Leanne Cashmore has been turning back time. Photo / Maree Wilkinson
Leanne Cashmore has been turning back time, working her magic on Bay faces for more than 20 years. She is beloved by many in the Bay as the Botox and filler guru.
A professional nurse injector, she has just started her own boutique appearance medicine business, the Cashmore Clinic, which launched last week at an exclusive event with champagne and nibbles, and gorgeous goody bags each with Leanne's trademark, a beautiful peacock feather.
What made you decide to launch your own clinic?
I needed a new challenge in my life. I had been working in the same place for more than 20 years. It was an amazing job I loved and it was a difficult decision. My children have grown. They don't need me the same and I was a bit bored. I loved what I did so decided the best thing for me was to start something for myself. A new challenge in my life, a new chapter, something for me.
How did you launch your business?
I wanted to let the community know what I was starting up. I wanted to thank the people, friends, family, clients, and businesses involved in getting me this far. I organised a gathering in a local cafe with bubbles, food and lots of chatter.
How long have you been practising appearance medicine?
I have been working in dermatology for more than 20 years. I started injecting Botox and collagen all the way back then! I worked with doctors in theatre and the dermatology clinic, and for five years I combined nursing duties and appearance medicine. I have been specialising in appearance medicine for 15 years.
What are the main changes you have seen?
It's a rapidly changing area of medicine. Trends have come and gone. Huge lips and frozen faces are a thing of the past. Less is more these days. The fillers have come a long way and can transform a person with good longevity. Botox is still the same as it was 20 years ago. It's just the way it's used to soften as opposed to paralyse that has changed.
What services will you be offering?
Botox injections for the face and for excessive sweating (hyperhydrosis). Dermal fillers, for filling fine lines and wrinkles, to lifting cheeks and filling tear troughs to help with the dark circles under the eyes. Hydrating lips, making them soft and youthful using the teosyal pen, a motorised injection system that gives precise amounts of filler with reduced side effects. Skin hydration with V2 beauty booster and Photofinish, which is the V2 beauty booster mixed with botox in the face and neck.
What are the most popular and why?
Botox will always be the most popular. It's quick, affordable, with amazing results.
How much does technique of the practitioner influence results?
Experience is a great advantage. A good practitioner can make the difference between a face that doesn't look "done" but looks beautiful, and has good eye for harmony, symmetry and balance. Techniques differ between every practitioner. We all have our favourite ways to inject. Experience and technique go hand in hand. Someone experienced usually has great technique.
What are some of the common pitfalls you see in appearance medicine? What makes you wince when you see it?
A young person can sometimes get away with overfilled lips. What makes me wince is a 60-plus-year-old with an overfilled face that doesn't move. When it looks really obvious they have had work done, it usually hasn't been done very well. Unfortunately that's what gives people the wrong idea about what fillers and Botox can do. Some people think if they come and get a bit of Botox they will come out looking like that and that is not the case at all.
Some do's and don'ts
Ask around about who to go to. Word of mouth is a great way to find a good practitioner. Go to an experienced injector. Have a consultation first and make sure you feel comfortable with whoever is doing your injections and you have a good rapport with them. Make sure whoever you are seeing is going to be there if you have any problems so they can help you.
Pop up clinics are no good if you need to see someone in a week after your treatment.
What are current trends in appearance medicine?
A soft, natural look. beautiful skin has never gone out of fashion.
And what is in pipeline for the future?
Who knows! There are always new things coming and going. I'm looking providing an injecting treatment to dissolve fat around the jawline, neck and under the chin (chin sculpting). Watch this space.
What would you recommend for a woman in 40s and 50s and 60s?
Starting the earlier the better! Starting Botox in your 30s is great if you can as a preventative measure. I see young girls in their 20s for lip enhancement. Forties upwards I recommend a maintenance of Botox every three to four months, with some fillers incorporated once or twice yearly.
Best advice on looking good and ageing well?
You can't help your genetics, but you can stay out of the sun, and don't smoke. Some people age better than others. Some need a little more assistance than others and that's where I come in. It's not all about your face. A great haircut and, some beautiful clothes say a lot too.
— The Cashmore Clinic is at 82A Muricata Ave Mount Maunganui
@cashmoreclinic. Call 021 718 448.