We caught up with Dr Sidra, (@dr_sidra_shakir) Aesthetic Doctor here at sk:n who shared her top skincare tips, why you should come to sk:n and insight on a range of our most sought-after treatments.

What is your career background?

I have been a Medical Doctor for the last 11 years with a background in emergency and stroke medicine but after the birth of my second child I did a career switch to aesthetics. There were two main reasons, firstly work-life balance and secondly because I always had an interest in beauty from clinical perspectives. I absolutely love it!

Why should someone choose to come to sk:n for their treatments?

There are many reasons people should come to sk:n for their treatments. Firstly, it’s a CQC registered clinic run by highly qualified doctors and nurses. We also don’t only believe in helping you achieve great results but we are here to hold your hand if complications arrise.

Click here to read more about CQC and our safety policies here at sk:n.

What happens during the consultation process?

When a patient walks into the clinic, they’re firstly asked to fill in a few forms. We then start by asking them what their concerns are, if they have had any past treatments or medical problems. We then talk about what we can achieve best for them and realistic expectations before making a treatment plan. We always offer a cooling off period where the patient has time to think about their treatment but most times we go through with the treatment the same day. Once we have taken the patient through the risks and delivered the treatment, we provide comprehensive aftercare advice and a number so they can contact us if they have any concerns.

What is the difference between profhilo and dermal filler?

Profhilo is not a filler, it is the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid available in the market and works mainly on the skin. We inject 5 points on the face and the product spreads on its own giving intense hydration, building collagen and elastin. Not only does it treat dehydrated skin but it’s a great anti-ageing treatment. When it comes to dermal fillers, most have cross-linking in them and are used to replace volume that is lost due to ageing.

Are there any lifestyle factors that will make profhilo last longer?

I always tell my clients that it’s not just about 1 treatment, most of the time we have to go for a combination of treatments to achieve the desired results. You also have to look after your skin from within to enhance and prolong the results that we are trying to achieve. You should also have a really balanced and healthy diet as well as drinking a lot of water. Another tip is to apply SPF regularly, even if it’s snowing or cloudy outside, SPF is key if you want to delay the process of ageing.

What can reduce the effects of profhilo sooner than anticipated?

First of all if you haven’t followed the aftercare advice properly as well as using sunbeds and baking yourself into the sun. Also if you’re not wearing SPF 30+ everyday, this can also wear the profhilo down sooner than expected.

Should you have preventative injectables?

When it comes to ageing, no one can claim that you won’t age with certain treatments. We are all going to age but it’s all about looking the best version of yourself at a certain age. I do recommend preventative treatments, however it depends on what age you are, for example I don’t recommend profhilo or anti-ageing injectables for a 20 year old girl. At about 25-30 I do recommend some treatments which can include skin boosters to keep on top of your collagen, but again we are all going to age, it’s just about ageing beautifully.

How has your experience been in the industry as a female?

The majority of my clients are female and they can connect with me really nicely because I know how it feels when we start ageing. We can connect through that and deliver great results.

What is the best skincare advice you’ve ever been told?

The first was to put SPF on, even when you’re in England and it’s been cloudy outside or if you’re in dubai and it’s all sunny keep topped up on your SPF, it’s really important! Second is to nourish your skin from within by eating a balanced and healthy diet. Take some good supplements when it comes to multivitamins, because even when you’re eating a healthy diet you may be missing the basic nutrients as well.

Click here to book your free consultation with Dr Sidra at our Brentwood clinic!