Non-Surgical Treatments That Actually Work
Peels, laser, microneedling, fillers and fat transfer each address a different problem. What each one is for, what it will not do, and how they combine.
Non-surgical treatments are often discussed as if they were interchangeable. They are not. Some address skin quality, some address volume, and some address muscle activity. Choosing between them starts with identifying which of those three is the actual complaint.
Treatments addressing skin quality
Chemical peels
Peels exfoliate the upper layers of the skin, addressing fine lines, uneven tone and some scarring. Depth varies, and so does recovery time — a superficial peel has almost none, a deeper peel requires planning.
Microdermabrasion
A gentler mechanical exfoliation using fine crystals to remove dead skin cells. It addresses surface texture rather than anything structural.
Skincare
Consistent use of retinoids, vitamin C serums and hyaluronic acid affects skin texture and appearance over time. This is the least glamorous item on the list and the one with the most cumulative effect.
Laser treatments
Laser delivers concentrated light to the skin, stimulating collagen production and cellular renewal. It addresses fine lines, uneven tone and texture, scarring and pigmentation.
Fractional laser resurfacing targets specific areas, creating controlled micro-injuries that trigger the skin’s healing response. Improvements in texture and tone develop over time. It is used for pigmentation and sun damage.
Intense pulsed light is not technically a laser. It uses a broad spectrum of light to treat pigmentation, redness and superficial vascular marks.
Assessment of skin type before treatment matters, particularly for darker skin types where the risk of pigmentary change is higher.
Microneedling
Microneedling uses fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, triggering the wound-healing response. As the skin repairs it produces collagen and elastin. This improves texture and tone and reduces the appearance of fine lines, acne scarring and enlarged pores.
It is suitable for most skin types and can be used on the face, neck and décolletage. It is minimally invasive with limited downtime — redness similar to mild sunburn for a few days.
Microneedling is often combined with topical application immediately afterwards, when absorption is increased.
Treatments addressing volume
Dermal fillers
Fillers replace lost volume in areas such as the cheeks, lips and under-eye region. Most are hyaluronic acid based, a substance found naturally in skin.
The procedure is quick, results are immediate and recovery is limited. Mild swelling or bruising is common and settles quickly. Most hyaluronic acid fillers are reversible, which is a meaningful advantage.
Fat injections
Fat injections use the patient’s own body fat to restore volume. Fat is harvested from an area of excess — typically the thighs or abdomen — processed, and injected into the areas being treated, such as the cheeks, lips or under-eye hollows.
Because it is the patient’s own tissue, the compatibility questions that arise with a foreign material do not apply. Results are more durable than temporary fillers, since the transferred fat that establishes a blood supply integrates with the surrounding tissue.
It requires more planning than a filler appointment and is a surgical procedure, albeit a minor one.
Combining treatments
The treatments above address different problems, which is why they are often combined. A peel or laser addressing skin quality does nothing for lost volume; a filler restoring volume does nothing for surface texture. Assessment identifies which of these is actually the complaint before anything is recommended.
How we quote
Fees depend on the treatment and the number of sessions required, and are set out in writing after assessment.
Questions patients ask
How long do the results of these treatments typically last?
Results last from a few months to a couple of years depending on the procedure and the individual. Maintenance treatment extends the effect.
Are there side effects to be aware of before starting treatment?
Redness, swelling and bruising are common after most of these treatments. Individual reactions vary and are discussed before proceeding.
Can these treatments be combined?
Yes. Treatments addressing volume and treatments addressing skin quality are frequently combined, since they solve different problems.
When should I start considering these treatments?
There is no set age. The relevant question is which specific change you want addressed and whether a given treatment addresses it.
The procedure this relates to
Non-surgical treatment of facial lines with botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid fillers and skin-boosting injectables. The effect is temporary in every case, and each option addresses a different kind of line.
Before you act on this
Everything here is general. What applies to you depends on your anatomy, your history and what you are trying to achieve, and none of that can be assessed from a page. If a question here is yours, bring it to a consultation.