Sarah – Pigmentation

When I turned 40, one of my less welcome gifts was the appearance of a large area of pigmentation on my lower cheek, about the size of a 50p coin.

I had it checked out and it was benign, but ‘Splodge’ (as ‘she’ became known by my dearest and dearest!) showed no signs of disappearing and was a visible, daily reminder of how this sun lover clearly hadn’t done much covering up in her youth.

I had other, less enormous, dark age spots but had resigned myself to either covering up with foundation or just fronting it out. Sometimes that wasn’t easy; my role as Editor of Kent Life means I appear in quite a few pictures at various functions I attend, and I’d often cringe if I was caught on camera with ‘Splodge’ in view.

That is until I had a chat with the lovely Dr Sophie Shotter at Illuminate Skin Clinics, who assured me that yes, there was plenty that could be done without any need for scary injections, Botox et al.  She introduced me to the Obagi skincare system, warning me that I wouldn’t get a ‘quick fix’ (I can be very impatient!) but would need to devote six months to getting the results I desired. I trust Sophie implicitly – but get rid of ‘Splodge?’ Surely not?

On 1 April 2016, I visited Illuminate’s clinic at Kings Hill, and heard all about the Obagi Medical home-use system, founded by Dr Zein Obagi in 1988, which promises to give you ‘healthy skin from the inside out.’ It was time to take my skin back into my control.

Dr Sophie recommended starting with an Obagi Blue Peel Radiance, a light chemical peel whose combination of alpha and beta hydroxy acids exfoliates the skin, removing the dead layers responsible for dullness. The peel is removed and a Vitamin C serum and sunscreen applied to protect your skin. I was looking healthier already!

Then it was off home with my excitingly large box of eight Obagi products and a schedule of which should be used morning and night across a revolving two-week pattern – once a short introductory period had passed. It looked initially a little daunting, but once you are in the rhythm and realise which products are used daily and which on alternate nights, it all becomes very familiar and easy to manage.

The range includes Tretinoin, a prescription ingredient to increase the rate of turnover of the skin cells and target skin health from within the cell. But it is only used sparingly, on alternate nights, mixed with a skin-lightening and blending cream, and is extremely effective

I have naturally very dry skin and at first experienced a great deal of flaking, particularly along my deep nose to mouth lines, which I was advised would occur and was all part of the process. I learnt to carry my ‘Hydrate’ moisturiser in my bag at all times and the light but rich cream would immediately deal with any rogue flakes.  I stopped wearing foundation (never thought that would happen!) and diligently applied Obagi high-protection Sun Shield lotion every day.

It’s hard to be objective about yourself, but I did start to get encouraging comments about how ‘well’ I was looking, even the odd ‘positively glowing’ comment, often accompanied by a quizzical look. No, I hadn’t been away, and no, there wasn’t a new man in my life.  It was simply this amazing skincare range I’d discovered. I am quite the fanatic.

And Splodge? She’s gone for good. I never thought it was possible without something extremely invasive taking place. My skin is much more evenly toned, the dullness has gone and there’s an increased plumpness and freshness.

I can highly recommend discussing any of your skin concerns with Dr Sophie, whatever age you are, however much damage the years before may have caused. Highly skilled and professional, she is warm and friendly, entirely non-judgmental and she cares, passionately, about her patients. The results speak for themselves.

To book your appointment call: 01732 647007

Illuminate Skin Clinics, Suite 30, 60 Churchill Square, Kings Hill ME19 4YU illuminateskinclinic.co.uk

Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.

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