Dr Anne Gormley An Aesthetics Expert

15 December 2019

Dr Anne on the importance of choosing the right practitioner.

When it comes to choosing a facial aesthetics practitioner, Dr Anne Gormley from Spires Oral & Dermal Care
in Magherafelt says research is the key.

She explains: “It is such an important decision to make and you must make sure you know what qualifications and experience your practitioner has. Your face is in their hands.”

Research is vital to Dr Gormley, who is one of the best-qualified aesthetics practitioners in the country. She has spent years developing her skills and has a Post Graduate Certificate in Facial Aesthetics.

Dr Anne explains her love of working with facial aesthetics and how she gained her many qualifications.

What made you want to add facial aesthetics to your skillset?
I have been a dentist for 28 years and cosmetic dentistry has become a very significant part of my work. It made sense to me to want to improve the area around the mouth as well. I became more and more aware of asymmetry in the lips and the prevalence of down-turned smiles and really wanted to address the patient’s concerns.

What made you apply for the Post Graduate Certificate in Facial Aesthetics?
Initially, I attended the foundation and advanced courses in anti-wrinkle and anti-ageing treatments over a couple of weekends. This allowed me to introduce the procedures into my practice. I felt the courses were inadequate, and I needed to know so much more. I wanted to have a similar depth of knowledge about skincare and facial aesthetics as I had received from my dental training. I quickly realised that I would only achieve this through a university-led qualification.

Why did you choose Northumbria University for this qualification?
There were only four universities that offered the qualification at that time. I chose Northumbria University mainly because it provided the most extensive practical experience with a minimum of 40 hours of clinical time. In addition, I had received my undergraduate Dental Degree from Newcastle University, so I was very familiar with the city. My daughter was also in her final year at Newcastle University, so it gave me a nice excuse to visit her.

Can you outline the content of each module and its relevance to your facial aesthetics practice?
The first module was mainly concerned with the factors relating to skin ageing, along with evidence-based research into the ethical side of facial aesthetics.

The second module concentrated on the mode of action of the anti-wrinkle and anti-ageing materials, their properties, and their application to different areas of the face. Extensive reading was carried out on the anatomy of the head and neck, the ageing process, and the complications that may occur as a result of the treatment.

In the final module, I was assigned to a mentor, who was responsible for ensuring that I was competent in each of the procedures involved in facial aesthetics. In total, the course was accredited for 600 hours of continuing professional development which was a lot of pressure on top of running my dental business but now I feel like I am reaping the rewards of the hard work.

I want to banish the current myths around anti-wrinkle and anti-wrinkle treatment.

Do you have a question for Dr Anne?

If you have a question about any aspect of facial aesthetics, contact Dr Anne Gormley via email reception@spiresoralcare.com