I have a feeling this will likely be a pretty divisive post however I hope that you stick with me here even if you are full-on against messing with nature/your face/injectables of any kind. I think when it comes to these kinds of things, it’s always incredibly personal. We live in a time when unfortunately, women are still seen first and listened to after. While I would love to not have my looks play any role in my own confidence, I would be lying if I said it never does.
The fact is, I’m actually a fairly confident person. Of course, there are things I’m not too crazy about when I look in the mirror but overall, well, I’ve had a long time to accept what I’ve got to work with. I have days when I think I look tired/old/frumpy and I have days where I can look in the mirror and think, ‘Damn, girl, you are looking fiiiiine!’ Ha! Okay, so that doesn’t happen too often but basically, I just want to state that I don’t have crippling self-esteem issues and that’s not why I decided to get a little help with feeling better about myself.
However, I’m in my 40s now (how in the hell did THAT happen?!) and I’ve started to see some changes that I just wasn’t too keen on. Now I’m going to be explaining exactly why I decided to go the derma fillers route very shortly but first, I want to show you where I decided to have the work done.
Side note… Do I still consider myself a feminist even though I’ve had work done? Abso-f*cking-lutely. Feminism is about choice and it’s about allowing other women to make choices that are right for them even if it’s not something that’s right for you. I found this video interesting btw.
The thing is, there are a million and one places that will tell you they can do your fillers or do your botox. Hell, you can even go to ‘Botox parties’ now and have some person you’ve never even met or heard of before stick needles in your face but with a few glasses of Prosecco, well, why not, right? Unfortunately, without doing your research, things can go pretty wrong pretty quickly. And when it comes to your face, trust me when I tell you that you want it in the hands of professionals with years of experience.
This is where Yuva Medispa in Alderly Edge came in for me. I was invited to a press launch of their gorgeous new state of the art treatment centre in October and absolutely fell in love with the decor. That’s not the reason I had it done there but my goodness did it draw me in at least initially!
What convinced me that this incredible location was where I wanted to be treated was listening to Dr Raj Acquilla, one of the UK’s most respected Aesthetic Doctors who is well known for his natural-looking results. He is also a trainer and industry opinion leader, teaching medical professionals around the world his methods of injectables as a practising doctor for 18 years. He has an incredibly impressive CV, regularly travelling the world to present at industry conferences in front of dermatologists, doctors and plastic surgeons who come to observe his techniques for creating natural and subtle, yet dramatic, results. He’s won numerous awards and is listed as one of the top cosmetic doctors in the UK.
On the day, after hearing from Dr Acquilla (seen above), we watched three different demonstrations – dermafillers, botox and a hydra facial. We were able to see first hand the subtle but natural results of these treatments and during the treatments, the individual doctors explained exactly what they were doing, why and what results could be expected. It was incredibly informative. None of the women who had the treatments looked radically different, none of them looked like they were suddenly made of plastic with their faces swelled up like balloons. They all looked like themselves, just a little bit fresher.
And this is the thing with these kinds of treatments. The results should be so natural that you’d never know the patient had anything done. Dr Acquilla explained his approach when it comes to the geometry of the face. He said, for instance, that the ideal angle for your eyebrows should be between 19 – 21 degrees. In fact, that same angle is normally repeated throughout the face – it’s the ideal lift for your eye, your jawline, even the ends of your mouth. As we age, those areas start to fall slowly with gravity and the loss of facial fat pockets. Below that angle, you begin to look a bit sad (even if you aren’t!) but going above those angles (normally with excessive treatment), your face starts to look very unnatural – it’s what we see over and over in the Media when injectables ‘go wrong’ – that crazed look where you know something just isn’t right!
The other thing I loved is that they have a very personal approach. The entire building revolved around their customers’ privacy which I really appreciated. Dr Acquilla said that the design was created so that there were individual treatment and waiting rooms so that if a client comes through the door, they will get the feeling they are the only one there. There is no waiting alongside other clients and they are provided complete privacy throughout their visit.
There was such an emphasis, in fact, on natural-looking results that the following day, I got in touch with them and asked about booking a consultation for the following week. I received my treatment the same day as my consultation as by then I was sure it was what I wanted but you can go away and think about it if you want to – there is no pressure. They even did a free skin analysis with the machine shown below which takes a picture of your skin with 3 separate cameras. I was very surprised with the results, showing my pores and texture were actually better than I thought but due to being prone to freckles, I had quite a lot of UV damage – all those years of sunbeds long ago will catch up with me eventually! Ack!
I’m talking more of my experience specifically with the dermal fillers in the video below, including exactly why I decided to get derma fillers, the healing process, what I thought of the final results and what it was like being poked with lots of needles! There’s even an appearance of me WITHOUT MAKEUP ON. Yeah, I went all in for this one! ;)
It was Dr Liesel Holler who performed the injections and she was just the loveliest, friendliest and warmest individual (not to mention drop-dead gorgeous). She really did put me completely at ease during the whole thing. All in, my experience with Yuva Medispa was fantastic and I’m already considering going back for a hydra facial!
Disclaimer: Please know that I am in no way encouraging anyone to get work done as I believe this is an incredibly personal decision and you really need to make that decision for yourself. This is just to give my own first-hand experience if someone is considering it. I had my fillers done free of charge in exchange for my honest review but as always, I only work with brands and companies I really like and think you may like too. Please do your research before undergoing any procedure and please do your research on the doctors and nurses performing it!Β
You’re beautiful but I completely get what you’ve said. I go through phases of not looking after my skin and I really notice the difference. I would definitely have a look at fillers after seeing this. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Aww thank you darling! I’ve always tried to take good care of my skin and that’s really ramped up over the last year or so but there are certain things creams and serums just can’t do! xxx
Hey you! I think its totally your prerogative. In all honesty, I used to be really against this kind of stuff, but as I’ve got older and the frown lines have got deeper, its something I’d consider now!
Aww cheers lovely. I felt the same way, definitely against it when I was younger but I think it’s probably a lot easier to say when your skin is still fresh and youthful! Ha! I don’t regret it at all but it’s certainly a personal choice to make xxx
Good for you for going ahead and posting. Iβm slightly older than you and it is something Iβve thought about but never taken further. I love that youβve shared your experience with us. It doesnβt matter what any of us think, the world is full of individuals. People should learn to be a little more understanding and perhaps think before they comment. Xx
Aww, thanks lovely. I’ve not had any negativity so far – so perhaps it was all in my head in terms of being cautious! I can overthink things sometimes!! lol I thought about it for a long time before going ahead with it myself but it’s not something you want to just jump into anyway, it definitely pays to be patient and feel good about the decision. I don’t regret it at all xxx
You could really see a difference in the side by side photos on the video and I can definitely see why you went ahead and had it done. I’d love to know if you had any filler above your lip. I don’t mean the lips themselves but the skin above. I have lots of fine lines there (not from smoking either annoyingly) and I’ve often wondered if fillers would make a difference.
Like you I never thought I would get anything done to my face but earlier this year I had botox on the frown lines between my eyebrows. They have always been bad and I got so sick of people saying ‘cheer up’ when I was actually fine. The results were subtle but fantastic too in my view. I felt I looked less tired and grumpy! Now I’ve turned 50 I’m really starting to notice changes to my face and not for the better. Thanks for putting your video out there, you’ve made me think of getting fillers now and I just wish the clinic you used was nearer to where I live!
Aww thanks Kate! I didn’t have any above my lip, no, but at this point, I don’t have too many lines there. It’s worth asking or researching what they can do though if it concerns you. I genuinely think it’s one of those personal decisions but it’s so easy to think you’d never do it before your face actually starts properly ageing. I was so naive then ;) I’m pleased to hear you were really happy with the botox – I’ve felt so much more confident in my appearance since I’ve had it done. I think my face look so tired all the time before! I definitely don’t regret it :) xx
I can understand your apprehension about posting this but I honestly don’t think you need to worry. I’ve never had an issue with anyone having cosmetic procedures, and I don’t see why anyone else would, it’s not their body and so not their business really! The bad botox examples which make people look like aliens are a bit horrifying but that’s the problem of the person going too far and not researching a more subtle way to achieve the changes as you have. I’ve always thought you look amazing, and very young for your age (pretty sure I’ve wondered if you’re a vampire in previous comments somewhere), but… I can definitely see the fresher appearance this has given you and it’s amazing that this has made you feel better. I am not rich enough for cosmetic help right now, but I’ve always said I’d happily accept help from science to look and feel better about myself if I can afford it!
I totally agree! I can completely understand someone not wanting to do it and those who do – it’s their face so their rules! I’m not into that ‘plastic’ look myself, just wanted a little help and I’m really happy with the very natural results I got! And maybe I can hang on to that ‘vampire’ look for just a little longer! Ha! xxx
Maybe the most important is exactly that this made you feel better. You are beautiful and you don’t have to worry about anything. That’s your decision. If I have to be honest I’m a little bit scare about such procedures. I am happy you’re gone to the right place with the right doctors.
Aww thanks so much, Victoria – it’s definitely such a personal decision and it was really important that I emphasised that in my video especially. I think you have to feel very confident in that decision and be honest with yourself in terms of your expectations. Finding the right doctor is just so important! Thank so much for your lovely comment :) xxx
If it makes you happy, then go for it. Itβs not my cup of coffee because every wrinkle and spot tells the story of my life and I have nothing to regret! Iβm 47 now and the older I get the more I love my self because my face reflects my personality better and better. I just decided to let my gray hair grow out, not because I let go and care less about myself. Itβs the complete opposite-I want to be seen as the person I am now.
For me the beauty of a person lies in the eyes and my eyes are glimpses the same way like they did in my twenties!
But thatβs my journey and yours is different. Iβm very thankful that we live in a Part of the world where we have the choice to do what we like. I donβt feel any pressure to look or act in a certain way, thatβs feminism for me.
Wish you all the best and I hope youβre happy with your decision because itβs yours!
Love, Ria
I love your outlook Ria and can completely understand your view! Thanks so much for explaining your side so graciously and I admire your take on it :) I totally agree and support that everyone will have a different view and you need to do what’s right for you. Thanks lovely, I’m really happy with my decision but I know it won’t be for everyone :) Have a fabulous weekend xxx
Itβs a pleasure reading your blog. The decision to open up your posts to a more personal way gives your audience a lot more mindful content ever before and I love the respectfulness of the conversations here in the comments! Have a nice weekend,xxx
Iβm a strong beleiver in doing whatever makes you happy… you look great before and after and without makeup too thanks for sharing!