This post is probably quite controversial. Most women prefer to keep their Botox & filler a secret which is completely understandable. Not me mate, I’m more than happy to over-share heehee
For me the use of cosmetic injectables is an effective way to slow down the appearance of aging. Therefore when I noticed my face forming droopy dagwood dog jowls I decided that my 50th birthday was a good time to start serious maintenance. As luck would have it Harley Academy Clinics contacted me at exactly the right time!
Now I know many of you are considering one or both of these treatments. My hope is you’ll benefit from the information contained in my vlog. Prior to editing the footage I watched a gazillion videos on the topic to get an idea of what is already out there & what is lacking. I noticed many of them time-lapsed through the injecting part. O.k I understand some people have an aversion to needles whilst others are properly phobic, I get it. However the way these injectables are administered is actually quite crucial. Therefore rightly or wrongly I decided it was important to show that part in real-time. Unfortunately it does make the video rather long (& possibly a bit gross) my apologies if it gets boring. Although you can fast-forward those bits if you like, right? I also decided to keep Dr Mehta’s detailed tutorial in there too. He had already explained everything to me in my consultation as we discussed what effect I wanted. Then during the procedure Dr Mehta described each step to his students who were watching over me. I don’t know about you but I like to know exactly what’s going on when someone’s putting a needle into my face! After all the Harley Academy is a teaching clinic.
I was totally ready for this…
WHAT’S IT LIKE HAVING BOTOX & FILLER?
Obviously such a subtle difference is almost imperceptible to anyone other than me. Yet that’s exactly what I was aiming for! Focusing Botox on just the lateral lines between my eyebrows results in the overall brightening of my entire upper face. This also allows natural movement of my forehead thus avoiding the telltale heavy frozen brow. It’s essential your practitioner has a comprehensive knowledge of anatomy to get the best from Botox. Injecting into the wrong area can result in permanently raised or drooping brows that you have to live with for up to 3 months!
I am just as pleased with the natural effect from half a ml of filler on either cheek. Dr Mehta used Belotero filler which is made from hyaluronic acid & can last up to 12 months. Fillers come in various densities for injecting into different depths to replace volume at different levels. So you see, again experience is vital here. Dr Mehta explained the heavier filler was needed to inject deeply for the lift I wanted to achieve. Could I go a step further for slightly more obvious results? Yes is the answer. Injecting a thinner filler superficially under the skin where the wrinkles fold will soften them. However this does cause some stiffness around the mouth which didn’t appeal to me at all. That’s not to say I would rule it out in the future.
The following week I went back to the clinic to discuss further treatments for improving my skins texture. This time I spoke to Dr Qian Xu about my conservative approach to these treatments & told her I’d had a chemical peel five years ago that gave excellent results. She recommended microneedling to refine my skin this time & said it works well on stubborn pigmentation. You may recall the patch of pigmentation on my cheek that I posted about recently here? This is a terrific technique for covering pigmentation successfully with make-up although I’d rather get rid of it altogether if possible. Dr Qian explained that sterile micro-needles are inserted into the skin using a small electronic device called a SkinPen. The micro-trauma created stimulates the skin to heal itself resulting in a smoother appearance. Furthermore microneedling will give my skin the most natural yet marked improvement. Sounds fab right? I’m definitely up for this!
UP NEXT ON THE BLOG…
Oh blimey Charlie what about FontGate last week? Hahahaha such a flippen kerfuffle, I almost lost the plot! If it wasn’t for you lot taking the time to have a look at RCM & give me your advice I probably would have. Thank you so much, it helped big time. With that I’m now teaching myself how to make a logo in Photoshop. I’ve gone off the current one, oh boy making more work for myself. Anyway, I have another vlog to edit now so best crack on. This time it’s an easy up-do for you. Also I’m off to Lisbon on Thursday – Follow my Instagram Stories for all the details.
Bye for now loves xx
*Thank you to Harley Academy Clinics
They have Clinics all over the UK.
For appointments, you can contact them directly on 020 3884 3246
Comments ( 26 )
Emma Peach
Really informative video Michelle. You have beautiful skin anyway but this has just enhanced what you already have – that’s the best way. I’ve seen some awful lip jobs on salon receptionists and wonder why the doctor/nurse who’s done it would want that as an advertisement!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
MT
Emma I’m laughing about the receptionists, THAT’S SO TRUE! I think it would be incredibly easy to lose perspective with this stuff. I have to be very strict with myself & err on the side of less is more. No trout pout for me 😉
xxx
Catherine
Wait! You HAD the fillers? But you look so natural and not Kidmanesque!!! I”m glad that you wrote about this because the thought of Botox or fillers is very intimidating to many women. Not me though. If I could afford fillers, I would take a little fill action to the cheeks and upper lip. And if I could REALLY afford it, I would check into NY’s Hospital for Special Surgery and have an old-school face lift.
I’m all about enhancing what you have and girlfriend, you did good!!! XXOXOXO
MT
Ditto Catherine! About the cost, is there somewhere like the Harley Academy near where you live? There must be teaching places in the US too, it’s finding a good one though. Still it’s definitely worth investigating, the discount is huge! xxx
Anita Irlen
Yikes! I”m not usely sqeamish about needles,. I’m even fascinated when they take blood from me, but if you didn’t feel any pain, I did watching you, with those little needles. That said, great vlog post. I love how you showed it all, that’s important for those who are considering these procedures. Hell, my face is pretty ravaged with time, and like you, I”m willing to admit I hate it. I have a big, heavy, square face to start with, so I’ve got jowls and marionette lines, not to mention deep lip lines from smoking for years. Also, heavy eyelids, and the neck! I sound like a complete wreck, don’t I? It’s the lip lines that I really don’t like, and I’ve been told there still isn’t much that’s good to be done about them. I refuse to have those silly duck lips.! Thanks for the post! Cheers. And oh yes, I love your laugh.
MT
Ah those lateral lines are the worst offenders! That’s why I wanted rid of the ones between my brows & it really does make a difference. I believe you needn’t morph into a duck if you have a really good practitioner 😉 I’ve seen it done well, not a quack in sight. But I bet it hurts like hell getting stuck in there 😮
sequinist
I think you look totally amazing, just a little tweak really… so fresh and subtle. That is exactly what you want, not OMG WTF DID SHE DO NOW?!? I don’t need anything just yet, but I will totally have a subtle tweak just like yours when I need it. I’m not remotely afraid of needles, just afraid of looking like Nicole Kidman. Like everything, the right doctor who understands what you want is crucial, isn’t it? This sounds like a brilliant clinic. xx
MT
I think NK has done herself a disservice, she was beautiful before she froze her face. The thing is, I can really see how you could become addicted to the smoothness. But that’s the rub – no lines = no expression. Mind you I loved her in Top of the Lake, girl can act even without expression 😉
Geez sorry Nic if you’re reading this…
No Fear of Fashion
Well girls (Michelle and Lisa), did you see the work done on my face? I had my eyelids done when I was 40 (so 23 years ago.. sigh) and when I was 50 a plastic surgeon tightened the muscles of my jaws and took out a bit of skin on the lower part of my face. As my droopiness was 100 times worse than Michelle’s. I needed drastic measurements. Still, I don’t think it shows. Now, of course you think you cannot tell me “gosh yes, that explains a lot, I always thought you had work done to your face” hahahaha. Yes my dears, you can say that to me.
Greetje
MT
Oh Greetje don’t you remember you already told me this when we went out for breakfast after the blog awards? At least I think you did…Maybe my memory needs a little work too eh? Hahahaha!
jamie
I do botox and fillers every 4-6 mths and have for about 2 years now. Not afraid, not too over-done … totally worth the tweak.
MT
I can’t imagine not doing now Jamie. I’m really impressed with it & I certainly have no qualms about doing it. We should all do whatever we like imo, without fear of criticism xxx
Nancy
I turned 50 last year and started with botox this year. Only between my brows and I’m so happy with it! It is so suttle and just looks do different to me. A whole lot fresher! I can recommend it to anyone!
MT
Ah yep that’s the one Nancy 😉
I agree with you, this little area has such a big impact on our entire face it’s really all we need at first. I’ll possibly have more when I feel I need it but probably not for a decade yet xx
ABby@Midlifecrisisnut
You are some brave woman, Michelle! I almost fainted just looking at the needles (hence I didn’t finish the video), but you are so right, it’s absolutely crucial that women see for real what it’s like. I mean I just wrote on Lisa’s blog that I was considering fillers at some point (since they’re the most natural of all the treatments anyways) but after seeing the actual procedure I told myself maybe not just yet. Anyways, you look fabulous & super refreshed! BTW, I posted a post first one in months this week and I guess I just landed in your spam box 😉 Lots of love! xx Abby
MT
Nooo Abby I read it & left a comment babe! Go check if it didn’t show up, I’ll pop over again xxx
melissa
Brilliant post! This was the best I’ve ever seen for explaining the actual procedure. And you look absolutely fabulous! This seems much less scary to me because you were able to achieve the results that I would want for myself. It’s subtle but really really perfect! I turned 48 this year and I KNOW I’ll be ready for giving Botox and injectables a spin soon This was just such a great post. Thanks!.I am looking forward to sharing this on my FB page.
~Melissa xx
https://freshairandfalselashes.com
MT
Yay Melissa! Thanks for letting me know you got so much out of it. I was a bit worried it would be boring because it is rather long. Then I realised it could also be interesting if you’re considering having something done. After all it’s a big mystery until you go see someone & even then they may not explain it in such detail. Plus Dr Mehta had such a calming voice right? Be a shame to cut it out 😉
Thank you for sharing lovely xxx
Rhiannon Duffin
What a great post! I’ve been having Botox now for this past year and I’m considering fillers now.
MT
Thanks RiRi, I didn’t know that. Obviously you’re a fan of the natural look too. I think fillers are a little different in that they last so much longer than Botox so you have to be sure. I can honestly say going to this clinic put it all into perspective for me because (Dr) Tristan is conservative in his approach. As he said, you can always go back for more.
Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies
I have to say it didn’t look nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I think what you had done sounded really ideal. I found it really interesting, thanks so much for the video. Belly laughed at the end clips haha! xx
MT
Oh good, glad it didn’t gross you out Maria. I think ultimately it’s best to know how these things work so there aren’t any surprises if you decide to have a go. I am wondering if other practitioners are as thorough as those at the Harley Academy Clinic? I think probably not. xx
SAmantha
Honesty is the best policy! Go Chelle!
MT
Indeed my friend. Almost always 😉
Cecile
Very good job indeed! Perfect natural results. Thank you for sharing your experience. It seems that you’ve found a very good clinic with very comprehensive professionals. I’ve tried once, but it was very painful. I didn’t dare to do it again… Since then, I’m following an ancient French facial massage technique called “Jacquet pinches”. I don’t know if you ever heard about?… This is rather efficient (and relaxing). I made few videos to describe how it works: https://youtu.be/yah0_HddvRo
Bises from France!
MT
Oh that is a shame Cecile. It’s true if you don’t have a good injecter it will hurt & bruise a lot, very bad. So what is this ancient French facial, I’m always up for something new? I will go now to watch your vlog, intriguing!