HAVE you ever looked in the mirror and wondered about getting a slight nip and tuck, before talking yourself out of it?
Now, an aesthetic expert has lifted the lid on the best budget ‘tweakments’ on the market – and assured that the subtle procedures will go totally under-the-radar.
Amish Patel, an award-winning aesthetics and skincare expert at Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic, has unveiled the treatments he thinks do the job effectively, but without giving it away that you’ve had any work done.
But he said there are still things to look out for to ensure you’re getting the best of the best without forking out a fortune.
So from botox to chemical peels, here, Amish shares his top three procedures that cost £200 or under – plus the need-to-know red flags to look out for along the way.
BOTOX
What is the treatment?
Botox
What does it do?
Botulinum toxin, often referred to as 'Botox' is injected into the muscle and causes muscle paralysis where injected. In doing so, it reduces the appearance of expressive wrinkles in the upper face, especially the forehead and crow's feet around the eyes, but it also can be used to upturn the corners of the mouth, soften 'smokers lines' around the lips and in some cases, reduce the appearance of an ageing neck or 'turkey neck' for example.
READ MORE BEAUTY
LASH STASH
I'm a beauty expert – the 8 mascaras that'll solve all your makeup woes
EYE SORE
I was left looking like a PLAGUE victim after popular eyelash serum treatment
What is involved?
We apply topical anaesthetic onto the area to be injected to minimise any mild discomfort for the client when injecting. Depending on the area to be treated, anti-wrinkle injections could be just a few injection points. Results can take up to 2 weeks to take full effect.
How long does it last?
Results can last 3-6 months but vary depending on the individual's genetics, metabolism and age. If you maintain your treatment with regular appointments (on average 3-4 times a year) overall, your results will last longer.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from £200, and the cost is generally based on the number of treated areas.
It reduces the appearance of expressive wrinkles in the upper face
Red flags to look out for…
If you are searching for 'cheap Botox', cheap is often cheap for a reason. Botulinum toxin is a prescription medication. Therefore, this treatment should only be carried out by the medical professional prescribing the drug. Cheap prices mean that corners will be being cut to the detriment of your face and your safety – from the injector's training and experience to counterfeit or even fake products, which at the very least won't get results but at its worst could cause permanent disfiguring or other long term issues.
THE CHEMICAL FACE PEEL
What is the treatment?
Obagi Blue Peel Radiance – this treatment is a mildly resurfacing chemical peel for the face and neck and is undertaken in a clinical environment.
What does it do?
By resurfacing the top layer of skin, this chemical peel reveals fresh new skin, looking brighter and tighter with a more youthful appearance. Maintaining regular treatments combined with a tailored skincare routine can improve the appearance of wrinkles, reduce the appearance of open pores, hyperpigmentation and overall skin quality, and treat conditions such as acne.
What is involved?
We cleanse the face thoroughly, then prep the skin with a toner, apply the chemical peel, wash the client's face to remove any peel residue and then apply sunblock. Clients feel a very mild burning sensation as part of the chemical peel process, but this is not long-lasting. The after-effects of this quick and straightforward treatment require very little if no downtime and give the perfect 'glow up'—a swift and simple tweakment for a more youthful glow.
Most read in Fabulous
WATER BARGAIN!
The £20 Amazon bargain that people are swearing by to tackle condensation
DREAM DISCOUNT
Forget the Primark PJs – I found some in Sainsbury’s that are cheaper
FESTIVE FALLOUT
Noel Radford puts his foot down as mum-of-22 Sue eyes up a £800 Xmas buy
BARGAIN HUNT
How to get FREE M&S goodies throughout December
How long does it last?
Ideally, clients should choose a maintenance programme of every 4-8 weeks to see more dramatic treatment results. However, by incorporating skincare products with active ingredients such as Vitamin A/retinol into their daily skincare routine post-peel and ongoing, you can continue to see improvements with less frequent treatments.
How much does it cost?
£100 per session. There are more aggressive face peels at higher price points, but this is a very good entry-level chemical peel which can help kick-start a positive change in your skin and lay the foundation for a new and improved skincare routine.
READ MORE BEAUTY
MAKES SCENTS
Zara is selling a perfume dupe that’s £132 cheaper than Jo Malone
HAIR THIS
Boots shoppers go wild for £140 must-have beauty gadget that's scanning for £8
Red flags to look out for…
As with any treatment, the person administering the treatment must apply the product carefully, avoiding the sensitive nostril, eye and lip areas, with an emphasis on correct timing with the treatment taking place in a hygienic and clean environment.
PROFESSIONAL SKIN CARE
What is the treatment?
Vitamin A Skincare – a curated skincare routine. With my absolute hero skincare anti-ageing ingredient, Vitamin A, also known as Retinol or Tretinoin, at the heart of your daily ritual.
What does it do?
Vitamin A creams increase skin cell turnover and encourage healthy, damage-free skin formation. In doing so, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, enlarged pores, acne or oily skin – it does it all. Skin is then left rejuvenated, brighter, tighter, firmer and more youthful in texture and appearance.
What is involved?
Applying Vitamin A cream at night. Professional-grade Vitamin A creams can be difficult to tolerate for those with sensitive skin, so we always recommend that clients start integrating Vitamin A very gradually into their skincare routine with the end goal of applying it every night. I recommend starting with a product with 0.3% retinol and slowly building up from there, depending on how well your skin copes. However, it is essential to note that using an SPF in the daytime is necessary when using vitamin A to protect the new skin from UV damage.
How long does it last?
When used daily, the effects will last as long as you continue to include this wonder ingredient as part of your skincare regime.
The effects will last as long as you continue to include this wonder ingredient as part of your skincare regime
How much does it cost?
Good quality Vitamin A starts from around £80 and goes up to £140 for a prescription strength version. You can find some skincare products with 4% retinol complexes on the high street for under £50; however, it's important to remember it's the combination of quality ingredients and the formulation of the product that makes the difference in performance and results. You don't need to apply much to your face, just a small pea-sized amount, so it lasts a considerable length of time.
Red flags to look out for…
Skin irritation and peeling. In extreme cases, severe reactions can include itching, swelling and blistering. If you experience any soreness or burning, refrain from using the products. Anyone selling higher-grade vitamin A products or prescription strength should always undertake a consultation with you to determine if the product is suitable for you.
ANOTHER WORD OF WARNING
Amish Patel says: “Again, just like cheap Botox, cheap fillers come at a cost to the client's results and safety.
“Unfortunately, at the clinic, we regularly see the price to individuals' faces drawn in by a cheap filler deal online.
“Their disfigurement can range from asymmetry to painful, overfilled lips and cheeks where the injector has used the wrong type of filler in the wrong area of the face.
“Dissolving these botched fillers and undertaking corrective work can take time and isn't immediate, and in some cases, dissolving the filler can be complex because we need to know what was injected into their faces.
“If you find a deal under £300 for dermal fillers, this is a big red flag, and I would urge consumers to do their research and ask to see certificates of training and examples of their work.
“Remember, you are paying for the skill, not just the ML.”
Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: [email protected] and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line
Source: Read Full Article