Facial Aesthetics
Facial aesthetics at Mallards
Most people who book a facial aesthetics consultation with us describe the same thing: they look more tired than they feel. Often it’s a frown line that has become permanent, cheeks that have flattened a little, lips that have thinned, or skin that has lost its glow.
At Mallards in Henfield, these consultations are with Shay, our facial aesthetics clinician. Every treatment plan is tailored to your face, and we aim for subtle, naturallooking results. Shay will explain which treatments could help and which won’t. Sometimes the honest answer is that you don’t need anything at all.
Lines and wrinkles
Over time, the muscles we use every day to frown, squint and raise our eyebrows leave lines behind. Frown lines between the eyebrows, lines across the forehead and crow’s feet around the eyes can make you look tired or stressed, even when you don’t feel it.
We offer a consultation for the treatment of lines and wrinkles. Shay will look at how your face moves, explain the options that may suit you, including any prescription treatment, and talk you through the benefits, risks and costs of each. Any treatment plan is tailored to your facial structure, and a consultation does not commit you to anything.
If you clench or grind your teeth, or wake with a tight, aching jaw, mention it at your consultation or your next check-up. As a dental practice, we’ll check your teeth for wear and talk you through the options, such as a custom-made night guard.
Lost volume and deeper folds
As we age, the face naturally loses some of its volume. Cheeks can flatten, and lines can deepen between the nose and mouth or from the corners of the mouth down to the chin.
Dermal fillers are injectable gels, usually made from hyaluronic acid, used to restore lost facial volume, soften the appearance of deeper lines and enhance your natural contours. Because everyone’s facial structure is different, a personalised consultation is always the first step, so treatment can be tailored to your features and the result you’re hoping for.
The effect is temporary. The body gradually breaks the gel down over months, so top-up treatments are needed to maintain it.
Thinning lips
Lips often lose some volume and definition with age. The border can blur and fine lines can appear above the top lip. Lip fillers use a hyaluronic acid filler to add volume, shape and definition.
How much filler you need depends on your natural lip shape and the look you want. Shay’s approach is to build up gradually, so your lips still look like yours. Results usually last between 6 and 18 months, depending on the product used and the person.
Dull, dehydrated or crepey skin
Skin loses hydration and firmness with age, sun exposure and hormonal changes such as the menopause. It can start to look dull, or feel thin and crepey, especially on the cheeks, under the eyes, on the neck and chest, and on the backs of the hands. Make-up may sit differently than it used to.
Unlike dermal fillers, skin treatments don’t change the shape of your face. They focus on the quality of the skin itself, and results build gradually over a course of sessions. We offer three options, and Shay will explain which suits your skin.
| Treatment | What it’s for | Typical course |
| Restylane® Skinboosters | Deep hydration and smoother, more supple skin | Doctor will advise the number of sessions and spacing |
| Profhilo® | Hydration and firmness for skin that has become crepey or lax | 2 sessions, 4 weeks apart, then maintenance |
| Polynucleotides | Skin quality, including thin, crepey skin under the eyes | 3–4 sessions, 3–4 weeks apart |
Restylane® Skinboosters
Restylane® Skinboosters are small injections of stabilised hyaluronic acid placed into the skin. Hyaluronic acid attracts and holds water, so the treatment is designed to deeply hydrate the skin and improve smoothness, elasticity and suppleness. Over time, this can soften the appearance of fine lines and give the skin a fresher, healthier-looking glow, without adding volume or changing your features.
Depending on the product and your suitability, treatment may be considered for the face, neck, hands and décolletage.
Profhilo®
Profhilo® is a hyaluronic acid treatment designed to improve skin quality, hydration and firmness. Unlike a dermal filler, which adds volume to one area, it is injected at five points on each side of the face and spreads naturally under the skin, a bit like an injectable moisturiser.
As well as hydrating the skin, Profhilo® is designed to support the skin’s own collagen
and elastin. It is often chosen by people whose skin has started to look crepey or less
firm. Results develop over time: the usual course is two sessions four weeks apart, with
maintenance treatments every few months, as Shay advises.
Polynucleotides
Polynucleotides are a newer skin treatment made from highly purified DNA fragments,
usually derived from salmon or trout. They are designed to support the skin’s natural
repair processes, encouraging collagen and elastin production to improve hydration,
texture and firmness.
They are often used under the eyes, where the skin is thin and delicate, to improve
crepiness and the appearance of dark circles. They can also be used on the face, neck
and décolletage. Results build gradually: many people notice brighter, more hydrated
skin within 2–3 weeks, with the main improvement at around 8–12 weeks.
Polynucleotides aren’t suitable if you are allergic to fish. Research into them is still
developing, and Shay will explain what results are realistic for you.
We also offer skin treatments from leading cosmeceutical brands, so your skin can be
cared for at home as well as in the clinic. We take a holistic approach and will
recommend the right combination for you at your consultation.
What facial aesthetics can’t do
Non-surgical treatments give subtle, temporary improvements. They don’t lift heavily sagging skin, remove deep static wrinkles completely or replace a surgical facelift. Results vary from person to person.
Why choose a dental practice?
Dental training covers the muscles, nerves and blood vessels of the face in detail, and dentists give injections in this area as part of everyday work.
- Medically led: treatment takes place in a CQC-registered clinical setting, following the same infection-control standards as all our dental care. You can check the practice on the Care Quality Commission website and our clinicians on the General Dental Council register.
- Bespoke treatment plans: there are no set packages. Your plan is built around your face, your skin and what you’d like to change.
- Natural, subtle results: we’d rather you look refreshed than look as if you’ve had something done.
- Established products and techniques: we use products from recognised manufacturers, and we record the product and batch number of every treatment in your notes.
- Your history on file: if you are already a patient, we know your medical history, and we go through it again before every treatment.
What happens at your consultation?
- Health check – we go through your medical history, medicines and any allergies.
- Your concerns – you tell us what bothers you; we look at your face at rest and in movement.
- Options explained – the treatments that may suit you, alternatives and doing nothing, with the benefits, risks and costs of each.
- Time to think – you sign a consent form, and you’re welcome to go home and decide later. [Shay to confirm any cooling-off period.]
- Treatment and review – if you go ahead, you’ll get written aftercare and a review appointment, usually about two weeks later.
Is it safe? Risks and side effects
Risks are low when treatment is given by a suitably qualified, insured professional. Common side effects of injections are temporary: redness, swelling, tenderness and bruising where the needle went in. Fillers can occasionally cause small lumps, infection or, rarely, a blocked blood vessel, which needs urgent treatment. Shay will go through every risk with you before you decide, and you’ll leave with a number to call if anything worries you afterwards.
Treatment isn’t suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active skin infection in the area, or have certain medical conditions. Since 2021 it has been illegal in England to give these treatments for cosmetic reasons to anyone under 18.
Facial aesthetics near Brighton, Burgess Hill and Horsham
We’re at 2 Mallard Way, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9HF, about 25 minutes’ drive from Brighton and Hove and close to Steyning, Burgess Hill, Hurstpierpoint and Horsham. There’s free parking, disabled parking and step-free access.
Frequently asked questions
Lip fillers are injections of a hyaluronic acid dermal filler that add volume, shape and definition to the lips. Treatment is tailored to your natural lip shape, and the effect is temporary.
Results usually last between 6 and 18 months, depending on the product used, the amount and how quickly your body breaks it down.
It depends on your natural lip shape and the look you want. Shay will assess your lips and recommend an amount that gives a balanced, natural-looking result. Many people start with a small amount and build up gradually.
Lip fillers are a well-established, non-surgical treatment, and risks are low when they are given by a trained, regulated professional. Swelling and mild bruising are common for a few days. Rarer risks, such as infection or a blocked blood vessel, will be explained at your consultation.
A filler adds shape and volume to a specific area, such as the cheeks or lips. Skin boosters, Profhilo® and polynucleotides work on the quality of the skin itself, improving hydration, texture and firmness without changing your features.
The usual course is two sessions, four weeks apart. After that, maintenance treatments every few months help keep the results. Shay will advise how often is right for your skin.
Polynucleotides work gradually. Many people notice brighter, more hydrated skin within 2–3 weeks, firmer, smoother skin at around 4–6 weeks, and the main improvement at 8–12 weeks. A course of 3–4 sessions, 3–4 weeks apart, is usually recommended, and results can last 6–12 months.
They are most often used under the eyes and on the face, neck and décolletage. They can be used on some other areas too, which Shay can discuss with you at your consultation.
Yes. We offer a consultation for the treatment of lines and wrinkles, where Shay explains the options that may suit you, along with their benefits, risks and costs.
We usually advise avoiding alcohol and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen for 24 hours beforehand, as they can make bruising more likely. Never stop a medicine your doctor has prescribed without speaking to them first. Shay will give you full instructions when you book.
Most people find it a little uncomfortable rather than painful. A very fine needle is used, and many fillers contain a local anaesthetic to make treatment more comfortable.
Most people return to normal activities straight away. Some swelling or bruising can last a few days, so avoid booking treatment just before a special event.
Treatment isn’t suitable for anyone under 18, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or people with an active skin infection in the area. Polynucleotides aren’t suitable if you’re allergic to fish. Some medical conditions and medicines can also affect suitability, so we review your history first.
A consultation costs £30. If you decide to go ahead, you’ll receive a written quote before anything is booked. See our Fee Guide for current prices.
[Yes / No – consultations are open to new patients too.] Call 01273 495 966 or book online.
Consultations cost £30, with no obligation to go ahead. Call 01273 495 966 or book a check-up online.
This page is general information, not a substitute for a personal consultation.