Renew Clinic has quickly established itself as one of the leading aesthetic clinics in Cheshire offering a wide variety of treatments in a friendly confidential and professional environment.
Our medical and beauty experts work together to bring you the safest and most effective treatments on offer.
Qualification: MBChB
Qualification: MBChB, MRCGP
Introducing our new team member, Dr Amy Alexander. Dr Amy is an experienced GP and a highly trained aesthetic specialist. She is providing consultations for injectable treatments and skin care here at Renew Clinic.
View our interview below to learn more about her approach to aesthetics.
Amy, how did you get into aesthetic medicine?
After qualifying as a GP, I soon realised that skin disease was a very common concern for my patients and one which often had a profound impact on self-esteem and quality of life. I was drawn towards this specialty and completed a Diploma in Practical Dermatology, achieving a grade Distinction. From there, I went on to complete further qualifications in Injectable treatments and in Cosmetic Dermatology and found this is where my passion lies.
I find it hugely rewarding to help my patients with their skin concerns and see the impact this has on their overall wellbeing.
After all, our skin is how we greet the world, and it can massively affect our self-confidence.
Which treatments are requested most often?
This can change depending on current trends. A few years ago, cheek filler was everywhere. Now, chin and jawline treatments are a common request. Although actually some of the nicest results are achieved by targeting areas that patients might not even consider so first of all a thorough consultation is essential.
Anti-wrinkle injections can have a real “wow factor” for patients and consequently are always popular and of course, lips are always in demand.
Beautiful lips are a symbol of femininity and sensuality, and this is a popular treatment in young women.
However, as we age, our lips lose volume and become inverted. Loss of support at the corners of the mouth can cause down turning of the lips, which can create a “sad” or “angry” look. Therefore, it can also be a lovely treatment as we get older to restore what has been lost over time and revitalise the whole face.
What do you find are the most common concerns around aesthetic treatments?
Overfilling is definitely the most common concern I hear.
If I had a penny for every time a patient tells me they are interested in a lip treatment but worried about a duck pout! This is where practitioner training and technique, appropriate product selection and respecting natural proportions are essential. If we understand how to balance the natural features and only replace what has been lost over time, then overfilling should never be a problem.
This is closely followed by concerns that treatments will be painful, although actually this is rarely the case. Injectable treatments are usually mildly uncomfortable at worst and many patients report barely feeling them.
Any top tips for skin care?
Skin care can be a difficult sell as it doesn’t provide the immediate results that we often see with injectables. Instead, skin care takes time and dedication to see the benefits. Due to the length of the skin cycle it can take several weeks or even a number of months and patients can feel disheartened if they aren’t aware of this beforehand.
Also, choosing the correct brands and products can be an absolute minefield for patients to navigate as marketing is often confusing and even misleading. I always recommend a face-to-face appointment to examine the skin, explore your concerns and goals, and create an appropriate treatment plan. This will need to be reviewed after a period of time and product strength can be increased as required. As I said, skin care does require a little commitment, but it is definitely a worthwhile investment. After all, radiant skin will always be in style and will also compliment any injectable treatments beautifully.
But if you want just one top tip for the skin then it’s good quality sun protection. Daily, all year round and reapplied regularly. Photoageing is the main skincare concern I see in clinic and prevention is always better than cure!
Is there a recommended age for aesthetic treatments?
No, in fact there a huge range in the age of my patients. Generally speaking, younger patients in their 20s seek “beautification” treatments to enhance a particular feature such as the cheekbones or the lips. Then, as we get older, we move more towards “rejuvenation” treatments which are aimed more at replacing what we have lost with the ageing process, such as hollowing of the cheeks, temples or under the eyes.
And of course, there is often significant overlap between “beautification” and “rejuvenation” with most patients seeking aspects of both.
Are these treatments mostly for women?
Definitely not.
There are plenty of male patients who also want to look refreshed and revitalised. Of course, it’s important to understand the differences between ideal ratios for male and female faces and how to achieve this balance. But as long as natural proportions are respected, there is absolutely no reason why male patients can’t enjoy the results of skin treatments and injectables!
To request a free consultation with Dr Amy please contact Renew Clinic on 01270 625218.