We all know a proper skincare routine is essential, but what about when your face is crying out for something more? If your skin is feeling dull, tired, acne-ridden or just in need of rejuvenation, professional facial therapy can do much more than your standard toners, serums and moisturisers. Read on for our guide to the best face treatments for clear, smooth and glowing skin.
What Are the Best Face Treatments for Me?
The best facial treatment for you depends on your desired results and any problem areas you might be struggling with. What’s great for breakouts may not be the best treatment for skin hydration or reducing the appearance of wrinkles, so you should always do your research and take the time to consider what it is that you’re hoping to achieve from a procedure.
It’s completely normal for the appearance of your skin to change over time, with differences in skin tone and texture often brought about by factors such as stress, hormone levels or general ageing. If you’re unhappy with the way your skin looks and feel it would benefit from some additional care, there are many different avenues to explore.
For more permanent results, some people turn to cosmetic surgery, but going under the knife isn’t the only way to visibly improve your skin and enjoy a glowing visage.
I Don’t Want Cosmetic Surgery — What Are My Options?
Over the last 20 years, the range of cosmetic procedures available at professional clinics has broadened, with options no longer limited only to invasive surgical treatments. Non-surgical cosmetic procedures have become much more popular, offering a chance to rejuvenate the skin or achieve a more streamlined appearance without going under the knife. These minimally-invasive facial treatments range from peels to injectables, with the right choice for you depending on your desired look. As well as providing flawless results, non-surgical treatments have the bonus of requiring little to no downtime, so you could even pop in for a procedure on your lunch break.
Try a Skin-Boosting, Non-Surgical Facial Treatment
If you’re interested in non-surgical treatments to revitalise your skin, you may be wondering where to start. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular facial procedures for you to try. If you’re looking for a facial treatment in London, don’t hesitate to contact our professional clinic to see which option is best for you.
Micro-Needling — Great for Firmer and Smoother Skin
Micro-needling uses a dermal roller device known as Dermapen. This skin needling roller is used to create micro-injuries in the face, which promote a controlled induction of the skin’s self-repair mechanism and trigger new collagen synthesis.
This mildly invasive procedure essentially causes superficial damage to the skin, which in turn enables the dermis to regenerate itself for a firmer, smoother and younger-looking face. Patients may find that this facial therapy smooths wrinkles, softens fine lines, improves skin elasticity, and reduces the appearance of acne scars and skin flaws.
Micro-needling is suitable for all skin types, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to achieve a more youthful look without going under the knife. The treatment is entirely safe and can result in long-term radiance and firmness, especially if patients undergo a series of treatments at six-week intervals.
Chemical Peels — Great for Acne Scarring and to Improve Skin Tone
When you get a chemical peel, outer layers of your skin are removed to reveal deeper layers of new, healthy skin underneath. This is achieved by applying a safe chemical solution to the skin, which varies depending on the depth of the peel and the results desired.
Superficial chemical peels use alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) to tackle minor skin issues such as acne, blemishes and enlarged pores on the skin’s top layer. These treatments require minimal downtime and result in mild redness and flaking for a couple of days.
A medium chemical peel goes further into the outer layers of skin, using trichloroacetic acid to remove the skin’s top layer and part of the middle layer. This deeper chemical peel can improve fine lines, deep wrinkles and sun spots, but patients should expect redness, flaking and peeling for seven to ten days.
A deep chemical peel is the most intense type, requiring anaesthesia and a longer recovery time of up to six weeks. These medical peels use phenol acid and are suitable for patients who suffer from pronounced facial wrinkles or sun-damaged skin. At Harley Street M.D, we don’t offer deep chemical peels, but we can refer you if we feel this is the best option for your needs.
Botox and Dermal Fillers — Great for Plump, Younger-Looking Skin
Dermal fillers and Botox are both types of injectable treatments administered to patients by a qualified cosmetic doctor. Many people opt for injectable treatments to turn back the clock on their skin without surgery. These non-invasive treatments are reversible, inexpensive and require minimal downtime, making it much easier to achieve plump, younger-looking skin.
Within both types of treatment, small needles are injected into specific areas of the face, but the type of injectable and where it’s administered will depend on the facial area you wish to target. Your clinician may suggest a combination of the two treatments to achieve the best results.
Botox is made from botulinum toxins that restrict movement in targeted areas to eliminate wrinkles, whereas dermal fillers contain pharmaceutical grade hyaluronic acid to provide moisture and increase skin elasticity. Together, they can be used to tighten sagging skin, eliminate wrinkles and prevent future wrinkle formation to rejuvenate the skin in a way that appears as natural as possible.
Most patients who receive Botox or dermal fillers require regular treatments every four to six months to maintain their youthful look. Injectables are used to treat a range of common problem areas on the face, such as frown lines, crow’s feet, wrinkles under the eyes, eyebrow arches and bunny lines around the nose. They can also be used as cheek filler and chin augmentation, jawline reduction and non-surgical nose jobs.
Non-Surgical Liquid Facelift — Great for Reducing the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles
One combination therapy that uses both botox and dermal fillers is the non-surgical liquid facelift. In this facial therapy, injectable treatments are administered alongside polydioxanone (PDO) threading to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, contour the face and restore volume. A liquid facelift is a fantastic option for ageing skin, so if you’re looking for the perfect treatment to fix wrinkles, sagging skin, droopy eyebrows and sunken cheeks, this could be the one for you. No longer do you have to get a traditional surgical facelift for a refreshed, youthful appearance.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy — Great for Improving Collagen Production
As an alternative to Botox or dermal fillers, you could also try the popular platelet-rich plasma therapy to achieve smooth, plump skin. This so-called “vampire facial” uses your own blood platelets to stimulate new cell growth, with fine needles being used to inject the blood into the face.
This process increases the production of new collagen and elastin, which is excellent for smoothing out fine lines and improving skin texture. Many patients require two to three sessions but will begin to see results after three weeks, with more collagen continuing to regenerate in the months following treatment. Optimal collagen regeneration occurs within three months, and results typically last for up to eighteen months.
Tear Trough Filler Treatment — Great for Firming and Plumping the under-Eye Area
If the biggest problem area on your face is dark circles, bags and lines under the eyes, tear trough filler treatment could provide dramatic results and give you the enlivened look you’ve been dreaming of.
Expert aesthetic doctors can administer this treatment using a soft dermal filler that supports and hydrates the skin for a fresher and less sunken appearance. The filler is carefully injected into the under-eye area then expertly massaged in to blend into the cheekbone. Patients can look invigorated in under 30 minutes, and with minimal downtime, you’ll be able to go back to your normal day-to-day activities immediately after treatment.
