Looking younger has never been more on trend—no matter your age.
By Anjan Sachar
In-clinic cosmetic treatments have been around for multiple decades now, but it’s only in recent years that getting “work” done has been normalised. A little bit of Botox here, fillers there, a neck lift sitting or two—we’re increasingly observing an upward trend in treatments that reverse the clock, or make it appear so anyway. According to Dr Yannis Alexandrides MD FACS, triple board-certified plastic surgeon, founder and medical director at 111 Harley St., London, this isn’t a new trend, but one dictated by the advancements in the field allowing for more striking results. “The evolution of surgical techniques, coupled with more advanced non-surgical treatments, products, and technologies allows professionals in plastic surgery and aesthetics to achieve long-lasting results that seemingly turn back time.”
Dr Jaishree Sharad, a Mumbai-based celebrity dermatologist and medical director, at Skinfinitii Aesthetic & Laser Clinic, credits the pandemic for the rise in in-clinic treatments. “With increased screen time during the pandemic, many people noticed sagging skin or wrinkles on their face and neck, driving demand for procedures like face and neck lifts. Surgical lifts can help achieve a youthful, refreshed appearance by repositioning tissues, tightening muscles, and removing excess skin.”
ARE CELEBRITIES LEADING THE DEMAND FOR COSMETIC TREATMENTS GLOBALLY?
“A lot of patients and friends as well as Instagram followers have sent me ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures of actors and asked if they could do the same treatment,” says Dr. Sharad who has some of Bollywood’s biggest celebrities as part of her regulars. “Social media followers can immediately see the results of celebrity procedures through posts, stories, or interviews, which increases awareness and curiosity. Transformations shared by celebrities often go viral, sparking widespread discussions about treatments like phenol peels, facelifts and contouring surgeries.”
Dr. Alexandrides, who is the founder of Hollywood celebrity-loved skincare brand 111Skin and also has a plethora of notable names on his roster, believes that what people really want is to look like their younger selves, as opposed to drastic changes. “I often have patients who will show me photographs of themselves taken ten or twenty years ago during their consultations. At my clinic at 111 Harley St., we regularly create multi-layered treatment plans incorporating surgical procedures, device-led treatments and injectables. This combination approach gives the very best results and allows us to tackle age-related issues such as skin laxity along with those that surgery cannot treat, such as pigmentation or thinning of the skin.”
THE TREATMENTS WORTH INVESTING IN
Dr. Alexandrides is part of a team of specialist surgeons who teach the Y Facelift and Deep Plane Facelift techniques to surgeons from around the globe in New York. “One of the most commonly requested procedures is particularly the Y Facelift for the lower face and neck, along with the Deep Plane Facelift which works on the deep anatomical planes of the face. I am also regularly asked about the eye area and blepharoplasty procedures that refresh the eye area. Our approach is holistic and we have a plethora of non-surgical options that tighten the skin as well such as Thermage FLX.” He often sees younger patients opting for treatments of this nature as a preventative method.
Dr. Sharad recommends the viral vampire facial which includes microneedling with PRP if someone is in their early 30s. For late thirties, she suggests non-surgical radio frequency or skin boosters such as Restylane Vital or Juvederm Skinvive and for someone in their 40s, she recommends HIFU, Radiofrequency or injecting Profhilo which is a collagen booster. Dr. Kiran Sethi, a Delhi-based integrative aesthetics specialist is also a fan of HIFU and MIFU, both of which use ultrasound as well as Ulthera which is a collagen-boosting treatment to lift your face and neck. “I also recommend thread lifts, especially the newer hybrid lifts which have sugar-derived threads that release hyaluronic acid, giving older, dehydrated skin an extra boost in addition to a lift.
ARE IN-CLINIC TREATMENTS THE NEW “COOL”?
“Innovations in minimally invasive and surgical procedures are making treatments safer, more effective, and less detectable,” says Dr. Sharad. “However, there’s a growing focus on health, wellness, and vitality as markers of beauty rather than a purely youthful appearance. This holistic approach could shift the conversation away from eliminating wrinkles and sagging skin to maintaining a vibrant and healthy lifestyle.”
Beauty treatments aren’t a one-size-fits-all. Not every trending treatment will work for every person’s skin type and face shape. “Seeking subtle enhancements rather than dramatic transformations is the key,” says Dr. Sharad. “Beauty isn’t about perfect symmetry or adhering to an idealised standard. It’s about your distinctive features and the confidence you exude when you embrace them.” Dr. Sethi emphasises the importance of picking the right aesthetician to cater to your requirements. “It’s very important to choose a doctor that has a tasteful aesthetic, and not to operate from a perspective of getting rid of lines—more about how you can feel and look good for your age.”