When people tend to hit a certain age, they look in the mirror and notice lines where there were no lines before, sagging where there used to be plump, full skin, perhaps just a general sallowness that makes you look more tired than you are. You then start thinking about skin rejuvenation treatments. It happens to all of us. The often sudden panic-induced moment where you’re like, damn! I need to look after my skin!
The answer that has long been peddled by those on social media has been to “go under the needle” and look to quick fixes such as Botox and filler for an immediate solution. There are other skin rejuvenation treatments to consider, as well as Botox and filler if you’re looking to “sort out” your skin.
Portrayals of Skin Rejuvenation in the Media
The reason why I think it’s particularly salient to talk about skin rejuvenation treatments that work, apart from Botox and filler, is because there’s been a lot of negativity around both in recent months. The overuse of Botox is unfortunately prevalent in this day and age, and if you’re looking to go down this anti-ageing route, please always see a licensed and reputable aesthetician. Filler, on the other hand, has also not had such a good time in the press. More and more stories are coming out about people who are now getting filler dissolved.
The natural look is very sought after at the moment, and although Botox and filler can offer immediate results, there are so many other treatments to consider before going down this path.
Aesthetic Treatments
1. Exosomes
Exosomes are the skin rejuvenation treatment of the moment. Exosomes are particles that are naturally released from cells, especially from stem cells. Often plant-derived for cosmetic use, exosomes are rich in proteins, growth factors and other molecules that can help skin/hair tissue cells to communicate, with the aim of healing and regeneration. In the UK, they can be applied topically to the face and then can penetrate deeper into the skin with the use of a microneedling pen.
I went to see the lovely Banks at Queen of Beauty, Baker Street, who was incredibly knowledgeable and informed me that I would have the famed Korean-style ‘glass skin’ after one session of exosomes with microneedling. The issue here is, I have very dry skin which doesn’t even glow when I go to the gym after a particularly hard workout. So when Banks showed me my face at the end of treatment and my skin was squeaky smooth, glowing and shiny, I could barely believe my eyes. Exosomes with microneedling work best with multiple sessions, but I was able to see immediate results. This kind of treatment would work incredibly well for people who want rejuvenated, healthy-looking skin with no downtime and provide very quick to see results.
Banks is also an expert working with skin of colour, so if that’s a concern of yours, please go and see him and he will provide treatment information tailored to you and your skin type.
Check out Queen of Beauty, Baker Street.
2. MultiFrax
At PHI Clinic, medical doctor and founder Dr Tapan Patel has built a reputation on a quietly reassuring philosophy: he won’t introduce a treatment to patients that he hasn’t first tried himself. His latest addition, MultiFrax, reflects that measured, results-led approach… a technology designed for those seeking meaningful skin refinement without the commitment or recovery associated with more invasive procedures.
The treatment combines two established modes: fractional laser resurfacing and radiofrequency energy. The laser element creates controlled micro-injuries across the skin’s surface, prompting the body’s natural healing response and stimulating collagen production, while radiofrequency penetrates deeper layers to encourage tightening and improved elasticity. Together, the dual approach works to refine texture, soften fine lines, reduce acne scarring and minimise enlarged pores, while gradually evening tone and restoring luminosity.
Dr Tapan notes that he personally trials every procedure offered at the clinic so he understands exactly how it feels and the results patients can realistically expect afterwards, adding that MultiFrax appeals because it delivers progressive, natural-looking improvements without significant downtime, a truly novel procedure. As with many of the most effective regenerative treatments, the results are cumulative rather than immediate, although I definitely saw improved results in texture and tone after just one session with Dr Tapan, and even more so with two. As someone who has undergone many an invasive procedure to see results on my acne-marked skin, this is a revelation.
Patients are typically advised to undertake a course of three to five sessions spaced four to six weeks apart, allowing the skin time to regenerate between treatments. Expect just a day or two of redness and warmth before skin settles into a smoother, firmer, and more even complexion. I even took a flight the day of my first treatment, with no additional swelling. Colour me impressed. Prices start from £500 per session following consultation.
For more information visit PHI Clinic Multifrax.
3. SYLFIRM X
SYLFIRM X is another popular skin rejuvenation method. It consists of a machine that combines the effectiveness of microneedling alongside radiofrequency but with minimal downtime. I went to see Dr Vincent Wong at his clinic, Omniere on Harley Street, and he explained that there are specific reasons why he thinks a treatment like Sylfirm X works so well for his clients.
Firstly, there are two kinds of waves that he adapts based on the patient’s skincare concerns:
– Continuous wave – used for fat shrinking, toning, shaping and lifting the face
– Pulsed wave – used for pigmentation, scarring, a more even skin tone and other general skin concerns
The depth of the microneedles can vary, and the deeper the needle, the better/more effective the result. I had one session of Sylfirm X using both waves and found my skin texture and tone to be tighter and brighter weeks after treatment. My face was only a bit swollen and red for a couple of hours post-treatment, and I saw improvements with the dark areas under my eyes and around my mouth too, areas where I suffer quite badly from hyperpigmentation.
Dr Vincent applies a numbing gel before using Sylfirm X, ensuring that the patient experiences minimal pain and discomfort. Having done microneedling on its own before, and dealing with over a week’s downtime, this new technology with minimal to no downtime is revolutionary for me. Depending on how large the area to be treated is, you can be in and out of your appointment in around an hour, making it a great treatment to do on your lunch break. Do avoid the gym and heavy makeup for 48 hours afterwards though, and never forget your SPF.
Dr Vincent is available either at Omniere in Harley Street or at The Door clinic in Chiswick depending on which treatment you’re having. To book an appointment, click here.
Additionally, red light therapy, can be a subtle and discreet, longer term alternative to more invasive treatments too.
4. SKINSTORM Facial
If you’re fed up of facials that only seem to have short-term results, or if you’re just looking for something different that will have long-lasting radiant effects, boy do I have the facial for you. The SKINSTORM treatment not only deeply cleanses, it attacks acne-causing bacteria, peels and resurfaces, infuses a potent cocktail of ingredients that your skin will absolutely love you for -tailored to your skin type of course – and firms, hydrates and feels like a trip to your favourite aesthetician all in one.
It sounds like too much, I know. But it’s not. It’s bespoke for your skin type, and everyone is *guaranteed* to walk out with brighter, clearer skin. The SKINSTORM facial is a world’s first in treatment layering, using 6 unique steps to deliver everything the skin needs to intensely rejuvenate, repair, super cleanse, resurface and smooth, while the patented dissolvable oxygen infusion containing drone technology is driven into the skin to offer a true inside out treatment.
I went to the swish The Clinic Holland Park, run by the lovely Dr Jennifer Doyle, to have my treatment. It is such a beautiful clinic, right on Holland Park Avenue. The clinic is all soft, rosy pinks and cool touches of gold, very modern but also very chic. The clinic also uniquely offers end to cosmetic treatments, and even has a surgery on site in case you would like to undergo something with a little longer downtime.
5. Polynucleotides
Dr Razvan Vasilas, or Doctor Botox as he is known on his 1.2million-strong (and counting!) Instagram handle, is one of the most reputable experts and mentors in the non-invasive aesthetic, cosmetic, and anti-aging medicine sector. He is widely recognised for his skills in injectable procedures and maintains a cutting-edge understanding of the newest generation of treatments. This is the reason why I looked to him to do my first ever polynucleotide injections a couple of months ago.
So firstly, what are polynucleotides? You may have heard this word being mentioned a lot in beauty conversations over the last year or so due to the provenance of polynucleotides. Polynucleotides are injectable bio-stimulators, focused on improving skin moisture and stimulating cellular repair for improved skin texture and elasticity. These stretchy molecules are made from fish fragments which can mirror human DNA…hence the common reference to “salmon-sperm” treatments or more commonly heard as a “salmon sperm facial”.
It sounds scarier than it is. Rather than just focusing on hydration, like something like Profhilo does, polynucleotide injections communicate with the cells to make them produce collagen and elastin, and therefore help improve the quality and condition of the skin over time. They’re usually injected where skin boosters cannot be injected, in areas like the delicate under eye area, the forehead, neck, and jawline.
Given the natural origin of the injection, and the fact there’s little to no downtime after treatment, this is a revolutionary addition to your skincare routine, and unless you’re allergic to fish/vegetarian or vegan, there’s no reason why this wouldn’t be a fantastic supplement to your regimen.
I was very impressed with Dr Razvan’s deep expertise in non-invasive injectables, and he used a cannula on my under eye area so that the injection could penetrate deeper. In the two months since the injection, I have seen a visible improvement in the colour of my under eyes, as well as a more even and supple skin tone. I highly recommend.
For more information on Dr Razvan and his clinics, click here.
Topical Treatments for Skin Rejuvenation
Paris-based skincare brand Guinot has been working on topical skin rejuvenation alternatives to aesthetic medicine for the last 50 years and has just launched a product using its proprietary new skin regeneration technology. Guinot’s research laboratories have discovered the link between nerve fibres and skin cells, resulting in Life Influx Concentrate. This wonderful lightweight serum disappears into the skin on contact and leaves it with a bright glow. Over time, fine lines seem to plump out and wrinkles seem a little less deep.
£215, available from guinotshop.co.uk
Ambuja is a wonderful skincare brand founded by a husband and wife team: cosmetic scientist Frank W. Legart and his wife, Ina Dimsky-Legart. Sitting in the top level of high-end luxury skincare, you can feel the difference with these products on your skin. Ambuja, meaning lotus/born of the lotus in Sanskrit, is produced in Frank’s native Germany utilising high-tech molecular biochemistry along with the purest most potent botanicals. Ambuja products are based on either lotus water or green coconut water, and are all made without preservatives, parabens, synthetic fragrances, colourants, sulphates, mineral oils and silicone, meaning they’re suitable for all skin tones.
Using the best of nature and molecular science, at the heart of Ambuja is the patented SUPERFLUID™, which encapsulates the resilience of nature, specifically designed to meet the skin’s needs in challenging, urban environments. Frank calls it ‘the nectar of life’: he spent many years researching how plants adapt in harsh environments, and then applied his learnings to skincare. This is one of the best serums I’ve ever used, specifically focused on combatting the effects of urban, stressful living (pollution, fatigue, etc.) on the skin.
Ambuja has a special partnership with renowned Doctor and leading figure in aesthetic medicine, Dr Pamela Benito at her clinic Shiro London where the products are available for purchase.
For more information, visit Dr Pamela’s website here.
EXO|E – so back to exosomes. EXO|E skin revitalising complex is an innovative new skincare line which also happens to be the UK’s first truly plant-derived extracellular nanoparticle complex system (PDENs). Now that might just seem like cosmetic gobbledygook, but what does it do? What makes it so special?
This topical solution has been formulated with plant-based exosomes to help heal skin after particularly traumatic experiences by shifting the healing from inflammation to rejuvenation, while also helping to improve hydration at the cellular level, and stimulating the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. But you can also use it on its own to dramatically improve your skin and bring it back to a state of youth.
Using the product reduces inflammation by 61% and can increase collagen production by up to 165%, which is relatively unheard of for a topical solution. Harnessing the best of plant technology, EXO|E is a total game-changer in skin rejuvenation.
To find out more, the product is available to purchase from Dr Preema Vig, here.
Dr Somji Skincare – Renowned Doctor Munir Somji, of DrMediSpa, has joined hands with skin influencer, medical aesthetician (and his wife, no less) Henal Somji to create Dr Somji Pro-Active skincare. They believe that everyone deserves to be able to have healthy skin at their fingertips and not just in a clinic.
They put this innovative Dr Somji Pro-Active skincare line together to redefine what we think of skincare routines, by creating cutting edge formulas powered by advanced active solutions capable of transforming the skin, yet versatile and gentle enough to use safely at home in conjunction with other products. My personal favourite of the collection is their Signature Serum – a supercharged multitasker of a serum that improves hydration, boosts brightness, while simultaneously enhancing skin’s tone and texture. It has plant-based exosomes, probiotic marine extract, ceramides, rosehip oil and a multitude of other skin-saving ingredients in a serum that packs a punch, but feels so mild and soothing on the skin.
Dr Somji Pro-Active skincare works to solve specific skin problems such as rosacea, an impaired skin barrier, pigmentation, sensitivity, anti-ageing, and delivers long-term impactful results. I had a signature facial at the DrMediSpa Loughton clinic, followed by using the charcoal cleanser, Signature Serum and the Night Recovery Cream for a month. When I had my follow-up 4 weeks later, my skin analysis test showed my skin was now looking approximately one year younger than when I had my first check-up in Loughton. I was flabbergasted at the results!
To book in a facial and meet with the DrMediSpa team, click here.
Hydropeptide – HydroPeptide is a cutting-edge skincare brand that harnesses the power of advanced peptide technology and the science of epigenetics to deliver clinical-grade results with a luxurious, spa-like experience. Its formulations combine high-performance peptides, antioxidants and active botanicals to target aging, hydration and overall skin health at a cellular level. What makes HydroPeptide unique is its science-driven approach—each product is designed to work with the skin’s natural processes to boost collagen, enhance radiance, and promote long-term skin rejuvenation without irritation. The result? Powerful, results-driven skincare that feels indulgent and delivers lasting, visible improvements.
An industry leader in gentle yet effective hydrating peptide solutions, Hydropeptide have a wonderful selection of products, suitable for all skin types. I would highly recommend all of their serums, and their fantastic multi-tasking Nimni cream with patented Collagen Support Complex.
More information at: https://hydropeptide.co.uk/
Minimalist – For something on the more affordable end of the spectrum, we have Minimalist, an Indian-founded beauty and skincare specialist. Minimalist is committed to creating products that are: Efficacious, Transparent, and Comprehensive. Their products range from serums to cleansers to body care targeting specific skincare needs. I tried their Vitamin C 10% serum, and found that it brightened my dark spots and dull skin, making my skin look a lot more awake and refreshed.
More information on Minimalist here. Products are also available at Face The Future, Beauty Bay, and Superdrug
Alternative treatments
Sometimes you need to recover what’s on the inside to get the glow on the outside. Wellness treatments that work on your well-being and mental health have shot up in use lately, and with it has brought a plethora of clinics that provide specialist services.
Silva Wellness Clinic is a new wellness centre that’s opened up in the heart of Farringdon and offers end-to-end wellness treatments that can help solve all of life’s stresses and ailments. I tried out a pressotherapy suit, followed by a breathwork session with the eponymous owner and founder, Alex da Silva.
What’s different about this clinic is everything is tailored for you. As soon as you walk in, everyone is just incredibly happy, calm and passionate about what they do. It’s infectious.
For the first part of the treatment, I tried on a pressotherapy suit. I wore the suit from the waist down, and the treatment lasted about 45 minutes. Pressotherapy can be considered a form of lymphatic drainage and the suit gently compressed in and out while massaging my legs in specific areas. The suit used the Vodder technique, a manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) technique that uses a variety of pressures, including high and zero pressure, to move lymph fluid through the body. After the session I felt lighter on my feet, more energetic and a lot of my previous aches and pains had gone.
I followed this up with a one-on-one Breathwork session. Breathwork was new to me but I found the benefits lasted longer than just the hour I had. I felt more in touch with my body as a result and was blown away by the long-lasting connection forged as a result of just one session with Alex. You can choose whether to do a one-on-one breathwork session or breathwork in a group. Neither one is better, it just depends on your mood and what intention you are setting at that moment in time. Consider me converted!
The clinic also offers unique therapies such as ketamine therapy, proven over the long term to help symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Yoga, meditation, wellness, and nutrition coaching are also offered as well as Vitamin Infusions, NAD Treatment Therapy, Acupuncture, Reiki, Hypnotherapy, Cacao Ceremony, Psychotherapy, Sound Healing and more.
Find more information on the clinic here.
Holistic Wellness with Gudiya Dagur Patel at Phi Clinic – Can’t keep up to speed with the unrelenting stress of day-to-day life? Unsure of the toll it takes on you, mentally, physically and emotionally? Think you’re heading towards burnout? If all these questions resonate with you, you’re not alone. And you may be suffering from burnout already.
Gudiya Dagur Patel has been there and can provide a sympathetic ear as well as sound advice on how to make you feel like yourself again. As a dedicated wellness professional, nutritional therapist and transformational coach with over 15 years’ experience in holistic health and mindfulness, she not only is incredibly qualified, but she deeply cares and wants to provide the best possible tailored experience for each and every one of her clients.
One of Gudiya’s favourite new treatments at PHI clinic is the Ayurveda JetPeel – specialised for sensitive skins (and therefore all skin types) and completely non-invasive with zero downtime. It’s infused with ayurvedic botanicals sourced from India and is simultaneously calming and relaxing. The high-pressure Jet Stream technology pushes exfoliating and hydrating skincare ingredients deeper into your skin.
Whether through one-on-one coaching, facials, meditation sessions or wellness retreats, Gudiya is committed to inspiring transformation from the inside out. For more information, please visit Gudiya’s website.
Nuchido – If you’re after a supplement that will “bio-hack” you into the best version of yourself, I have just the answer. Nuchido have created a powerful dietary supplement designed to support cellular health and reverse biological age. The patented formula is based on the latest NAD+ research and a deep understanding of the complex biological processes that lead to its decline.
But what is NAD+? NAD+ is a natural molecule found in every cell of the body. It plays a crucial role in cellular health and the ageing process. Involved in over 300 biological functions, NAD+ is primarily responsible for converting nutrients from the food we eat into energy that our cells can use. Beyond energy production, NAD+ is essential for maintaining and repairing cells, supporting processes that keep them functioning optimally and reducing cellular damage as we age. by the time we reach our 40’s, the effects of reduced cellular function will start to be felt. With declining levels of NAD+, cells cannot function like they used to and this negatively impacts energy production, cell signalling and repair, resulting in an accumulation of damage and the negative health consequences associated with ageing.
But who would benefit from NAD+? Dr Nichola Conlon, molecular biologist and PhD in Physiology from Newcastle University says “Aesthetic medicine is largely focused on treating the external consequences of ageing. By targeting ageing at the cellular level, we can go beyond just treating our looks and address the causes of ageing throughout the body. Humans haven’t evolved to be good at being old, so we must be proactive in supporting our cells to age well. Nuchido TIME+ is formulated to tackle the root causes of cellular ageing leading to a host of benefits, from improving cellular energy levels, to repairing DNA, to enhancing our overall healthspan. They are especially beneficial for those experiencing signs of ageing, like fatigue, brain fog and sleep disturbances – all of which are associated with the natural decline in NAD+ levels.”
For more information, visit Nuchido.co.uk.
