Lasting Impressions Advanced Skin Clinic York

🔬 BEAUTY & AESTHETICS vs THE EVIDENCE — POST 3

🧬 POLYNUCLEOTIDES

The injectable EVERYONE seems to be having… but are they really the miracle treatment they're made out to be?

You've probably heard them called “salmon s***m injections.”

They're being injected under eyes, into faces and necks and promoted for:

✨ Collagen production
✨ Fine lines
✨ Dark circles
✨ Skin tightening
✨ Hydration
✨ Elasticity
✨ “Cellular regeneration”
✨ Younger, healthier skin

I've actually trained in and previously offered polynucleotides myself.

But I eventually removed them from my treatment menu.

So were they another treatment I decided simply didn't work?

Actually… no.

This one is much more interesting. 🔬

📚 WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY?

There IS genuine human research behind polynucleotides.

And some of it is positive.

Studies have reported improvements in things such as:

✔️ Skin hydration
✔️ Elasticity
✔️ Texture/roughness
✔️ Fine wrinkles
✔️ Overall skin quality

There have even been randomised controlled trials.

So this isn't a Lemon Bottle situation where I'm questioning whether there's convincing clinical evidence for the treatment at all.

Polynucleotides genuinely show potential.

🚨 BUT HERE'S WHAT SURPRISED ME…

A major systematic review published in 2025 searched the available research on polynucleotides in aesthetic medicine.

After screening the literature, researchers found just:

9 eligible studies.

Across only:

219 PATIENTS.

And the quality of those studies?

Low to moderate.

None achieved full scores in the researchers' quality assessment.

The studies also varied considerably in:

• Products used
• Injection techniques
• Treatment areas
• Doses
• Number of treatments
• Ways results were measured

There was so much variation that researchers couldn't even combine the results into a proper meta-analysis.

Their conclusion?

Promising — but we need rigorous, high-quality research to properly establish effectiveness and safety.

🔬 HAS THE EVIDENCE MOVED ON?

Yes — and this is why following science means being prepared to update your opinion.

A newer review of randomised clinical trials has since found positive results for areas including hydration, elasticity and skin texture.

That's encouraging.

But we're still dealing with relatively small numbers of patients, different products/protocols and limited long-term evidence.

So I don't think the science currently justifies some of the enormous claims being made online.

👀 WHAT ABOUT UNDER-EYES?

This is probably where I see polynucleotides promoted most.

There IS clinical research looking specifically at the eye area.

One randomised split-face study compared polynucleotides with non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid around the eyes.

Both produced improvements.

Polynucleotides performed better on some measurements such as roughness and pore volume…

BUT overall aesthetic improvement scores weren't significantly different between the two treatments.

Interesting?

Absolutely.

Proof of a miraculous under-eye transformation?

No.

🧬 AND WHAT ABOUT “REGENERATING” YOUR SKIN?

This is where language can become dangerous in aesthetics.

Polynucleotides have interesting biological properties and there are plausible mechanisms involving fibroblast activity and tissue repair.

But words such as:

“Regenerative.”
“Cellular repair.”
“Reverses ageing.”
“Regrows collagen.”

can make a treatment sound far more established and dramatic than the clinical evidence actually demonstrates.

A biological mechanism + promising studies doesn't automatically equal dramatic visible rejuvenation.

💭 SO WHY DID I STOP OFFERING THEM?

This wasn't because I discovered that polynucleotides were fake or scientifically useless.

They're neither.

I trained in them and offered the treatment.

But as I've progressed in my career, I've become much more critical about what evidence I personally need before I'm comfortable continuing to promote a treatment to clients.

For me, the results I was seeing weren't significant enough to justify continuing to offer them at their price point, particularly when the research was still relatively limited.

That's my clinical judgement — not proof that nobody benefits from them.

Some people absolutely report lovely results.

And future research may strengthen the case considerably.

If it does?

I'll change my opinion.

That's exactly how evidence-based practice should work.

🔬 THE EVIDENCE VERDICT

🟡 EMERGING / MIXED EVIDENCE

✔️ Genuine human clinical studies exist.

✔️ Randomised trials exist.

✔️ Research suggests improvements in hydration, elasticity, texture and some wrinkle measurements.

✔️ Early safety data are generally reassuring.

BUT…

⚠️ Studies are still relatively small.

⚠️ The quality of much of the evidence has been rated low-to-moderate.

⚠️ Products and protocols vary considerably.

⚠️ Long-term evidence remains limited.

⚠️ Some marketing claims go considerably further than the clinical evidence currently allows us to confidently say.

SO… WORTH THE HYPE?

Promising? YES.

Scientifically baseless? NO.

Proven miracle skin regenerator? Also NO.

And that's why this one gets a 🟡 rather than a 🔴.

Polynucleotides may eventually earn a much stronger evidence verdict.

But right now, I think the hype is running faster than the research. 🧬🔬

BE INFORMED. NOT JUST INFLUENCED.

Science over hype. Your safety. Your results. Your trust.

Lasting Impressions Advanced Skin Clinic

🔬 BEAUTY & AESTHETICS vs THE EVIDENCE — POST 2

MICRONEEDLING

Viral treatment or genuinely evidence-based?

Yesterday's treatment received a 🔴 verdict.

So today I wanted to choose something completely different…

Microneedling.

It's one of the most commonly offered skin treatments around and is advertised for everything from acne scars and wrinkles to texture, pores and general skin rejuvenation.

But is microneedling another treatment that's simply become popular because everyone offers it?

Actually… no.

This one has a pretty substantial body of science behind it. 🔬

🧬 DOES MICRONEEDLING REALLY STIMULATE COLLAGEN?

Yes.

And this isn't simply another example of the beauty industry throwing around the phrase “collagen stimulation”.

Professional microneedling creates controlled microscopic injuries within the skin.

That activates the body's wound-healing response and processes involved in collagen production and dermal remodelling.

More importantly, we don't only have a theoretical mechanism.

We have human clinical research showing results.

🔬 ACNE SCARRING — THIS IS WHERE THE EVIDENCE GETS REALLY GOOD

Microneedling has been investigated extensively for atrophic acne scarring.

A 2024 analysis brought together:

24 randomised controlled trials

involving

1,546 participants.

That's very different from some of the treatments we'll examine in this series where we're struggling to find even a handful of good human trials.

Earlier systematic reviews of randomised trials have also concluded that microneedling is an effective and generally well-tolerated option for atrophic acne scars.

So for acne scarring?

This isn't just beauty-industry hype.

👩‍🔬 WHAT ABOUT GENERAL SKIN REJUVENATION?

There's growing evidence here too.

A 2025 systematic review examined 21 studies involving 723 patients receiving microneedling for facial rejuvenation.

Researchers looked at outcomes including:

• Wrinkles
• Skin texture
• Photoageing
• Skin laxity

And pooled analysis found 83% patient satisfaction.

Most studies involved a course of treatments, rather than expecting one session to completely transform someone's skin.

Which is another important reality check.

Microneedling can work.

That doesn't mean one treatment gives you brand-new skin.

🕳️ AND NO… IT DOESN'T “CLOSE YOUR PORES”

This is one bit of marketing I'd happily bin.

Pores don't physically open and close like doors.

Improving collagen and overall skin texture may make enlarged pores appear less noticeable.

That's different from claiming we're literally closing them.

🏠 BUT WHAT ABOUT MICRONEEDLING AT HOME?

This is where I become considerably more cautious.

Professional microneedling involves intentionally penetrating the skin.

That means we need to think about:

• Correct needle depth
• Skin anatomy
• Contraindications
• Infection control
• Sterile/single-use needle cartridges
• Appropriate treatment parameters
• Knowing when somebody should NOT be treated
• Recognising and managing complications

Professional devices can pe*****te into living layers of skin containing nerves and blood vessels.

That's very different from simply applying skincare.

So buying a cheap dermaroller or microneedling pen online and copying a TikTok tutorial isn't something I'd recommend.

Improper technique, inappropriate depth, poor hygiene or repeatedly traumatising the skin can increase the risk of problems including infection, pigmentation changes and skin damage.

The aim of professional microneedling is controlled injury.

More needles, more blood and more trauma doesn't automatically equal a better result.

🧴 AND WHAT ABOUT SERUMS?

There's another distinction worth making.

Evidence that microneedling itself works doesn't automatically prove that every serum or fashionable ingredient applied alongside it improves the result.

Microneedling + PRP.

Microneedling + exosomes.

Microneedling + polynucleotides.

Microneedling + other skin products.

Those combinations need to be assessed on their own evidence.

And we'll be looking at several of those separately in this series. 👀

🔬 THE EVIDENCE VERDICT

For professional microneedling, I'm giving this:

🟢 WELL-ESTABLISHED EVIDENCE

Particularly for atrophic acne scarring.

✔️ Multiple randomised controlled trials

✔️ Systematic reviews and meta-analyses

✔️ Established biological mechanism

✔️ Strong evidence for acne-scar improvement

✔️ Evidence supporting improvements in wrinkles and facial rejuvenation

✔️ Generally favourable safety profile when appropriately performed

BUT…

⚠️ Evidence isn't equally strong for every single condition it's advertised to treat.

⚠️ A course of treatments is generally required.

⚠️ Results depend upon the indication and appropriate treatment parameters.

⚠️ Adding another substance to microneedling doesn't automatically mean that combination is evidence-based.

⚠️ Professional microneedling should not be confused with aggressive DIY microneedling at home.

SO… WORTH THE HYPE?

Yes. 🟢

This is one where the popularity is actually backed by a substantial amount of clinical research.

Microneedling isn't miraculous.

It won't erase every scar.

It won't literally close your pores.

And it won't give you a surgical facelift.

But when professionally performed for an appropriate indication?

There's genuine science behind it.

And that's exactly why this series isn't about finding reasons to call treatments rubbish.

Some treatments deserve their hype.

Microneedling is one of them. 🔬

BE INFORMED. NOT JUST INFLUENCED.

Science over hype. Your safety. Your results. Your trust.

Lasting Impressions Advanced Skin Clinic

🔬 BEAUTY & AESTHETICS vs THE EVIDENCE — POST 1

🍋 LEMON BOTTLE

Viral marketing… but does the science match the hype?

I'm starting this series with a brand I've never offered in my clinic.

Not because I didn't know about it.

Quite the opposite.

When Lemon Bottle became absolutely HUGE within aesthetics, I considered whether it was something worth adding to my treatment menu.

But before paying for training and jumping onto the trend, I did something else first:

I looked for the evidence. 🔬

And ultimately, I decided not to train in it.

Here's why.

🍋 LEMON BOTTLE ISN'T JUST ABOUT FAT DISSOLVING

Most people associate Lemon Bottle with its viral fat-dissolving treatment, but products under the Lemon Bottle name have also been marketed within aesthetics for skin boosting/rejuvenation.

So rather than asking:

“Does fat dissolving work?”

That's not the question I'm interested in.

There ARE injectable fat-reduction treatments with established mechanisms and clinical evidence.

And there are injectable skin treatments with evidence behind particular ingredients and formulations.

The question is:

🔬 WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE FOR LEMON BOTTLE ITSELF?

Because that's a completely different question.

A product can contain ingredients that individually have interesting biological properties.

That doesn't automatically prove that the finished formulation, delivered in a particular way, produces the clinical results being advertised.

And this is where I struggled with Lemon Bottle.

🍋 THE FAT-DISSOLVING CLAIMS

Lemon Bottle became incredibly popular as an injectable treatment for reducing localised fat.

The ingredients commonly associated with it include riboflavin, bromelain and lecithin.

All very scientific sounding.

And those substances genuinely have biological functions.

But that isn't enough.

If I'm injecting a product into somebody with the intention of destroying/reducing fat, I want to see good-quality human clinical research on the actual treatment.

I want to know:

🔬 Was fat reduction objectively measured?

🔬 Was it compared with a control/placebo?

🔬 Were adequate numbers of people studied?

🔬 Have independent researchers reproduced the results?

🔬 What does long-term follow-up show?

🔬 What do we know about safety?

For Lemon Bottle specifically, I couldn't find the convincing body of independent peer-reviewed human clinical evidence I would want before offering it.

💉 AND WHAT ABOUT THE SKIN BOOSTER?

The same principle applies.

Words such as:

✨ Regeneration
✨ Brightening
✨ Collagen stimulation
✨ Rejuvenation
✨ Skin boosting

sound fantastic.

But putting beneficial-sounding ingredients into an injectable formulation doesn't automatically demonstrate that injecting that particular product produces those claimed effects in humans.

Again, I want to see research on the finished product and treatment protocol — not simply evidence that one of its ingredients does something interesting in a laboratory.

And I couldn't find a convincing body of independent clinical evidence supporting the wider skin-rejuvenation claims strongly enough for me to personally add the Lemon Bottle range to my clinic.

🚨 THEN THERE'S AN INTERESTING REGULATORY STORY…

Swissmedic — Switzerland's medicines regulator — issued a warning concerning products labelled Lemon Bottle being used for lipolysis.

It stated that no medicinal effect had been scientifically proven.

There was subsequently a dispute about whether the products analysed were genuine.

And here's where things became even more unusual.

The distributor, SID Medicos, told Swissmedic that its original Lemon Bottle Ampoule was a cosmetic product intended for external use — not for injection or lipolysis.

That doesn't automatically tell us that every Lemon Bottle product in every country is illegitimate.

But it certainly raises questions that I think anyone considering an injectable treatment deserves to know about.

⚠️ AND THIS IS IMPORTANT…

I'm NOT saying:

❌ All fat dissolving treatments don't work.

❌ All skin boosters don't work.

❌ Every person who's had Lemon Bottle has seen no result.

That's not what evidence-based practice means.

Someone can genuinely have a treatment and believe they've achieved a great result.

The scientific question is different:

Can we reliably demonstrate that the treatment produces the claimed result, beyond chance, bias, other variables and subjective before-and-after photographs?

That's why controlled clinical research matters.

🔬 THE EVIDENCE VERDICT

🔴 CLAIMS OUTWEIGH THE EVIDENCE

For the Lemon Bottle range and the aesthetic claims I investigated:

❌ I couldn't find the level of independent, peer-reviewed human clinical evidence I would expect considering how confidently some of these products have been marketed.

❌ Evidence relating to individual ingredients cannot automatically be applied to the finished formulation.

❌ Before-and-after photographs and testimonials aren't substitutes for controlled clinical research.

⚠️ There are also regulatory questions surrounding products sold under the Lemon Bottle name and their use as injectables.

🍋 SO WHY DIDN'T I OFFER IT?

This is probably the most important part of this post.

I looked into Lemon Bottle BEFORE I trained in it.

At the height of its popularity, adding it to my menu probably would have made good business sense.

But that's not enough for me.

If I'm going to inject something into someone's body or recommend a treatment, I want to understand:

What is it?

Why should it work?

What evidence demonstrates that it works?

And what evidence do we have regarding safety?

With Lemon Bottle, I wasn't personally satisfied with the answers.

So I didn't train in it.

And I didn't offer it.

That doesn't mean my opinion could never change.

Show me robust, independent clinical research tomorrow and I'll happily reassess it.

That's the whole point of following evidence rather than trends.

But based on the evidence currently available?

🔴 For me, the claims outweigh the evidence.

BE INFORMED. NOT JUST INFLUENCED. 🔬

Science over hype. Your safety. Your results. Your trust.

Lasting Impressions Advanced Skin Clinic

🔬 NEW SERIES: BEAUTY & AESTHETICS vs THE EVIDENCE

Social media has completely changed the beauty and aesthetics industry.

A treatment can go viral overnight. Before-and-after photos appear everywhere, influencers rave about it and suddenly thousands of people are paying hundreds of pounds for the latest “must-have” treatment.

But there's one question I think we should be asking more often:

What does the science actually say? 🔬

So I'm starting a new series looking at the evidence behind some of the most popular beauty, skin, hair and aesthetic treatments — including treatments I offer myself.

I'll be looking beyond the before-and-afters and marketing claims to find out:

🔬 Is there a scientifically plausible reason it should work?

📚 Are there actually human clinical studies?

🧪 How good are those studies?

📊 Do multiple studies reach similar conclusions?

💰 Is there independent research, or is much of the evidence industry-funded?

⚠️ Are the claims being advertised actually supported by the research?

And then I'll give each treatment an:

🔬 EVIDENCE VERDICT

🟢 WELL-ESTABLISHED EVIDENCE
There is a good body of evidence supporting the treatment or claim being examined.

🔵 EVIDENCE SUPPORTS POTENTIAL BENEFIT
There is genuine evidence suggesting benefit, but there are still limitations in the research.

🟡 EMERGING / MIXED EVIDENCE
There are promising findings, but the evidence is currently limited, inconsistent or still developing.

🔴 CLAIMS OUTWEIGH THE EVIDENCE
The marketing claims go beyond what the current evidence can reasonably support.

And something really important:

🟡 or 🔴 doesn't automatically mean a treatment “doesn't work”.

It means the quality or quantity of evidence currently available doesn't justify making certain claims about it.

Equally, 🟢 doesn't mean something will work for every single person.

This isn't about attacking practitioners, brands or treatments.

It's about informed choice.

If you're spending hundreds of pounds on a treatment, I think you deserve to know the difference between:

✨ What you're being told it can do

and

🔬 What we can actually demonstrate it can do.

I'll also put treatments I personally offer under exactly the same microscope.

No treatment gets a free pass.

No scare tactics. No industry bashing.

Just evidence over influence. 🔬

BE INFORMED. NOT JUST INFLUENCED.

Science over hype. Your safety. Your results. Your trust.

Lasting Impressions Advanced Skin Clinic

A remarkable transformation achieved through three laser sessions.

Our client presented with heavily saturated and darkened permanent makeup, previously applied by another provider.

Following just three laser removal sessions, each priced at £25, we successfully unveiled a significantly softer, cleaner base, revealing the client's natural brow hairs beneath. This outcome demonstrably showcases the effectiveness of our services.

🌞Sun Spot Removal🌞

A lovely before & immediately after showing targeted treatment of sun pigmentation.

The redness you can see is completely normal immediately following treatment and will settle as the skin heals. Once fully healed, the treated area should blend naturally with the surrounding skin, leaving little to no visible sign that it has been treated.

☀️ Sun spots & pigmentation can often be treated quickly and precisely

🔍 Consultation required to assess suitability
📍 Lasting Impressions Advanced Skin Clinic, York

Results vary. The after image shown is immediately post-treatment, not the final healed result.

A little reintroduction & a few things you may not know about me personally…Swipe to get to know the person behind the clinic →

✨ IMPORTANT UPDATE – TEMPORARY CLOSURE ✨

The clinic will be closed from 18.08.26 to 27.08.26 while the exterior gets a fresh new look to match our new identity. 🤎

New name, new colour, same clinic – just a fresh new chapter!

Lasting Impressions Beauty & Aesthetics is becoming Lasting Impressions Advanced Skin Clinic, and the clinic is getting its own little makeover to go with it.

I can’t wait for you all to see the finished result! ✨