Facial ageing is rarely about one line, one wrinkle or one area of the face. At Instaglam Aesthetics in Ilkley, facial assessment begins by understanding the face as a whole before deciding whether — or where — treatment may be appropriate.
It is common for clients to come into clinic knowing that something has changed, without necessarily being able to identify exactly what it is.
They may feel they look more tired, notice that their cheeks appear flatter, see more heaviness through the lower face or become increasingly aware of lines and folds that were previously less noticeable.
The area we notice first, however, is not always the only area contributing to that change.
Facial ageing happens at different levels
Ageing is often discussed in terms of lines and wrinkles, but changes within the face are more complex than the skin alone.
Over time, changes occur across several layers of the face, including the skin, facial fat compartments, soft tissues and underlying skeletal structure. Together with changes in collagen and elastin within the skin, these processes can gradually influence facial shape, contour and skin quality.
For some clients, this may become noticeable as a change in volume or contour through the mid-face and cheeks. For others, folds around the nose and mouth may become more prominent, the jawline may appear less defined or the lower face may begin to look heavier.
Understanding why a change has occurred is an important part of deciding how — or whether — it should be treated.
Looking beyond the area of concern
The nasolabial fold — the fold extending from the side of the nose towards the mouth — is a useful example.
It can be tempting to focus treatment solely on the area that has become more visible. However, facial structures do not exist independently of one another.
Changes in mid-face volume and contour can contribute to the overall appearance of the surrounding areas. Where appropriate, carefully placed dermal filler may therefore be considered as part of a wider facial balancing plan rather than simply treating an individual line in isolation.
For one client, the cheeks may form part of that assessment. For another, the chin, jawline or profile may be more relevant. For somebody else, dermal filler may not be the appropriate treatment at all.
There is no single treatment plan that suits every face.
Facial balancing should respect the individual
Facial balancing is not about creating a different face or applying the same proportions to everybody.
During an assessment, I consider the relationship between the features as a whole — including facial proportions, profile, projection, symmetry and the balance between the upper, middle and lower face.
This may involve assessing the cheeks, chin, jawline, lips and nose, but it does not mean that every area requires treatment.
The purpose of a consultation is to identify where treatment may genuinely improve balance and where intervention would add little or no benefit.
With dermal filler, the quantity of product used is only one consideration. Product selection, placement, anatomy and the characteristics of the individual face all influence treatment planning.
More product does not automatically mean a better result.
When the concern is skin quality
Not every age-related concern is a question of facial volume.
Where the primary concern is skin texture, fine lines, hydration or overall skin quality, a different approach may be more appropriate.
Depending on the individual and their treatment goals, options such as microneedling, skin boosters or polynucleotides may form part of a personalised skin plan.
For clients concerned about lines and wrinkles, a consultation allows us to assess the area properly and discuss the treatment options that may be suitable.
In some cases, combining different approaches gradually over time is more appropriate than trying to address every concern in a single appointment.
This is why I prefer to build treatment plans around the individual rather than around a particular product.
A considered approach to aesthetics
My approach is not to change the features that make somebody recognisable as themselves.
Instead, treatment planning is about understanding what has changed, what is genuinely bothering the client and where a considered intervention may be beneficial.
Sometimes that means treating less than initially expected. Sometimes it means recommending a different approach. Occasionally, it means advising that I would not treat an area at all.
A consultation is an opportunity for assessment and discussion — not an obligation to proceed with treatment.
Aesthetic consultations in Ilkley
At Instaglam Aesthetics in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, facial balancing begins with consultation and assessment.
You do not need to arrive knowing which treatment you need.
Tell me what you have noticed, what is bothering you and what you would like to achieve. From there, we can assess the face together, discuss the changes I can see and consider whether treatment is appropriate — and, if so, which approach makes the most sense for you.
Lucy Crawshaw
Advanced Aesthetics & Skin Practitioner
Instaglam Aesthetics | Ilkley