Looking good
AT THE DELMORE MEDICAL AESTHETICS CLINIC IN LONDON EVERYONE’S A VIP
Delmore Medical Aesthetics is a boutique clinic in central London offering bespoke facial aesthetic services to clients. The ethos centres on a high level of customer care and meticulous attention to each client’s individual needs. Most treatments are office-based, relatively painless and involve minimal or no downtime. The resulting facial rejuvenation, however, can be dramatic.
The field of Facial Aesthetics is a blossoming one that has revolutionised the way we think about anti-ageing and enhancement of our natural features. Up until the 1990s the concept of seeing a cosmetic doctor was associated with major surgery, radical changes and premium price-tags. Over the past 20 years the development of injectable treatments for antiageing and subtle facial enhancement has democratised the concept of cosmetic medicine.
The terrain of cosmetic medicine is a difficult one to navigate. Magazines are rife with advertisements, celebrity endorsements are ubiquitous and purported experts seem to be present in every other high street salon. In this perplexing environment even the savviest of consumers can become lost in the maze of providers and treatment options.
The clinic is hesitant to talk about a “menu” of treatments; the focus is to refresh the face and optimise the overall harmony of the features. A comprehensive assessment of a patient’s needs is made at the first visit and a treatment plan is outlined. There is no “hard sell” here—a programme of beneficial interventions is outlined and these can be undertaken in any combination or sequence. Injectable treatments are used to slow down the ageing process and to contour the facial features for a more aesthetically pleasing overall look. Approaches to optimise skin health are discussed and a prescription skincare regimen may be recommended.
Then there’s the glitzy side, of course. Dr Robert’s aesthetic expertise has a canonical reputation with pop stars and television personalities. High-profile clients travel across the country for appointments. The waiting room magazine covers and waiting room chairs are frequently populated by the same faces. Social medial sites feature enthusiastic
recommendations. Skincare products are imported from celebrity clinics in Beverly Hills. On arrival at the Harley Street consulting rooms, however, this is downplayed. E-mails are answered within minutes. Medical advice is available around-the-clock. Appointments are unhurried. Everyone is a VIP here, and the focus is on the individual.
Notable treatments include the fifteen minute “Liquid Rhinoplasty” to improve nasal contour; injections for excessive sweating to reduce the under-arm angst of the boardroom or public transport; and combination approaches to wrinkle eradication. The key principle, however, is a customised global approach to three dimensional facial structure, anti-ageing and overall skin health—and based on the loyal cohort of delighted customers, it seems to be a winning formula.
Doctor Robert Tamar Ali is the Medical Director of Delmore Medical. He tells Pride Life about some of the treatments his clinic can offer What is the ethos of Delmore Medical and what services do you provide?
Essentially the clinic was founded on the principle of a bespoke approach to medical care. I would often see people feeling lost in a sea of options and technical jargon when it came to all things medical. I had the idea of a clinic that could accommodate someone with a busy schedule, and provide a holistic approach to healthcare on an ongoing basis. That was how Delmore Medical was conceived.
Among other things you provide “aesthetic” treatments? What do these consist of?
Yes, our Aesthetic Clinic has really taken on a life of its own in recent years. The philosophy is to improve the overall harmony of the face and to slow down the visible signs of ageing whilst improving skin quality, using very precise and safe treatments. Botulinum Toxin injections are commonly used, in combination with judicious use of temporary hyaluronic acid filler injections and topical products for healthier skin.
What should people take into account when deciding whether or not to choose cosmetic treatments.
It’s important to find a doctor who understands what you are looking for. I always say “less is more”, it’s a cliché but it’s very important in cosmetic medicine. Finally, beware of bargainhunting! Going with the cheapest provider can be a recipe for disaster in this arena. Are there certain types of treatment you won’t provide? I’m not a fan of permanent facial fillers as they can cause permanent problems. The other situation where I may refuse treatment is if someone has unrealistic expectations from the treatment, or if I cannot see a defect in the first
“THERE IS NO ‘HARD SELL’ —A PROGRAMME OF BENEfiCIAL INTERVENTIONS IS OUTLINED WHICH CAN BE UNDERTAKEN IN ANY COMBINATION OR SEQUENCE”
place. Then it is more appropriate to evaluate this from a psychological perspective.
What is your most popular treatment?
Wrinkle-relaxing treatments are at the top of the list, and so they should be! Clients love how a few tiny injections can give them a more relaxed, refreshed and youthful look for several months. Treatments for excessive sweating are also very popular… no-one likes sweat patches on clothing.
Is it really all just about vanity in the end?
A lot of it is about confidence rather than vanity. Improving someone’s appearance can boost their confidence in a way that is lifechanging. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t see it happen every week.
Do you provide treatments for people living with HIV or Aids, such as facial fillers?
Yes, this is an area of cosmetic medicine I am very passionate about. Facial lipoatrophy is a loss of facial volume that is common with HIV. Patients often feel fine and their HIV may be well controlled with antiretroviral medications, but the loss of facial volume makes them look unwell and becomes a source of stigma in their work and social lives. The use of facial fillers allows volume to be replaced and the trick is to start early, and to stay on top of it—that way people don’t notice anything changing.
On a personal note, what is the most satisfying part of your job?
It’s when someone comes in with something that really bothered them about their face for years, and I do a treatment under local anaesthetic. Five minutes later we hand them a mirror and the problem is gone. That look of joyous disbelief? It’s priceless!