The treatments I rate — and the ones I regret

One of the best things I've ever done for my skin — but sadly I can't have it anymore.

RF microneedling that rebuilds collagen deep in the skin — the result over time is tighter, lifted, more defined. On my face and neck, the results were genuinely impressive.

The honest truth: it hurts. A lot. And it was worth every second. I can no longer have it because of my vagus nerve stimulator — but if you can have it, I'd book it.

Downtime: 3–5 days · Bruising: yes, especially if you bruise easily.

Transformative when done well. Devastating when done badly. It took me years to find the right provider.

The good. Full face including the neck muscles — I love it, and the neck is underrated; most people don't think to ask for it. A lip flip (Botox injected above the upper lip to gently roll it outward) gives a subtle, natural result, and it's a lovely alternative if you want a little more lip without committing to filler. I rate it.

Not all Botox is the same. Botox is the original — well studied, reliable, and takes around 10–14 days to fully kick in. Dysport spreads more, which makes it great for larger areas like the forehead, and it kicks in faster (usually 2–5 days). I use a combination of Dysport and Botox depending on the area. Daxify is marketed as longer-lasting — for some it is; for me personally it didn't last any longer, though onset is similar to Botox. Ask your provider what they're using and why. You're allowed to know.

The honest part. My bad-Botox chapter was eyebrows sitting too low and a smile that looked frozen — that's what sent me searching for the right provider. I also tried "jellyroll" Botox, injected under the lower lash line to smooth the bulge when you smile. I won't have that again — I knew drooping was a possible side effect, it happened, and while it was very mild, it was enough for me to notice. None of that is a reflection of my provider, who's outstanding. It's about what works for my face.

Downtime: minimal · Bruising: yes, at injection sites, 5–7 days for me — arnica beforehand helps.

The most nuanced one on this list. Area matters. Provider matters. Timing matters.

Lips — rate, subtle only. Without it, my top lip disappears when I smile. I just had mine dissolved because it had migrated slightly above my lip line, and I'm getting it redone. This is normal — don't panic if it happens to you.

RHA4 around the jowls — rate. Loved the result.

Jawline — rate, with a mild caveat. I loved the snatched effect. My jaw may now be very slightly too square, though my masseter muscles don't help.

Under eye — don't rate. I tried this years ago, before moving to the US. It went lumpy and had to be dissolved. Not for me.

Downtime: varies by area — lips swell 3–5 days · Bruising: yes, lips and under eye especially. Plan around it.

Subtle. Gradual. Worth it.

Don't expect a dramatic lift the next morning. This is a treatment that builds over time as the threads stimulate collagen production. For women in their 50s who want a gentle lift without surgery, it's worth a proper conversation with your provider.

Downtime: mild swelling and tenderness for a few days; occasional strange nerve sensation when chewing (totally normal) · Bruising: yes, mainly along the jawline — faded within a week.

What you combine it with matters more than you think.

Microneedling creates micro-channels in the skin, and what goes into those channels is where the real difference lies. Exosomes are my preferred combination — the results felt more significant for my skin.

PDGF (arriessence) with microneedling I didn't prefer over exosomes for that particular combination. But PDGF injected directly under the eye, as a standalone treatment, I actually really liked — a different application with a noticeably better result for me in that specific area. It's worth asking your provider about the difference, because the delivery method changes everything with PDGF.

Downtime: 24–48 hours of redness, like a mild sunburn; skin may feel rough or tight for a few days · Bruising: minimal with microneedling; some under-eye bruising with PDGF that faded quickly.

Hurt more than almost anything I've done. Results were good — just not Morpheus8 good.

Electrical arc technology that tightens skin and treats fine lines, particularly effective around the eyes, mouth and neck. The pain is significant, especially around the eyes — I won't sugarcoat it. The results were genuine and visible, and the skin tightening was real.

But for me personally, Morpheus8 delivered better results. It's worth knowing about as an alternative if RF treatments are off the table for you — which, as you now know, they are for me.

Downtime: 7–10 days; carbon crusting forms at treatment sites (tiny dark spots — do NOT pick them) · Bruising: yes, around treatment areas. Plan for significant downtime.

Honestly? I didn't see much of a difference. But I know women who swear by it.

An injectable skin booster — hyaluronic acid micro-droplets to improve hydration and glow from within. My personal result was underwhelming, but I also know women with drier skin who had a noticeably different experience. It may depend heavily on your baseline hydration and skin type, so it's worth a conversation with your provider before committing.

Downtime: minimal — some small bumps at injection sites that resolve within days · Bruising: yes, at a couple of injection points — nothing dramatic, but visible for a few days.

The one I almost didn't include. No gatekeeping here.

Eyelid surgery, upper and lower — something that bothered me for years. I finally did something about it in 2022, and I'm not keeping that to myself. This space only works if I'm fully honest with you, so here it is: the downtime is real and significant (it deserves its own reel). But the result? Worth every bruised, swollen day of recovery.

Downtime: 10–14 days minimum; swelling and bruising considerable, especially the lower lids · Bruising: extensive. Plan for two weeks of lying low.