Melinda Messenger

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

I do. I saw a still of myself, from a TV show I was working on, which caught me at an angle I don't usually see in the mirror. I remember thinking 'Well, that's new. My jaw never did that before'.

I'd actually been thinking about having a bit of treatment since the end of my last relationship, to be honest. I just felt that I wanted something just to give me a little bit more confidence.

WHAT WERE YOUR PROBLEM AREAS?

Just under my jawline was a concern for me - my profile, really. Being on television, you're constantly spotted mid conversation and things so when that starts to go south it's, of course, amplified. I was interested to learn about ways of improving my jawline without doing anything drastic.

HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS?

I'm delighted. I absolutely love it - and nobody really seems to know. I just look a little more rested, and like time has been kind to me [laughs]. My profile is a lot sharper on camera, too, and I feel like the old me again.

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

I know Dr Khan and Lesley, and I trust them implicitly. In my mind, I've always thought 'If I was ever to have anything done, that's the place I would go'. It just so happens that I reached a point where I was interested in exploring some new avenues. Who better to do that with than with friends?

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

I was very nervous, as anybody would be. I was so nervous that I thought 'Ooh should I actually do this?', but I knew I really did want to. Dr Khan talked me through the procedure, and whilst he was doing that he drew onto my face to show the areas that we were going to lift, and then I had some topical anaesthetic - that made my skin a little bit numb.

After about 45 minutes I had a tiny needle hole by my jawline, and another tiny needle hole by my ear where he threaded through a stitch. It was literally like sewing, it was incredible. Like someone doing needlework on my face and just lifting it gently.

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

There have been some great perks actually, yes. As the stitches start to dissolve they start to stimulate collagen so my skin's not just looking lifted, it's looking a lot brighter and fresher.

I'm also getting a lot of 'you look well' comments, which is always lovely. It's an improvement that's incredibly subtle, but definitely has not gone unnoticed - that's for sure.

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

I'd say definitely consider it.

If it's something that you think you might want to do, go to see Dr Khan or Lesley and when you go there, tell them exactly what it is that's bothering you. They'll help you sort it out.

There are some really imaginative options out there these days; I had no idea. And most of them don't even take an hour.

If you just go in for a quick chat - you'd be surprised. You just never know what quick fixes are available until you ask the professionals [laughs].

WOULD YOU CONSIDER POPPING BACK TO THE CLINIC IN FUTURE?

Absolutely.

This is the first place I would come to if I reached a point where I was thinking about more work.

Without a shadow of a doubt.