The Fabian Family

DO YOU REMEMBER THE VERY MOMENT YOU DECIDED TO COME TO THE CLINIC?

Suzi: Lizzie had a concern with her neck - I'm not so sure what the medical term is. But basically, you could see every bone in her neck and she asked me 'is that normal?'. To be honest, I didn't know. She also had a very square jaw. Dr Khan took one look at it and knew what to do. He told her 'We can actually deal with both the neck and jaw complaints using Botox.' I had also wanted to treat sagging around the jawline so we thought we would all make the journey in together, Calli too.

Calli: I've suffered with skin problems for ages. It's definitely, you know, a case of waking up in the morning and looking at yourself and you just don't wanna have that face anymore. You just think I can't go on with this. You just have to do something about it. At least then you can say you've tried.

WHAT WERE YOUR PROBLEM AREAS?

Suzi: My real area of concern was the loosening of my jawline. For me when I looked in the mirror, that's what I would see.

Liz: The muscles in my neck got tight, so you'd see a line down the centre of my throat when I spoke, it was awful - very very ageing. I was concerned about that initially but I also have quite a wide jawline. I'd been aware of that hugely from very very young. I remember my grandma commenting once that I looked like Minnie Driver. I didn't know who she was but I remember Mum saying 'Oh no, she won't like that', and, of course later, I discovered who that was. I absolutely hated it.

Calli: For me it was acne and bit of scarring. It's a bit of both on my skin. Mine's all really bad around my chin and the lower half of my cheeks.

WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THE HARLEY STREET SKIN CLINIC THAT TOOK YOUR FANCY?

Suzi: I really trust them. I'd worked in design for some of their packaging so was introduced to Lesley. Through that, I could see that they clearly didn't do things just because people wanted them. They were extremely diligent. The depth of knowledge that they had about skin, too, and all the people that work with them... the work they do with the soldiers… lots of reasons. They're very unsung heroes.

Liz: Yeah, obviously it was because of mum - she was the connection there, but I have to say, it's a lovely place to come to. It's just a warm, lovely, friendly atmosphere - laidback. It's not clinical at all.

HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS?

Calli: I'm really happy with how it's going so far. I've had the first treatment done, and already there's such a difference already. I went back in and Lesley showed me the difference in my before and after images, and you can clearly see that it's got much better. It gives me so much more confidence knowing that my skin's clearer.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROCEDURE DAY?

Liz: I'm fine with needles, so I wasn't nervous at all. It wasn't a big deal if that makes sense. It's such a straightforward treatment. I went straight out for lunch afterwards - I couldn't have a drink though, obviously! [laughs] I just remember feeling really really grateful. I can't express that enough. Both things were so hideous to me and I couldn't believe that you could have Botox done for that.

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY PERKS THAT YOU WEREN'T EXPECTING?

Liz: With this big wide jawline I felt very masculine - for years, and all of a sudden my cheeks go in and suddenly my cheekbones stick out more it seems. I now have this lovely face that kind of tapers instead of going the other way. I just feel so much more attractive and so much more feminine, I can't tell you.

Calli: Me too. I've worn no makeup on my face since. I'm going to work not putting any makeup on and I feel more confident doing it!

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL PEOPLE THAT WERE ON THE FENCE ABOUT TAKING A SIMILAR ROUTE?

Liz: I thought that my jawline looking the way it did was for life. I was just bowled over that he could reduce the jawline like that with just an injection. I always thought to get rid of those you'd have to kind of, I don't know, saw the bone down or something. Something really drastic. I never imagined it was a muscle thing! My neck too.

Calli: That it doesn't hurt. The doctor was really calm with me and sort of told me, step-by-step, what I would probably feel. He reassured me the whole time. It's something I would happily do again, if anyone was considering it. I would definitely tell them to 'go for it'.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER POPPING BACK TO THE CLINIC IN FUTURE?

All together: Yes!