Text about John

Professional profile:

Dr Nina Sheffield obtained her medical doctorate at Grodno State Medical University (USSR) in 1982 and became a GP. Post-graduation she returned to Grodno State and specialised in Otolaryngology (ENT) and was appointed “Physician of Otolaryngology” in 1985.

Dr. Sheffield continued her postgraduate studies at Odessa State Medical University after moving to Ukraine and was appointed “Consultant Otolaryngologist” in 1990.

Dr. Sheffield was appointed Consultant Otolaryngologist to the Ukrainian military from 1992 to 2002.

Private Practice included her family practice, the Ovsyannikov Clinic, working with her father Prof. Ovsyannikov carrying out ENT surgery and assisting in research and development of ENT surgical procedures.

Now a British citizen permanently resident in the UK Dr. Sheffield owns and practices at The Royal Tunbridge Wells Skin & Laser Clinic, an Independent Healthcare Provider registered and regulated by The Car Quality Commission. She decided not to seek registration with the GMC or to go into the NHS but to specialise in non-surgical therapy, cosmetic injection procedures and advanced aesthetic laser treatments. Dr. Sheffield is now one of the UK’s most experienced cosmetic laser practitioners.

Personal profile:

Nina comes from a long line of medical professionals in her family. Her father Prof. M. Ovsyannikov had the Otolaryngology chair at Grodno State Medical University and was Professor of ENT at Odessa State Medical University. Her mother, also a specialist ENT Surgeon worked for most of her life in many hospitals in the USSR. Consequently Dr. Sheffield grew up in a medical environment and understudied both her parents from an early age.

Prof. Ovsyannikov opened the Ovsyannikov Clinic in Odessa in 1990 specialising in ENT procedures and later, mainly be popular demand, Cosmetic Surgery. It was here that Nina first became involved with Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery, this has been her passion ever since. What she did there with the knife and full surgery she now does with lasers and the syringe.

In 2006 Nina, with her husband John opened Med-Spa Clinic, later to become Royal Tunbridge Well Skin & Laser Clinic in the intervening years she has developed a huge personal following for her aesthetic skills.

Nina works closely with Fotona Lasers and is probably one of the most experienced users of cosmetic lasers in the UK. She has the whole range of Fotona lasers at her disposal and the facilities she enjoys at RTW Skin & Laser are second to none; she is able to produce non-surgically, results that are simply amazing.

Nina is an advanced practitioner fully trained to deliver the Juvederm ULTRA and Restylane ranges of dermal fillers as well as Sculptra and Radiesse.

Nina lives in Crowborough with her husband and business partner John and their two sons Nicholas, a recently qualified Pharmacist and Michael a student. She enjoys gardening, keeping a few “back yard” chickens, cooking and travel.

Toni Warran-Smith is our Assistant Manager, she runs the day to day operations of the clinic mainly from Reception where many will have seen and met her. Her cheerful, sunny disposition and great telephone manner makes it a pleasure to speak with Toni; she is always positive and welcoming and the “anchor” of the RTW Skin & Laser Team.

Professional profile:

Toni trained as a Beauty Therapist at West Kent College graduating in 2003 as a level 2 and 3 Beauty Therapist. After leaving college, Toni worked in various beauty salons gathering qualifications and certificates for many procedures; she had her own business as a self-employed beauty therapist for a while but found that she thrives as member or leader of a team.

Toni joined Royal Tunbridge Wells Skin & Laser Clinic in May 2009 as a therapist and assistant to Dr Nina Sheffield. Very soon after however, her potential was recognised and she soon progressed to become a Senior Therapist and then Assistant Manager.

Toni has extensive knowledge of all Skin and Laser Clinic’s treatments and procedures, and is always available to provide information and advice. Toni manages the day-to-day running of the Clinic, marketing and assisting the registered manager and doctors. She is very popular with colleagues but takes no prisoners if service falls below five star; she spends her days ensuring the highest standard of treatment and patient service is sustained throughout the Clinic all the time.

Personal profile:

Toni is a highly accomplished Beauty Therapist, she is skilled in all holistic procedures offered at the RTW Skin & Laser Clinic and can train most of them. She also has a wide knowledge of IPL and Laser procedures and assists our doctors in the more complex procedures.

Toni is a great organiser and since joining the management team at The Royal Tunbridge Wells Skin & Laser Clinic Toni has found her “niche” in life. She deals with a large work load and her happy cheerful manner when on the phone or greeting visitors to the Clinic is delightful. Toni is one of those fortunate people who are never down for more the a few minutes and she radiates her sunny personality to all who come to meet her.

Toni has a huge knowledge of the Clinic’s specialisations and can help those who are unhappy with their appearance but are really newcomers to Aesthetic Medical Procedures. She will always find time to help in consultation on a one to one basis and can assist you to decide what may be the best and more cost effective treatment.

Toni is very much a “local girl” having been educated in Tunbridge Wells. She lives with her husband Tim a graphic designer in Southborough.

Toni loves working out in the gym, travel and socialising with her large network of friends.

We are delighted to announce that Mr. Paul E. Banwell has joined Royal Tunbridge Wells Skin & Laser Clinic as our Consultant Plastic Surgeon.

Mr. Banwell will be regularly available here at Cobden House in the old centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells for consultations on all matters in relation to cosmetic surgery, anti-ageing, body contouring, breast surgery and mole screening.

Professional profile:

Paul E Banwell is a fully-accredited plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon. He holds an NHS Consultant position in Plastic Surgery at the world-famous Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead and he is on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery. Mr Banwell is a Fellow of The Royal College of Surgeons of England and a full member of BAPRAS, BAAPS and ISAPS as well as many other professional organisations both in the UK and abroad.

Paul also holds a visiting Professorship in Plastic Surgery in the United States at Harvard University.

Mr Banwell runs a modern cosmetic surgery practice offering a comprehensive, high-quality service and a full range of fully-accredited cosmetic surgery services in the South-East and along the South Coast. He performs all types of cosmetic surgery but specialises in cosmetic breast surgery, labiaplasty, liposuction, tummy tucks, facial rejuvenation, advanced skin care and anti-ageing techniques.

He also treats many patients with skin cancer, moles and disfiguring scars as well as providing a mole screening service.

He is in constant demand as a lecturer and has regular invites worldwide as a keynote speaker on all aspects of cosmetic surgery. In the UK he has pioneered modern concepts in chemical peeling and is part of the senior Faculty at the prestigious Cosmetic Courses education centre. He is in the media regularly with appearances on BBC1, ITV, Channel 4, Radio 2, Radio 4, The Times, Telegraph, The Sun, Expert Beauty and Company Magazine.

Personal profile:

Mr Paul Banwell is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, where he is also the Lead Clinician for Skin Cancer and Director of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Unit (MASCU).

Paul is a fully accredited Plastic Surgeon and is on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery. He trained in general plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery (Oxford & London), but has sub-specialised in oncological reconstruction following Fellowships at the Royal Marsden Hospital and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, Australia. His main reconstructive interest is in skin cancer, but he also has considerable experience in breast reconstruction and paediatric plastic surgery.

Paul has developed a cutting-edge, modern cosmetic surgery practice bringing together his experiences from around the world for the benefit of his patients here in Kent and Sussex. He performs a full range of aesthetic procedures, but specialises in body contouring surgery (breast augmentation/reduction, tummy tucks and liposuction), labiaplasty and advanced skin care.

Paul loves to teach and to share his wide knowledge and experience – he is now responsible for teaching the next generation of plastic surgeons. In addition to his clinical experience, he has a significant research interest in scarring, skin cancer and cosmetic surgery and has published two books and over a 100 medical publications.

Paul will be available at Open Evenings at The RTW Skin & Laser Clinic to provide exclusive and personal advice and education to all our clients on the huge range of treatments and current offerings in the cosmetic field today. Paul loves running, surfing and skiing and collects Japanese swords and modern art.

Read more at: www.paulebanwell.com

GMC Reference No. 3679614

Dr. Katherine Dickinson is a fully-accredited Consultant Cardiologist. She holds an NHS Consultant position in Cardiology at The Conquest Hospital in Hasting but also regularly travels for clinics at other South Coast Hospitals. Katherine is a member of Royal College of Physicians, British Cardiovascular Society, British Cardiovascular Intervention Society as well as the British Medical Laser Association.

Professional profile:

Dr. Katherine Dickinson completes our team at RTW Skin & Laser. She can be found here only part time unfortunately, usually on a Saturday and Monday afternoons when she can be released from her full time post at The Conquest Hospital, Hastings. One of the very few lady cardiologists in the UK she maintains a great interest in all things in the Aesthetic world and this is why we are very lucky to have her as part of the RTW Skin & Laser team.

Katherine carries out the whole range of facial injection therapies on offer at RTW Skin & Laser and she is also considering bringing other, perhaps more invasive procedures to the clinic in the future.

Katherine offers Injection Lipolysis for the breakdown on small deposits of fat and has a great interest in Laser Lipolysis for the removal of fat deposits and vascular procedures for the removal of Varicose Veins with Laser. We currently offer these procedures in partnership with Epsom Laser Clinic but we will soon expand our range of procedures to include these very successful treatments at Tunbridge Wells.

Katherine will be regularly available by appointment here at RTW Skin & Laser in the old centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells for consultations on all matters in relation to Injection Therapy, Injection Lipolysis, Anti-ageing, Body Contouring, Laser Lipolysis, Varicose Vein Removal and Mole Screening and Removal.

Personal profile:

Katherine lives in Hastings with her delightful six year old daughter Marysia. They are both “outdoor” types who enjoy cycling, skiing and almost any outdoor activity.

Dr Bashar Al-Naher has 27 years of experience in all aspects of dentistry with specialist interest in dental impalnts, smile makover, cosmetic dentistry and laser dentistry. He qualified from the prestigious Guy's Hospital Dental School and his dental team are totally dedicated to giving you the best that modern dentistry has to offer. To this end he has developed the EQC System which stands for Excellence in Quality and Care. It is a system that guarantees that every patient recieved the highest quality of dentistry in an atmosphere where patients experince relaxing, comfortable and even enjoyable dentistry. He is also inventor of the Enjoyable Dentistry Technique which has earned him a Masters Degree from University College London and which is the only technique that ensures that patients experience relaxing, comfortable and enjoyable dentistry.

Aksana has worked at Med-Spa and Royal Tunbridge Wells Skin & Laser Clinic for over three years. In that time she has mastered many of our wide range of Laser devices and is now a very skilled and experienced laser therapist.

Aksana has a charming manner; she is very popular and always in demand with our patients. She is available for consultations on virtually all laser treatments and is currently developing her skills in injection therapy.

Professional profile:

Aksana graduated from Orsha State Medical College in Belarus in 1994 with the equivalent of a BETC National Diploma in Nursing. She worked within the State Health System for nine years in many roles including Theatre Nurse and Senior Staff Nurse before coming to the UK in 2003. Her specialisation was in cancer procedures and this lead to her interest in the treatment of skin conditions. She has worked solely within the Healthcare Sector since her arrival in the UK and continually works to extend her knowledge and experience.

Personal profile:

Aksana grew up in a close family in Belarus; she completed her further education and Medical Training at Orsha Medical College and graduated in 1994. Her interest in Aesthetic Medicine led to her obtaining training in this field after coming to England in 2003. She joined Royal Tunbridge Wells Skin and Laser Clinic in 2007, where she performs a variety of procedures using our unique range of lasers. These include thread vein removal, hair removal, tattoo removal, T3 Collagen Remodelling and TITAN non-surgical face lift. Aksana has built up a very strong client base, due to the combination of her expertise and professional manner. Her next aim is to train further in advanced injectable treatments, an area in which she has some experience and is already extremely knowledgeable.

Aksana is a fashion fanatic; she keeps fit and loves to travel. She has visited many countries and interesting places with her partner an accountant. They live in the centre of London and have a wide social network.

Natasha has worked at Med-Spa and Royal Tunbridge Wells Skin & Laser Clinic for nearly a year. In that time she has mastered many of our wide range of Laser devices and is now a very skilled and experienced laser therapist.

Professional profile:

Natasha is a full member of the Royal College of Nursing. She graduated from P.Stradins Medical College of the University of Latvia in June 2005. After graduation she qualified as a surgical assistant and specialised in working in orogolomistician surgery or ocular surgery. While working within the State Healthcare System she did a part time course and qualified as a Medical Podiatry Specialist. Natasha’s “Medical Pedicures” have become very popular since she brought them to RTW Skin & Laser Clinic.

Natasha has continued to study since she has been at RTW Skin & Laser and received her “Core Knowledge” Laser / IPL Safety Training in May 2010. She is available for many laser procedures.

In addition Natasha is a qualified Colon Hydrotherapist.

Personal profile:

Natasha grew up in a close family in Riga, Latvia; she completed her further education and Medical Training at P.Stradins Medical College of the University of Latvia.

Her interest in Aesthetic Medicine led to her obtaining training in this field after coming to England and she joined Royal Tunbridge Wells Skin and Laser Clinic in 2010, where she performs a variety of procedures using our unique range of lasers. These include thread vein removal, hair removal, tattoo removal, T3 Collagen Remodelling and TITAN non-surgical face lift. Natasha is also a Medical Podiatry Specialist and offer s medical pedicures to many very satisfied patients who come from far and wide for this procedure.

Natasha is building up a very strong client base, due to the combination of her expertise and professional manner.

Natasha likes to keep fit and loves to travel. She is now a permanent resident of Tunbridge Wells and has a wide social network.