Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2011 | Page 117

FASHION HEALTH & BEAUTY

the beauty doctor
Dr Máire Rhatigan of Orchard Cosmetic Clinic, Newport

Q. In the last few years my mouth has
started to look pinched in, as if I’m
really cross. I recently had a holiday
on the mainland and decided to have
filler treatment while I was away. I am
pleased with the way the lines above
my top lip have been smoothed out
but I don’t think my mouth looks any
younger. Is there anything else that can
be done?
A. Filler is a wonderful way to
rejuvenate ageing changes that occur
around the mouth making the lips
look young and fresh.
A major factor in the formation of
lines around the lips is the thinning
of the red part of the lip-or the body
of the lip. This can be corrected with
Juvederm filler and a special French
technique I use. Filler is placed into

the body of the lip using a “no needle”
cannula which is a beautiful way of
doing the treatment as it has virtually
zero risk of bruising and it is quite
comfortable to have done.
Once the lips have some support
again they have a better shape and
the hydrating properties of the filler
give them a moist and luscious look.
Quite often, this technique is all that
is required to miraculously eliminate
lines.
Treating lips is very satisfying as it
can go a long way to make the face
look younger. If the mouth and lip
area has ageing changes I will always
suggest this be treated above anything
else.
Q. I have heard that moles can be
removed without stitches. Is this true?

A. There are a number of ways to
remove moles. In all cases, it is
desirable that the skin heals with
the least possible scar. The method
I most often use is very simple and
heals beautifully. Using a little local
anaesthetic to numb the skin, the
border of the mole is outlined with
a scalpel. The mole then peels easily
off the skin. The base from where the
mole has been removed is cauterised,
which seals any tiny capillary blood
vessels and gives a nice flat wound.
No stitches are needed at all. Special
skin tape is used to cover the small
wound and when this falls off after a
week to 10 days the skin