Medical
Ask Jacquie
Q. I have started to get lines around my mouth which look worse when I apply make-up as my lipstick 'bleeds' into them. Is there anything to help?
A. Yes . A dermal filler such as restylane, injected into the lines will reduce, or in some cases remove the lines around your mouth. An anaesthetic is applied to numb the area. The procedure usually takes between 15 minutes to half an hour and you can apply make-up later on in the day. Results can last for 4-6 months around the mouth and even longer for lines and wrinkles on the face.
Q. I have been thinking about having Botox® to the lines on my forehead. Will this 'plump' out the lines?
A. Botox® is the trade name for Botulinum toxin. The lines on the forehead are usually caused by the constant contraction of the underlying muscles, which through time leave a 'dip' in the skin. Botox® works by stopping the action of the muscle, causing it to relax, making the lines appear smoother. It usually takes 2-3 days for the muscles to stop contracting and about a week to see the results in the skin. It works extremely well on the forehead and 'crows feet' areas around the eyes. Results can last between 3-6 months. Our Consultant Plastic Surgeon is available for Botox® treatments on Wednesday evenings.
Q. I have brown marks on my face which appear worse in the summer months. Is there anything I can do to remove them?
A. It depends on what the marks are and why they have appeared. Some pigmented lesions can be reduced by the use of skin lightening creams, but more often require some kind of chemical peeling agent. In some instances the marks can be removed by laser. At medéspa we have three levels of chemical peels, glycolic and lactic acid peels are superficial peels. These are made from fruit acids. The next level is TCA (Tri-chloroacetic acid) which is more chemical and works deeper in the skin depending on the strength of the product. These peels are considered lunchtime procedures and require no ‘downtime’. The Obagi Blue peel is a strong TCA peel which works much deeper in the skin. As the skin takes a week to heal, most people would require a week away from work.
The Alexandrite laser can also be used to treat certain conditions that make marks in the skin. In the summer months, pigmentation will darken due to sun exposure therefore, as always, the best advice I can give is to avoid getting the area exposed to the sun and use a sun-block with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) daily. For more information, book a consultation with one of our specialists.
Q. I want a more youthful look, how do I know if I need surgery or if there are alternatives?
A. Cosmetic surgery procedures to restore youthfulness are best suited to people who have sagging or an excess of skin in an area such as upper or lower eyelids (blepharoplasty) or jawline (facelift) etc. However, there are procedures now available to restore youthfulness without the need for surgery. Contact medéspa for a no obligation consultation.
Q. If I decide on surgery, how do I know the surgeon is experienced and qualified?
A. You can check the qualifications of a doctor by request at the GMC where all doctors must be registered. To find out about their experience, ask how many of the procedures they have performed and if he/she does so on a regular basis.
Q. Who checks or regulates the premises of clinics?
A. The ‘National Care Standards for Specialist Clinics’ have been developed by the Scottish Executive and came into effect in 2006. At medéspa we have Mr Mackay, Consultant Plastic Surgeon as our Medical Director in charge of clinical procedures. To find out more about standards check out the websites at - www.gmc-uk.org or www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/health/care/17652/12997/
