Influence Ageing
Keep it Natural
About
I strongly believe inner beauty is more important than outer beauty. Inner beauty is present when we feel inner peace and passion for our aliveness. Outer beauty is perceived when there is youth, symmetry, soft fullness of the face, even skin tone and complexion.
Many patients tell me they "feel invisible" after a certain age. I believe we have the tools, technology and anatomical understanding to allow some measure of control of the ageing process using non surgical means. I concentrate on two aspects of facial rejuvenation: anti wrinkle treatments and dermal filling. These are safe procedures which are performed by myself at Art De Dente and do not involve plastic surgery or the attendance of an anaesthetist. I find young patients are often seeking beautification like lip enhancement or are keen to prevent a family pattern of ageing like early forehead lines. My more mature patients are concerned with harsh lines, wrinkles, jowls and sagging skin, down turned mouth corners or thinning lips- features which can make us look angry, tired or sad. Emotions we may be far from actually feeling. And none of us like to look “saggy”! It's not about looking perfect or looking decades younger, it's about looking more pleasant and approachable. Restoration of key areas can make a significant difference to how one feels and how one is perceived by society. There really is some truth that looking better can also make you feel better. Ideally, I love to work with my patients over time, to manage their ageing process in a subtle and natural looking way. My JourneyI was around the age of 40 when I started to avoid having my photo taken and hiding behind someone in group photos. I didn't like passing the mirror anymore. My ageing was bothering me and I was bothered about it bothering me.
Wasn't I doing all the right things? I exercised, I ate my organic greens, I meditated and practised yoga. Didn't I believe inner beauty is more important than outer beauty? Why did I let two little lines between my eyebrows upset me? At that time I knew next to nothing about Cosmetic Injectables. I had a busy, thriving General Practice specialising in Women's Health and, in fact, no room to accept new patients. It was certainly not on my radar to add Cosmetic Medicine to my business. How I allowed myself to first consider treatment for my own angry lines was by telling myself I was doing it to relieve headaches. This was a known beneficial side effect for some people who treat their frown lines with anti-wrinkle injections. That's how far I was from accepting any foray into Cosmetic Medicine. I felt I had to justify what was really a desire to look better with a medical reason. I was certainly afraid I would be judged as vain and self-centred. I was afraid I might end up looking frozen or unnatural. I chose a Medical Practitioner I felt I could trust and made what seemed like a giant step to book that first appointment. That single visit changed my whole life and career! The self confidence I felt from softening those lines was so profound that I knew I had to learn more. Clearly I had the potential as a medical practitioner to understand and deliver these techniques safely to my own patients and with the ethics established over years as a trusted GP. I worked with a passion to find a great mentor, attended conference after conference, renewed my knowledge of facial anatomy and participated in cadaver workshops to develop further expertise in the area. I was fierce in my pursuit to bring non surgical cosmetic medicine to my community. 19 years later I am thrilled that I have been able to offer my patients the opportunity to age differently, slower, to reduce the angry, sad, tired lines of expression that trouble us. To address the sagging skin that influences how we feel about ourselves. I have focused on skills to create natural looking results so you don't have to worry about looking unnatural or being judged. And what about inner beauty versus outer beauty? While looking good can help you to feel good nothing beats feeling good no matter how you look. I am very interested in the concept of inner beauty which is present when we feel inner peace and passion for our aliveness. It is important to me that along with creating a plan to help upgrade your outward appearance that I am well trained to support you to feel more inner joy as well. I have studied with the Australian Society for Psychological Medicine and am accredited to provide psychological support and counselling within general practice. I am also a Graduate of the Foundation for Holistic Life Coaching. Is it okay to be you? Absolutely. We are all beautiful and unique. A good question to ask yourself when considering any cosmetic procedure is: Am I doing this for myself with a sense of joy or am I motivated by fear or pressure? I want you to look in the mirror and like not only what you see but who you see as well. And was I judged for using or practising cosmetic injectables? I do think this area of Medicine is polarising. Many people have strong feelings about whether it is right or wrong. I think people have strong opinions about influencing how we look because most of us do care about it and can't deny how our appearance has an impact on most aspects of our life, particularly our confidence and how good we can feel about ourselves. I have completely come to terms with my understanding that appreciating beauty, youth and symmetry is part of human nature. We are all drawn to beautiful things whether they are in nature, architecture, objects or people. It is in our DNA, it's hard wired. I feel it's time to forgive ourselves for wanting to look the best version of ourselves. It's human nature. Where are YOU on your journey right now? Maybe you are considering a cosmetic injectable treatment for wrinkles or a dermal filler. It can be overwhelming to look at this industry with all the hype and deals and offers. Whether you are just needing information to make a decision or feel ready to proceed, I would be delighted to meet with you for a consultation. |
Qualifications |
I have a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Monash University, Melbourne, 1988.
Following a further 4 years in the General Practice Training Program, I attained Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practice (FRACGP) and have worked full time for over 30 years in General Practice with a focus on women’s health. In 1991 I obtained my Diploma in Obstetrics from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). For 15 years I regularly assisted in surgery with some of Melbourne’s top infertility specialists to help women overcome fertility issues. In 2009 I was appointed GP Adviser to Monash IVF. More recently, I completed Level 1&2 Mental Health Skills Training accredited by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration and registered to provide Focused Psychological Services with Medicare. I am also a Graduate of the Foundation for Holistic Life Coaching lead by Alan Cohen, internationally renowned bestselling author of over 25 self-help books and contributor to “Chicken Soup for the Soul”. My interest in cosmetic medicine, over the last 19 years, is an extension of my passion to assist my patients in a positive way. My training has involved close mentoring by one of Australia’s pioneers in cosmetic medicine. I regularly attend Aesthetic Medicine Conferences and workshops. I have studied Advanced Facial Anatomy by participating in the Cadaver Dissection Workshop Training provided by both The Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS) and the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). From 2020 I am solely focusing on my Aesthetic Medicine Practice at my new location Level 17, 190 Queen Street, Melbourne. |
Dr Sharon Lamb© 2023 | @ Art De Dente | Level 17, 190 Queen Street | Melbourne, VICTORIA 3000