Spotlight on: Dr Martin Kinsella

By: Ruth Kerrison
Created on 16th February 2010

Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetics Magazine interviews top cosmetic doctor Dr Martin Kinsella about his practice and why he wants to train the aesthetic practitioners of tomorrow

What inspired you to become a cosmetic doctor?

I've always had an interest in the way people's faces are madeup, and how that changes with age. I studied dentistry after getting my medical qualification and did maxillofacial surgery as part of that, which led on to facial aesthetic work using Botox® and fillers, so it just took off from there.

I've been practising aesthetic medicine for about five years now and run my own clinic in Hale, which is actually a registered hospital, so I can offer more invasive procedures such as SmartLipo and laser skin resurfacing.

You're renowned for facial anti-ageing treatments, how do you evaluate a patient to decide the best treatment for them?

There are three things that you need to take into account: first the quality of the skin, then the number and depth of wrinkles and finally the contours of the face. I think when things go wrong - when you see people who look like they've had too much done - it's because the doctor hasn't got the balance of those three things right.

So for example, it's no good filling in all the wrinkles and restoring volume to the cheeks if the quality of the skin is poor - that's just going to look odd. Or if you've got fantastic skin and all the wrinkles have been stretched or smoothed away but the contours aren't right - because you still have that sort
of skeletal look that comes with age - that won't look right either.

I get a lot of people coming into my clinic in their 50s who've had Botox® and fillers, they haven't got a line on their face, their skin is effectively very good, but they still look 55 and they want to know why. It's usually because the contours haven't been changed. So the important thing is to get the balance right. Often I'll ask patients to bring in photos of themselves in their 20s, 30s and 40s so I can make sure I get as natural a look as possible for their face.

You're planning to launch training courses from your clinic for aspiring cosmetic
doctors - what's the impetus behind that?

I have a great rapport with my patients and insist on the highest standards for both safety and results and I wish to communicate that to other practitioners. I think it's really important to train people well and I believe in doing a lot of hands-on stuff - I used to be UK and global trainer for Merz (manufacturer of the filler Belotero), and am now UK trainer for Restylane Sub Q, and I've always had good feedback.

I will be offering the best training at all levels, including bespoke training for advanced practitioners in every aspect of aesthetic medicine. A lot of courses are held in hotels, which provides space for a lot of people, but it's far better
to do it in a clinical setting and demonstrate the facilities you need, otherwise you're giving the impression that it's OK to perform these procedures anywhere.

Doctors and patients should all be made aware that you need to be in a Care Quality Commission registered practice in order to perform a lot of procedures.