I’m a tailoring expert. Here are 5 tips you should know before booking

Whether you’re horrified by the bizarre results or fascinated by the successful ones, there’s no denying that non-surgical cosmetic procedures (or “tweaks”) are fascinating to behold.

Increasingly, friends are asking me if it might be worth a quick spin, but I always preface my response with, “Of course, I have no intention of actually doing it.”

I perform many of these procedures “professionally” and am fascinated by the technology and the possibilities.

There are some I use as religiously as highlighters and SPF (things that stop time, not my face).

What I can’t stand is the amount of marketing and social media surrounding many of these treatments, which too often and too blatantly distorts reality to be of any help to patients.

What you have to remember is that we’re primarily dealing with medical procedures that involve manipulating the body using syringes, toxins, and extreme heat.

Despite commonly used terms like “zero downtime,” “lunch break treatment,” and “minimally invasive tweaks,” many are far from a harmless facial and, while safe when done properly, do carry risks.

So, here are some of my truths about tweaking to help you make an informed choice.

Double your downtime

The time it takes to return to full normal after treatment, or “downtime,” is often underestimated.

For example, “a little bit of redness” after Morpheus8 could translate into a tomato-red face dotted with blood spots for a few days, while “a few small bumps” from Profhilo or other skin boosters could mean Star Trek-like alien bumps that last for a long time.

Intense energy-based treatments and some injectables (especially those aimed at fat loss) can cause deep bruising, and laser treatments can cause brown spots or veins to become very dark for a week or more and then disappear.

Any “ablative” treatment, be it chemical peels, lasers, plasma, or other heat-based devices, will inevitably cause the top layer of skin to shrink and flake off, so whatever downtime you have, doubling it might help lower your odds.

All of this makes sense, but it’s best to prepare for the worst case scenario.

Cost twice as much

These treatments are extremely expensive, and they should be, so getting a medically qualified professional to use products that are not available on the black market is unsafe and should be avoided.

While some treatments may sound cheap, you will often need more than a minimum number of treatments to see good results, so consider your options and ask questions before you shell out any money.

Prepare for the pain

If you are warned that you may experience “discomfort” during or after treatment, be aware that “pain” is often a more accurate description.

This substance, despite being a numbing cream, can cause stinging and burning pain, so be prepared to grit your teeth.

Choose a doctor, not a celebrity client

You want a doctor who is more interested in your face than theirs.

I’m not saying that some famous doctors aren’t great, but if they’re waxing lyrical about their “celebrity” clients or their TikTok account is filled with pictures of themselves pouting, I’d steer clear of them.

Great practitioners are passionate about delivering great work, not about themselves.

Also, by looking at the faces of the doctors and staff, you can get a good idea of ​​their aesthetic sense towards patients.

Compete and win!

My Icon of the Week

Sarah Jessica Parker

The actress, best known for playing Carrie Bradshaw in And Just Like That and Sex and the City, paired her look with a hat by Maryam Keihani (right) and makeup by Merit (meritbeauty.com).

The 59-year-old chose Flash Balm in Cheeky (£32), Solo Shadow in Nelson (£26), Shade Slick Lip Oil in Eau Naturel (£26) and Brow 1980 Volumising Pomade in Blonde (£26).

Transparent sunscreen

Cosmetics craving