Everyone knows that my background is in Cosmetic Dentistry, and I consider myself mainly an expert in lower face rejuvenation using Botulinum toxins, dermal fillers and non-laser therapies. So, I do find it a little surprising that when I am asked to present at aesthetic conferences, it is usually some topic about skin!

Possibly, this is because I am the Clinical Director for Renew Medica, London’s largest group of Skin clinics. In this role, I have had the opportunity to develop my skin knowledge to an extremely advanced level. Yet even when I was making the transition from Dentistry to Aesthetics several years ago, I understood very quickly that great skin (as is the case with great teeth) is the foundation of looking good at any age.

People may think that they need a dermatologist to achieve even-toned, glowing, movie-star skin. Unless there is some underlying pathology (or disease of the skin), this is simply not the case. Many factors including the stresses of everyday life can cause imbalances in our normal skin function. Factors such as temperature and climate; hormonal changes; ageing and illness all affect the way our skin functions and looks. The correct advice, treatments and products can quickly and effectively turn things around. This formed the topic of the talk I gave at this year’s FACE conference, held at the Royal College of Physicians in London on the last (sunny & sizzling) weekend in June.

In actual fact, I was presenting to the UK/European industry a total revolution in skin cleansing. Our American counterparts, not surprisingly, have been enlightened for a couple of years. So what exactly am I talking about? CLARISONIC. It uses sonic technology in a skin brush. Think of a giant electric toothbrush, modified for the skin. It works in a very similar way, and has been intricately designed to perform superior cleansing without irritating or damaging the skin. It is not classed as a medical device but it has an impressive list of studies verifying its effectiveness. Thorough cleansing is the first step in any successful skin care routine. More than this, the cascading effects from the enhanced Clarisonic clean can beneficially alter the outcomes of all the treatments you can have in the clinic. Here we have the future of cleansing…Clarisonic. Try it.

As we move from the late summer into the coming colder months, our skin will need support in making the transition. Soon, my clinic will be full of clients who want to boost their skin after the summer excesses of too much sun, chlorinated pool water, lots of alcohol and the other effects of summer partying.

At the Cosmetic News Expo in London in May, I talked about the types of injectable skin boosters or hydrating treatments that I use in my clinic. These are very fluid types of HA (hyaluronic acid) which is the main ingredient found in most dermal fillers. HA is extremely water-binding and so that’s why these treatments add instant glow and plumpness to dry, photo damaged skin.

I like Restylane Vital and Juvederm Hydrate. These two brands are quite different in their characteristics and I choose which one to use depending on the specific needs of my client. They can be used alone or in combination with peels, light based therapies for pigmentation, microdermabrasion or microneedling (Dermaroller). Actually, everyone can benefit from injectable hydration treatments, as they also boost collagen production leading to firmer skin.

Even if you like your fine lines and wrinkles, and don’t mind a few signs of ageing, keep your skin hydrated and even-toned, and you are sure to look good. At any time of the year…

Recently, at two separate conferences, I attended two of the most fascinating presentations in quite a while. In the heavenly setting of Monaco, the Aesthetic Medicine World Congress took place in March. There I listened to a talk by Dr. Michele Verschoor, Medical Director for L’Oreal. Her talk mainly focused on the differences between male and female skin characteristics, the main point being that men need to use products that as less oil-based as they produce more sebum in their skin. Ok, so that will definitely help me manage my male clients so that they get better results.

That wasn’t the most interesting thing however! There was a survey to find out the average age when men and women become aware of ageing, or changes in their physical appearance. Women become aware of ‘ageing’ at a mean age of 29 years, whilst men don’t really begin to worry until 49 years.   A staggering difference!

Another recent survey asking men and women to rate the criteria important in a choosing a partner was  also rather enlightening. As has been the case historically, for men, facial attractiveness in a woman is still the most important factor, followed closely by a good body. Personality, status/job were of lesser importance. In the past, women placed the man’s status/job as the most important factor in considering him as a sexual partner.  A recent re- survey of young women (20-30 years) shows that this has definitely changed. Women now also rate facial attractiveness and a fit body shape as the number one factor in choosing a man. His job/status and other personality traits are still important but come in third.

So, what do we make of all this? Well, in my practice I am certainly seeing more men every week and have often wondered  exactly what the driving force has been? I think there are lots of reasons why men also feel the ‘pressure’ to look good (note: good rather than young), not least the fact that they are likely becoming aware of the expectations, as shown above, of women today! Fascinating.

Katie Piper is the beautiful, 27 year old former model and TV presenter who tragically suffered an acid- attack which burnt most of her face, neck and parts of her arms three years ago.  She was put in the care of an exceptional reconstructive medical team, led by the charismatic surgeon Mr. Jawad. Her treatment plan of course, included total replacement of her skin, as well as some reconstructive surgery to her nose, one eye, mouth and throat damaged by the severity of the acid burns.

Katie and Mr. Jawad addressed us in London, at a Restylane conference in early April. Her ongoing treatment has recently turned to our Aesthetic industry, as Katie and her medical team sought ways to further improve the quality and appearance of her extensive facial skin grafts.  Restylane (a hyaluronic acid dermal filler) was used to support the dermal structure of Katie’s skin grafts. The result, as expressed by Katie herself, was more elastic, hydrated, plumper skin.

Of course, those of us who work with Restylane and other hyaluronic acid dermal fillers daily, already know of these benefits. The difference is that we normally work on relatively healthy skin. I have never felt that what I do is ‘shallow’ or pandering to vanity. However, it is a wonderful endorsement that these treatments can now be applied to help someone like Katie Piper. It is even more satisfying to think that it will open up a whole new way of treating facial burns patients in the future.

So what does she actually look like? Well, normal. This is incredible given the extent of her injuries at the time. Her skin looks like skin, and not like tight, scar tissue typically seen on a recovered, skin-grafted burns patient.  Thank goodness for this ‘shallow’ industry….