a winner of the Aesthetic Medical Awards’ Best Aesthetic Practitioner accolade and whose work is considered the industry gold standard, reveals the procedures she would never have – and the alternative tweakments that she recommends.

Thread lifts

What is it?Fine plastic threads, often spiked, are placed under the skin of the face via a tube called a canula and pulled back towards the ears, tightening loose tissue and lifting downturned brows.

What’s the problem?According to Dr Ejikeme, the results are short-lived compared to the recovery time required (it is a few weeks before you’re back to your usual routine) and the risks involved, which include complications such as uneven results, visible threads and infection.

Instead tryHyaluronic acid fillers. ‘In many cases, with expert placement, the same lifting effect can be achieved, plus they are far predictable,’ says Dr Ejikeme. For example, subtle cheek and chin filler can help smooth a sagging jowl.

Expect to payFrom around £450 per syringe.

At-home microneedling

What is it?This involves creating microinjuries to the skin via pinpricks from small needles, which stimulate collagen and elastin production to help minimise wrinkles, pigmentation, scarring and stretch marks.

What’s the problem?While microneedling as a treatment does work, Dr Ejikeme says that doing this at home means re-using the same needles repeatedly, which ‘opens the door to infection, scarring and long-term texture changes’.

Instead tryIn-clinic, professional microneedling, which uses sterile single-use devices at precisely controlled depths to get the desired results safely.

Expect to payFrom around £350 per session.

Fat-dissolving injections

What is it?Unregulated non-medical ‘fat-dissolving’ injections (by Lemon Bottle, for example) are supposed to target stubborn pockets of fat in the face or body, breaking down fat cells before the body flushes them out.

What’s the problem?‘I would never have these injections, particularly for areas as delicate as the chin,’ says Dr Ejikeme. ‘Counterfeit and unlicensed lipolytic (fat-dissolving) products are common and can lead to necrosis, nerve injury, severe infections and chronic nodules. Even evidence-based agents such as deoxycholic acid must be administered by trained medical professionals who have a deep knowledge of anatomy to manage the complications.’

Instead tryA precise treatment for controlled tightening and fat reduction. Endolift laser treatment is where a hair-thin optical fibre is inserted under the skin without any need for incisions, before it heats the tissue to break down fat, retracting and thickening the skin to lift and firm. It’s done under local anaesthetic so you should feel minimal discomfort.

Expect to payFrom £3,500 for full lower face.

IPL laser hair removal for olive and darker skins

What is it?IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) uses broad spectrum light on facial and body hair follicles, heating them up and inhibiting their growth over time. Home IPL systems are weaker than ones used in clinics and are not suitable for darker skin.

What’s the problem?The risk of burns (and therefore scarring) and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones. While IPL laser hair removal is safe for Caucasian skins, having seen some absolute horror cases, Dr Ejikeme recommends that nobody with olive or darker skin tries it.

Instead tryA medical-grade Nd:YAG laser, which is an invisible near-infrared light that is far safer and far effective for darker skin tones.

Expect to payFrom £250 a session.

Plasma pens on eyelids

What is it?A supercharged stream of heat is delivered to the surface of the skin, creating microinjuries that cause the skin to contract and stimulate production of collagen and elastin. This is claimed to tighten the skin on the eyelid and reduce any excess folding or creasing.

What’s the problem?The skin on the eyelid is where it’s at its thinnest, and because plasma devices work by creating thermal injury, Dr Ejikeme says the risk of ‘complications including scarring, hyperpigmentation and prolonged downtime’ is just too great. And like IPL, it’s only suitable for Caucasian skin types.

Instead tryMedically validated treatments such as radiofrequency microneedling or fractional laser for delicate periorbital rejuvenation.

Expect to payFrom £600 a session.

Brushing up

Suri toothbrushes first launched in 2022 and I loved both the eco-friendly materials and lack of gunky toothbrush-base rings around my sink thanks to its magnetised wall holder. Suri 2.0 is a newer version with clever updates to the body and motor meaning that there’s no risk of water damage, plus the handy UV travel case kills 99% of bacteria on bristles for better mouth hygiene.

UNDER A TENNER

A brilliant discovery to fend off frizz: a quick spritz of this before smoothing down flyaways leaves you with a Hailey Bieber-sleek ponytail.