Truth vs Myth – Facial aesthetics
Dr Helen Marsden busts some common myths about fillers, injectables and anti-ageing skincare
IF WE’RE LOOKING TO RELAX WRINKLES, WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DERMAL FILLERS AND INJECTIONS?
Wrinkles are relaxed with a prescription-only medicine that is injected into the muscles. Depending on the site of injection and the muscles which are relaxed, the injections can cause: smoothing of lines, (classically in the forehead, frown and crows feet area); a lifting effect, (with a brow lift or a down turned, sad-looking mouth); or a dropping effect (in the case of a gummy smile). The effects usually last three months, often longer in those who have regular injections.
Dermal filler is very different from this. It’s used to restore volume loss in an ageing face, or to enhance existing features. There are many different types of dermal filler and each area of the face may require a different type in order to achieve optimal results – ‘optimal’ being safe and beautiful, moving naturally with the face.
AM I TOO OLD/YOUNG TO HAVE TREATMENTS?
There’s new legislation in UK now which prevents aesthetic injections in under 18s. This is great news. Anyone else, aged 18 or over, can benefit from treatments if needed.
Medical aesthetics treatments can help people of all ages to feel great about themselves and be their best self. This ranges from peels and WOW fusion (to improve acne and associated scarring), and getting your skincare optimised for healthy, glowing skin, right through to reversing some of the signs of ageing.
INJECTABLE TREATMENTS ARE OFTEN CONSIDERED TO BE:
Enhancing – such as lip, cheek, nose and jawline treatments.
Preventative – treating wrinkles before thick skin creases form.
Rejuvenating/restorative – replacing volume, lifting the face, and erasing lines.
Medical – such as teeth grinding, chronic migraine and excessive sweating.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I STOP TREATMENTS – WILL I BE WORSE OFF?
You will never be worse off if you decide to stop treatments. Your skin will have benefitted from the treatments you’ve had, and you may well have paused the ageing clock for a period of time. This could be by reducing your wrinkles, replacing age-related volume loss or by boosting your collagen levels in your skin. This boost will always be of benefit to you and you most certainly won’t be worse off – quite the opposite.
ALL I SEE IS AN AGEING FACE BUT I DON’T KNOW WHAT I NEED. HOW CAN YOU HELP?
I’m hearing that a lot at the moment. I think it’s certainly something I’ve heard more of during the pandemic. This is possibly due to people spending more time at home and also a Zoom face phenomenon. Zoom certainly is useful for me to assess the shadows of the face, so it means that everyone else will see their own shadows too.
The best way to start is to book a consultation. This will allow some dedicated time for you to share your concerns and for us to look at a range of solutions and to formulate a plan. This can include skin care and skin treatments, as well as injectables. Often in the ageing face, it’s the lower face causing concern but that usually requires restoration higher up in the face to lift, restore and rejuvenate. But there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. You’re unique and your treatment will be tailored to suit your concerns and needs.
I DON’T WANT ANYONE TO KNOW I’VE HAD ANY TREATMENTS – IS THIS POSSIBLE?
Saying “you want everyone to notice, but want no-one to know” is never more true!
My challenge as a skilled Doctor and injector is to make your treatments “invisible” to others, and yet you want everyone to notice how amazing you will look – keeping them guessing!
I specialise in the art of subtle facial rejuvenation and restoration, so this is definitely something I can achieve with you.
ARE YOUR TREATMENTS JUST FOR COSMETIC REASONS OR CAN THEY HELP MEDICAL CONDITIONS?
I offer a full range of skincare and in-clinic skin treatments, as well as injectable aesthetics treatments. As a doctor and practicing GP, I’m used to assessing, diagnosing and treating a range of skin conditions and my clinic is an extension of that.
I can prescribe PH formula skincare and will soon be offering PH formula skin resurfacing facial treatments. These can be used to treat acne, pigmentation, redness and inflammation, as well as signs of ageing. My aim is for people to feel their best self. Everyone has different concerns and my ambitions is always to help find solutions so that they’ll feel great.
I treat sweating, chronic migraine syndrome and teeth grinding too. Sweating treatments used to be limited to the under-arms, but with the WOW fusion device I can now treat sweating in other places, such as the face, scalp and chest.
IS IT ONLY WOMEN WHO COME FOR TREATMENTS?
Absolutely not. I would estimate that men make up around 20% of my patients and this is growing steadily. The full range of treatments are available to everyone and the most common uptake for men at the moment are anti-wrinkle injections, chemical peels and profhilo. Men are (thankfully!) looking after their skin with high-quality skincare and protecting themselves from UV damage with SPF, too.
ABOUT HELEN
My Clinic is central in Durham City and I’m based within a physiotherapy clinic. I provide a totally confidential and discreet service for anyone concerned about others knowing. I would say that my patients are divided equally into those wanting everyone to know and those wanting no-one to know. Both of these are 100% fine with me!
Please contact us or use the website to book yourself in. Seize the opportunity to look after yourself and look and feel your very best.
Visit Helen’s website or give her a call on 0191 580 4004 to find out more
Dr Helen Marsden Aesthetics, Durham City Physio, 55a Old Elvet Durham DH1 3HN
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