Patients is very humbling.

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References

1. Flament F, Bazin R, Laquieze S, Rubert V, Simonpietri E, Piot B. Effect of the sun on visible clinical signs of aging in Caucasian skin. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2013 PMID: 24101874.
2. Baumann L. Skin aging and its treatment. J Pathol. 2007. PMID: 17200942.
3. Amano S. Characterization and mechanisms of photoaging-related changes in skin. Damages of basement membrane and dermal structures. Exp Dermatol. 2017. PMID: 27539897.
4. Han A, Chien AL, Kang S. Photoaging. Dermatol Clin. 2014. PMID: 24891052.
5. Singh M, Griffiths CE. The use of retinoids in the treatment of photoaging. Dermatol Ther. 2006. PMID: 17014485.
6. Rosenthal DS, Roop DR, Huff CA, Weiss JS, Ellis CN, Hamilton T, Voorhees JJ, Yuspa SH. Changes in photo-aged human skin following topical application of all-trans retinoic acid. J Invest Dermatol. 1990. PMID: 1700022.
7. Mukherjee S, Date A, Patravale V, Korting HC, Roeder A, Weindl G. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clin Interv Aging. 2006. PMID: 18046911; PMCID: PMC2699641.
8. Caputo R, Monti M, Motta S, Barbareschi M, Tosti A, Serri R, Rigoni C. The treatment of visible signs of senescence: the Italian experience. Br J Dermatol. 1990. PMID: 2186793.
9. Weinstein GD, Nigra TP, Pochi PE, Savin RC, Allan A, Benik K, Jeffes E, Lufrano L, Thorne EG. Topical tretinoin for treatment of photodamaged skin. A multicenter study. Arch Dermatol. 1991. PMID: 2024983.
10. Olsen EA, Katz HI, Levine N, Nigra TP, Pochi PE, Savin RC, Shupack J, Weinstein GD, Lufrano L, Perry BH. Tretinoin emollient cream for photodamaged skin: results of 48-week, multicenter, double-blind studies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997. PMID: 9270507.
11. Nyirady J, Bergfeld W, Ellis C, Levine N, Savin R, Shavin J, Voorhees JJ, Weiss J, Grossman R. Tretinoin cream 0.02% for the treatment of photodamaged facial skin: a review of 2 double-blind clinical studies. Cutis. PMID: 11534915.
12. Rafal ES, Griffiths CE, Ditre CM, Finkel LJ, Hamilton TA, Ellis CN, Voorhees JJ. Topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) treatment for liver spots associated with photodamage. N Engl J Med. 1992. PMID: 1729619.
13. Kang S, Bergfeld W, Gottlieb AB, Hickman J, Humeniuk J, Kempers S, Lebwohl M, Lowe N, McMichael A, Milbauer J, Phillips T, Powers J, Rodriguez D, Savin R, Shavin J, Sherer D, Silvis N, Weinstein R, Weiss J, Hammerberg C, Fisher GJ, Nighland M, Grossman R, Nyirady J. Long-term efficacy and safety of tretinoin emollient cream 0.05% in the treatment of photodamaged facial skin: a two-year, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Dermatol. PMID: 16060712.
14. Bhawan J, Olsen E, Lufrano L, Thorne EG, Schwab B, Gilchrest BA. Histologic evaluation of the long term effects of tretinoin on photodamaged skin. J Dermatol Sci. 1996. PMID: 8785167.

Your Customised Anti-Aging
Skin Treatment

Is ONLY A Few Clicks Away

You’ve heard the science that enables QR8 Mediskin to work so well. You’ve seen the difference in real customers. Isn’t it time to try QR8 Mediskin for yourself? Click the button below to get started.

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