"Welcoming space …"

My experience was definitely enhanced by the friendliness shown, which put me truly at ease.

"A strong word of caution."

I have been a patient at Illuminate since ‘21 and have had regular Botox treatments with various practitioners in that time, always in three areas (forehead, ‘11’ lines and crows feet). Mainly for cosmetic reasons as I was approaching 40 but with the additional benefit that the treatments also halted migraines.

I had my last treatment in early December which was as usual. I had been seeing the same practitioner at roughly 6 monthly intervals for the past two years with no previous problems. However on this occasion something did not go right (potentially an understatement!) and it is for this reason that I am writing this review to serve as a word of caution to anyone else currently considering Botox or concerned over possible side effects. I had always been told that very little could go wrong aside from a temporary ptosis of the eyelid which would rectify itself within a few weeks and indeed I thought that when correct dosage and procedure was followed even this was highly unlikely. I have always been aware that Illuminate was more costly than other clinics but I am a cautious person and believed that this premium would ensure that there would be no adverse reaction, or should there be it would be managed accordingly.

The treatment itself went as usual, I followed the aftercare advice to the letter and it wasn’t until 10 days later I noticed or developed an issue, initially that one eye was noticeably larger and wider than the other which looked partially closed. I called the clinic as usually I hadn’t returned for a follow up appointment and was booked in the same day to see my practitioner believing they would just ‘even out’ the asymmetry. Obviously with Christmas and New Year approaching I did not want to look as I did which was, as a friend later told me, as if I had Bells Palsy(!). However at the follow up appointment I was advised that I had brow ptosis, caused when too much Botox is injected too near to the brow causing it to droop. Not at all ideal but that would probably rectify itself within two - three weeks.

It has since been two months and whilst there may be some small improvement in that time the results are still far from desirable. Appearance aside, more worrying was that both eyes have felt constantly uncomfortable which I now understand may be dry eye symptoms which increase throughout the day until the evening when I can barely stand to keep my eyes open. This heavy irritated sensation has also caused headaches (as opposed to relieving them) and has only be partially managed by continually applying eye drops and taking painkillers. The asymmetry also increases into the evening so one eye looks wide and the other pretty much closed. So despite having paid for an expensive cosmetic treatment to improve my appearance and relieve headaches I have in fact looked ridiculous and felt highly uncomfortable. I urge caution as I now have no other option other than to wait it out, there is no remedy for incorrectly administered Botox (and I strongly believe this was incorrectly administered) other than time, and I just pray that after the three - four month period my face reverts to normal and all other side effects resolve with it.

So please be warned, even if administered by a medial professional at a specialist clinic you can still experience extremely negative results. Further to this despite me returning with a clear problem, there is / was no treatment available to rectify the issue(s), nor indeed much in the way of aftercare as I haven’t been contacted since by the clinic to inquire as to whether the situation has resolved and I was a long-term loyal client.

"Excellent facilities and service"

I am just at the start of treatment for thread veins. Having never been to a Clinic of this type before, I was quite apprehensive. However, my two appointments so far have been great. The Reception staff are friendly and welcoming. Nurse Carrie is lovely, professional and efficient. She takes time and trouble to explain the processes. The Clinic itself is light, bright and spotlessly clean. I would highly recommend Illuminate.

"Professional service"

Professional service, knowledgeable staff, clean & modern clinic

"First impressions "

From the initial appointment to the consultation with Dr Shotter and Lucy the whole experience has been very welcoming and knowledgeable also actively listening to my skin concerns. No pushy sales talk. Very professional experience.

"Absolutely ecstatic with my results!!!"

Absolutely ecstatic with my results and experience at illuminate skin clinic!! Everything was explained perfectly, any questions I had were answered with great reassurance, the packages for methods of removal were all explained and the best and safest one was recommended which is the one I chose to go with. I had a large mole and it was the procedure to remove that from the upper left side of my back. Everyone who worked there were so lovely and welcoming and I was made to feel extremely comfortable my entire time with them. The amazing Doctor Ru was who I saw and who did my minor surgery. Absolutely amazing woman, so polite and friendly she really made me feel at ease with it all. Overall I am very happy with my experience and would 100% recommend them to anyone looking for any kind of procedures they offer!

"Calming place "

Calming place beautifully laid out. Excellent products and knowledgeable staff

"Great service"

Great service, and Lucy was really nice and explained everything so well.

"I had such a great first experience…"

I had such a great first experience with Dr Aneka, she was professional extremely knowledgeable kind and listened to what I wanted treatment wise, I am so pleased with the results of my treatment I had and wouldn’t go anywhere else. Thank you for building my confidence back up. All round lovely people.

" She is very helpful "

They are very helpful and they are very lovely people