Dr Martine Darchy-Gilliard
Dr. Martine Darchy-Gilliard tells us about her approach and her view of aesthetic medicine treatments.
ANTI-AGE MAGAZINE: Dr Darchy, could you tell us a bit about yourself? How long have you been practising aesthetic medicine? What made you go into this profession?
DR MARTINE DARCHY-GILLIARD: My name is Dr Martine Darchy-Gilliard and I’m a dermatologist in Orléans. I practised dermatology for ten years before discovering aesthetic dermatology in 1995, when the early aesthetic dermatology diploma was set up thanks to Prof. Claire Beylot. I travelled across France, taking advantage of the innovative training that was given to us. It was a really exciting time, full of new discoveries: botulinum toxin, filler products, lasers. This led me to obtain two diplomas for using lasers in aesthetic medicine, as well as a diploma in injections. Since then, I have not stopped improving my skills in the new techniques and attending conferences, and have even become a tutor myself, for the French aesthetic dermatology society (SFDE), the sister society of the French dermatology society (SFD). I also founded my own aesthetics and laser centre, CLEOR.
AAM: Could you tell us about the patients who come to an aesthetic dermatology practice in 2024? What are their profiles in terms of gender and age, and what are their main aesthetic medicine requests?
DR M.D-D.: In 2024, unlike when we first started out, we have a very varied patient list in our practices. The younger patients come to us for botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid, tensor threads and cosmetics. Men happily come to the centre for all types of treatments, ranging from laser hair removal to injections, including botulinum toxin, filler products, specific treatments for rosacea, scars, etc. Our patients want to look fresh-faced, natural, fit and healthy. Skin quality is very important. We are performing more procedures such as peels, mesolift and mesohydration, coupled with targeted and tailored cosmetics. The largest population is women in their thirties, who want to reduce the signs of aging with regular treatments that include botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid injections. What is more, various complementary techniques are available, such as fractional lasers, fractional radiofrequency, HIFU, fractional CO2 lasers, vascular lasers for rosacea and varicose veins, LED light therapy, and much more. Older patients also come to see us to improve their skin’s appearance. We draw up long-term plans to respond to the specific requirements of each patient.
AAM: Are there any patients who would rather avoid aesthetic surgery? What do you offer them? Are there any alternatives to a face lift?
DR M.D-D.: In my practice, the patients who come to see me would rather avoid having aesthetic surgery. My recommendations are adapted to the extent of the skin aging, the patient’s general state of health, and their specific requirements. An alternative to a surgical lift that I usually offer includes a combination of filler or botulinum toxin injections, resorbable tensor threads and, if necessary, radiofrequency and HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasounds).
AAM: What do you offer as an approach to achieve younger-looking skin?
DR M.D-D.: For younger patients (up to age 35), botulinum toxin or hyaluronic acid injections can be enough to give the skin a more youthful appearance. For patients over 35, we need to combine different techniques: fight sagging skin with tensor threads and fillers, relax the muscles that age the face with botulinum toxin, tighten the muscles, open up the expression, reposition the chin, correct the oval. Every requirement is analysed in order to provide our patients with an adequate solution.
AAM: Are tensor threads being offered to more patients? What do you think about them, and how are they used?
DR M.D-D.: Tensor threads are recommended for tackling sagging skin and avoiding repeated injections of filler products, which can alter the face by fattening and widening it. We must be able to guide our patients with full knowledge of the facts. The procedure is relatively simple, and it is vital that we explain it in a clear and comprehensible way.
AAM: is combining procedures the future of aesthetic medicine, in order to obtain better results for your patients?
DR M.D-D.: Achieving harmonious results is an artform achieved by combining different procedures. Harmony has always been the key to achieving optimal results. It is our job to suggest the most suitable combinations for each individual, taking into account each patient’s special features.
Dr Martine Darchy-Gilliard
Dermatologist in Orléans with over 25 years’ experience in aesthetic dermatology, specialising in lasers and injections. Having founded the CLEOR centre, she also shares her expertise as a teacher for the French society of aesthetic dermatology (SFDE).
More informations: cleor-laser.com
