A Few Aesthetics Myths I Wish More People Knew

There is a lot of information about aesthetics online. Some of it is genuinely helpful, and some of it... isn't.

I see this all the time in clinic. Someone comes in knowing exactly what treatment they think they need because they've seen it on Instagram or TikTok, but when we actually sit down and talk about what they're hoping to achieve, the treatment they had in mind isn't necessarily the one I'd recommend.

So I thought I'd clear up a few of the things I hear most often.

Myth #1: "More filler means better results."

This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions around dermal fillers.

Filler isn't supposed to be about adding as much volume as possible. It's a tool that can be used to restore lost volume, improve definition, support certain areas of the face or subtly enhance your natural features.

The amount needed will depend on your individual anatomy and what you're trying to achieve. Someone with naturally full cheeks, for example, may need a completely different approach to someone who has experienced volume loss with age.

And sometimes less really is more.

Adding more product doesn't necessarily create more lift or a better contour. In fact, too much filler can make an area look heavy or change the proportions of the face in a way that wasn't intended.

That's why I don't like deciding on an amount of filler before I've seen someone properly. The treatment should be planned around the face in front of me, rather than working backwards from a particular number of syringes.

Myth #2: "If I have a line, I need Botox."

Not every line needs treating.

Our faces are meant to move, and expression lines are a completely normal part of having a face that actually... well, expresses things!

Anti-wrinkle injections work by temporarily reducing the movement of specific muscles. They're often used to soften dynamic lines — the lines that become more noticeable when we frown, smile or raise our eyebrows.

But that doesn't mean every line needs to be completely smoothed out.

During a consultation, I'll look at how your face moves as well as the lines that are bothering you. The aim isn't to switch off every muscle and create a completely expressionless face. It's about deciding whether reducing movement in a particular area could give you the result you're looking for.

And if there's a line that doesn't bother you?

We can leave it alone.

I think that's an important part of a good aesthetics consultation. You shouldn't come in feeling as though we're going to find things to fix.

Myth #3: "Microneedling is just for acne scars."

Acne scarring is one reason people have microneedling, but it's certainly not the only one.

Microneedling uses a device with very fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. This triggers the skin's natural repair response and stimulates collagen and elastin production.

Over a course of treatments, this can help improve the appearance of skin texture, fine lines, enlarged pores and some types of scarring, as well as contributing to an overall improvement in skin quality.

It's also quite different from treatments that simply add volume to the face. With microneedling, we're working on the quality of the skin itself.

It's not an overnight fix, either. Your skin needs time to go through its natural repair process, which is why a course of treatments is often recommended rather than expecting one session to transform your skin.

Myth #4: "If a treatment is trending, it must be worth having."

This one is particularly relevant at the moment because aesthetics trends move fast.

One month everyone is talking about a particular injectable. The next month there's a new facial, technique or "must-have" treatment all over social media.

But popularity doesn't necessarily mean something is right for you.

Your face isn't the same as the face you saw in a Reel, and your skin isn't the same as the person recommending a particular treatment.

Before recommending anything, I want to understand what you're actually trying to achieve. If you're concerned about tired-looking skin, for example, there are lots of different reasons that might be happening — and the answer isn't automatically another injectable.

Sometimes the best treatment is the one you've never heard of.

And sometimes it's no treatment at all.

Myth #5: "You should be able to see exactly what treatment someone has had."

I actually think this is one of the most interesting things about good aesthetics.

A treatment can make a noticeable difference without looking obvious.

You might look fresher. Your skin might look healthier. Your features might feel a little more balanced or defined. Someone might tell you that you look well rested without having any idea why.

That's the kind of result I love.

I'm not interested in making everyone look the same, and I'm certainly not interested in changing someone's face into something unrecognisable.

The aim should always be to work with your existing features and make changes that feel right for you.

So, what should you actually be basing your treatment decisions on?

Not what your friend is having.

Not what's currently trending.

And definitely not a list you've found online telling you what you "should" have done by a certain age.

A good treatment plan starts with a conversation about what you want to change and why.

I'll look at your facial anatomy, your skin, how your features move and what might realistically help. We'll talk about the options, what the treatment involves, what the results may look like and whether it's actually appropriate for you.

And I'm very happy to tell you when I don't think a treatment is necessary.

Because I genuinely believe aesthetics should be about confidence, not correction.

You don't need to keep finding new things that are wrong with you.

If there's something you'd like to change, let's talk about it. If there isn't, that's absolutely fine too.

You are allowed to simply like the face you have.

And if you do decide you'd like a little help along the way, my job is to make sure that decision is an informed one… and that the treatment is right for you. Get in touch if you’d like to discuss!

Bianca x