The main factors that age the skin are sun damage, active lines (wrinkles), gravitational change from ageing and volume loss.

Each of these should be treated independently to produce a harmonious youthful appearance to the face.

Prevention is always better than cure and preventing sun damage is very important as this will maintain the quality of the skin. So make sure you tell all your clients to invest in a top Suncream like the Heliocare range…there’s no point paying out for regular Botox or Dermal Filler treatments, only to go and burn their skin causing sun spots, collagen loss and skin cancers!

Botox treatment is best used when active lines are beginning to form in the forehead crows feet and frown areas, normally at the age of mid 30’s. Botox is not so effective once the lines are actually formed.

Vaughn Changes can be treated with Dermafillers from mid 30’s when volume loss starts to appear.

If the volume loss is treated directly as it occurs much less dermal fillers are required than treating well established lines and a more natural look can be achieved.

Regarding ageing changes,  when these become too extreme for non-surgical treatment, these can be treated with surgery and in our opinion surgery should be reserved for most people from the age of 45 onwards. This is when the main gravitational changes to the face seem to occur and ,similarly, with dermal fillers small procedures preformed slightly more frequently give the best results to produce a natural harmonious appearance without dramatic changes to your client’s face.

Complimentary surgeries for people over the age of 45 include a MACS facelift (short scar facelift) to just elevate the cheeks and neck area in a natural fashion with minimal scarring.

Eyelid surgeries are very dependent on the appearance of eyelids: heavy upper eyelids can be treated anytime and produce a revitalized appearance to the eyes in a subtle fashion. Lower Eyelid surgery likewise can be very effective.

Overall if all 4 elements of facial changing / ageing are assessed separately and treated appropriately, facial ageing can be slowed and clients can achieve a very natural appearance rather than some of appearances we’ve seen from very un natural stretched facelift surgeries.

The overall message is prevention is better than cure and earlier treatment is better than late  treatment.