Non-Surgical Facelift

As we age, the structures of our face change, not just the quality of our skin, but also the underlying support, including the skull, muscles and fat! This causes the face to shrink in some places, fat and muscle descend with gravity and the skin having become thinner and less elastic, no longer ‘fits’; all these factors conspire to create that sagging, drooping appearance of the older face.

When the skin’s elasticity declines, instead of bouncing back to its original position after various facial expressions, lines and wrinkles will start to appear and stay in place as a permanent feature.

Non-surgical cosmetic procedures, can be used to address the key factors and features of an ageing face. By restoring lost volume in the mid face, and youthful contours on the cheeks, temples and jawline, the face appears lifted. Dermal fillers are the treatment of choice for this result, but for some patients, results can be achieved with ‘thread lifting’ procedures. For those who prefer not to have injections, skin tightening and muscle tightening treatments using radio frequency or ultrasound may be a good option. For more information on dermal fillers please click here.

Having improved the contours of the face, lines and wrinkles may be further improved with dermal fillers, or wrinkle relaxants such as botulinum toxin (commonly referred to as Botox)  injections which work by blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles, preventing them from contracting and creating expression lines such as the frown crease or crow’s feet. For more information on botulinum toxin please click here.

Dermal Fillers - Longevity does vary between products, and between individuals, but most will last between 6 months and 18 months. For more information on dermal fillers please click here.

Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Injections - After treatment it is expected that you will start to see an improvement within 2 or 3 days. The full result may be judged at 2-3 weeks. You may be invited to attend a review appointment at 2-3 weeks where the success of the treatment may be assessed and adjustments to your personal treatment plan made, if necessary.  For more information on botulinum toxin please click here.

There are a number of medical conditions and or medicines that may affect the decision to treat or the treatment plan. A full medical history and assessment of your expectations is necessary in advance of any decision to treat. For Botulinum Toxin this must be a nurse, doctor or dentist with specialised training, qualified to prescribe.

With any injectable treatment;

• Treatment is not recommended if you are suffering from any skin infection in or near the treatment area or are unwell in any way (even a cold).
• If you have previously experienced allergic reactions to any dermal filler or local anaesthetic.
• If you are taking any medicines which affect bleeding, such as aspirin or warfarin.
• If you are taking steroids or have autoimmune disease.
• If you have any bleeding disorders.
•  If you suffer from a poorly controlled medical condition.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are currently or have recently completed a course of Roacutane (Isotretinoin acne treatment) in the last 18 months.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

For Botulinum Toxin Injections

• Except in exceptional circumstances this is not a treatment recommended for those under 25 or over 65.
• For best results skin should be in good condition and the target lines not too furrowed. Your practitioner will assess your suitability and advise.
• Botulinum toxin cannot be given to pregnant or breast feeding women.
• Not suitable for patients with certain neurological disorders.
• Not suitable if you are currently taking certain medicines.
• If you have previously experienced adverse reactions to any botulinum toxin treatment.

For full details please visit our Dermal Fillers and Botulinum Toxin treatment information pages.

Dermal Fillers

• Your practitioner will provide aftercare advice designed to minimise risk and promote speedy recovery from any expected side effects.
• Most people are able to continue with normal activities with immediate improvement in their appearance. Some will have some redness, pin prick marks, possibly swelling- particularly in the lips.
• Possibly bruising.
• Any swelling and bruising may be more apparent the next day.
• Make-up should not be worn for 12 hours
•  You will be advised to avoid alcohol, vigorous exercise, sunbathing, and extremes of heat or cold for 14 days post treatment.

Botulinum Toxin Injections

• You will be advised to keep the target muscles active for a few hours and to avoid extremes of heat or cold, vigorous exercise, lying down or leaning over for 4-6 hours.
• It may not ‘completely freeze’ the expression, particularly if extreme effort is exerted to make an expression. Botulinum toxin is not suitable for lines present without expression (static lines), your practitioner will advise you.

For full details of the aftercare advice for each treatments please visit our Dermal Fillers and Botulinum Toxin treatment information pages.

Most leading brands also contain a local anaesthetic and most clinicians will apply topical anaesthetic cream, or ice, prior to treatment to numb the skin. Treatment need not be painful.

All treatments carry a degree of risk.

All risks and complications will be discussed with you at consultation and prior to any treatment being agreed.

For full details of the risks and side effects of each treatments please visit our Dermal Fillers and Botulinum Toxin treatment information pages.