Skin Aging

• Multiple beneficial effects on the skin
• Low risk
• Can be used long term

• Generally less effective than laser or injectable treatments
• Can cause dryness / irritiation
• Not safe to used during pregnancy

Can cause dryness or skin irritation if introduced too rapidly. Significant skin irritiation can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in those with pigmented skin types. Essential not to use during pregnancy due to risk of fetal malformation.

• Minimally Invasive: Botox injections are non-surgical with minimal downtime
• Quick and Convenient: The procedure typically takes only a few minutes, with no need for anesthesia
• Temporary: The effects of Botox last about three to six months. If you do not like the results these are reversible

• Temporary Results: Toxin injections offer temporary relief from wrinkles, requiring repeated sessions every few months
• Botulinum toxin is primarily effective on dynamic wrinkles that occur due to muscle movement and are not effective for treating static wrinkles or sagging skin

Botulinum toxin injections are generally safe and most patients do not experience side effects, however as for any treatment there are risks include headache, pain, facial asymmetry - particularly drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow or raising of the eyebrow, heaviness of eyelid/eyebrow, weakness or asymmetry of the smile, eyelid swelling, inflammation, changes in sensation, swelling, redness, infection, bruising, muscle twitching, skin nodule formation, increased or decreased pigmentation, influenza-like symptoms, blurred vision and allergic reaction.

• Profhilo improves skin texture, elasticity, and hydration. This results in a more youthful appearance.
• The treatment is minimally invasive and complications are rare
• Profhilo can be used on multiple areas that show signs of aging, such as the face, neck and hands

• The effects of Profhilo are not permanent. Typically, the results last about six months, requiring repeat treatments to maintain the benefits.
• Profhilo treatments will not improve deeper wrinkles, volume loss or skin laxity
• Profhilo treatments can be expensive, particularly because multiple sessions are often recommended to achieve the best results

The procedure is generally safe and well tolerated. Common risks include failure to achieve the desired degree of improvement, redness, swelling, bruising, discomfort, tenderness and itchiness and these will usually resolve within weeks of the treatment. Uncommon risks include infection, facial asymmetry, allergic reaction and the development of unsightly or keloid scarring. As for any minor injury to the skin there is a risk of triggering cold sores.

• Dermal fillers provide immediate results and the procedure involves minimal downtime
• Low risk and minimally invasive
• Reversible: Hyaluronic acid-based fillers can be dissolved with injections of hyaluronidase if required

• Temporary Effects: Results typically last from 6 to 18 months depending on the type of filler and the area treated but can last for much longer.
• Dermal fillers do not improve skin texture or quality.
• Dermal fillers can replace volume but they cannot correct sagging or loose skin

Dermal filler injections are generally safe. Common risks include swelling, redness, bruising, pain and lumpiness or nodularity of the treated area. Uncommon risks include delayed infection or allergic reaction which can result in lumpiness, redness or swelling of the treated area. Very rare risks include vascular occlusion (blockage of blood vessels by the filler material) which can result in skin ulceration and scarring. Extremely rare risks are blindness or severe allergic reaction.

• Safe treatment with minimal downtime
• Can address multiple concerns such as redness, blood vessels and pigmentation in a single treatment

• Does not improve skin texture, laxity or volume loss
• Higher risks for those with pigmented skin types
• Not safe for use on hair-bearing skin e.g. beard area in men

Immediately after the treatment temporary redness, swelling and discomfort is common and pigmented lesions that have been treated may appear darker. Complications are rare but include severe swelling, crusting, scarring or keloid scarring, blistering, prolonged redness, increased pigmentation or decreased pigmentation, patchy changes in pigmentation or redness and hair loss. It is essential to avoid excessive sunlight exposure and to use a sunblock for at least a month (ideally 2 months) before and after treatment. You should not attend for treatment with a suntan as this greatly increases the risk of complications. It is always advisable to attend for a small test patch of treatment with the settings that will be used prior to treating a larger area.

• Safe and well tolerated
• Minimal downtime: Healing takes a few days
• Safe for all skin types

• A course of several treatments is required to see a significant improvement
• Less effective than more invasive lasers such as ablative fractional lasers
• Can achieve only a mild degree of skin tightening so not an effective treatment for significant skin laxity

Fractional non-ablative laser resurfacing is generally safe and well tolerated. Most patients will experience a few days of redness and swelling. It carries small risks of pigmentary disturbance (the skin may be lighter, darker or redder) usually this will be temporary, however rarely this may be permanent. Other rare risks include scarring or keloid scarring, grid marks and Herpes (cold sore) virus reactivation or other infection. It is essential to avoid excessive sunlight exposure and to use a sunblock cream for a minimum of 6 weeks after treatment. Improvements are seen over a number of weeks after treatment with most patients needing a course of several treatments to see improvement.

• Effective treatment for skin aging, scars and textural irregularity
• Can achieve more skin tightening than other lasers
• Significant improvement can often be achieved with 1-2 treatments

• Prolonged downtime and healing period
• Greater risks than other laser treatments

Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing can be an effective treatment for textural change, acne scars and aging-related changes, however it is associated with a prolonged period of healing and some important risks. The treatment is performed with topical or injected local anaesthetic but there may still be pain during the procedure or afterwards. Pain can persist for a number of days. Immediately following the treatment, the surface of the skin will usually appear red, swollen and inflamed with some bleeding and crusting. These changes will usually settle over 2 weeks, however there can be ongoing blistering, crusting and oozing during this time. Additional risks during this early period of healing include bacterial infection or viral (herpes) infection. Redness is very common and will often resolve within weeks, however it can remain for months or rarely can be permanent. There is a risk of increased pigmentation or loss of pigmentation (both of which can be permanent), patchy changes in pigmentation. Scarring can occur and rarely can result in unsightly or keloid scar formation. There is also a risk of hair loss if hair-bearing skin sites are treated. Other risks include cyst formation (lumps beneath the skin) and increased sensitivity to sunlight. It is essential to avoid excessive sunlight exposure and to use a sunblock cream for a minimum of 6 weeks after treatment. Due to the potential for complications it is always advisable to attend for a small test patch of treatment first and then assess healing prior to treating a larger area.

• Effective treatment for prominent blood vessels and facial redness
• Can treat hair-bearing skin
• Safer than IPL on pigmented skin types

• A course of treatment is required to see a significant improvement
• Treated vessels can recur

Vascular laser is generally a safe and effective treatment, however risks include bruising (which can persist for a number of weeks), swelling, blistering, crusting, pigmentary change (lightening or darkening of the skin which rarely can be permanent). There is a small risk of scarring or keloid scarring, ulceration or textural change to the skin. It is essential to avoid excessive sunlight exposure and to use a sunblock cream for a minimum of 6 weeks after treatment and not to attend for treatment with a suntan due to the increased risk of complications. There is also a risk that the treated vessels can recur. A test patch is advised on a separate visit prior to treating the entire region to assess the response to laser treatment.

• Effective treatment for pigmentation
• Can treat hair-bearing skin

• Treated pigmentation may recur
• Caution required in pigmented skin types due to increased risk of complications

Pigment lasers are generally safe, however there are a number of potential complications that can arise. Immediately after the treatment the skin may appear whitish grey. Occasionally there will be bruising, blistering or crusting. Other risks include infection (including herpes virus reactivation), increased pigmentation or loss of pigmentation (both of which can be permanent), patchy changes in pigmentation and scarring or keloid scar formation. It is essential to avoid excessive sunlight exposure and to use a sunblock cream for several months after treatment and not to attend for treatment with a suntan due to the increased risk of complications. Due to the potential for complications it is always advisable to attend for a small test patch of treatment prior to treating a larger area.

• Minimal downtime: In most cases there is very little recovery time needed and patients can resume normal activities within days
• Lower risk: These treatments generally have lower risks compared to surgery
• Generally less expensive than surgical treatments

• Limited benefit: At best a modest degree of tightening can be achieved - this will not match the results of surgery
• Variable response: Some patients may see minimal benefits
• Results are not permanent and repeat treatments may be required in the future

Non-surgical skin tightening devices are generally safe. Patients may experience mild to moderate discomfort during the procedure, as well as temporary redness, swelling, or numbness in the treated area. Risks include burns, scarring, fat loss, blistering, pigmentary change, nodularity or lumpiness, failure to achieve the desired degree of improvement or recurrence of the problem.

• Most effective method for treatment of skin laxity and heaviness
• Long lasting results

• Do not improve skin texture or pigmentary concerns
• Higher risk and longer recovery period compared to non-surgical procedures
• More expensive than non-surgical treatments

Risks depend upon the exact procedure, you will need to consult with a relevant specalist prior to the procedure and they will discuss the risks with you in detail.