There can be few people who haven’t at one time looked in the mirror with a sinking feeling as they see the inevitable signs of age creeping up on them.

Although still 20 in our minds, the image we see is proof of our own mortality. It can be a depressing revelation and can even affect the way we define ourselves and relate to others.

For some, dissatisfaction with specific body or facial features leads them to seek the services of a cosmetic surgeon. Others hope the judicious application of various skin creams can help them fight the ravages of time.

But there is also a halfway house which offers a less dramatic solution than surgery but a more effective treatment than creams — cosmetic aesthetics.

The most well-known of these procedures is probably Botox, which has received a mixed reception.

This is mainly due to reports of botched injections and images of ‘overdone’ celebrities — which is why it is essential to receive treatment from a skilled practitioner who is more outcome than income-driven.

It is easy to find clinics offering both cosmetic aesthetics and surgery, but choosing a reliable one can be a different matter.

A recent Which? magazine report revealed that clients were often not given sufficient information on the realistic expectations of a given procedure or on their suitability, as well as limited explanations of any potential drawbacks or complications.

On top of this can be the added problem of travelling to London, where the majority of clinics are located, which is both time-consuming and inconvenient for many.

Now there is a reliable and safe local option, at the See Change Cosmetic Surgery Group in Clare Park Hospital, Crondall.

Dr Tina Peers, a GP with a specialism in cosmetic aesthetics, along with London-based consultant reconstruc-tive plastic surgeons Paul Harris and Martin Veseley, is able to offer a number of treatments at the hospital.

Mr Harris and Mr Veseley are highly regarded in their specialist areas. Both are fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and full members of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons.

They carry out various surgical procedures, including facelifts, breast augmentation and reduction, liposuction and tummy tucks.

For those not keen to go under the knife, Dr Peers offers cosmetic aesthetic treatments which can be carried out in an hour or so.

Although these might be quick, Dr Peers is at pains to point out that everything she does is carried out under correct clinical guidelines in a hospital setting.

“Initially, someone will come along for a consultation to discuss their options,” said Dr Peers.

“Once we have decided which treatment would be suitable, there is a two-week cooling off period during which time they can back out if they want to.

“For complete peace of mind, at See Change we only use the highest quality, branded products. I have heard about treatments using cheap, imported Botox, for example, and that simply could not happen here.

“Similarly, I am totally opposed to the idea of Botox parties. Treatments must be carried out in the proper conditions and people must be free to make their own decisions without feeling pressured by others and certainly without the influence of alcohol.”

Dr Peers’ clients can choose from three different procedures: Botox, Restylane and Sculptra.

None will give permanent results but they can be repeated as necessary and adjusted to suit the changing contours of the client’s face as it ages.

Botox is most useful for smoothing out crow’s feet, forehead lines and wrinkles between the eyebrows. It is derived from a purified protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and has the effect of reducing activity in the muscles.

It was originally developed medically to treat conditions such as eye squints in children but its cosmetic applications soon became clear and it has soared in popularity in the past ten years or so.

Injections are targeted at trouble areas on the face so that the adjacent muscles relax and, as they do, the appearance of lines is dramatically reduced.

However, as it produces a level of paralysis, it is essential to get the dosage right to avoid an unnaturally immobile face or drooping eyelids.

Dr Peers continued: “Botox has become very popular with celebrities, and quite a few of them, particularly in America, have ended up with a reduction in facial expression because they overdo it.

“In contrast, at See Change we aim to soften the lines but keep a natural look. The eyes, nose and mouth form a triangle which others naturally look at. As we get older, wrinkles distract attention away from the triangle and can make us look tired or cross.

“By restoring the triangle, we can look younger and refreshed. We will also look more cheerful, and this can even affect the way people interact with you.

“We want people, whatever treatment they choose, to look like themselves, only fresher. We are not seeking extreme results or to make people look different.”

For general improvement to wrinkles, and in particular the plumping of cheeks where fat has been lost due to ageing, Sculptra can be an effective treatment. Consisting of manmade poly-L-lactic acid, it is injected into the facial tissue where it stimulates the body’s natural collagen production.

As a result, wrinkles are smoothed and volume is added. Unlike Botox, the benefits of which last for around four months, Sculptra treatment is effective for two or more years, but several treatments are required and the improvement in appearance is gradual rather than immediate.

If your problem area consists of the lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth, these can be smoothed away using injections of hyaluronic acid, resulting in an instantly rejuvenated and refreshed look.

Described as dermal fillers and sold under the brand names of Restylane, Perlane and Hydrofill, the hyaluronic acid used is a manmade gel version of the form naturally found in the skin.

Its job is to keep the skin hydrated and plump by binding with water and to aid in collagen production.

Because our natural levels of hyaluronic acid diminish over the years, so the idea is to replenish them and restore a more youthful look.

The effects of a treatment can last anything from six months to a year, as the speed at which the product is metabolised by the body varies from person to person.

“Because it continues to bind water during the meta-bolisation process, you tend to find the effect stays pretty constant until there is no product left,” said Dr Peers.

“This means you don’t get a gradual fading but rather a more sudden reappearance of the lines once the product has all gone.”

A new face – and all in an instant

After closely scrutinising my face — a rather unnerving experience I have to say — Dr Peers and I agreed that the areas in need of attention were the lines between my eyebrows and those running from my nose to the corners of my mouth.

Restylane is particularly suitable for this last area, in preference to Botox, as it causes no reduction in facial movement, so eating, talking and smiling are not affected.

“These products are made in Sweden under strict laboratory conditions and are very pure,” said Dr Peers. “They are not derived from animals, so there is no risk of catching any kind of disease and allergic reactions are extremely unlikely.”

Dr Peers is a very quiet, calm person and immediately puts you at ease. She explained that any adverse reaction was likely to be short-lived and usually took the form of slight bruising and puffiness.

After checking my medical history and discussing the likely outcome, Dr Peers applied some anaesthetic cream to the areas to be treated, a sensible precaution as the procedure involves needles.

Once numbed, I settled back on the treatment bed to receive my new rejuvenated look. This took the form of several injections of hyaluronic acid via syringes with very fine needles.

While not completely painless, the needles were quite tolerable, giving a sharp, stinging sensation lasting only a second or two. After each injection, Dr Peers quickly spread the gel under the skin using her fingers to avoid any possible unevenness.

She continued: “We can use the different products in various ways to achieve the desired results. Perlane is a more robust form of hyaluronic acid and we put this deeper into the skin, then add Restylane on top. In this way, we create layers.”

Once the treatment was completed, I looked in the mirror and was astonished at what I saw. I had never really believed the result would be quite so immediate, but the lines really had gone — in a matter of about three quarters of an hour.

“People are always surprised how instant the treatment is,” said Dr Peers. “I am always careful not to do too much, however.

“I keep in touch with my clients after a treatment to make sure everything is as it should be and then I like to see them again after two weeks when it has all settled down. At that time, if necessary, we can add a bit more gel for fine-tuning because it is always easier to add than take away.”

And I did, indeed, return a couple of weeks later for a little top-up and tweaking to ensure I had obtained optimum results.

What I liked about the treatment was that there was no surgical recovery time and no obvious changes in appearance.

This meant there were no awkward questions to answer  — apart from my mother, who detected I had had “something done”, but couldn’t quite pinpoint it — just gracious smiles to be given in return for compliments.

For myself, I was delighted with my revitalised look and I found that any puffiness and tenderness around the injection sites disappeared in a couple of days.

Now, I’m accustomed to my ‘new’ face and I have to say I could certainly get used to this instant fix that’s made me look softer and younger.

Somehow, creams just don’t seem up to the job any more. But no matter, I’ve got at least six months to save up for my next visit to See Change.

For details of the surgical and aesthetic cosmetic procedures available at See Change, call 01252 895477 or visit www.seechangecosmeticsurgery.com

Prices will vary according to the needs of the individual patient. Open coffee mornings and evenings are regularly held for informal discussion of available treatments.