Mother And Teen Daughter Get Matching £50,000 Facelifts After Rare Ageing Condition Prematurely Wrinkles Skin
Mother And Teen Daughter Get Matching £50,000 Facelifts After Rare Condition Ages Skin
Barcroft
|
A mother and daughter duo who were taunted and called "monkey" because of a rare skin condition have had the last laugh after being offered life-changing cosmetic surgery for free.
Tracey Gibson, 45, and her daughter Zara Hartshorn, 18, both suffer from a rare skin condition called lipodystrophy. Also known as 'Fat Redistribution Syndrome', it leaves skin looking wrinkled and twisted.
Hartshorn first underwent a facelift at just 16 years old, and now her mum has followed in her footsteps by having £50,000-worth of plastic surgery on her face and neck.
Open Image Modal
Daughter, Zara Hartshorn and her mother, Tracey Gibson
Gibson, a mother-of-seven from Rotherham, said: “My face is worth £50,000 and it feels absolutely amazing when I get up in the morning.
“I’ve been called a ‘granny’ and a ‘monkey’ all my life and when I look at old pictures now I think I looked like the dragon off Shrek.
“But now I’ve got a new lease of life and I can hold my head high when I walk down the street. I think I look pretty good now and totally different.”
Gibson, who lives off disability allowance, was overjoyed to be contacted by surgeons abroad after being rejected for cosmetic surgery on the NHS.
Ever since childhood she suffered with crippling low self-esteem because of her appearance.
She said: “I’ve been ridiculed my entire life and endured all sorts of cruel names since school. I’ve had to put up with so much crap. I was never able to get a job and it does make you resentful sometimes.”
Of Gibson’s seven children, three have inherited the condition.
As well as Hartshorn, Gibson’s daughter Jolene, 25, and son Tommy, 26, also suffer from lipodystrophy, but Hartshorn’s was by far the most extreme case. Just like her mum, she endured years of teasing and cruel taunts.
Open Image Modal
Tracey Gibson before surgery
After hearing of her condition, a top surgeon in the US offered Hartshorn free cosmetic surgery and in 2012 she was flown out for a facelift, which was a huge success.
Gibson remained in touch with the surgeons and was delighted to accept free treatment when it was offered earlier this year.
She said: “I got turned down in this country because they said it was just cosmetic and as you can imagine I was absolutely fuming.
“I think it’s disgusting that I was born with this condition and the NHS won’t do anything about it. I don’t know how they could refuse me – my face looked terrible.”
Gibson underwent the neck lift in August and the facelift and botox in November. In total her new face is worth £50,000 - and she couldn’t be happier.
Story continues below...
7 Common And Annoying Skin Conditions
Armpit Pigmentation(01 of07)
Open Image Modal
There are various causes of the darkening of the underarm skin, says Melissa Piliang, MD, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic. "A skin rash triggered by a bad reaction to a deodorant can cause an eczema-like reaction that, once healed, leaves some darkening," she explains. Another culprit is an ingrown hair, which can leave a dark spot. The way to treat this kind of pigmentation is to tackle the cause. "Once the trigger is removed, the pigmentation will improve," says Dr. Piliang. If it's a bad reaction to a deodorant, change to one that's hypoallergenic. Piliang also suggests trying a lotion that contains soy (which can slow hair growth and help with pigmentation) or a low concentration of hydroquinone, which is available over the counter. Higher concentrations are slightly more effective, she says, but would need to be prescribed by a dermatologist. The dark mark could also be the sign of something more serious, Piliang says: type 2 diabetes. But in those cases, the skin in the area (which includes the neck) may appear "velvety" in addition to dark. (credit:Shutterstock)
Cellulite (02 of07)
Open Image Modal
Cellulite develops when fat is deposited in pockets just below the surface of the skin, primarily around the hips, thighs, and buttocks, explains Lydia Juzych, MD, a dermatologist at Henry Ford Hospital. Collagen fibers that connect fat to the skin then break down and stretch, creating a dimpled look. In other words: Ugh! Cellulite is a problem for both thin people and those who are overweight. There are multiple causes: genetics, hormones, poor diet, slow metabolism, and dehydration, Juzych says. And the bad news is, there are no proven treatments for cellulite once it shows up. However, there are some ways to reduce the appearance of it. "Methylxanthine creams, wraps, massage, mesotherapy, laser/light therapy, and liposuction are some treatment options," Juzych says. You can also keep cellulite from forming with healthy lifestyle choices like not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding yo-yo dieting, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating foods high in fiber and fruits and vegetables. (credit:Shutterstock)
Heat Rash (03 of07)
Open Image Modal
Sometimes called prickly heat, these small, itchy, red bumps can develop on the chest and back. "It's caused by blockages in the sweat ducts, which happens when you get really warm and sweaty," says Jessica Wu, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California Medical School and the author of Feed Your Face. A good way to prevent heat rash is by wearing loose, breathable clothing when you work out or when it's hot and humid outside. "Also, take a shower right after working out," Dr. Wu adds. But if you've already been struck by the prickly curse, she recommends staying cool and dry and using cortisone creams (if needed) to ease the itchiness. (credit:Shutterstock)
Keratosis Pilaris(04 of07)
Open Image Modal
Its nicknames of "chicken skin" and "sandpaper arms" sound like something from the playground, and ironically this common skin condition often starts in childhood, says Donna Bilu Martin, MD, a dermatologist who practices at South Beach Dermatology in Miami, Florida. "It's caused by a buildup of keratin [dead skin cells] in the hair follicles," she says. These rough bumps are usually found on the backs of the arms, along the inner thighs, and on your cheeks. Keratosis pilaris is often hereditary and can be associated with eczema and hay fever, Dr. Wu adds. "Treat it with creams containing urea or salicylic acid to help break down the dead skin," she advises. Another tip: Try to exfoliate the areas to keep them smooth and improve the appearance of the bumps. "Don't pick or squeeze them," warns Dr. Wu. This can cause scabbing and scarring. (credit:Shutterstock)
Melasma(05 of07)
Open Image Modal
These brown spots on the face often occur in pregnant women or those taking birth-control pills and can be caused by the increased level of estrogen coupled with the sun's UVA rays, says Piliang. The patch of hyperpigmentation can usually be found on the cheeks, upper lip, and sometimes on the forehead. Melasma may be a difficult condition to get rid of. "The most important treatment is sun protection: sun avoidance, hats, and sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen," Dr. Martin explains. Lightening creams that contain hydroquinone can also be effective, she says, when used with a dermatologist's supervision. Retinoid creams can be effective, too. Some patients opt for chemical peels and lasers to help lighten the pigment, but doctors warn that melasma does have the tendency to come back due to sun exposure. (credit:Shutterstock)
Razor Burn and Ingrown Hairs(06 of07)
Open Image Modal
Annoying razor bumps typically pop up as a sign that you probably didn't moisturize enough before reaching for your razor. "To avoid them," Dr. Juzych suggests, "make sure to thoroughly wet the shaving area, apply a thick layer of shaving cream, shave in the direction of the hairs, and avoid repeating strokes." And alwaysuse a clean, sharp razor. Topical prescription medications can help the itch and irritation, Dr. Juzych adds. Ingrown hairs -- skin bumps that are bigger than razor bumps -- are caused by hairs that get trapped underneath the skin instead of growing out through the surface of the skin. "They may be caused by waxing or shaving, when the new hairs start to grow," says Wu. Do not tweeze them, she warns. "Instead, gently lift the tip of the hair, then clip it at the surface of the skin." Yanking it out will only create another ingrown hair. (credit:Shutterstock)
Skin Tags (07 of07)
Open Image Modal
These benign overgrowths can develop in armpits, the groin area, around the neck, and on eyelids. The soft "tabs" of skin often show up in adulthood, on obese patients, and during pregnancy, says Carolyn Jacob, MD, the director at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology. "There are hormones that cause the top layer of skin to overgrow," Dr. Jacob explains. Skin tags can be removed, for cosmetic reasons, in your dermatologist's office. (Basically, if they don't bother you, there's no pressing need to have them removed.) "They can be snipped with scissors, burned with a little cautery, or frozen with liquid nitrogen," Juzych says. It really depends on how many lesions you have and where they are located. "But remember, if any skin spot changes, bleeds, or itches," she adds, "be sure to have it checked right away." (credit:Alamy)
Hartshorn accompanied her mum during surgeries and helped nurse her back to health.
Gibson said: “I was nervous but I saw how well Zara was cared for during her treatments and I knew I was in safe hands.
“They asked me if I wanted Angelina Jolie lips but I think that would be taking it a bit too far.”
Since the surgery, Gibson’s life has changed completely.
She said: “They handed me a mirror and I couldn’t accept that the person looking back at me was me - I just couldn’t stop smiling.
“It was never about looking younger, it was just about having a normal face that I could be happy with and stand to look at in the mirror.”
And Gibson isn’t the only one to notice the results. “I keep getting chatted up when I’m out now but I’m happily married and not interested," she said.
“My husband Lawrence thinks it’s just amazing, he loves the way I look now.
“Zara loves my new face - we all do. All the kids have said I’ve got vain but I didn’t go through all of that not to come back and do something with it."
Open Image Modal
Zara Hartshorn before surgery
She added: “I love putting my make-up on now and making the most of my new face. I never bothered with anything like that before but now I have a bag full of cosmetics.”
But while the mum-of-seven is overjoyed with her new look, she lives in fear of the effects reversing.
She said: “My biggest fear is that the fillers won’t last and I’ll go back to being wrinkled. I live with that fear every day. My body is weak and the fillers wear off a lot quicker than it should.
“In a few years I’m going back out to have it all over again but really I should be able to have it done here on the NHS.”
Two years on from her facelift, Hartshorn is still happy with her own appearance.
And for Gibson, the surgery marks the start of a new chapter in her life.
She said: “I feel like I’m having the last laugh now at everyone who called me names and it’s a massive boost.
“I’ve always had my head down trying to blend into the background, but that part of my life is done with now and I can finally be the person I’ve always wanted to be.”