Southern belle

Editor Anna Dobbie visits Lewes to meet Dr Gabriella Birley at her newly established clinic, ‘the Doctor Clinic’, and try the Body Boost Bed

It’s hard to believe that, just over a year ago, the building that now houses the Doctor Clinic was a five thousand square foot Land Rover showroom with a rather dodgy carpet. The East Sussex based luxury medi-spa opened its doors to the public towards the tail end of 2022, and, when I visited in March, several of the rooms were still in the process of being fitted out.

I was invited to the clinic by the ‘Sunbed King’ Richard Warden to trial the Body Boost Bed, the first of its kind in the UK. The device, which incorporates three wavelengths and a unique multi-frequency system, is fully automated and easy to use, providing an entire body and face treatment. The ergonomic bed, which is medically certified, has been a popular treatment in Australia for over 10 years.

The Doctor Clinic’s mission statement is to revolutionise how aesthetic treatments are approached, boost confidence and subtly enhance natural beauty in the safest and most effective ways. The extensive property supports many different clinicians, with luxurious consultation rooms, a state-of-the-art operating theatre offering cosmetic surgery to eyelid and cataract surgery, a non-invasive treatment clinic offering advanced treatments in aesthetics, skin and laser, cosmetic dentistry, holistic therapies, and even complimentary cognitive behavioural therapy for regular clients. There is also a wellness studio space at the back which will offer reformer pilates.

HOLISTIC TREATMENTS

Founder Dr Gabriella Birley believes aesthetic treatments are about looking good, but also feeling great. “The Doctor Clinic is not only about anti-ageing, but a wide spectrum of treatments – from hair restoration systems for those suffering with alopecia or trichotillomania, post-chemotherapy, to areola restoration for those who have had mastectomies,” she says.

However, Dr Birley didn’t want the clinic to be regarded as an aesthetics ‘jack of all trades’. “With our wide range of treatments, we strive to boost confidence and subtly enhance natural beauty in the safest and most effective ways,” she adds. “We aim to provide a highly personalised approach, tailored to each person’s individual needs, and deliver treatments in a safe environment led by a network of highly specialist doctors, surgeons, and medical professionals. I want the clinic to be regarded as an aesthetic and wellness hub for this end of the country.”

Dr Birley, who previously split her clinic hours between Brighton, Eastbourne, and Harley Street, is now based full-time at the Doctor Clinic and is delighted that many of her clients have followed her. However, her business partner is keen to open clinics in the North and London, with a new branch due to open in Liverpool in early 2024.

Having suffered a serious burns accident before college, the life changing treatment and therapy gave Dr Birley a fascination for all things medical. As well as studying Medicine and Surgery, she has a Master’s of Science in Global Health, a Bachelor’s in Law and a Master’s in Medical Ethics and Law.

“The Body Boost Bed was a very exciting addition to the clinic, as it fitted very well with the ethos of the clinic: not only looking your best but feeling your very best,” says Dr Birley.

GET INTO BED

I was interested to try the bed, that provides a form of light therapy called photobiomodulation (PBM), which utilises non-ionising forms of light sources in the visible and near-infrared spectrum.

The LED lights allow photons of light energy to penetrate tissue and interact with chromophores located in cells, which results in photophysical and photochemical changes, causing alterations at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels of the body. Light can induce a chain of physiological reactions in normal, as well as diseased and damaged, tissues to increase circulation, reduce acute inflammation and chronic pain, as well as accelerate wound healing and tissue regeneration, helping to restore normal cellular function. The Body Boost Bed employs three light wavelengths: blue (470m) to help destroy bacteria that cause acne and blemishes, red (630 nanometres) to activate cell production of collagen and elastin, as well as having anti-inflammatory benefits which help reduce pain, inflammation and reduce redness associated with rosacea, and near-infrared (940 nanometres) which activates cells to produce collagen and elastin, relax muscles and relieve muscle spasms and joint aches, pains and stiffness, and increase blood circulation. The bed’s LEDs sweep through many frequencies simultaneously, allowing clinicians to shorten therapy time and increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

The treatment is non-thermal (in fact, I felt quite cool throughout) and required me to put on eye protection goggles and lie in the device for 25 minutes in my underwear. I was able to select different audio channels to suit my mood and it was quite relaxing to disconnect from the outside world for a while. In the days following the treatment, I noticed that some of my muscles, particularly in my back, felt slightly sore, but as the weeks went on, I felt rejuvenated.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Lewes and am excited to return when it is established to see if it has lived up to its early promise as the new southern hub for aesthetics and wellness.