The Erme Skin Clinic

All your skin problems dealt with!

Safe in our hands!

Dr Harker is delighted to announce that in the recent CQC Inspection the Erme Skin Clinic was awarded the Rating Good Overall and Good in all 5 categories: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led.

Dr Harker says, “All the staff and myself work extremely hard to ensure all the CQC standards are maintained”.

We strive to give the patient best care through their journey from first contact right through to the end of post-procedure care.

The full CQC report can be viewed at: – www.cqc.org.uk/directory/1-6557501766

Look better feel better!

Is your face spoilt by an ugly mole, unsightly cyst or wart, or do you have drooping jowls, miserable down -turned corners of the mouth or a hostile frown?

Dr Harker offers a range of treatments to deal with such skin problems.

She specialises in minor operations under local anaesthetic using Radiofrequency surgery to remove troublesome lesions in all parts of the body and is assisted by fully trained nurses. Men and women of all ages can be helped by these.

Cosmetic moles, skin tags, cysts and blemishes are not eligible for treatment under the NHS cosmetic policy which only allows such operations under conditions of “exceptional clinical need”.
Firstly, an injection of local anaesthetic is given to the area, similar to that at the dentist, which will only take a few seconds.

The actual removal process will depend on the type of blemish, size, situation and complexity and will be explained carefully to you. The possibility of side effects, for example infection, will be evaluated for your particular case and discussed with you. The specimen will be checked under the microscope at the hospital laboratory. Every effort will be made to achieve the optimum result with minimal or no scar.

Dr Harker can perform a total cutaneous dermoscopic examination (mole check) and advise which moles would be suitable for removal if causing irritation or nuisance. If she finds any lesion suspicious for cancer she will refer the patient immediately to the NHS.

The Erme Skin Clinic specialises in the Silhouette Soft thread lift to help sagging in the lower face, neck or brow. Harley Street trained, Dr Harker has a wealth of experience in performing these procedures over the past 5 years.

As we age the lower face loses its definition and the tissues around the mouth and jawline become loose and drooping.

The procedure is called Silhouette as the patient’s side profile improves and it is called Soft as it is patient- friendly and easier for the patient to tolerate than the barbed threads. Without the risks of a general anaesthetic or of plastic surgery these threads are placed just 4mm under the skin. It is a short out-patient procedure with minimal downtime.

The whole system is biodegradable and bio-resorbable leaving no trace in the body after it is completely dissolved. This is a subtle lift; each thread pulls back a maximum of 1 cm and the lift lasts for between 18 months and 2 years but it is surprising what a difference this can make. The procedure is individualised to each patient.
Under local anaesthetic, typically 5 sutures (PLLA) with glycolide bi-directional cones are introduced to each side of the face and tightened. There is a dual action in that there is an immediate lift visible, then over the ensuing months this lift is maintained by new collagen production stimulated by the bidirectional cones and also skin quality improves. No incision is required, as the suture is inserted using a fine needle.

A common problem as we age that the area under chin area and the neck becomes loose and drooping. A thread lift can improve this and make the person look younger. A brow thread lift can also be used to lift the brow or create the fox-eye look.

Please visit the website for more details/procedure video. Dr Harker offers a call-back service and then a consultation where she assesses you fully and gives an honest opinion whether this is suitable for you. The patient then returns for the procedure having reflected on all
the information.

FILLERS
Fillers replace lost Hyaluronic acid, revitalising and adding volume to the skin, instantly reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles for a natural,
“lifted” appearance.

Dr Harker offers advanced techniques with non-permanent soft tissue fillers that can lift the corners of the mouth, replace lost volume in the cheeks, reduce the “bar code” lines above the mouth, alleviate deep furrows between the brows, lift the brow, rhinoplasty (nose shape correction) fill scars, lift the temples (Kardashian look). Dr Harker is always aiming for subtle, natural-looking results.

WRINKLE RELAXING INJECTIONS
Using Botulinum toxin injections she can relax expression lines between the brows, “crow’s feet “around the eyes and relax other facial muscles that cause wrinkles. She has 14 years’ experience and trained initially with an NHS consultant ophthalmologist. Botulinum toxin has a wide range of medical uses, (migraine, neck pain, cerebral palsy in children, post stroke in adults, irritable bladder for example) and in the correct hands of a properly trained doctor now is a well- established, successful treatment. It is a painless, rapid, targeted way of achieving smooth, youthful skin.

Thank goodness life is becoming more normal again!

During the pandemic the Erme Skin Clinic has had every possible anti Covid measure in place. We have a Virus Killer that extracts 99.99% of viruses and bacteria from the atmosphere which patients, and staff have appreciated a lot; it’s made everyone feel a lot safer, in addition to frequent hand washing, scrupulous attention to hygiene, PPE, one way system through the Clinic and only one person at a time in the waiting room and countless other measures.

Every patient is triaged before they attend to check they are well and it is suitable for them to attend .It is helpful and reassuring for everyone if the patient has had their Covid vaccination before attending.

As the Covid situation has improved the Erme Skin Clinic has carried on with its stringent measures intact until we are finally informed that the pandemic status is over.

Dr Harker also offers treatments for Acne, Rosacea and poor skin quality such as Peels, Diamondtome microdermabrasion, Dermaroller Micro needling, RF treatment of facial spider veins, cryotherapy and RF facial skin tightening.

Dr Harker is passionate about her work and strives to achieve the best outcome for each patient. Dr Harker has worked as a GP for over 30 years ,developing a Dermatology specialism over the last 20 years. She worked in the Dermatology department of NHS hospitals and as an NHS GP in Dermatology. The Erme Skin Clinic opened in 2007 over 14
years ago.

She is a Fellow of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine, striving for best standards in Aesthetics and Cosmetic Dermatology.

The clinic in Plymouth is in spacious, modern premises with ample free parking around. Travelling is easy with a 4 minute access from the A38 Manadon roundabout, taking signposts to Mutley Plain (the opposite side to the Derriford turn-off). This makes it a 45 minute journey from Exeter and Bodmin.

Prices are affordable and compare favourably with any other facilities. You will find useful information on the website on each treatment.

Our friendly receptionists, Lee Ann and Samantha will be delighted to hear from you and help you with your query.

Dr Ruth Harker looks forward to meeting you soon.

01752 922021

info@ermeclinic.co.uk            www.ermeclinic.co.uk