Oliver Harley FRCSEd (Plastic Surg) - leading UK trained and General Medical Council registered specialist plastic surgeon working at fully accredited private hospitals in Sussex, Kent and Surrey UK.

UK trained and GMC Specialist Registered Consultant Plastic Surgeon.  
18 years experience in Plastic Surgery.
Working from fully accredited private hospitals in Sussex, Kent and Surrey.
Start your journey with a free video or phone consultation.

Oliver Harley FRCSEd (Plastic Surgery)

Oliver Harley Plastic Surgeon

Aesthetic plastic surgeon

A series of small injections of a purified neurotoxin that temporarily blocks nerve impulses to muscles or other tissues, causing the muscles to relax.  When muscles relax, the overlying skin moves less, effectively reducing wrinkles.  Botulinum toxin injections can be strategically placed for various other indications, including rejuvenation of the upper and lower face, reducing sweating, and medical conditions such as migraine. The effects usually wear off after a few months.

Botulinum toxin injections

The most commonly used fillers today are non-permanent and consist of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring molecule found in skin, joints and in the eyes.  Several brands of hyaluronic acid filler are available.  They all comprise a clear, soft, sterile gel that is injected into the skin or beneath the skin to soften lines, contour facial features, or add volume.  Fillers may be injected under local anaesthesia, and results can last about 6-18 months.

Fillers

The brows are lifted using keyhole surgery.  Small incisions, usually 4-5,  are made behind the hairline and instruments with cameras and lights are used to guide the surgery.  During the endoscopic brow lift procedure the tissues near the brow are released under the skin so the brows can be elevated to the desired position.  The tissues may then be anchored to the bone to maintain the brow lift.

Endoscopic brow lift

The brow is lifted by placing an incision at the brow hair itself.  This incision may be placed in an existing line or wrinkle to hide it as much as possible.  Some skin is removed and the incision is closed with stitches, lifting the brow to an elevated position.

Direct brow lift

This surgical procedure helps make the eyes appear more youthful by removing excess skin, muscle and fat between the eyelids and brows. A small incision is made in the crease of the eyelid either under local or general anaesthesia. Fine stitches are used to close the incision and these are usually removed 5-7 days after surgery. Upper blepharoplasty rectifies the hooding that occurs with aging in some people.

Upper blepharoplasty

This procedure helps improve under-eye bulges or bags as well as loose skin. The incision used is either just under the eyelashes in the skin (transcutaneous) or on the inside of the lower eyelid (transconjunctival). Variations in lower blepharoplasty include trimming away excess bulging fat, repositioning this fat to reduce under-eye hollows, and supporting the outer lower eyelid with fine stitches to prevent it from sagging and improve the shape of the lower eyelid.

Lower blepharoplasty

These soft, flexible implants consist of medical-grade biocompatible silicone that can be implanted into human tissues.  Implants come in various shapes and sizes to enhance or augment features including the chin, cheeks, and lips.  An incision is made and the implant is placed using sterile technique. Silicone implants are permanent and do not dissolve, but can be removed or replaced.

Silicone implant

Surgical correction or reshaping of the nose performed as an open or closed procedure, depending on the aims of surgery. Open rhinoplasty requires more extensive incisions to display the structures under the skin. Sometimes cartilage grafts are used to reshape the nose. Rhinoplasty can be performed to make the nose straighter, more defined, reshape the tip, reduce nostril size and refine other nasal features. Rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty are also performed to improve breathing.

Rhinoplasty

In some cases, fillers are injected into the soft tissues to reshape the nose and make it appear straighter or more defined.  The most commonly used fillers for this purpose are non-permanent fillers like hyaluronic acid, a clear, sterile, biocompatible gel substance.  Other non-surgical rhinoplasty techniques use botulinum toxin injections to elevate the tip of the nose.  Some doctors use threads to modify the appearance of the nose.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty

An incision is made immediately under the nose to hide the scar, and a variable amount of skin is removed. When the incision is closed with stitches, the lip elevates, resulting in a more youthful or rejuvenated appearance. The surgical lip lift can also evert the upper lip, making it appear fuller. Stitches are removed after approximately one week. Variations in the shape of the incision are designed to lift the lip in different ways, such as defining the cupid’s bow.

Surgical Lip lift

This surgical procedure has been used for many years to improve sagging of the face due to aging. A traditional facelift incision is usually made in front of the ear, along the hairline, and inside the hairline. There are various types of facelift procedures. Drains and bandages may be placed to ensure optimum recovery after surgery. A neck lift is frequently performed at the same time.

Face lift

A short scar facelift is a surgical procedure that lifts the face through an incision that may be shorter than a traditional face lift incision.  The incision is usually placed in front of the ear.  Different techniques can describe a short scar facelift.

Short scar facelift

A surgical neck lift usually involves tightening the muscles to remove the sagging and improve the angle under the chin, as well as lifting and trimming excess skin. This is commonly performed together with a face lift. The incisions and scars vary, but can be behind the ear and into the hairline and a smaller incision under the chin to access the muscles. A neck lift is a definitive surgical rejuvenation that requires healing and recovery.

Neck lift

Liposuction is used to contour the body by removing fat that lies under the skin through special suction tubes called cannulas. Liposuction can be performed under local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia. Almost all parts of the body can be treated with liposuction. Various forms of liposuction exist, including those that use suction alone, or those that use energy to assist the procedure, such as laser, ultrasound, or vibration.

Liposuction

Definitive removal of something from the body through an incision and dissection, either under local or general anaesthesia. 

Surgical removal

Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a surgical method to flatten the tummy and reduce loose skin by tightening tummy muscles and trimming away excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen. The incision and scar usually runs from one hip to the other hip, allowing the overhang or sagging skin to be removed. Usually the surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. You may have drains after surgery and a compression garment to wear for a few weeks.

Tummy tuck

Removing excess skin and fat in the lower tummy and using an incision that is shorter than a traditional tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. The scar after a mini tummy tuck does not run all the way from one hip to the other.  The tummy muscles may or may not be tightened during a mini tummy tuck.  You may have drains after surgery and a compression garment to wear for a few weeks.

Mini tummy tuck

Increasing the size of the breasts with surgery, usually using silicone or saline implants.  Various implant sizes and shapes can be chosen depending on the desired effect.  Common techniques for placing the implants include an incision in or near the breast crease below the breasts, or around the nipples. The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthesia. An assessment before breast augmentation is used to decide which implant should be chosen and where exactly it should be placed.

Breast augmentation

A surgical procedure that improves the appearance of sagging breasts by elevating them to a higher position. Although different techniques exist, a common method involves an incision around the nipple area, downwards, and underneath the breast. Sometimes the incision is restricted to around the nipple in less extensive lifts. A breast lift can be performed as part of breast augmentation or breast reduction. Breast lift surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia.

Breast lift

Surgery to reduce the volume and size of the breasts.  Breast reduction is performed under general anaesthesia and requires incisions and the removal of tissue.  It may be performed for aesthetic or functional reasons.  During breast reduction surgery, a lift is frequently performed, so the volume and position of the breasts improves.  Drains may be placed following breast reduction for a few days.

Breast reduction

The size of the nipples or pink part around the nipples (areolae) is reduced with nippled reduction surgery. A sizer is often used to measure the target circumference of the nipple areola complex (NAC). Then the excess, unwanted areola is removed using an incision. Fine stitches are used to close the skin so the scar heals well and becomes difficult to notice over time.

Nipple reduction

Surgical removal of excess, sagging skin in the upper arm. Usually, an incision is made from the armpit area, along the inside of the arm, to the inner elbow. An arm lift is usually performed under general anaesthesia and requires a compression garment to be worn afterwards for a number of weeks. The scar is placed on the inside of the arm so it is less noticeable. An arm lift is sometimes required if skin tightening treatments or liposuction are not considered appropriate due to excessive skin laxity.

Arm lift / brachiaplasty

Surgery to reduce sagging skin and laxity in the inner thighs. Typically performed under general anaesthesia, a thigh lift provides a definitive tightening in the upper and inner thigh areas, particularly in cases where non-surgical options would not be effective enough. Incisions may be made in the groin area and along the inner thigh. A compression garment may be recommended for a period of time during the recovery.

Thigh lift

Tightening and removing excess skin that occurs in the upper tummy rather than the lower tummy.  Surgery involves making an incision along the upper tummy and under both breasts. The muscles along the tummy may be tightened at the same time. Drains and a compression garment may be used during the recovery after surgery.

Reverse tummy tuck

Surgery to remove a previously placed implant, such as a silicone implant.  This may occur in order to change the size, or simply to remove the implant out of choice or for medical reasons. An implant may be removed if there is an infection, it is not in the correct position, or if an abnormally thickened capsule forms around the implant causing hardening, distortion or pain.

Implant removal

Surgically improving the appearance of a pre-existing scar using various techniques. The existing scar is often removed using a separate, new incision. The edges of the new wound are brought together in a way that reduces tension on the healing incision, so that the scar becomes less obvious.

Scar revision

Surgical trimming of the labia, usually the labia minora (inner lips close to the vagina).  Various techniques exist depending on the anatomy and surgeon's experience, including trimming excess tissue around the clitoris.  The labia majors (outer lips) can also be reduced if there is too much skin when filling this area is not appropriate. A labiaplasty for cosmetic reasons is designed to provide a neater appearance.  It may also be performed for functional reasons, usually to reduce discomfort.

Labiaplasty

Hyaluronic acid gel fillers can be removed by injecting an enzyme called hyaluronidase into the filler or area. To remove permanent fillers, it may be necessary to use surgical methods. Fillers may need to be removed if they are causing lumps, asymmetry, reactions, or more serious complications like blocking blood vessels causing damage to tissues.

Remove filler

Surgical remodelling of the soft tissues or cartilage of the ear to improve shape, symmetry, or projection.  Various otoplasty techniques have been described to treat congenital conditions, or changes that have occurred over time or with trauma.  A head bandage is usually required after otoplasty surgery.

Ear surgery/otoplasty

Surgery designed to flatten and improve the contours of the male chest due to excessive tissue. There may be excessive gland and fat beneath the skin. The gland can be removed surgically through an incision around the nipples. Since gynaecomastia is often a mixed picture of fat and gland, liposuction is frequently performed to improve results. Gynaecomastia surgery can be performed under local or general anaesthesia. A compression garment is applied after the procedure.