Advanced skincare & laser specialist Debbie Thomas, 38
How do you describe your skin? Acne-prone, so I’m always looking for treatments that stimulate my skin and promote a better balance of bacteria and oil, as well as boost skin repair and collagen production.
So what’s the secret? A variety of things, but gentler versions or smaller amounts more frequently. I prefer to maintain my look, not change it. Everyone looks so similar these days, and a lot of young people start down the route of ‘tweakments’ before they have even found their confidence and identity. I first tried Botox aged 28, just to see how it felt, but I didn’t need it at the time so didn’t continue. Then, three
years ago, Dr Sarah Tonks [left] prescribed it for my jaw clenching, which was giving me tension headaches and making the muscle in my jaw look big and angular. I also have Botox between my eyebrows to stop me squinting, which can make you look a bit grumpy over time. How often do you have fillers?
Every nine to 12 months. We all have slightly asymmetric faces, but when I got to 34 I noticed that the side of my face I usually sleep on was starting to drop more than the other. Sarah uses fillers to even things up by injecting different areas on each side. I love that no one thinks I have fillers, but I’m happier when I look in the mirror. You specialise in lasers – which ones do you use?
Most commonly I use the Nd:Yag Laser – it lifts and plumps but also tackles acne-prone areas. I also use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), which treats acne, pigmentation and redness, including those little broken veins. I specialise in lasers, but the results I get are by combining them with other treatments, such as IPL. Are you a fan of peels and microneedling?
Yes, I’ve been having peels since I was 23 to keep the surface of my skin smooth, reduce pores and brighten. They also help to reduce congestion and speed up recovery from an acne break-out. I use mediumstrength retinol peels by Neostrata and PCA Skin, which don’t sting when you put them on, but cause a bit of peeling three days later. For microneedling, I use an electrical handheld device called the Nanopore. Its needles stimulate your skin’s healing response, but also create micro channels to ensure maximum penetration of the mesotherapy solution I apply first.
“I prefer to maintain my look, not change it”