Jenny Needham reports on a skincare clinic which will appeal to those wanting something a bit more extreme than a facial, or those with serious skin problems.

IT'S not a beauty salon. It's not a chemist. Nor is it, strictly speaking, a clinic.

Lasercare Clinics' new operation on Grey Street, Newcastle, is a one-stop shop, offering the most advanced rejuvenation treatments. Their latest outlet in the North-East, Lasercare Skin & Body, which opened at the end of last year, takes the 'clinic' out of some of the more clinical treatments and offers laser and skin peel treatments in a warm user-friendly, modern environment.

Because it's on the high street and not attached to a hospital, it's a surprise to be told "the nurse will see you in a minute". I'd expected a 'beauty therapist', but all the treatment staff here are nurse practitioners, and all have a Btech in laser skin technology.

Lesley Hazon is manager of Lasercare Skin & Body and has been in retail for 17 years. "More and more people seem to be wanting to improve themselves and this seemed to be a niche in the market, skin treatments that offer something a bit deeper and more permanent than a facial."

Lesley is 51 and looks years younger, line-free with bright skin. "I used to be cynical about the products and their contents, but I liked the idea of looking younger," she says. "Now I've realised how much science there is behind the treatments and I'm convinced of their benefits. I've had everything done, including Botox and fillers."

Around 25 per cent of the clients are men so it's obvious they are becoming more interested in trying to improve their skin too. It's more likely, too, that men will enter the portals of a place which looks more clinical, and less like the traditional female-filled beauty parlour with a girlie name and make-up on sale in the reception area.

Many of the men, and increasingly the women, come in for tattoo removals. Fortunately, given the popularity of the decorative body art, laser removal is very successful, says Lesley. "Obviously, it's good business for us, but people should think long and hard before having tattoos - an awful lot come to regret it."

As well as tattoo removal, the Grey Street outlet offers laser hair removal, thread vein removal and skin peels. Lasers can also be used to to treat skin conditions such as acne, acne scarring, pigmentation, liver spots, thread veins, blemishes and birthmarks.

I was booked in for mcrodermabrasion, which is hugely popular in the States. After discussing the treatment with nurse practitioner Theresa Whiffing, who has worked at most of the Newcastle hospitals - "I just wanted to do something totally different," she says - the dead skin cells are blasted off the surface of my face using medical grade microcrystals. This is a painless process which helps to remodel the collagen in the skin, improving fine lines and enlarged pores. It can also work wonders on acne scars and pigmentation.

A course of treatments is recommended but even one treatment leaves my skin feeling brighter, tighter and looking much more luminescent.

For aftercare Theresa recommends some of the skincare solutions the clinic stocks, including Exuviance creams and lotions. This high tech range was developed by dermatologists and contains a combination of alpha and polyhydroxy acids, soothing botanicals and marine extracts to restore and moisturise the skin.

There is also a range of concealing treatment cosmetics to cover minor flaws or major discolorations, sun protection and anti-ageing treatments.

Clinically qualified nurses and practitioners are always on hand to give expert advice and talk through any of the products, treatments or skincare concerns. They can even give advice on cosmetic surgery and dermatology... but there isn't a white coat in sight.

"We might move into doing more beauty treatments in the future but any therapists would have to share our ethical and scientific interest in skincare and the products we use," says Lesley.

* You can call Lasercare Skin & Body for information or to book a consultation on 0191-261 0011 or visit www.lasercare-clinics.co.uk