The best aesthetic clinics in London worth travelling for

Result: We’re talking about collagen production, so results aren’t overnight. I planned my treatment around 3 months before my wedding, which is when you can generally expect optimum results. By the time the big day came around, my skin looked noticeably lifted and refreshed. I also made a conscious effort to focus on my skincare routine as I was determined to make sure the results were as good as they could be.

Pain factor: 5/10. “It won’t hurt but you might feel a very slight sting”, one of Dr Tatiana’s team assures me as they apply the numbing cream, and they’re not wrong. It feels like lots of tiny, hot pricks, and afterwards my face feels a little hot and stingy. It’s not comfortable, but it’s certainly manageable. The redness is intense at first, but goes down after a couple of hours – I’d definitely avoid making plans straight after the treatment but expect to look back to normal by the next day.

Can you travel with it? You might want to wait a couple of days before travelling because of any redness and swelling, and it’s recommended to avoid direct sun exposure for a full week post-treatment. I apply SPF daily anyway, but it’s extra important to do this after Morpheus8.

Price: £1,700. Sarah Allard

Address: 2 Devonshire Pl, London W1G 6HJ
Website: drtatiana.co.uk

Dr Alexis Granite

Best aesthetic clinic in London for: first-timers

I’ve heard great things about Dr Alexis for a while now, so I jumped at the chance to experience her work for myself. I’ve never had any aesthetic treatments done before, but I’m getting married next year so wanted to have a consultation to find out if there were any subtle tweakments and treatments that could help address some concerns. Dr Alexis’ clinic is tucked away at the back of Sarah Chapman’s Skinesis Clinic and Boutique just a five-minute walk from Sloane Square. The clinic is calm and quiet, and staff are really helpful in talking through any of the products lining the shelves in the waiting area.

Treatment: Dr Alexis is renowned for her lasers, peels and injectables, but after explaining my concerns she suggested starting with tiny amounts of botox to lift my brows slightly and to stop my top lip from disappearing when I smile. She explained the process and gave me a document running through the various side effects and any information I might need afterwards, before getting my to lie down on the examining bed and pencilling on the areas she’d recommend targeting. Once we’d agreed on a plan, she handed me a foam ball to squeeze (she advised that it wouldn’t be very painful but it helps to have something to focus on) and got to work. It took less than two minutes and I was distracted chatting away the whole time.

Result: My eyelids looked lifted and my eyes more awake, and my forehead looked incredibly smooth. My top lip definitely looked fuller, and didn’t thin as much when I smile.

Pain factor: 2/10. Some injections twinged slightly as the needle went in, but the rest I barely felt a thing. It was over incredibly quickly and efficiently. Dr Alexis advised there might be some swelling or bruising but I had neither.

Can you travel with it? Yes, but it’s recommended to wait 24-48 hours before flying, since changes in temperature/pressure might cause the botox to migrate slightly.

Price:

Address: Skinesis Medical at Sarah Chapman, 259 Pavilion Rd, London SW1X 0BP
Website: dralexisgranite.com