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Wrinkles

Written by: Alice Hart-Davis

Last Updated: 22 September 2023

People spend billions of pounds every year trying to get rid of lines and wrinkles because they are one of the things we most associate with getting older. As our faces age we lose collagen and elastin in our skin and this, combined with the effects of time and gravity, as well as lifestyle factors, causes our skin to wrinkle. Some wrinkles appear as small, fine lines while others create deeper ridges or folds, also known as “furrows”. Wrinkles can either be “dynamic” in that they are caused by facial movement and may only be visible when moving the face, or “static” where they are caused by loss of elasticity in the skin, as well as outside factors such as the sun or smoking and, are visible even when you are not moving your face. Some dynamic lines may eventually become static, in that they are visible even when you are not moving your face. This is particularly true of crow’s feet, also known as laughter lines, and smoker’s lines. Scroll down for answers to all the FAQs about wrinkles.

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FAQ ABOUT Wrinkles


Why do we get wrinkles?

People spend billions of pounds every year trying to get rid of lines and wrinkles because they are one of the things we most associate with getting older. As our faces age we age we lose collagen and elastin in our skin and this, combined with the effects of time and gravity, as well as lifestyle factors, causes our skin to wrinkle. Some wrinkles appear as small, fine lines while others create deeper ridges or folds, also known as “furrows”. Wrinkles can either be “dynamic” in that they are caused by facial movement and may only be visible when moving the face, or “static” where they are caused by loss of elasticity in the skin as well as outside factors such as the sun or smoking and are visible even when you are not moving your face. Some dynamic lines may eventually become static, in that they are visible even when you are not moving your face. This is particularly true of crow’s feet, also known as laughter lines, and smoker’s lines.

What causes wrinkles under the eyes?

Wrinkles form as we age and as our skin loses its elasticity and plumpness. One of the reasons the skin around the eyes ages first is because it is very thin. Wrinkles come in two main categories – static and dynamic. Around the eyes we are more prone to dynamic wrinkles – such as crow’s feet or laughter lines – where creases form due to repeatedly making an expression. One of the biggest causes of premature skin ageing, and therefore wrinkling, is also sun damage and the delicate eye area can often be more exposed. We don’t tend to put sun screen around our eyes or when we do we easily and quickly wipe it off by rubbing our eyes. Squinting a lot can also be a contributing factor, so kill two birds with one stone and wear sun glasses to protect your eyes if its bright out.

When does skin start to wrinkle?

Our skin starts to age from about 25 onwards. External factors will impact how severely and quickly it wrinkles but it is something that happens to us all. The three main signs of ageing are loss of volume, loss of elasticity in the skin and the formation of lines and wrinkles.

What are the different types of wrinkles?

We get wrinkles and lines all over our face but particularly in certain areas. The most common types of wrinkles are:

  • Marionette lines –The lines appear running from the mouth towards the chin.
  • Nasolabial folds –The lines that run from the nose to the mouth and are also known as “smile lines”. They are known as “gravitational folds” in that they are caused by loss of volume in the cheeks.
  • Glabella lines –The lines at the bridge of the nose and are also known as “frown lines”
  • Forehead lines – The lines that appear on the forehead due to the contraction of the muscles when raising or lowering the eyebrows. Also known as “worry lines”
  • Crow’s feet/laughter lines – Crow’s feet are the fine lines that appear around the eyes. Because the skin around our eyes creases when we smile or laugh, they are also known as “laughter lines”.
  • Lip lines/smoker’s lines/lipstick lines – Lip lines are the fine vertical lines that appear above the top lip. They are also known as “lipstick lines”, as lipstick tends to bleed into them. As they are associated with pursing of the lips they are more prevalent in smokers and are often referred to as “smoker’s lines”.

Can I use ultrasound therapy for wrinkles?

Yes ultrasound is one of the technologies that can be used to treat wrinkles. It works by using ultrasound energy to stimulate the body to create new collagen, the natural protein that gives our skin its firmness and elasticity when we are young. 

How do I get rid of deep wrinkles around my mouth?

Deep wrinkles around the mouth are known as either nasolabial folds (the lines that run from your nose to the upper corner of your mouth) or the aptly named marionette lines (which run from the corner of the mouth to the chin. Marionette lines are names after the marionette string puppets which have split jaws allowing their mouths to move.  These lines can form into quite significant folds and can make people feel like they look sad or “down in the mouth”. There are many different treatments that can be used to minimize and address wrinkles. For deep wrinkles around the mouth dermal fillers are one of the most popular treatments as they can lift out the line, replacing lost volume and smoothing its appearance. Other treatments that stimulate repair in the skin such as micorneedling, ultrasound, laser resurfacing and peels are effective. Thread lifting can also be used to lift and provide lost structure where wrinkles are caused by gravity.

What is the best non-surgical wrinkle treatments for wrinkles on the face?

Wrinkles are one of the most common concerns people go to an aesthetic clinic with and, as such, there are many treatments designed to tackle them.

Injectables Injectable treatments that can address lines and wrinkles include toxins and dermal fillers, PRP and collagen stimulators. toxins works by inhibiting the function of the muscles which cause dynamic wrinkles in areas such as the forehead and around the eyes, whereas fillers work to replace lost volume and structure at deeper levels of the skin. Some injectables, such as PRP and collagen stimulators, as well as products like Profhilo, work by stimulating the body’s own repair mechanisms and rejuvenate the skin from within.

Energy based devices – Wrinkles are also the main target of many energy-based devices such as HIFU/ultrasound, laser resurfacing, radiofrequecy. While all of these technologies work in different ways the principle is the same, using heat/energy to create a wound healing response in the skin which encourages the production of new collagen. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can also be used to treat fine wrinkles.

Microneedling/collagen induction therapy – Microneedling involves the use of tiny needles to make minute holes in the skin. This is usually done using a pen or roller device. It is also known as “collagen induction therapy” (CIT) because it stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. It is minimally-invasive and can improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and scars.

Threads – Thread lifts can help add structure and support back to sagging skin by lifting it back to where it was before gravity took its toll providing a tightening effect. But threads also have another mechanism in addressing lines and wrinkles. The sutures themselves stimulate collagen production within the deeper layers of the skin where they are placed by initiating a wound healing response in the body. This means that those who undergo a thread lift may notice a continual and gradual improvement in the tone and texture of their skin over time as well as the lifting and tightening effects.

Peels – The skin is the canvas so even if we replace lost volume, if the skin texture itself is still crepey it can have fine lines and wrinkles. Peels work on a number of levels. Not only does a peel remove the outer dead layer of the skin, revealing a smoother and more youthful complexion underneath, but certain peels can also penetrate into the deeper levels to stimulate collagen production. There are many different types of peels and the deeper the peel the more dramatic the effect, but also the longer the downtime.

How can I make my skin look younger from home?

Looking after your skin starts at home. Wearing daily SPF is your best line of protection against premature ageing from sun damage. Drink plenty of water and keep hydrated as dehydration dramatically effects the appearance of your skin. Wash your face and remove makeup. Investing in a good skincare regime will also help you to look after your skin at home. There are such a wide variety of products out there and a skincare professional or cosmetic doctor/nurse/dermatologist can help you to find the most effective products for you, if you have the budget to invest. Protection is key so SPF and an antioxidant will help stave off sun damage as much as possible while hydrating serums are a great option for keeping your skin feed with moisture.

What is the best alternative to toxins?

Botulinum toxin is very unique in its mechanism of action and nothing else will do the same thing so beware of anything that claims to be “toxins in a bottle” as its unlikely to have the same results. toxins works byblocking the signal from the nerves to the muscles so that the injected muscle can no longer contract.  There are some topical products that are very effective in rejuvenating the skin, in particular vitamin A/retionol. If you want to minimise fine lines and wrinkles without an injections but don’t mind needles then microneeding may be a good option for you. Chemical peels can also rejuvenate the skin and minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without injections. Deeper and more pronounced wrinkles and folds are challenging to treat. Laser resurfacing can give powerful results in skin rejuvenation.


ASK ALICE

Alice answers your question. Want to ask Alice a question? Pop it in here and check back in a few days for the answer.


Dear Alice, thanks again for an always fantastic information guide. I finally made of my mind and decided to have toxin, got an appointment and went to the consultation. It’s a great but.. a little voice inside is still a little nervous,...

Hi, that's completely understandable to be anxious ahead of trying any tweakment. Have you discussed these particular concerns with your practitioner? If you have, I hope they would have reassured you that they have enough skill and experience to place the toxin in just the right places so that it will soften your wrinkles without wiping them out, and without making your brows drop. Also, first time, it's good idea to ask for a really light dose, just enough to give you an idea of what the treatment can do. It won't last as long as a regular dose, but if for any reason you don't like the results, then you aren't stuck with it for so long....

Do you have any information on Viscoderm Hydrobooster?

This is a good HA-based injectable moisturiser if your face is showing the sort of lines that look etched into the skin on your forehead, or around your eyes or mouth. It has a nice, 'stretchy' consistency in the skin and is manufactured by IBSA Derma – the people behind Profhilo, so you can be sure of its safety and efficacy.

Hi, I have very loose skin under my eyes, which is very apparent when I smile, and I wondered what the best treatment for this would be? Would it be surgery to remove the loose skin? Many thanks.

Hi, the gold-standard treatment would probably be a lower blepharoplasty or eye lift, as this will make a real difference to the look of your face. Some skin tightening treatments such as radiofrequency microneedling may help in this area, and strong ablative lasering would make a big difference but would need a lot of downtime to recover. Find a good oculoplastic surgeon for an opinion, and go from there.

Under-eye skin boosters – there are many brands but which would you recommend for wrinkles and dark circles? Seems Jalupro and Sunekos are popular?

Hello, yes, Sunekos and Jalupro have their fans, as do the newer polynucleotide skin boosters (such as Nucleadyn, PhilArt Eye or Pluryal Silk) which some practitioners are finding very effective for improving the look of the under-eye area. Find a good practitioner in your area and discuss the topic with them, as they'll be able to size up your eyes and suggest what might work best.

I’ve recently lost weight and am so upset that the skin on my upper arms and stomach is loose and wrinkly. Can you please suggest a treatment to help tighten it or am I stuck with it? Thank you.

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. Have a look into Profhilo Body and radiofrequency microneedling. Both can do a great job at smoothing out wrinkly, crepey skin and tightening up laxity on the stomach and upper arms, but any tweakment can only do so much – it really depends on how loose the skin is. A combination of these may do the trick, but if it's very extreme, surgery may be the only way to completely get rid of it.

Could you please tell me what is the best eye cream for crepey under eye skin? I use ZO skincare but a No7 eye cream and it’s not helping.

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. Eye cream can help hydrate the area and reduce the appearance of that crepiness some of the way, but it won't eliminate it completely – for that, you'd need a tweakment like PRP, RF needling, or mesotherapy – something to build up collagen under the skin and smooth out its texture. Book in with a practitioner who specialises in the eye area and have a consultation to find out which is the best option for you. And you may want to try a new eye cream too – we really like both of these....

Hey Alice, just recently I found your Tweakments Guide and it has become my best read. I wanted to ask your opinion. I’m 56 and take good care of my skin but I still have deep wrinkles in my forehead, some around eyes and clear...

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. Your question cut off, but to answer the part about wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes – wrinkle-relaxing injections will easily sort these out.

I have a very deep forehead wrinkle that I try to hide with my fringe. What is the best treatment for this, please?

I'd suggest you made an appointment with a great practitioner to get their view on what has caused the line, and what the best way to soften it might be. Most of the horizontal lines on our foreheads are from the way we raise our eyebrows, and the lines settle into place over the years. Because these lines are caused by muscle movement, wrinkle-relaxing injections of botulinum toxin A should help soften your line. For lines which are really deep, it may make sense to treat it with a soft kind of hydrating filler, but a skilful practitioner will know just what to do....

How can I solve my forehead wrinkles without droopy eyelids?

With wrinkle-relaxing toxin, injected by an expert practitioner with lots of experience and a good understanding of anatomy – you will find lots of these practitioners on here.

Two weeks ago I had some toxin and now my right eyelid has a droop. The last toxin I had was over three years ago previous to this.

Sounds like your practitioner has over-treated/ hit the wrong muscle – if you have toxin injected in the muscle that lifts the eyelid, it weakens the muscle, so the eyelid will droop. The muscle will recover its function in a couple of months. Maybe next time, choose a practitioner with more experience with toxin?

As a 48-year-old woman on a budget, what would you say at the top 2-3 treatments to have that won’t break the bank that will help with ageing/sagging skin? I’m religious with my skincare and SPF and already occasionally get toxin. Thanks

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. The best tweakments for you will really depend on what sort of signs of ageing you're seeing, but as you're good with your skincare and SPF it doesn't sound like skin quality is a big concern. An energy-based skin-tightening treatment like ultrasound – specifically Sofwave or Ultherapy, though they work slightly differently – might be a good bet as results last a long time so you'll get more bang for your buck. Alternatively, you could look into collagen-stimulating filler. A conservative amount placed subtly around the face will restore structure to counteract the sagging, and they're also great for...

I need help with wrinkles and eyes – I have sensitive skin.

If you have sensitive skin, the key thing is to keep it hydrated (with a gentle, un-fragranced hydrating serum and a moisturiser on top of that) and protected from UV light with an (un-fragranced) sunscreen, that will help get your skin feeling more comfortable. Taking lots of omega-3 supplements can really help with skin hydration, too. These are my current favourites....

Please could you recommend a good daytime moisturiser for sensitive and wrinkled skin?

Here's a great one that will definitely help.

I’m 38 and still get acne on my cheeks but skin also dry and sensitive skin, and I can see the ageing… I use ZO end to end but not sure it’s the answer, plus it’s very £££. I looked at your Acne Fixers Bundle but how do I also tackle...

Dry and sensitive skin suggests that your skin barrier isn't in great shape. Work on this by focussing on gentle, hydrating products – a hyaluronic acid serum, sealed in with a moisturiser and, in the morning, topped with sunscreen. Once your skin is feeling stronger and more comfortable, start using a product with retinol or another retinoid (start slowly, with tiny amounts and twice a week at first) to help with acne management. Taking lots of omega-3 supplements can really help with skin hydration and skin quality, too. These are my current favourites....

What would you recommend for the criss-cross pattern of wrinkles under my eyes?

Start by using a really good eye cream which will hydrate and strengthen the skin and help smooth the appearance of the wrinkles. Then maybe a type of radiofrequency microneedling, or a heat treatment like Tixel, that can be used close to the eyes to rejuvenate the skin, or an injectable treatment like PRP to regenerate the under-eye skin and smooth out the wrinkles. Find a great practitioner in your area, book a consultation and see what they can suggest that might help you....

Sagging, thin, dry, ageing skin – what one thing should I try? I wear sun cream every day and take HRT. I lost a little weight and my neck skin looks crumpled and my face has started sagging with lines. I work for the NHS and am not wealthy but if...

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. It sounds like a course of injectable moisturiser injections on the face and neck would be your best bet. Have a look at some of the different brands here to get an idea of what they offer (they all differ slightly based on their ingredients and composition) – some are better at tightening sagging skin than others. All will smooth out the crumpling/ crepey texture that you mention and reduce your lines. You’ll also get a lovely, refreshed glow and ‘springier’ skin. And most importantly, use the Practitioner Finder to find someone we recommend near you who offers this treatment....

Hi Alice, I’m just wondering, would you have any advice on what to use when toxin doesn’t work?

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. I'm not sure what you mean by 'doesn't work' – it's incredibly rare for toxin to be completely ineffective. Where did you have it injected/ what are your concerns/ are you sure it was definitely toxin? In most cases where toxin appears not to work, it's because it was placed incorrectly. In terms of what else might work, again, it totally depends on your concerns and what you were wanting to address with the toxin. Take a look at our page about wrinkles for some thoughts on this.

Have you tried Nucloefil for under eyes as an alternative to filler? I would like to find a reputable doctor.

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. Neither Alice nor I have tried Nucleofill but polynucleotides sound very interesting. Dr Sophie Shotter and Dr Maryam Zamani are two London-based practitioners who are offering it, and if doctors of their calibre are working with the product then I'd be inclined to say it's good. It's not really an 'alternative' to dermal filler because it's a completely different category of injectable (more of an injectable moisturiser), but I hear it's a good option for under-eye crepiness, wrinkles, and hollows. Go for it....

If money is not in abundance and you wanted to do a treatment, what would you say are the best ones to do? I’m 54 and recently have noticed I’m really ageing! Have a small amount of toxin on my 11s and forehead. But I’ve noticed lines on my...

Great question – the difficulty with answering it is that different tweakments work on different aspects of the signs of ageing that we see in our faces. So, yes, a small amount of toxin will relax the lines on your forehead. Creating a lift in the face usually needs filler, placed deeply to recreate the structure in the face that time is taking away (we lose volume from the bones in our skull as well as from the fat pads, so the skin starts to hang a bit looser, it's a bit like losing weight inside a dress that used to fit like a glove), plus skin-tightening treatments from devices such as laser, or ultrasound, or radiofrequency – and...

Do I need a vitamin C eye cream for bad eye wrinkles?

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. A vitamin C eye cream would help brighten up the area and restore some 'springiness' to the skin, thanks to its collagen and elastin-boosting properties. But if the wrinkles are 'bad', as you say, and more of a concern than any pigmentation you might have in the area, you'd be better off with an eye product that contains retinol instead, like this one, to directly target them. Go slowly when introducing retinol into your skincare regime, especially around your eyes, using it just twice a week at first, and 'sandwich' it with a hydrating serum or moisturiser before and afterward while your skin is getting used...

I am wondering if I can get some advice – I had baby toxin in February for my forehead and 11 lines. Two weeks later, I started to have a rash on my neck and swollen under-eyes, which kept occurring over a two-month period. Both my practitioner...

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. Alice and I aren't medical practitioners and aren't qualified to give any medical advice, but it does sound to me that it was unlikely the toxin that gave you that reaction, simply because of where the rash and swelling occurred – nowhere near your injection sites. From what we know it is technically possible to be 'allergic' to toxin, but as your practitioner and GP said, it's extremely rare. Have you definitely been able to rule out anything else that could have caused the reaction? Did the reaction last for two months or did it go away and come back a few times within that timeframe? Have a think if there...

Hello, I am 48 and really starting to look old, especially when I look at photos. What do you recommend as the most effective way to look fresher and better without toxin or filler? Is it HIFU or profound or another treatment? Or would I really need...

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. Dr Strawford will be best placed to answer all these questions for you once he's assessed your face and talked to you about your exact concerns. He is an expert practitioner with a great deal of experience. The tweakments you mention – HIFU, Profound (RF microneedling), toxin, and filler – all do different things that work towards making you look fresher and younger, but not in the same ways. Toxin for example won’t do anything about sagging skin but HIFU will, Profound will stimulate collagen production to tighten and plump the skin, but won’t replace lost volume in the ways filler will. So it all...

Can you recommend the best home device for wrinkles and texture for smoothing the skin on the face, please?

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. There aren't really any devices as such for treating texture at home. Aside from DIY microneedling with a roller – which Alice and I rarely advise – your best bet will be a home peel and active skincare, something with smoothing AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) to regulate textural issues. This will also help address wrinkles at the same time, as will a retinol product – which you should absolutely be using in your daily routine. If you did want to invest in a device for your wrinkles alone, you could try the NuFace Line Fix Smoothing Device, which is particularly good around the eyes and mouth, but it's not...

I have a deep line across my forehead. What treatment would you recommend?

I'd suggest you made an appointment with a great practitioner to get their view on what has caused the line, and what the best way to soften it might be. Most of the horizontal lines on our foreheads are from the way we raise our eyebrows, and the lines settle into place over the years. Because these lines are caused by muscle movement, wrinkle relaxing injections of botulinum toxin A should help soften your line. For lines which are really deep, it may make sense to treat it with a soft kind of hydrating filler, but a skilful practitioner will know just what to do....

Hi Alice. Pls can you recommend one of the practitioners in the NW who can offer great toxins and filler treatment? I can’t waste money trying them all and don’t know who to go with. 56, wrinkles, muscle loss and scarring.

Hi, take a look at the Practitioner Finder - if you put in your postcode, it will come up with a selection of my trusted practitioners who are closest to you, and show you the treatments they offer.

What is the best treatment for the décolletage area, please? Creases are starting to appear.

Laser or radiofrequency microneedling would both be great choices, to refresh and remodel the skin – possibly followed by hydrating, skin-conditioning injectable moisturiser treatments. While you're deciding, and going forward, use the same skincare on your chest as you do on your face, perhaps a vitamin C serum plus a hydrating serum or moisturiser in the mornings, with a retinoid at night, and make sure you're using SPF50 every day, from your hairline down your neck to your chest....

What are you thoughts on the Nefertiti Neck Lift for lifting the neck/ jawline to reduce saggy jowls?

The Nefertiti Lift is a fancy name given to the process of doing lots of injections of botulinum toxin A into the platysma, the muscles that run down the neck from the jaw to the collarbone. Releasing muscles that are pulling too tight can really help the appearance of the whole area and in skilled hands it gives great results. It's a terrific procedure for the right candidate, so whether it will work well for you really depends on your particular face and whether the changes you want can be achieved like this, or whether you'd be better off with other tweakments. How can you find out? Locate one of my trusted practitioners and book in with...

I’m looking for solutions for under-eye wrinkles. I’m 61.

Start by using a really good eye cream which will help smooth the appearance of the wrinkles, then I'd suggest reading up on the various tweakments that can help with under-eye wrinkles, like laser and radiofrequency. Take a look at this recent Tweak of the Week video, too. You can see how much radiofrequency microneedling improved Linda Lusardi's under-eye area. Next, find a fab practitioner in your area and have a consultation with them to see what treatments they can suggest that you would be comfortable trying....

I have a very deep horizontal line across my forehead. What would you recommend please?

I'd suggest you made an appointment with a great practitioner to get their view on what has caused the line, and what the best way to soften it might be. Most of the horizontal lines on our foreheads are from the way we raise our eyebrows, and the lines settle into place over the years. because these lines are caused by muscle movement, wrinkle relaxing injections of botulinum toxin A should help soften your line. For lines which are really deep, it may make sense to treat it with a soft kind of hydrating filler, but a skilful practitioner will know just what to do....

Hi Alice, I've just watched your video on Secret RF. I'm having the treatment in a few weeks. Did you think it's worth the money for the results seen? Thank you.

I only had one round of Secret RF when filming it (at my age, I'd need about three sessions to see proper results) so I only saw a bit of skin-smoothing. But I know from practitioners who have the device that they absolutely love it for the results it gives, so yes, I'd recommend it.

Sofwave vs Ultherapy – what are your thoughts? I am 56 and looking at trying to refresh my skin.

Sofwave sounds really interesting. Rather than focusing ultrasound energy to a point like Ultherapy does (which creates tiny hotspots), it uses something called parallel beam technology to heat the deeper layers of the skin and I'm told it can't 'melt' fat in the face in the way that Ultherapy is often accused of doing. I've tried Ultherapy three times in the past decade and had good results from it – I've not tried Sofwave yet but I'm sure I will in due course.

Monthly Hydrafacial or monthly Caci? I’m 43 with skin in reasonably good condition but starting to notice some signs of ageing, so planning to treat myself to a monthly facial.

Hiya, editor Georgia here. In an ideal world, budget permitting, you'd do both! HydraFacials are more geared towards extractions and hydrating the skin, improving surface issues like breakouts or dry skin. You do get some collagen stimulation from the LED light element but if your main concern is signs of ageing then I’d go for monthly CACI treatments instead. CACI is specifically for combatting signs of ageing by stimulating the facial muscles using electrical microcurrent. If you're new to CACI, you'll be advised to book a course of treatment and to have the first few treatments a fortnight apart. Find out more here....

I’m 56 years old – post-menopausal. My skin is ageing – fine lines, wrinkles and loss of volume. Bit nervous of treatments. Injectable moisturisers or radiofrequency? Any advice please.

Well, it slightly depends what result you're after. Injectable moisture treatments are great for hydrating and re-conditioning the skin and will give a certain amount of smoothing and a bit of tightening. They cost around £400 a session and you'll need two or three of them to see a result – click here to read our detailed article on the cost of these treatments. RF microneedling is better for skin tightening and smoothing – it's a much more aggressive procedure that provokes wound-healing and remodelling of the collagen over the following three months – and it's much more expensive, it costs between £850 and £1,500 per session, and...

How do I get rid of downward lines on my forehead? Vertical at the sides of my face I think from squishing my face into the pillow at night. toxins? I have regular toxins for my frown lines on my forehead so I don’t appear to be cross when I’m...

If your practitioner says toxins won't work on these lines, maybe that is because they're being made by the way you sleep, as you suggest, rather than by muscle movement. It might be worth trying something simpler than tweakments, like the Dr Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask, which looks like a normal sleep mask but has small silicone bumps on the inside that press on muscle receptors in the face to relax them (it's clinically proven to relax frown lines between the brows). These slight bumps are set in a pattern that goes over the eyebrows and around the sides of the eyes, and they grip the skin very gently and I find that these stop me from...

Please can you recommend the best at-home treatments for a sun-damaged neck? Would at-home micro needling make a difference?

Start with good, active skincare – a vitamin C serum, a moisturiser and a sunscreen in the morning, and a retinoid in the evening – and see what difference that makes. I'm not keen on home microneedling because most skincare products are not designed to be bombed deep into the skin through needled holes, and also most of us are not very careful about needling all areas of the skin equally, and gently. I'd prefer you stuck with skincare and when your skin is acclimatised to the retinol or retinoid that you're using, moving up to a stronger product, to keep stimulating your skin to renew itself....

Which tweakment do you recommend for under-eye wrinkles?

First, a really good eye cream to hydrate and strengthen the skin, plus a sunscreen during the day to stop those wrinkles getting worse. Then maybe a type of radiofrequency microneedling, or a heat treatment like Tixel, that can be used close to the eyes to rejuvenate the skin, or an injectable treatment like PRP to regenerate the under-eye skin and smooth out the wrinkles. Find a great practitioner in your area, book a consultation and see what they can suggest that might help you....

Qualified nurse does my toxins in North West England. She said it costs her £120 to buy the amount that does 3 areas on me (crow's feet, frown lines & forehead). Is it too cheap to be real/ safe toxins? Im concerned after seeing your post on unsafe...

Hiya, editor Georgia here answering on Alice's behalf. This is a difficult question to answer as toxins is bought by the vial but priced for the consumer (you) by the unit (usually there are 100 or 200 units to a vial) or area – whichever way your practitioner chooses to price it. Unless your practitioner is offering it to you at cost price – meaning she wouldn't be making any money – I'd say £120 in total for the three areas you mention is cheap enough to raise alarms. Better to find a practitioner you trust than risk it. Enter your postcode into our Practitioner Finder to find someone reputable near you to visit instead. It's...

Hi Alice – please let me know whether you have tried Belotero Revive for skin boosting and if so what you think of it. Thanks!

Hiya, editor Georgia here answering on Alice's behalf. Alice had Belotero Revive with Dr Alexis Granite at Skinesis Medical in London last year. You can watch the Tweak of the Week video here and find out more about her experience.

Does Profhilo work?

Hiya – editor Georgia here answering on Alice's behalf. Yes, Profhilo works if you're a suitable candidate. However, no tweakment is 100 percent guaranteed to give you the results you're after – it's also about being realistic with your expectations. Some people try Profhilo and don't see much of a result, so go on to try another injectable moisturiser like Teosyal Redensity 1, Restylane Skinboosters, Juvederm Volite or Belotero Revive, and are satisfied. There are a few on the market so it may be worth finding a practitioner who offers a couple of them and knows each product's ideal patient selection well....

I’m 64, had toxins and filler in the past and sometimes it’s gone well, and other times I look a bit crazy. I have good skin (use Skin & Me). I would like to try Profhilo on my neck and toxins in my lower face. Would this make me looked more...

Hiya – editor Georgia here answering on Alice's behalf. Unless you have a particular concern in the lower face that could be helped with toxin, I'd forgo that bit and do Profhilo on the face as well as the neck. This should give you a nice refresh all over, as it sounds like you look after your skin and don't have any specific concerns. Use our practitioner finder to find a great doctor near you.  

Hi, I'm only 29 but am thinking of getting baby toxins to prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Is it unwise to start too early?

Hiya, editor Georgia here answering on Alice's behalf. While I'm sure it's not necessary for you yet, it's not at all unwise to start anti-wrinkle injections in your late twenties – in fact, preventative toxin has been clinically proven to stop imprinted lines (the ones that are still present when the face is at rest) settling in in later years. Alice actually made a video and wrote about this topic in December. 'Baby toxins' is a good approach at your age, too – a sprinkling of just enough toxin to soften and freshen. Just don't have too much or get it too often and keep in mind the financial investment that comes with starting at a...

Can I have Profhilo when I'm breastfeeding?

Difficult one to answer - in that technically the treatment won't harm you. Not that there are studies to show this, as no companies want to use pregnant women as a test group for any cosmetic treatment. But legally, doctors should not treat a woman who is pregnant or breast-feeding with anything unless there is a medical need to do so.

I had toxins for the first time with an experienced dermatologist. It didn’t work so we did two top-ups, which also didn’t work. Then we tried two different brands but also didn’t work. Seems like I have antibodies. Any tips about where to...

It sounds like you are resistant to the drug, but this is really quite rare. Manufacturer clinical trials showed that no more than 1.5% of patients develop “neutralising antibodies”, and the figures are something like 1 in 10,000 that it doesn’t work for. Usually, if the treatment doesn’t work, it can be because of the dosage (not everyone’s the same, and some people need a higher dose) or the dilution of the product. But you say the practitioner was an experienced dermatologist. It’s hard to tell if you had all the treatments at the same clinic. It may be worth getting a second opinion, but you could be wasting your money if...

Hi Alice, how long after the Covid vaccination is it safe to have fillers/toxins?

Hi, most doctors advise waiting a couple of weeks after having the vaccination before having fillers (or, if you've had fillers, to wait a couple of weeks before having the jab). There are relatively few instances where having the vaccination causes an immune reaction that makes fillers swell temporarily  - but it can happen. With toxins or other wrinkle-relaxing toxins, the general advice is the same - to wait two weeks after having the vaccine.

In your opinion is Dermalux able to tighten the skin enough I would not need Morpheus8 if I used it regularly?

Hi, short answer - no. these are two very different treatments. Yes they both work by stimulating collagen production in the skin, but they work in different ways. The Dermalux Flex is using red LED light to gently rejuvenate the skin, by improving hydration, prompting the development of more collagen and reducing inflammation in the skin so it takes down redness and also reducing uneven brown pigmentation. As you say, the benefits are cumulative, so you need to use it consistently - and the more the better. Morpheus8 and other forms of radiofrequency microneedling  cause huge immediate damage to the skin, by creating thousands of...

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