There IS time for a pre-party tweakment!
Party season is approaching its peak, and as a 49-year-old working mom, I’m already feeling exhausted. But I won’t be watching it this year because I’m having a fun little Twikmas.
As the founder of The Editor’s List, a concierge service that connects the world’s most glamorous women with the best cosmetic surgeons and doctors, I knew exactly who to call.
I started in November as all treatments require a break of about four days in case of bruising. Start now and you’ll see results in time for the Christmas party, plus enjoy the cumulative results of next year’s holidays.
Never book the day of the party as alcohol thins the blood which can slow down your recovery. And manage your expectations – these are “tweaks” that update rather than radically change your features.
These are the most in-demand professionals and are known for their no-fuss approach, but the remaining pre-Christmas appointments need to be acted on quickly.
Olivia Falcon, 49, started having the procedures in November as everyone has a four-day break in case of bruises.
FOR TIRED EYES
AgeJET Plasma Eye is a skin regenerating treatment that refreshes the delicate upper and lower eyelids. Stimulates the production of collagen and elastin; tightening bags under the eyes, reducing dark circles and smoothing crow’s feet and fine lines.
AgeJET uses medical grade nitrogen gas to deliver plasma more accurately. It does not damage the surface of the skin and is suitable for all skin tones.
I had both eyes treated and it wasn’t painful, more of a hot clicking sensation. It took less than ten minutes. I was a little flushed afterwards, felt like I had a mild sunburn for a few hours, and my skin was slightly dry and flaky for about four days.
After a week, the bags under my eyes became less noticeable, as if I had slept well for a month. Three treatments are recommended at intervals of four to six weeks, and the effect lasts up to 9-12 months.
Expenses: From £250
Who to see: Dr. Tino Solomon, drmedispa.com; Dr Nima Mamoudi, remedilondon.com; Victoria Voysey, thedoorw4.co.uk.
After treatment with AgeJET, Olivia found that her bags under her eyes were much less noticeable.
FOR DULL SKIN AND PIGMENTATION
Exosomes are tiny sac-like structures derived from stem cells that contain a rich mixture of growth factors, proteins and other bioactive molecules.
They occur naturally in the body, but are now intended for topical application, where they stimulate the skin, encouraging cells to act younger. I have had the most amazing results from exotech therapy with Dr. David Jack (drdavidjack.com).
The plant-based exosome serum, derived from rose stem cells (which mimic human exosomes), is applied to the face and then injected into the skin using a microneedle device that quickly fires hundreds of ultra-fine needles into the skin, allowing the exosomes to penetrate.
This is repeated several times, so the skin becomes tender, but it happens quickly and without pain. I turned red for a few hours, but the next day I had a megawatt glow that lasted a week.
By repeating the process after about a month, the exosomes have a cumulative effect and can help lighten dark circles and soften blotchy pigmentation. Dr. Jack recommends three treatments spaced four to six weeks apart.
Expenses: From £580.
Who to see: Dr. Jack (as above); Dr Surbhi Virami for Ice Glass Skin, cosderm.co.uk; Dr. Aikaterini Charakida for Le Supreme XO treatment, efmedispa.com
Olivia’s treatments included exotech therapy, which gave her a megawatt glow that lasted for a week.
FOR HUMAN AND TURKEY NECKS
Sculptra is an injectable product that restores youthful volume and fullness to sagging skin and stimulates the production of new collagen, which helps smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. It is made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), the same substance used in dissolvable joints.
Sculptra is injected through a long, hollow needle into the desired area. It’s more uncomfortable than painful; There is a slight tingling sensation and then a feeling of pressure as the product penetrates the skin tissue.
I had some soreness and a couple of small bruises that were easily covered up with makeup and went away within three days. I saw immediate improvement; my strong neck looked stronger.
Over four weeks, the situation improved slightly as new collagen networks grew. It is recommended to carry out a couple of additional procedures at intervals of a month. The effect lasts for more than two years.
Expenses: From £550
Who to see: Dr. Matthew Jarvie-Thomas, Cosmeticskin Clinic.com; Dr. Munir Somji, drmedispa.com; Dr. Yusra Al-Mukhtar, Dryusra.com.
Olivia experienced immediate improvement after treatment with Sculptra; her strong neck looked firmer
FOR LEATHER DECOLLETE
Teresa Tarmey’s new Rejuvenation Mega Boost treatment is an advanced breast treatment that can also be performed on the face or neck.
It all starts with a gentle tingling lactic acid peel that brightens the skin as it breaks down the bonds holding dead cells to the skin’s surface.
Then the Intense Pulse Light (IPL) feels like a hot rubber band being pulled towards my breasts and helps soften the pigmentation. If you have broken capillaries, Teresa (whose clients include Sienna Miller and Victoria Beckham) will close them using the Alma Dye Laser.
She then uses a gentle radiofrequency device with tiny needles that transmits energy through the surface of the skin, creating microscopic wounds that trigger the natural healing process.
I felt slightly tanned and red for three days. After a week, the redness went away, the décolleté became smoother and creamier. The effect lasts about nine months.
Expenses: £600
Who to see: Teresa Tarmey, teresatarmey.com; Illuminate Skin Clinic for breast and décolleté rejuvenation, Illuminate Skinlinic.co.uk
- Olivia is the founder of @theeditorslist.