Jacquie Beltrao

DO YOU REMEMBER THE VERY MOMENT YOU DECIDED TO GO AHEAD WITH TREATMENT?

It has been a slow-burner, but I suppose the real catalyst was when I was diagnosed back in 2013 [Jacquie battled breast cancer, successfully reaching remission in January of 2017].

I was very unwell back then. As you can imagine, that kind of thing truly changes a person and I just developed a real f***-it attitude. I used to worry, be self-conscious, get stressed about work… I’m different now.

I decided that if there was something I wanted to do, I was going to go out and make it happen.

I was, and am, so lucky to have beaten this and so I didn't want to let any opportunities pass me by.

I would have done it sooner if I hadn't been so busy living it up! [laughs]

WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THE HARLEY STREET SKIN CLINIC THAT TOOK YOUR FANCY?

A friend of mine has been using the clinic for years - she swears by them. Once I'd met with Lesley I was pretty sold too. By that point I was just really excited to get going.

HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS?

I'm delighted actually.

WHAT WERE YOUR PROBLEM AREAS?

I think most women notice little things about their appearance that could use a helping hand as they age.

Obviously being in a sports-related field, fitness and wellbeing is a huge part of my life and I'm constantly surrounded by people that are at their physical peak, so it does make you feel a little conscious of the whole ageing thing.

I keep in the best shape I can, but there are some things that exercise just can't fix. I noticed I was losing a bit of the tautness of the jawline, and some of the volume in my cheeks. I just felt I looked a bit tired.

All of these little bits and pieces are of course massively amplified when on television, too, so I decided to take the bull by the horns and see what could be done.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROCEDURE DAY?

I was a little bit apprehensive on the day.

Generally, things don't tend to scare me that much any more - after everything that my family and I went through medically, but yes, I was a little anxious. Having said that, the practitioner was incredibly composed - unshakable actually.

He came by to say good morning and the moment I saw him I knew I had nothing to worry about.

I absolutely love Lesley, too! I had my first chat about undergoing treatment with Lesley, and she has been a fantastic support throughout the whole process.

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY PERKS THAT YOU WEREN'T EXPECTING?

I think I'm just a little bit more uninhibited. My Daughter Amelia loves a good Instagram photo, and before having this done, I'd be quite insistent on some kind of soft-focus filter or blurring tool used on anything with me in it [laughs]. Now it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I'm very happy to go au natural!

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL PEOPLE THAT WERE ON THE FENCE ABOUT TAKING A SIMILAR ROUTE?

I would say that life is for living and if you are being held back by something, no matter how small, I think it's really worth taking action or at least getting a second opinion.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not necessarily saying jump straight into something drastic, but if there are all of these fantastic tools at our disposal then I don't see anything wrong with taking advantage of them in the interest of self-confidence.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER POPPING BACK TO THE CLINIC IN FUTURE?

Oh, you can count on it.