Wanting to try an aesthetic tweakment for the first time but not sure where to start? Here are four of our beauty director’s favourite non-surgical tweakments for beginners – that are suitable for even complete newbies.
Rest assured, they offer subtle enhancements that look totally natural, and have little recovery time or ‘downtime’ (so you can return to the office and daily life, including exercise, almost straightaway) – no ‘duck face’ or frozen features in sight, we promise.
Consider advanced facials as the perfect first step in embracing tweakments. In fact, in many ways, they don’t immediately feel different to the facial treatments you might have already tried in a spa (as most clinics will still have you lying down on a cosy treatment bed). However, while spa-based therapies tend to focus on relaxing and pampering, with multi-steps of cleansing and moisturising your skin (while you gently snore), advanced facials – as the name suggests – takes things up a notch.
Focusing specifically on your skin concerns (beyond simple hydration), these treatments can give you back your sculpted jawline, soothe inflammation on sensitive skin and tackle breakouts at their source, quickly and effectively. That makes them perfect to book in for before a big event, or to make part of your broader quarterly skincare routine to keep your skin radiant and clear.
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Hydrafacial: the original deep-cleaning facial, this clever treatment uses a pen-like device to (for want of a better term) gently jet-wash your skin, driving gunk out of your pores, while infusing your skin with moisture and other nutrients like no facialist’s hands ever could. It doesn’t end there. There’s also a mild chemical peel element, which quickly removes dull, rough skin for a radiant glow, but without that Samantha from Sex in the City red-faced moment. Book Now
EMFace: No needles, no downtime, sculpted cheekbones. EMFace’s advanced facial is a totally non-invasive way to boost your skin – and it’s brilliant for before parties. Your practitioner pops sticky pads onto your face, which are connected to a machine that combines two leading technologies: radiofrequency which helps boost collagen and elastin production, and high-intensity facial electromagnetic stimulation (HIFES), which works to tone your facial muscles. The sensation is a little odd – as your face physically contracts and relaxes out of your control, but it’s not painful and after just 20 minutes your skin has an instant lift. Then, after four treatments that sculpted look really lasts. Book Now
No tweakments list would quite be complete without addressing toxin injections – aka ‘Botox’ – the wrinkle-relaxing treatment that most of us are very aware about. We write it like that because ‘Botox’ is actually a specific brand name, so just one type of the purified protein derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which is known for temporarily limiting muscle contractions. When injected into targeted areas, toxin prevents these muscles from tightening, which smooths out wrinkles and fine lines, such as crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines.
If you’re new to tweakments and worried about looking ‘frozen’ or ‘wonky’ – don’t fret. Those side effects are often less to do with the tweakment itself, and everything to do with the skill of your practitioner, so look for expertise not a ‘good deal’. Less is also more in this case. It’s always better to go back for a ‘top up’ than overdo it on the first time around.
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Dr Sophie Shotter: named aesthetic practitioner of the year in 2023, Dr Sophie’s deft touch with toxin is as effective as her warm and friendly manner. Brilliant at putting first-timers at ease, her work is all but ‘invisible’ – your lines are smoothed away without changing your face’s natural movement. Plus, she’s a great source of skincare and supplement suggestions too. Book Now
Dr David Jack: for injectables that will have your friends saying you look ‘so great’ (rather than asking what you’ve had done), head to one of Dr David’s three award-winning clinics in London (or the one in his native Edinburgh). Consistently celebrated for his ‘less but better’ approach and smiley demeanour, he is a whizz with a needle, and the discreet work of his whole team is top-tier. Book Now
The biggest tweakment trend for 2024 (and 2025, no doubt), skin-boosters also happen to be another great way to dip your toe into the aesthetic treatment pond. Unlike dermal fillers that add volume to your face (making them amazing for restoring lost structure but also more obvious if done incorrectly), skin-boosters focus on skin quality first-and-foremost. That means they act like the treatment version of a very good night’s sleep, a stress-free holiday, or even what your skin was like five or so years ago, with a very subtle effect that gets better overtime.
Skin boosters are also especially good at treating those initial pesky signs of ageing, such as around the eyes, or for restoring hydration and radiance after you have been rushing around. That’s because they help you achieve a really healthy skin glow and the appearance of smoother, less-lined skin, while still looking exactly like you.
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Profhilo: Perhaps the most famous skin-booster in the category, Profhilo is a rejuvenating skin treatment that involves injecting hyaluronic acid (yes, the hydrating hero ingredient you may have already heard about) just under the surface of your skin. Here it works to keep your skin plump, moisturised and glowing for longer than any moisturiser ever could. Book Now
Polynucleotides: Polynucleotides are repeating units of the building blocks of DNA and RNA, and, for aesthetics, they are usually derived from (purified!) fish DNA, such as in leading brands Nucleofill and Plinest. They are injected into the skin to promote tissue regeneration and to boost collagen and elastin production. That means they enhance skin quality from the inside out, leaving you with smoother, firmer, and brighter skin without the “overdone” look. Book Now
Feel like you are never done with hair removal? Laser could be the beginner-friendly solution you need, not least because it can free you from the seemingly endless cycle of shaving in the shower or booking in for waxes. Most significantly – unlike shaving, waxing or hair removal creams – laser offers a permanent reduction in hair growth by using concentrated light energy to target the pigment in your hair, which damages the follicles and inhibits regrowth.
While not a one-and-done-treatment (you need a course of six to eight sessions), it’s a simple and effective way to reduce unwanted hair on areas like the legs, underarms, face, and even your bikini line. It is also a good introduction to the commitment many tweakments need, and the pay-off is arguably worth it – not just less frequent hair removal maintenance, but a goodbye to razor burn, ingrown hairs, and the pain of waxing too.
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Phi Clinic: At leading aesthetic doctor Dr. Tapan Patel’s Harley Street clinic, the skilled team use the clinically proven Alma Soprano Titanium device for laser hair removal because it’s virtually painless and super quick. Best of all, it is suitable for all hair types and skin tones. Book Now
Thérapie Clinic: Thérapie Clinic’s laser hair removal is an ideal solution for beginners who are more than a little worried about feeling the pain. The clinic uses Cynosure medical-grade laser machines like the Elite+ and IQ, which target hair follicles with precision while cooling technology keeps things comfortable. Book Now
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