Frequently Asked Questions

This is exactly why consultations exist — and why I never rush them. I’m here to support you through this decision with honest, friendly advice so you can understand what options are available and whether treatment is right for you.

I’m motivated by what’s genuinely best for my patients, not by sales targets. If you’re not a good candidate for something, I’ll tell you. If there’s a better approach for your goals, we’ll explore that instead. I’ve experienced the pushy side of this industry, and it’s simply not how I work.

I take time to listen and understand how you’re feeling, because exceptional natural-looking results start with understanding what you actually want to achieve. Patient safety and your wellbeing are always my priority.

When performed by qualified medical professionals using approved products, aesthetic treatments have excellent safety profiles. I use only FDA-approved, clinically proven products and maintain the highest medical standards.

As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks — typically minor and temporary things like redness, swelling, or bruising. During your consultation, I’ll discuss all potential risks specific to your treatment so you can make a fully informed decision.

Your safety is never negotiable, which is why I’m a registered nurse prescriber with extensive training and ongoing education in aesthetic medicine.

Most people are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable aesthetic treatments are. I use several techniques to minimize discomfort: topical numbing cream, ice when needed, and the finest needles available.

Everyone’s pain tolerance is different, but most people describe treatments as quick pinching sensations. Many clients find the anticipation worse than the actual treatment.

My experience and gentle technique mean you can feel confident and comfortable throughout your appointment.

Absolutely not. I carefully select which muscles to treat and customize the dosage to maintain your natural expressions while softening the lines that bother you.

Your facial expressions are part of what makes you uniquely you. My approach preserves your ability to smile, laugh, and express yourself naturally — you’ll just do it with smoother skin.

We also offer complimentary review appointments 2-3 weeks after treatment to ensure you’re completely happy with your results.

Never. Natural-looking results are the foundation of everything I do. During your consultation, I’ll listen carefully to your concerns and use my medical expertise to create a treatment plan that enhances your unique features.

Think about it this way — fillers come in 1ml syringes, which is about one-fifth of a teaspoon. We’re talking about subtle enhancements that bring out your natural beauty, not dramatic changes that alter your appearance.

The goal is always for people to say you look amazing without being able to pinpoint exactly what’s different.

This varies depending on the treatment and your individual response:

• Anti-wrinkle injections: 3-6 months
• Dermal fillers: 6-18 months (depending on area and product)
• Skin boosters: 6-9 months
• Sculptra: Up to 2+ years
• Polynucleotides: 6-12 months

During your consultation, I’ll give you realistic expectations for your specific treatment plan.

• It is a highly effective, safe and quick treatment to fix the ageing lines and wrinkles.
• The treatment has minimal downtime and the patient can resume their daily routine after having treatment.
• Anti-wrinkle injections give great results when used in combination with other non-surgical anti-ageing treatments such as dermal fillers.
• They don’t just reduces the present signs of ageing but can also provide prevention from further development of lines and wrinkles.
• The side effects of the treatment are temporary which include swelling, bruising and redness.
• Anti- wrinkle injections can be a great confidence-booster, enabling you to feel comfortable in your own skin.

You can’t become physically addicted to aesthetic treatments. What people call “addiction” is simply loving how confident and refreshed they feel after treatment and wanting to maintain those results.

You can stop treatments at any time without any negative effects. In fact, you’ll still benefit from previous treatments because they’ll have helped prevent further aging during that time.

My goal is always your complete satisfaction, which is why I take such care during consultation and treatment planning. However, if you’re not happy with results from hyaluronic acid-based treatments, these can be safely dissolved.

For anti-wrinkle treatments, results are temporary and will gradually fade if you’re not satisfied. I also offer complimentary review appointments to address any concerns and make adjustments if needed.

There’s no “right” age — it depends entirely on your individual concerns and goals. Some people start with preventative treatments in their twenties, others begin when they notice changes they’d like to address.

The best time is when you’re ready and have realistic expectations about what treatments can achieve. I’m here to help you determine if now is the right time for you.

• Certain medications and supplements thin the blood making bruising more likely such as:

  • Aspirin
  • Vitamin E
  • St John’s wort
  • Ginkgo
  • Evening Primrose oil
  • Garlic
  • Feverfew
  • Ginseng

  For 2 weeks before your treatment:

  • Avoid alcohol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, at least 2 days before your treatments.
  • You may take Arnica tablets or gel 2 days prior to treatment and continue it afterwards for 2-3 days.
  • Ice packs just after the procedure will reduce swelling and constrict blood vessels, reducing any further bruising.
  • You may also use warm compression after a couple of days if bruising has developed. This method will help to speed up the healing process.
  • Pineapple and papaya, topical and dietary vitamin C will also help the healing process as it helps build collagen around vessels.
  • You may also wear light mineral makeup to hide bruising and redness. However, it is not suitable to use makeup right after your treatment.

Most dermal filler treatments usually have no side effects or risks. However, there may be initial swelling, redness and soreness that usually goes away on its own in few days.In case of bruising, you can expect it to take up to 14 days+ to heal. Therefore, we advise planning your dermal fillers treatment around any important events.

Uneven Results

Asymmetry during the procedure is assessed but sometimes natural asymmetries cannot be avoided. However, an uneven or unwanted result caused through dermal fillers can be corrected.

Bumps or Lumps:

Another rare side effect of face fillers is lumps or bumps. A firm massage during and after the procedure can smooth out their look.

If you continue to see these bumps, we may use the dissolving enzyme to break down the fillers.
Below is a list of rare but more severe side effects:

Tissue Necrosis

Injected filler can obstruct the blood supply to skin tissue causing ischaemia which can lead to necrosis. It may occur immediately after injection or hours later. Trained injectors are better able to manage such rare side effects.

Granulomas

These are nodules that may appear months or years after treatment, and they are more common with permanent fillers. They arise when the body reacts to the filler material by flushing it out. Corticosteroid injections or excision are usually preferred to treat granulomas.

Infection

As with any cosmetic treatment, there is always a chance of infection. It is possible to reduce the risk by cleaning and disinfecting the treatment area.

It is also essential to use sterilised equipment for the procedure.

Furthermore, we also advise taking antibiotics as soon as possible to treat the infection.

Scarring

Although rare, a scar can form if:

• There has been any infection
• If a person has a history of hypertrophic or keloidal scarring.

This information will be collected whilst taking a medical history.

Everyones pain threshold is different. Dermal filler treatments may be painful for some people and not for others. However, the fillers usually contain an anaesthetic that helps to reduce pain – some injections may not be felt one the lidocaine from the filler takes effect. The use of a topical numbing cream can help reduce the pain and we have ice at hand to also help numb the area.

Dermal filler treatments require a different skill and injection technique. They require more fine tuning and sculpting. Hence, they slightly take longer than a botox treatment.

It is very rare to be allergic to dermal fillers. An allergic reaction manifests itself as redness, swelling, and itching at the injection site.

You may experience more acute symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, if you have a severe allergic reaction. If this occurs, get medical attention right away.

Antihistamines and steroids can help to treat such complications and side effects.

It is essential not to touch, rub or massage the treated area right after your procedure. You must follow the aftercare guidelines to avoid accidents such as ‘filler migration’.

There are a few things that you can do to prevent such an event, such as:

• Avoid lying down right after your treatment
• Do not indulge in heavy exercise or workouts for the first few days.

It is very unusual to be able to ‘see’ the filler. HA fillers are colourless gel and not visible when injected correctly. It may be possible to see the product as a bluish skin discolouration if the filler is injected too close to the skin. This can be managed with compression and sometimes an injection to break some of the product down.

Usually, people ‘look better’ without obvious changes to their looks. Still, good practitioners will help restore and refresh your overall appearance. They will also ensure that the enhancements look natural and do not look fake or ‘too much’ to others.

General preparation:

• Arrive makeup-free for facial treatments
• Stay well-hydrated, especially on treatment day
• Avoid alcohol 48 hours before treatment
• Consider taking Arnica 5-7 days beforehand to minimize bruising
• Prepare any questions you have

Avoid if possible (check with your doctor first):

• Blood-thinning medications like aspirin, ibuprofen
• Supplements like vitamin E, fish oil, St. John’s Wort

I’ll provide detailed preparation instructions specific to your treatment.

The most popular fillers in the UK contain Hyaluronic Acid (HA). They are generally preferred because they are:

• Safe
• It helps to treat a variety of areas
• Little to no risks and recovery period
• Ease of administration

The various HA fillers differ in concentration, formulation and degree of cross-linkage. Such features affect their duration of action and the amount of swelling after the procedure.

Most HA fillers now contain lidocaine to reduce pain as well as the need for additional anaesthetic.

Immediately after:

• Some redness, swelling, or tenderness is normal
• Results may not be immediately visible (except with fillers)
• You can usually return to normal activities right away

First few days:

• Follow aftercare instructions carefully
• Avoid intense exercise, extreme temperatures, active skincare
• Bruising, if it occurs, typically resolves within 10-14 days

Ongoing:

• Results develop gradually over days to weeks
• Full effects visible once any swelling subsides

Absolutely. Many of my patients combine treatments for comprehensive results — anti-wrinkle injections with dermal fillers, or professional treatments with medical-grade skincare.

I’ll often recommend a treatment plan that addresses multiple concerns for the most natural, harmonious results. Everything is carefully timed and planned for your safety and optimal outcomes.

Once the swelling subsides, the filler takes 2-3 weeks to settle and feel more like the surrounding skin/lips.

Yes, treatments aren’t suitable for everyone. You should avoid aesthetic treatments if you’re:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have an active infection in the treatment area
• Have certain autoimmune conditions
• Are taking specific medications that could interfere

During consultation, I’ll review your medical history to ensure treatments are safe and appropriate for you.

TLC Medical Aesthetics is for injectable treatments like dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections, and skin boosters — perfect if you want to restore volume, smooth lines, or enhance facial contours.

TLC Skin Edit focuses on skin health through advanced treatments like peels, microneedling, and LED therapy, plus medical-grade skincare — ideal if you want to address skin texture, pigmentation, or overall skin quality.

Many patients benefit from both approaches for comprehensive skin and facial rejuvenation.

Treatment costs vary depending on your specific needs and the products used. During your consultation, I’ll provide transparent pricing for your recommended treatment plan.

I believe in honest, upfront pricing with no hidden costs. Any follow-up appointments or adjustments within the specified timeframe are included in your original treatment cost.

Yes, I understand that investing in yourself is important, and I want to make treatments accessible. I offer flexible payment options to help you achieve your goals comfortably.

We can discuss payment plans during your consultation to find an option that works for your budget.

This depends entirely on your goals and the treatments you choose. Some people prefer regular maintenance appointments, others prefer to space treatments further apart.

During your consultation, I’ll recommend a treatment schedule that aligns with your goals, lifestyle, and budget. There’s never pressure to commit to more than you’re comfortable with.