NO pain, no gain - that has been the mantra of our 10 Years Younger winner since starting her treatments at top Inverness spa Rosedene House.
For Anita Crant has been undergoing a whole range of different skin treatments with Frances Turner Traill, clinical director of Harley Aesthetics Scotland which specialises in cosmetic treatments such as lip plumping injections, dermal fillers and medical skin peels.
But 44-year-old Anita has said that vanity knows no pain, and whilst some of the treatments she has been put through have involved needles and a sensation she describes as "like being splattered with hot fat", she is delighted with the outcome so far.
Anita, who is a nurse at Raigmore Hospital, said: "It is all going really well. Rosedene House is a beautiful building and you feel pampered just by walking through the door. Before, I would have felt quite intimidated going into a place like this, but the staff are lovely."
The mum of two added: "One of the first treatments I had was the dermaroller therapy. It was a bit like having a paint roller, with loads of fine needles on it going all over my face. I got a gel anaesthetic first.
"It apparently causes controlled trauma to the skin and as the skin rejuvenates itself, it helps firm it up. I was also given a kit to use at home and that part of it is not painful."
Anita, who is undergoing the 12-week transformation, added: "I have also had a photofacial treatment which gets rid of sunspots and thread veins and I have definitely noticed a difference. That was really sore though and was like being spattered with hot fat. It is painful but it is worth it. Vanity knows no pain."
And Anita, who lives in Fairfield Road, said she is delighted with the results so far.
She explained: "People say they can see a difference in me. They can't quite put their finger on what it is but most people are saying I have a fresher look about me. I am really?pleased."
As well as the cosmetic treatments, Rosedene House has also looked at Anita's diet and this began with a simple ImuPro food intolerance test involving a blood sample.
The test can give a detailed evaluation of up to 300 foods, colourings and preservatives which may cause symptoms of food intolerances.
Anita was surprised at the results.
"The test found I have about 19 food intolerances including milk, eggs, gluten, garlic, vanilla, poppy seeds and chickpeas. I have been trying to avoid these items," she said.
"Before I had the test I wouldn't say that I had problems, but I would sometimes have a general feeling of unwellness, but since I have been off these food stuffs and have had the odd slip up, I have noticed a difference. If I eat something I shouldn't, I get terrible stomach pains."
Frances, who visits visit Rosedene House twice a month to carry out clinics, said she was delighted with Anita's progress who, by the end of the 12-week make-over, will have had thousands of pounds worth of beauty treatments.
She told the Highland News Group: "It's going really well. She has had the Dermaroller which is micro-needling of the face. After the procedure the skin regenerates itself and produces collagen to give a rejuvenated look. Anita will have two more treatments of that."
Frances, who worked with last year's 10 Years Younger winner, added: "Anita has a lot of pigmentation and we have been using the photofacial which will help to even the skin tone. What I am doing at the moment is perfecting the canvas of the skin. Once I have got that perfect I will be able to move on to the dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle treatments.
"We have also worked on a small scar Anita has with the fractional laser, we will just keep carrying out the treatment for the run of the competition but Anita has already said she has noticed a difference."
Over the next few weeks, Anita is being put through her paces by a host of beauty industry experts, dental specialists and fitness instructors.
As well as Visiting Rosedene, she is under the care of Fit4Less on Harbour Road and is also undergoing dental treatment with Eden Dental Clinic in Bishop's Road.
