Meet Gerri O’Flaherty, 51: The Cork Beauty Expert Sharing What Really Works for Maturing Skin

Business owner, mum and grandmother, Gerri O’Flaherty, shares what she’s done to her own maturing skin without looking “done”, from tackling hooded eyes to softening wrinkles and calming rosacea.

Honest, practical and empowering, Gerri simplifies and demystifies treatments for women wondering what really works and why.

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Hi, I’m Gerri O’Flaherty. I’m from Bishopstown and I’m the owner of Cork Lasercare Clinic.

One of the most common questions I’m asked is how to adapt a skincare routine as skin matures, so that it continues to look and feel its very best.

Over the next four weeks, as beauty editor, I’ll be sharing my own experiences, tips and insights, starting with what works best for my skin at this stage of life. Of course, everyone’s skin is different, but I’ll be talking you through my personal routine and some of my favourite treatments, and explaining why they work for me.

At 51 and in the industry that I’m in, there is definitely pressure to look well. My philosophy with skincare is to look as fresh as possible, but not frozen. I don’t want to look unnatural, but certainly I’m glad I don’t look my age.

Business-wise, things are great. On a personal note, last year was a tough one. Stress and skin ageing are very much linked so I threw everything I could at my face in the last 12 months. These are the treatments that I feel make me look  fresher and less haggard.

Firstly, Olive, who works in the clinic with me,  does my laser rejuvenation once a month. I will never go a month without it. I have rosacea. Rosacea hit me at the age of 30 and it was very aggressive. So just to help with the redness and the inflammation in my skin, I will laser once a month. That also keeps the lines and wrinkles as soft as possible.

I had Botox with Dr. Raveen a few months ago. Dr Raveen has worked with us for the last eight months and is a fab injector. It really helped with my hooded eyes. I had deep frown lines, I was starting to look very cross. Botox gave me a fresh but not a frozen look. I do an Alumier peel roughly every six weeks to keep hydrated. 

Four months ago, I had Profhilo for the first time and was absolutely blown away by the effects. It’s a natural skin booster with hyaluronic acid. So basically, Dr. Raveen injected hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C into my skin. Sounds scary, it is slightly uncomfortable but I was well numbed. My skin will continuously be hydrated and plumped over the next number of months. For me, that was a game-changer. I am wearing less makeup since I had it done, which I love.

Another treatment I truly swear by is fibroblast, which we carry out in the clinic. It’s a non-surgical, skin-tightening treatment that uses plasma energy to shrink excess skin and stimulate collagen, without the need for cutting or stitches.

It has been a real game-changer, particularly for hooded eyes, and offers an effective alternative to blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). Results can last between three and five years, as the treatment tightens and shrinks loose skin on the eyelids. For me, it made the biggest difference. I looked wide awake again, whereas before I constantly looked tired.

I’ve had fibroblast done twice over the past four-and-a-half years. It’s the only treatment we offer that comes with any real downtime, usually around five to seven days. During that time, the eyelids will have small red dots, so most people opt to keep a low profile or wear sunglasses. It looks a little unusual at first, but it’s absolutely worth it.

The areas I personally like to treat with fibroblast are the eyelids, under the eyes and the neck.

As a 51-year-old business owner, mother and grandmother, I like to look fresh. To look my best and not deny or be ashamed of the procedures I get done.  Women are constantly criticised for the work they get done ,but if you neglect yourself, you are also slated. Women can’t win and the joy of being in your fifties is that I really don’t care if anyone judges me any more. Our philosophy in the clinic is just look the best version of yourself and promote skin to look healthy. I’m not in favour of frozen, filled and unnatural-looking faces.

The products that I use, I mix and match between several brands. Most of the brands that I use are very affordable.

My go-to products

Alumier Sensicalm cleanser to help with my rosacea. I am only recently using the Avene XeraCalm Cleansing Oil. I use this to remove my makeup followed by the Sensicalm.I do like to double cleanse, it is definitely worth the time. I keep my cleansers in the shower, anything to make life easier. 

Up to a few years ago I was still getting spots so it’s such a luxury for me to be able to use oil on my skin. Another oil I use is the Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil. I use it every second night, it is luxurious and lasts ages. I have never used eye cream, which I know is unusual, but I have kept my lines around my eyes soft with tons of laser. I actually like my smile lines.

I use a few different serums, depending on how my skin is. My favourite at the moment is the Dr Althea Vit C serum – clients were raving about it and it is very affordable. I hate having too many products on the go, I can see how clients get overwhelmed with so much choice. My advice is to keep skincare simple with a three-step day and night routine. Cleanse, serum and SPF by day. At night, cleanse, serum and moisturise. Keep exfoliation to once, or twice a week max. Image SPF 50 is my go to but I love the e.l.f. Suntouchable! All Set for Sun setting spray SPF 30, which can be used over makeup and is ideal on hols.

I am obsessed with La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm. I recommend this to clients as it is reasonably priced and works a treat on dry and sensitive skin.I am not a huge fan of retinol, not everyone needs it and when overused it just causes too many problems. There will always be buzzwords and trends with skincare and ingredients. For me, Vitamin C and hyaluronic are a must and suit most skin types.

In terms of treatments, laser is always my number one, it’s my go-to and the one I rely on most. Peels come a close second, as these are the two treatments I do most regularly.

I have Profhilo twice a year and I plan to keep that going, I absolutely love the glow it gives my skin. Fibroblast is something I do every three years, and honestly, I never say never to anything else if I feel it will genuinely help my skin.

Finally, never forget to stay hydrated and get good quality sleep! 

I’ll be back next week to talk through more common skin concerns and how I approach treating them as skin matures. In the meantime if you want more information, you can follow me on Instagram @corklaserclinic

Cork Lasercare Clinic, 17A South Ring Business Park, Cork. Tel: 021 453 0776