The best no-downtime treatments according to experts

There was a time not too long ago when the most effective aesthetic treatments involved some serious downtime—think bruising, redness, peeling, sensitivity, and swelling. This meant if you wanted to see noticeable results, hiding out at home till you looked and felt back to normal was a necessity.
But not anymore, as the newest devices and formulas are not only more advanced but have been designed to cut downtime to a minimum, if any at all. We reached out to the experts to discover their favourite no-downtime treatments…

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DERMAL FILLERS

Anna Hemming, Aesthetic Doctor and Founder, Thames Skin Clinic
“Treatments that target the jowls have become increasingly popular at Thames Skin Clinic, and one of our most effective modalities is the use of dermal filler, thanks to its ability to offer immediate results. By subtly restoring the fat pads in the upper face, we’re able to lift the jowls upwards and restore facial volume. Correct placement of dermal filler in the lower face can restore the jaw line and chin, tightening the jowl from all angles. To ensure minimal to no downtime, we use fillers of the highest quality which reduces reactivity and therefore minimises swelling. Our treatment technique is gentle, with minimal trauma on injection. Local anaesthetic injections reduce pain and bleeding from cannula insertion points, and the use of cold compresses before injecting helps to numb the skin and reduce bruising. The entire procedure typically lasts less than 40 minutes, with results lasting anywhere from 12 to 18 months.”


AVICLEAR

Dr Nestor Demosthenous, Founder, Dr Nestor’s Medical & Cosmetic Centre
“Treating acne can be hard work, and in-clinic treatment options have been limited, until now. Cue, AviClear, a first of its kind FDA approved laser designed to treat inflammatory acne vulgaris for a long-lasting reduction of acne. AviClear treats acne
at the source by selectively targeting and suppressing the sebaceous glands, delivering energy in the form of light to
said glands, in order to damage sebocytes (sebum producing cells) and suppress sebum production. Designed to be used
on all skin tones, anyone with mild, moderate, or severe acne can expect to see at least half of their acne resolve at the 12-month mark, post three treatments, spaced one month apart. 92 per cent of clinical trial patients reported that their acne had improved even further after 12 months. Sessions last around 30 minutes, and skin is kept wet and cool to mitigate any discomfort. Despite the device being so powerful and effective, patients can expect no downtime.”


POLYNUCLEOTIDES

Dr Ahmed El Muntasar, Aesthetic Doctor
“Derived from fragmented salmon sperm DNA, polynucleotides closely resemble human DNA. This allows them to function as bio-stimulators, triggering the body’s natural regeneration and repair processes, reducing inflammation, stimulating collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid to offer major youth-boosting benefits; in particular, fine line reduction, an increase in volume, reviving tired eye areas, lessening pigmentation, and dark circles in all skin types and tones. Either injected into the upper layers of the skin or deeper, polynucleotide gels come in various consistencies to suit the areas being treated. Some are quite thick so more suitable for areas such as the jawline, while others are very thin and therefore suitable for under the eyes.
It’s in this popular treatment area that results can be seen instantly—thanks to the instant hit of extra hydration—and
further improve over the course of three months, after two three polynucleotide sessions. Many people find there’s no downtime at all; when injected superficially you may be left with tiny bumps that disappear after a few hours, though these do not occur when placed deeper. For those who bruise or swell easily it’s a matter of injecting with care and following up the treatment with arnica cream.”


MICROTOX

Dr Raquel Amado, Director and Medical Practitioner, Dr Raquel Skin and Medical Cosmetics
“If you’re looking to revitalise and rejuvenate your complexion, botulinum toxin can work wonders. It can diminish pore size, reduce redness and oil production, as well as eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. This minimally invasive procedure uses a unique injection pattern to deposit toxin into the face; unlike traditional methods, this treatment is administered just below the skin’s surface, enabling practitioners to inhibit the superficial fibres of the muscles attached to the skin. This allows for natural movement below, and smoother looking skin above. When it comes to oil production and redness, botulinum toxin has
also been shown to reduce the production of sebum and block the nerve signals that trigger blood vessel dilation, causing redness. Thanks to the ultra-thin needles used, the treatment also circumvents any bruising or swelling that can occur when injecting into the skin.”


SCALPACIAL

Bhavjit Kaur, Co-Founder and Director, Health & Aesthetic Clinic
“The scalp should receive the same care as the skin on the face, and in order to grow healthy hair, scalp care is a must. The Scalpacial is a personalised offering that includes one or more of a range of scalp boosting treatments, including HydraFacial Keravive, microneedling with or without platelet rich plasma therapy, Calecim stem cell hair growth serum, AQ advanced growth factors, exosome therapy, LED light therapy bolstered by hair supplements, and at-home hair care advice and products. It’s suitable for all, whether you want to maintain healthy hair, boost hair growth, improve the quality of your hair, or simply look after your scalp post hair loss. When it comes to density and growth, it can take up to six months to see results, however, scalp conditions are treated far quicker and overall scalp health can be improved in a matter of weeks—all without contending with a minute of downtime.”