As we all know, one of the things you really can’t avoid in this life is Gravity. Unless you fancy a sneaky trip to Space, it’s a sure fact that What Goes Up is Coming Back Down. Or – in aesthetic terms – what starts off perky, ends up a little saggy.

In the case of Face Shape, gravity works its magic here as anywhere by pulling all areas downwards.

 Where Does Gravity Affect?

This is most obviously manifest by:

•  lowering of the eyebrows
• heaviness of the upper eyelids
• excess skin in the lower eyelids
• sinking of the apples of the cheeks
• formation of jowls
• excess skin in the neck region

 Whilst these typical signs of aging tend to fill people with dread, each can be treated.

1st Steps for Treating Gravity of the Face

As an initial course of action, a lifetime of healthy vitamin-rich diet, plenty of exercise, using sun protection (whilst avoiding harsh weather exposure in general), moisturiser and serum usage and avoiding smoking or alcohol will certainly stand you in good stead for holding off gravity in the face for longer.

Unfortunately, however, even with the best will in the world nobody can prevent the aging process forever.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Gravity of the Face

At this point, the first step is often non-surgical procedures of which there are a whole host specially suited to each of the problems listed above:

•  lowering of the eyebrows – Muscle Relaxing injections can help relax the Active muscle that causes the brow to drop
• sinking of the apples of the cheeks – Dermal Fillers can be used to plump out cheek volume
• Aged and damaged skin – Genuine Dermaroller Therapy

Surgical Treatments for Gravity of the Face

However, depending on your age and how advanced the affects of gravity already are on your face, you may find that you need a consultation with a specialist surgeon regarding surgical procedures as non-surgical treatments cannot deal with large amounts of excess skin or heaviness, particularly in the upper eyelid region or jowls (although advances in non-surgical treatments like the Nefertiti Neck Lift may be of interest to you!) 

• Low brow position – brow lift surgery
• Heavy upper Eyelids – Upper blepharoplasty are removing the excess fold on the upper eyelid.
• Lower eyelid – Lower blepharoplasty tightening up of the skin of the lower eyelid and removing puffiness.
• Jaws and Necklift – Face and Necklift procedures.

 Whichever route you decide to take, gravity may be an inevitable fact of life but it is not one that you need to take “lying down”: if you want to do something about the affects of gravity in your face, you can achieve extremely successful results through both non-surgical and surgical procedures for reversing the inevitable effects gravity takes in our face.

Contact Aurora Clinics for more information on 0800 328 5743 / info@aurora-clinics.co.uk

Are Celebrities Good Adverts for Cosmetic Surgery?

On balance, we feel that many celebrities are not particularly good adverts for cosmetic and plastic surgery. Here are the reasons why:

Celebrities who are in the press for having had cosmetic or plastic surgery are frequently those who have had very obvious ‒ and sometimes extreme ‒ changes made to their bodies. It is true that a large number of celebrities do have some sort of cosmetic treatment, although mostly this is relatively minor treatment such as Botox anti-wrinkle injections. However, it is the ones who have excessive plastic surgery that tend to draw attention from the media and therefore give the public a skewed view of the results that can be obtained from plastic surgery, which are generally positive and ideally not obvious.

Understandably for many celebrities it is very important for their careers that they maintain a fresh and natural look and a large number of people in the media have treatment surgery performed in order to achieve this.

These treatments would typically include natural looking Botox and dermal filler treatments to reduce the excessive lines on the forehead and lower face that tend to develop over the years, together with a good skin care regime and protection from a high factor sun block. It is notable, for example, that very few newsreaders frown a great deal, implying that many of them have been treated with natural amounts of botox to achieve very normal results. The aim with good plastic surgery is to limit the changes that occur with age by producing a revitalised appearance that makes you look like yourself, but is a more fresh and youthful version.  This is commonplace throughout the media industry but our attention is usually drawn to the following types of cases.

Celebrities who have had Excessively Large Breast Enlargement Surgery

If it is very obvious that someone has had a breast enlargement surgery, then generally the implant is too big and unnatural for their physique. In the vast majority of cases breast enlargements are performed in order to restore the volume of the bust to match the person’s overall body shape, especially with regard to the hips and shoulders. Typical sizes of implants we use in breast enlargements at the Aurora Clinics range from 250 to 350 cc, compared to many of the people in the media who have had obvious breast enlargements, where implants of over 700 cc have been used.

Celebrities who have had Excessive Facial Treatment

The aim of our facial treatments at Aurora clinics is to make you look natural and as far as possible to limit signs of aging. We have all seen people who have had excessive surgery carried out, with face lifts and the injection of materials into the face, producing a very unnatural tight look which is usually considered very unattractive. If it is so obvious  that a person has had plastic surgery, then the best results have not been achieved. While many celebrities in the media do have face lift and eye procedures, the vast majority will look normal and you will not be able to tell that they have had treatment. The few exceptions to this rule give a very inaccurate view of plastic surgery which unfortunately puts many people off considering it.

One of the areas disliked most by visitors to Aurora Clinics is the area under their eyes: dark circles here can appear even more ageing than wrinkles or grey hair. One of the common misconceptions is that under-eye dark circles, bags and puffiness are the same thing. In fact, they vary in looks and are generally caused by different factors. Under-eye bags are due to an excess of skin when the delicate under-eye area loses elasticity as a natural side-effect of ageing. Hereditary conditions can worsen this i.e. if your parents had particularly pronounced under-eye bags. Although certain creams and serums can help tighten this area, unfortunately little can be done long-term to drastically improve under-eye bags except resorting to blepharoplasty surgery. Under-eye puffiness is typically linked to fluid retention (often hormonal or connected to the weather and stress, but equally diet and allergies may play a part). Puffy under-eyes, therefore, respond best to addressing the cause of the swelling and either relieving it with natural remedies, or fixing it with the necessary changes to lifestyle. They are tricky to disguise with make-up (which often just accentuates the area) and is really just masking the problem. The rest of this article focuses on the most common complaint we hear of at Aurora; the dreaded “dark circles”.

Causes of Dark Circles:

It is vital to try and identify the cause of your black circles before attempting to remedy them. This is because there are numerous factors which cause dark circles under the eyes, and the choice / success of treatments used is directly dependent on the “type” of dark area you suffer from. Some causes of under-eye shadows include lack of sleep, hereditary conditions and thinning skin due to age. Hyperpigmentation, facial structure and deep tear troughs are others. Ongoing dark circles, however, can indicate underlying health issues, so should not be taken lightly. Allergies and gluten intolerance, for example, are a common cause of skin discolouration around the eyes, as are kidney problems (internal dehydration) and iron deficiency anaemia.

Who responds to Treatments:

Certain people are more responsive to particular remedies for under-eye shadows. If your dark circles are hereditary, for instance, you may face more of a struggle: it is still worth trying to treat this problem area, but you may need to resort to surgery or concealing with make-up rather than treating with creams. If your eye shadowing is caused by lack of sleep, poor nutrition, excess alcohol and caffeine, then you may benefit from changes to your lifestyle more than quick-fix treatments.

Natural remedies:

There are some natural remedies that you can try for your under-eye circles. The effectiveness of these is largely dependent on the cause of your shadows. If you feel you are suffering from dehydration, try to increase your water intake. At Aurora, we recommend this to everybody regardless of whether you are dehydrated; it is likely to help improve your skin condition and could well improve the dark area under your eyes. Avoid salty food and red meat, but try increasing your Vitamin C intake. Get plenty of rest and try cooling the area with refrigerated cucumber slices for 15 minutes. Always use sun protection with a minimum of SPF30 on the under-eye area to avoid further damage to thin skin.

Make-up:

For some people suffering from under-eye shadows, few remedies are effective. People who’s dark circles are caused by shadowing from their facial build, for example, will only really benefit from careful use of make-up, but there are a number of very good light-reflecting products on the market for this purpose. Make-up products should also ideally neutralise the bluish tinge and treat the area. At Aurora, we particularly recommend two products: Cernor Cover Stick, a moisture rich concealer which not only camouflages dark circles with light reflecting and tinting agents but infuses the area with Vitamin K Oxide. For younger ladies suffering from fatigue shadows, bareEscentuals Well Rested for Eyes is a lovely light-reflecting powder which blends easily into your mineral foundation without caking.

Creams:

People are generally sceptical about under-eye creams (us included!) There are lots of gimmicky products out there simply not living up to their claims. This is largely due to the issue of identifying the cause of your dark circles: creams tend to treat shadows caused by tiredness and dehydration, not pigmentation, ageing or genetics. At Aurora, the only long-term treatment cream we endorse for this area is Cernor XO. This cream does work to lighten pigmentation under the eyes and also tightens the area and reflects light. You need to be particularly careful about the strength and fragrance of products that you are putting under your eyes because the skin there is so thin and delicate: Cernor are careful to point out that the cream should be tested for sensitivity.

Non-Surgical:

If your under-eye circles are caused by a deep tear trough, then it may be possible to treat this with a Non-Surgical treatment like Juvaderm Hydrate dermal fillers. You can try to assess whether your dark shadows are due to deep tear troughs by applying pressure to the area. If it is due to a deep tear trough, under pressure it will form over at the inside corner of the eye (where a tear would flow). Dermal Fillers can also successfully treat shadows caused by under-eye hollows due to fat loss in the area after weight loss, or as a natural side-effect of ageing. Juvaderm Hydrate to this area can give instant and dramatic results (after possible initial bruising) but you will need a thorough consultation first to establish whether this is a suitable treatment for you. If your dark circles are due to Hyperpigmentation, (dark, uneven skin patches) then you may possibly respond well to a series of Chemical Peels: again, a consultation with an experienced Aesthetic Practitioner is vital to determine whether this is the right course of action for you.

For a Free Consultation with one of our Aesthetic Practitioners, call us on 01844 214 362

The fact that the Team here at Aurora Clinics (undoubtedly like staff at Cosmetic Surgery Centres nationwide) met this news with wide-eyed horror speaks volumes. Our reaction has nothing to do with fear of healthy competition. Quite simply, we are better placed than the average consumer to understand the margin for error with treatments like Dermaroller, Botox and Fillers. We are appalled at what results may follow when a procedure which should be well-researched, considered, discussed at length during a consultation with a knowledgeable Practitioner, tailored to each patients’ individual needs (physically and medically), recorded, reviewed, followed-up and adjusted each time they return instead becomes taken so lightly that clients can merely step in off the street and cram it into their lunch-break before rushing back before the Boss notices.

A treatment like Dermaroller, whilst incredibly effective for lines, stretchmarks and acne scarring when administered by a trained Aesthetic Practitioner, is still a Clinical Needling technique: many patients experience quite some degree of redness after this procedure, hardly making it suitable for lunch-time treatment, particularly if patients expect to return immediately to work unnoticed! The fact that Clinical procedures like these are being offered alongside “beauty salon” treatments like eyebrow threading, facials and ear piercing just adds to the Alarm Bells that this really isn’t being taken seriously enough.

Superdrug plans to trial the scheme with only two stores initially (Kensington, West London, and Milton Keynes) offering the procedures from “Private Treatment Rooms” set up downstairs in the main store. Hardly the desired Clinical location for such treatments, but they are admittedly using medically qualified professionals: doctors and dentists from established firm Cosmedoctor. This company has already aligned themselves with cut-price procedures: as they state in their Blog about the move to Superdrug “As a company we feel our brand is ready for a high street location and as our treatments are affordably priced it ties in very well with the Superdrug brand.”

The problem, as all good Cosmetic Surgeons will confirm, is that you really do get what you pay for with any form of Cosmetic Surgery, be it Surgical or Non-Surgical. Not only do the standards of results achieved with Botox and Fillers vary greatly between Aesthetic Practitioners, you may actually be getting less product (therefore less effective or long-lasting treatment) for your money.  There is not a large margin for profit in anti-wrinkle injections, so in order for Superdrug to make any profit (which they obviously want!) product will have to be used sparingly. You also pay for your Practitioner’s time: of course a 10 minute consultation is going to cost less than a thorough half-hour analysis, but as Aurora’s Mr Richards emphasizes, this process really is vital. It is important that your Practitioner knows your full medical history, has taken the time to analyse your face and how your muscles work to get a good feel for which lines and wrinkles need treating, debriefs you fully about what the treatment involves and the complications that can occur so that you know exactly what you are having done. And the aftercare is just as important as the treatment itself.

“The fact that people think you can just walk in on your lunch break for anti-ageing treatment shows that they have not really “got” what Botox is about”,  Sue Addison, Aurora’s Head of Business Operations, worries; “it’s not a Buy-it-off-the-Shelf commodity, like a can of baked beans, to be taken lightly! There are so many factors, so many potential anomalies to consider; that takes time and an experienced professional”.

So yes, Superdrug may soon be luring you in with promises of zapping your wrinkles away for as little as £145 per area of the face: but think really carefully. Of all the areas of your appearance to skimp on, is something so important as your health and so visible as your face really the one that you want to compromise?

It’s fast approaching Valentines; the allocated Day of the year for unashamed partner-baiting / celebrating your relationship with cards, romantic meals and making yourself look drop-dead-gorgeous to confirm how lucky your Man is to have you.

But with UK women increasingly choosing breasts, neck and face-lift surgeries above all others (except Botox and Fillers) in an attempt to feel more attractive, are these factors which affect a woman’s beauty in the eyes of our Men? Or are other areas of greater importance to the perplexing Opposite Sex?

Many men are actually more bothered about your Face than your Body. On www.girlsaskguys.com, all the men questioned as to which they prefer claimed that a pretty face was more important, especially as bodies can be altered with exercise and diet.

In terms of which female facial features are most attractive to men, there is one clear winner: Lips. Scientists have recently discovered that the average man spends more than half his time looking at the mouth of a woman he has just met. This study found that men prefer a full, firm pout. Interestingly, though, thinner lips increased in appeal by 40% once lipstick was applied….more on this later!

After lips, it is your skin and complexion which get male hearts beating. Easy Living Magazine’s Giles Coren speaks for many men when describing his Ideal Woman with ‘shimmering golden freckles’, ‘skin all lustrous and pink’ and ‘pink cheeks all a-blush’. His description may sound like an unobtainable fantasy of natural perfection, but don’t throw in the cleansing wipes just yet: Coren confides,“All men think they prefer a girl with no make-up on….But it just means that you like women who know how to put their make-up on. All those girls who look natural and make-up free are just wearing really expensive stuff that they spent ages putting on and have been putting on for years and years and years and really know how to do.”

Bingo, Giles! The man’s got it right on all accounts except one: looking like your Man’s Fantasy Woman this Valentines Day does not need to be ‘really expensive’. You just need to understand what your man wants and have the insider know-how to get it right.

For those perfect Pouting Lips, there are so many great options out there and this is one area that it’s worth really taking your time to research properly; as David Ross, Chief Executive of The Hospital Group says, “Lips are an important feature that are always on display”. Permalip silicone implants can give a permanent enhancement to your lips and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, tailored to you (see Before and After pictures on our Facebook page, Aurora-Clinics); for a less permanent but equally effective option, Lip Border and Body improvements can be made with Dermal Fillers. Or, why not simply treat yourself to one of the gorgeous Buxom lipglosses from bareEscentuals which, with a very high natural Ceramide concentration and tingling menthol, instantly plumps up lips and permanently does so with continued use! The research study into Lips showed that men prefer Red lipgloss above all others…holding their attention for 7.3 seconds! This was closely followed by bright Pink, which fascinated for 6.7 seconds! We recommend Buxoms in Vanessa (Red) or Kanani (Pink).

And to get that amazing glowing skin and rosy blush? It’s all about your skincare regime and make-up. A lovely refreshing treatment like Microdermabrasion, where tiny crystals exfoliate the skin, can be the perfect pick-me-up to get you looking brighter. We thoroughly recommend the Endocare and Tensage skincare ranges for amazing skin rejuvenation which will have you luminous in no time…there is no fancy packaging, just high concentration of quality ingredients, so you don’t pay extortionate prices. The Endocare Ampoules (£30.00) or Tensage Serum (£37.50) will heal, revitalize and smooth beautifully. For the Natural Look there really is no make-up we’ve found that gets you glowing quite like bareEscentuals. Mineral Veil gives a stunning soft finish, as if you’ve been airbrushed, and the gorgeous Radiance range of blushes have the most subtle light-reflecting shimmer which is very flattering on both young and older skin.

All of these treatments / products and more can be purchased from Aurora Clinics or through our online shop .

Above all, remember that although it is wonderful to look and feel good about yourself physically and to know that the Man in your Life finds you attractive, as the men at www.girlsaskguys.com all said, “It’s more about personality, and who you are as a person”. So Smile…and have a truly Beautiful Valentines Day from all the team at Aurora Clinics.

In fact, Senior Cosmetics Analyst Alexandra Richmond found that during a recession, women actually buy more skincare and makeup products. Lipstick sales in the UK are actually up by 11%! This could be due to the desire for affordable “comfort treats” ….little things we can afford to keep ourselves looking good whilst the going gets tough.

There are lots of products on the market that can make a big difference to your appearance without blowing the bank. The secret is knowing which ones are just gimmicks and which really do deliver results. The answers may surprise you: it is not always the more expensive products, from the big-name companies that you need to invest in (often you are paying for packaging and perfume, rather than products which really work).

Here at Aurora, we only sell clinically-tested skincare and makeup products, many of which are only available to Aesthetic Practitioners and their clients. Some inside tips for looking amazing without spending a fortune are:

• Flavo – C Cream moisturiser – the best moisturiser we’ve come across, providing a powerful hit of Vitamin C to stimulate collagen production for younger, healthier looking skin and a great glow! £22.50
• Tensage Serum – a very intensive serum which regenerates ageing skin, heals, smoothes lines and gives an amazing silky finish (great as a base for make-up!) £37.50
• Cernor Coverstick – For anybody considering eye surgery or who struggles with dark shadows under their eyes…this may be for you! Easily the best under-eye treatment we’ve found, thanks to the high levels of Vitamin K Oxide and light reflecting agents. Not only conceals under-eye circles, but treats them too! £24.00
• bareEscentuals Bisque – This mineral concealer is like nothing else we’ve tried. Containing nothing but Bismuth, Mica and Iron Oxide, this concealer is not a powder or a cream…but gives amazing coverage that feels light yet is capable of hiding scars, acne, dark circles and red veins. Also contains SPF20 sun protection.
• bareEscentuals Buxoms – The Lipgloss that makes you look like you’ve had your lips enhanced! With tons of ceramide to naturally boost collagen production, these tingling glosses really make your lips plump up. They come in a gorgeous range of colours and smell of caramel . £18.00

For those who want something a more intense than a new lipstick or moisturiser, Aurora are offering an amazing bargain at the moment to help beat the Credit-Card Blues! For just £200, you can have:

• A Free Consultation with one of our Aesthetic Practitioners
• Any four skin treatments (Microdermabrasion / Skin Peel / Skin Tag Removal / Thread Vein Removal / Milia Removal)

to help you get your glow back and freshen up for 2011. Making each treatment only £50, this really is your chance to feel fabulous about yourself again without the guilt!

Of course, for some people, Cosmetic Surgery is the only option or you may want it badly enough to find the money against all odds. You can now apply for a BMI Card which enables you to spread the cost of Surgical procedures carried out at BMI Hospitals. Many of Aurora’s Hospitals are within the BMI family, so if you are interested in this option, call Sue Addison on 01844 214 362 and she will be delighted to advise you further.

Shopping outside the UK? For other EU beauty and skincare lovers, why not check out http://www.healthboutiques.eu ? Shop online for a wide selection of health and beauty skin care and hair care products at low internet prices and fast home delivery service – healthboutiques.eu . Please note: this site is not affiliated with Aurora Clinics.

Do you think nip/tuck is only for women?

Think again because there are many options available for men and becoming increasingly popular in the UK.

Here are some statistics to start with:

• The top cosmetic surgery procedures for men in 2007 include liposuction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, male breast reduction, and facelift.
• The top non-surgical procedures for men in 2007 include botox, micro-dermabrasion and skin peel.
• The total number of cosmetic surgery procedures including non-surgical processes performed on men in the US was almost 1 million in 2007.
• In the UK, Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) was the top cosmetic surgery procedure for men. According to BAAPS, 716 men underwent this procedure, which is an increase of 36% since 2006.
• The biggest increase recorded so far has been in male abdominoplasty or tummy tucks at 61% in 2007
• Another cosmetic surgery procedure for men that witnessed an increase is liposuction and the increase was by 18%. As of date, it is considered as the 2nd most popular cosmetic surgery procedure for men
• The third most popular cosmetic surgery procedure for men is breast reduction, which has increased by 27%. BAAPS members conducted 224 procedures on men for breast reduction in 2007 vis-à-vis 177 procedures in 2006

So what are the top 3 cosmetic surgery procedures for men in the UK?

Rhinoplasty (Nose Job): This is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in men, mainly amongst the 20+ age-group. The surgery can be performed internally (inside the nose) or externally. It takes 2-3 hours.

Liposuction: This is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure among men who are in their early or mid 30’s. In 2007, almost 582 liposuction procedures were carried out on men in the UK. The total time for the surgery mostly depends on the size of the area where liposuction has to be conducted and the amount of fat taken out.

Male Breast Reduction (Gynaecomastia):  This is an increasingly common procedure in the UK so men should not feel in any way shy or ashamed to come forward for it. Between 2007-2008, there was a 44% increase in the UK in Male Breast Reduction operations, and a lot of men choose to combine this procedure with Liposuction. Sometimes linked to obesity, but more often simply a genetic flaw in average-sized men, this relatively simple procedure is a confidence-boosting option for image-conscious men.

A recent study by Dr. Steven Dayan (MD, FACS, Chicago Centre for Facial Plastic Surgery, Clinical Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology at University of Illinois at Chicago, Adjunct Professor at DePaul University) found that there is far more to be said for Botox treatments than pure vanity (see our previous blog).

 Botox treatments can increase your quality of life and self-esteem, according to Dr. Dayan’s research. Many patients in his study, treated with Botox, reported:

• increased satisfaction with their appearance
• happier mood
• increased life enjoyment and satisfaction,

suggesting that Botox can be beneficial to you emotionally and psychologically, not just physically.

 This actually seems to be a material factor of the Botox itself: amongst the 100 patients Dr. Dayan tested, the ‘placebo’ group (injected with saline rather than Botox for facial wrinkles), did NOT report the same benefits to quality of life and self-esteem as those injected with Botox. According to Victoria Vogt, this effect is actually because Botox makes people smile more by freezing the muscles that control frowning and ‘the act of smiling produces feelings of happiness’. More smiling = more happiness!

 “If getting Botox makes people feel better about themselves” as Dr. Dayan’s results suggest, there could be lots of advantages to giving it a try, such as potentially “being more productive in your professional life and happier in your personal life”. Even your satisfaction with everyday activities like the housework can be boosted by Botox, according to these latest findings!

 SOURCE: Lynne Thomas (‘New Survey Released on the Effect of Botox Injections on Quality of Life and Self-Esteem’)

To discuss potential Botox treatment or schedule a FREE consultation with one of our aesthetic practitioners, please contact our office on 01844 214 362

According to RED magazine’s  latest cover story (“Warning: Botox Pushers at Work!” Dec 2010), visiting a cosmetic clinic like Aurora is akin to braving a mobile phone dealer’s the week before pay-day with your archaic current model on display and a neon “mug” sign flashing above your head. Expect to be pounced on (Ruth Elkins claims) by packs of commission-hungry co-ordinators whose sole aim is to sign you up to a lifetime “contract” of one cosmetic procedure after another, regardless of your emotional/financial wellbeing.

This could not be further from the truth at Aurora.

For starters: our team do not work for commission. They are facilitators, not sales reps; helping to – completely openly – give all the facts and possibilities for procedures that might benefit you so that you understand what is available and possible. The Aurora experience is about empowerment: What you choose to do with this information is entirely up to you. We respect the intelligence of our clients and know many have already put lots of thought and research into their decision to come forward for treatment. Consultations are entirely voluntary, with no need for “pushing”, cold calling or hard sales! We never pressurise you into a procedure at any time and often suggest taking time in-between your consultation and booking treatment to think about whether this is what you really want.

The RED article implies that clinics make clients see “all the problems” with their faces and therefore feel paranoid so that they have more work done. In fact, at Aurora, far from “pushing” people into treatments they do not really need, Mr. Richards and the Aurora practitioners often recommend non-surgical procedures like botox or dermal fillers  to clients who initially enquired about more radical surgery. This is an aspect Ruth Elkins neglects to mention; that there is truth in the claim that “the earlier you start, the less chance wrinkles will take hold” and so the non-surgical treatments and “expensive skincare products” she berates can actually be a preventative measure for clients who are already sure they want to alter their appearance.

“Make your own decisions”, as Ruth Elkins herself recommends! Do not let articles like this tell you what to think. If you feel that cosmetic procedures – non-surgical or surgical – could make a positive change to your life then come along to a free, NO PRESSURE consultation at Aurora where you can get all the facts for yourself and make an informed, independent decision.

NB: Aurora accepts that some clinics may be less scrupulous. We thoroughly support the advice from BAAPS (the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) as published in RED on “How to Avoid the Push”:

1 – Make your own decisions

2 – Don’t let anyone talk you into a procedure that you do not really want.

3 – Be informed: accept the limitations and risks of any procedure

4 – Speak to practitioners as well as co-ordinators

5 – Avoid paying booking fees or non-refundable deposits

6 – Make sure the timing of cosmetic procedures/surgery is right for you.

Non-surgical solutions include botox for reducing active lines on the face and dermal fillers for restoring volume to the face. In the UK we have seen a rapid increase in the last few years of the number of these procedures performed.

It is important to assess the qualifications & experience of your practitioner prior to receiving any treatment.

The questions that I would advise you ask your practitioner are:
1) How many procedures per year they perform
2) How long they have been performing these treatments
3) Have they ever had any adverse events/poor results following treatment
4) Which treatment they would recommend for you
5) Whether they belong to any trade organisation which regulates cosmetic treatment in the UK.

By asking these 5 questions you will get a good idea of the level of experience of your practitioner and can make an informed decision as to whether they are the right person to treat you.