For years, injectable conversations were dominated by the upper face. Forehead lines, frown lines and crow’s feet were the familiar entry points, while the neck was often treated as a separate problem, something to be addressed later, or surgically. Platysma Botox is moving into the mainstream of aesthetic practice as patients increasingly focus on the neck as a visible marker of ageing and seek treatment options that can soften early changes without surgery and changing the market. The treatment itself is not new, but its profile is rising as awareness grows, clinical protocols become more refined and the industry’s attention shifts towards lower-face and neck rejuvenation.

Women’s health conditions have long been shaped by delay: delayed recognition, delayed diagnosis and, in many cases, delayed research. Lipoedema is increasingly being discussed in that context, with studies suggesting it may affect around 6 to 11 per cent of women, yet it remains widely misunderstood and frequently mistaken for obesity or simple weight gain. Lipoedema is a chronic condition that affects the way fat is distributed in the body, most commonly in the legs, hips and buttocks, and sometimes the arms. It usually affects women, and is marked by a symmetrical build-up of fat that can be painful, tender and prone to bruising. The feet and hands are often unaffected, which can leave a distinct cuffing effect at the ankles or wrists. Despite this, the condition is still regularly mistaken for obesity, lymphoedema or simple weight gain.

PBL Magazine sits down with Dr Rita Rakus, founder of the Rakus Clinic in Knightsbridge and one of the UK’s best known figures in aesthetic medicine. A co founder and Fellow of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine, Rakus has spent decades helping shape the non surgical aesthetics sector through clinical practice, innovation, training and a strong focus on patient safety. In celebration of the upcoming International Women’s Day, we discuss how opportunities for women in aesthetics have changed, where progress still falls short, what credible authority looks like in a crowded market, and why standards, mentorship and regulation remain central to the future of the profession.

International Maisons of Fine Fragrance took place in London last week, bringing together a tightly curated mix of independent and luxury fragrance houses in a gallery-style setting built for discovery. With 32 exhibitors this year, the event felt international in scope while still intimate enough for real conversations, proper smelling time, and the kind of close attention niche perfumery deserves. Among the line-up, six brands stood out for the clarity of their concepts, the strength of their identities, and the way they translated storytelling into scent, design and experience.

When rosacea in skin of colour is mistaken for acne or “sensitive skin”, treatment can go in the wrong direction fast. We look at the evidence behind underdiagnosis, the role of history-taking beyond visual cues, and why better recognition is a standards issue for the aesthetics sector

Valentine’s Day is built around the senses, and perfume is the only gift that speaks to all of them at once. You can see it, hold it, unbox it, and then wear it in a way that changes how you feel in real time. Most importantly, scent takes a shortcut to emotion and memory. Unlike many other sensory inputs, olfactory signals have direct links into brain regions tied to emotion and memory, which helps explain why a fragrance can trigger a mood shift, a flash of recognition, or a sudden sense of closeness within seconds.