In the very early days of cosmetic treatments, those who wished to reverse the signs of ageing, or replenish lost elasticity within the skin, may have felt that the only way to achieve obvious results was to opt for a surgical procedure.
Now, however, the tables have turned, and there are many innovative non-surgical options that offer an alternative to long and potentially painful recoveries, unnecessary anaesthesia, hospital stays, and the high costs of surgery.
The best results are those that are subtle, yet palpable; they will work with your natural beauty, facial structure, and distinctive characteristics, and they will not leave you squinting into the mirror, searching for signs of improvement. You will see a change, and others will notice it without jumping to the conclusion that you have ‘had work done’.
More than ever before, patients are realising the benefits of working in ways that harmonise with the body, rather than putting it through the stress and strain of surgical procedures. For example, using gentle fillers that are made of hyaluronic acid, the main component found in human collagen, to give natural plumpness and hydrate the skin without downtime.
How Do Non-Invasive Cosmetic Treatments Work?
No two treatments work in the same way; we are able to utilise a wide array of technologies and treatments, which can be used to target particular areas of the face and body in different ways.
A number of treatments seek to enhance the body’s stores of collagen, which is naturally lost as we grow older. Some will reintroduce it into the secondary layers of skin, while others work to stimulate the body into replenishing its own stores naturally.
Here are just a few of the most successful skin tightening and revitalising treatments, anti-wrinkle treatments, and non-surgical facelift treatments of 2020 – and how they are able to compete with the world of invasive cosmetic surgery.
The HIFU Non-Surgical Facelift
HIFU, high intensity focused ultrasound, is a relatively new skin tightening technique that achieves astounding results as a non-surgical facelift for patients bothered by wrinkles, sagging, lost-elasticity, and definition around the face and neck.
Unlike a traditional, surgical facelift, HIFU does not require any cuts to be made into the skin; instead, it works by rapidly heating the layers of skin that sit beneath the surface of your face. In response, the cells begin to produce collagen and reverse the signs of ageing from within.
Initial results will be noticeable straight away, though further progress will occur in the months that follow and should last for up to eighteen months. While some patients opt for a second procedure with the HIFU device around three months after their first appointment, this is not necessary for everyone.
Any discomfort is minimal and does not require a local anaesthetic or numbing injection. Since no incisions are made, there will be no scarring or bandaging required.
HIFU Treatment Cost: £600 – £1200, depending on the area being treated.
HIFU Recovery Period: None.
Dermal Fillers
Fillers are one of the most popular non-surgical face treatments for men and women of all ages, and they can be used to reintroduce fullness, smooth out fine lines, and improve definition in every area of the face. The fillers themselves are able to mimic human collagen; they can be targeted towards specific areas and produce incredibly natural-looking results that do not shift or migrate away from the treatment area.
This is a wonderful choice for anyone looking to reintroduce a touch of plumpness into areas of the face that may have begun to take on a hollow or ‘sagging’ appearance.
Dermal fillers do dissolve over time but, depending on the area being treated, they can last for up to eighteen months before requiring a top-up procedure. What’s more, the use of dermal fillers can prompt the body to begin replenishing its own collagen, which can mean that you will see lasting improvement, even as the fillers begin to dissolve.
Dermal fillers can also be used in a ‘liquid rhinoplasty’ and can smooth out the nose’s profile to create a straighter profile, and lift the tip without creating any incisions, or damaging the cartilage in the process.
While any discomfort will be minor, you can have a numbing cream applied to the area a short while before the injections are made.
Dermal Fillers Cost: Typically between £300 – £785, depending on the amount of filler needed, and what areas of the face are being treated.
Dermal Fillers Recovery Period: 1-2 weeks for minor bruising.
Profhilo
The benefits of hyaluronic acid are well-recognised, and almost half of the hyaluronic acid that occurs naturally in your body is contained within the skin tissue, just beneath the upper layer. It is responsible for hydrating the skin and maintaining a firm, youthful, healthy appearance.
Some of the most popular facial creams and serums on the market today boast hyaluronic acid as a key ingredient. Whilst these creams claim to deliver hyaluronic acid into the skin the actual amounts reaching the important lower layers are negligible.
Profhilo involves injections to target five specific areas in the cheeks and chin area, offering an excellent way to deliver the goodness into the right layers of the skin. This moisturising injection will rejuvenate tired or sunken skin, improving texture, and restoring vitality to your face. You’ll be glowing 2 weeks after the treatment.
Unlike dermal fillers, Profhilo will diffuse beneath the skin. This process will occur shortly after the procedure has been completed and will enable the benefits to be felt across a wider area. There will be a slight recovery time as the small ‘lumps’ caused by this diffusion dissipate, but this will typically disappear within 24 hours.
Profhilo Cost: £500 for two spaced four weeks apart.
Profhilo Recovery Time: 3 – 24 hours.
The PDO Thread Lift
The collagen that we begin to lose as we pass our mid-twenties is necessary for maintaining firmness and structure within the face. By the age of thirty, this change and loss of collagen will begin to be apparent with sagging and the appearance of jowls. PDO thread lift offers a remarkable alternative to surgery and it can reposition structures back to the more youthful days, and boost collagen within the face.
Rather than making incisions into the skin, incredibly thin threads can be inserted just beneath the surface layer to create a fine, supportive ‘mesh’ that supports the skin’s natural elasticity. It will also encourage the skin to produce more collagen as a result, creating further support.
The threads can be placed in a number of different positions, depending on the results you would like to achieve. They dissolve after around six months, but the results remain for between one year and eighteen months.
PDO Thread Lift Cost: Typically between £350 – £850, depending on the area being treated.
PDO Thread Lift Recovery Time: A week to ten days, for bruising.
Aqualyx Fat Dissolving Injections
Despite the proliferation of innovative new facial treatments, many people are left wondering whether liposuction is the only effective treatment available to shift small ‘pockets’ of fat.
Aqualyx is a gentle, non-invasive alternative to liposuction, so avoids anaesthesia and a prolonged – and potentially painful – recovery time. These injections can be performed at the clinic within 20 minutes and may be used to dissolve pockets of fat in the thighs, abdomen, arms, and the chin area.
The primary ingredient in Aqualyx, deoxycholic acid, is a naturally occurring substance capable of dissolving fat membranes and prompting those stubborn areas to break down gradually. While it may require more treatments than a single liposuction procedure, typically up to 3 sessions it will also lead to tighter, firmer results than liposuction is able to offer.
Aqualyx Cost: For the chin, £350 for the initial session. For areas of the body, £450 for the initial session. Subsequent sessions are discounted.
Aqualyx Recovery Time: One week without strenuous activity as bruising/swelling eases, and three more weeks for a complete recovery.
Anti-Wrinkle Injections
Injections involving the botulinum toxin are incredibly popular. They can be used to target many areas within the face and neck known to suffer the most from the visible signs of ageing. It works by blocking the signals to the muscles in the face to contract, therefore reducing the ‘tug’ on the skin. Your face will feel smoother and tighter with less fine lines appearing.
Results can last for up to six months and take one to two weeks to become apparent. You won’t wake up and have a completely smooth face, the results gradually develop over 14 days giving more natural changes. Some of the most bothersome areas, such as the delicate wrinkles around the eyes and strong lines in-between the eyebrows as well as ageing muscles in the neck (platysmal bands) can be targeted in order to effectively ‘reverse’ the signs of ageing.
The procedure itself does not require any downtime, and you can return to work immediately after, although slight bruising may occur at the site of the injection.
Anti-Wrinkle Injections Cost: Between £175- 380 depending on the area being treated.
Anti-Wrinkle Injections Recovery Time: Minimal to no recovery time needed. The results are seen at 2 weeks.
How to Find the Right Clinic
There have been many incredible innovations within the world of non-surgical face treatments and skin-tightening procedures, with revolutionary new techniques and technologies offering natural and safe results for patients.
This is fantastic news for anyone seeking an alternative to surgery, but it also means that doing your due diligence, and avoiding practitioners who have invested in the equipment – but not the extensive training necessary for producing the best results – is more important than ever before.
The right clinic for you will be one that is backed by years of experience and training, excellent results, and a great track record in performing procedures without complications.
Our practice is owned and led by Dr. Davina Wilson, who is highly respected within the fields of medicine and cosmetic treatments. With over 10,000 successful procedures to date and a strong dedication to advanced practices and training at the clinic, patients can feel confident that their visit will leave them feeling happy, healthy, and with glowing skin.
