NIPS/TUCKS/TIPSWITH HARLEY STREET SURGEONANGELICA KAVOUNI

Q. My skin is very sallow. How can I brighten it up?

A: Try fractional resurfacing – a laser treatment that zaps tiny patches of the skin to stimulate new cells without the long downtime associated with all-over laser resurfacing. Local anaesthetic makes it painless and it can be used to tackle wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage and brown spots, as well as a general lack of vitality. You'll need three sessions. Prices start at £750 a time.

Q. My chin sticks out. What can I do?

First see a dentist to find out whether your teeth or jaw are causing the problem. A surgeon can reshape the jaw bone by shaving it. The procedure causes swelling and discomfort for two weeks and costs around £3,000. The other option is a sliding genioplasty where the jaw bone is pushed backwards and fixed into position. This chin augmentation takes longer to heal – about six weeks – and costs around £5,000.

Email your cosmetic surgery questions@fabulousmag.co.uk

SURGERY CARRIES RISKS. Make sure your surgeon is registered with the General Medical Council Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery

NIPS/TUCKS/TIPSWITH HARLEY STREET SURGEONANGELICA KAVOUNI

Q. I'm long-sighted but my prescription is always changing. Will laser eye surgery work for me?

Whether you're long-or short-sighted, laser eye surgery can give you 20:20 vision. It costs around £700 for both eyes, is done under local anaesthetic, and the recovery is just a few days. However, the surgery cannot prevent the deterioration of your eyes so you may find that in a few months you need to wear glasses or contact lenses again.

Q. I'm having lipo soon. Can the fat they remove plump up my face?

A. Yes, small amounts of fatty tissue taken from the abdomen or the thighs can be used to sculpt the face. The procedure can be performed under local or general anaesthetic, depending on the extent of the treatment. About 60 per cent of the fat will stay permanently so a small top-up may be needed after a year or so. It costs from £4,000 and includes lipo.

Email your cosmetic surgery questions@fabulousmag.co.uk

SURGERY CARRIES RISKS. Make sure your surgeon is registered with the General Medical Council Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery

NIPS/TUCKS/TIPSWITH HARLEY STREET SURGEONANGELICA KAVOUNI

Q. I have a scar on my shoulder. Is there anything I can do to make it less visible?

Unfortunately, once skin has scarred, it's permanent – but there are ways you can improve its appearance. Removing and repairing it with fine plastic surgery stitches can make it look like a hairline scar. If a scar is indented, a filler such as Sculptra can be injected underneath it to plump it out. This costs from £500. Dark coloured scars can be improved with a lightening cream such as Obagi No3, £45, available from good cosmetic clinics.

Q. I have thread veins on my cheek. How can I get rid of them?

Thread veins can appear on several areas of the body, particularly the face and legs. Micro-sclerotherapy — an injection of a solution into the vein to collapse it — can be used on legs, but not on delicate facial skin. Veinwave, a laser device, can treat thread veins on the face, although it may be painful. It costs from £300.

Email your cosmetic surgery questions@fabulousmag.co.uk

SURGERY CARRIES RISKS. Make sure your surgeon is registered with the General Medical Council Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery