The Undetectable Era in Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics Is Full of Small Tweaks and Big Results

Dr Yannis is a triple board-certified Plastic Surgeon, Founder and Medical Director of 111 Harley St. specialising in Facelifts and facial procedures in London’s highly respected medical area. Under the guiding hand of his expertise, the clinic specialises in plastic surgery procedures, aesthetic treatments and injectables with on-going research and an ever-evolving treatment menu incorporating the latest technologies, techniques and products – the clinic is also the birthplace of Dr Yannis’ surgically inspired skincare, 111SKIN.

Right now, we’re witnesses to how the world of Plastic Surgery and aesthetic treatments is changing: giving rise to a new wave of procedures that promise significant improvements without the tell-tale signs of traditional surgeries. We have entered the ‘undetectable era’.

These innovations are helping individuals enhance their natural beauty with minimal downtime and –crucially – undetectable results. The modern aesthetic goal is no longer about dramatic transformations, but now about subtle, refined tweaks that leave people wondering, ‘What has changed?’, and unable to put their finger on what exactly.

This trend is driven by advancements in both the techniques and technologies used in procedures such as Blepharoplasty, Facelifts, Closed Rhinoplasty, Botox, skin boosters like Profhilo, RF Microneedling, exosomes, and laser treatments. Together, these offer patients the chance to rejuvenate their appearance with results that blend seamlessly into their features, leaving no visible scars or signs of enhancement  - and if there’s one thing my clinic, 111 Harley St., and other clinics across the world have in common, is that the patient demand for natural-looking results is growing.

Here are my top procedures and treatments paving the way.

Blepharoplasty: The Art of Subtle Eye Rejuvenation

Blepharoplasty, commonly known as ‘eyelid surgery’, has long been a procedure to help individuals combat the sagging skin and puffiness around their eyes that naturally occurs with age. However, the evolution of this procedure has led to techniques that are less invasive and produce results that are undetectable.

While the incisions of an Upper Blepharoplasty are already virtually undetectable (they are hidden within the eyelid crease), the Lower Blepharoplasty can involve a more significant incision beneath the lash line, leading to a noticeable scar that could take much longer to heal.

However, this is no longer the case. With the rapid adoption of less invasive techniques, such as the Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty – which I perform regularly under local anaesthesia – this can be performed from inside the eyelid, leaving no external scarring. The result? A rejuvenated appearance with no evidence of surgery: the ultimate undetectable procedure.

The modern approach to Blepharoplasty emphasises precision, and I work carefully to remove excess skin, fat, and tighten and close the incisions in a way so that the final result will look completely natural. The recovery time is also significantly reduced, and many of my patients are able to return to their normal activities in a matter of days.

Facelifts: The Subtle Lift that Doesn’t Reveal Itself

Fifteen years ago, the words ‘undetectable’ and ‘Facelifts’ would not have been put in the same sentence together. For too long Facelifts have been associated with dramatic changes, leaving patients with tight, stretched skin that is noticeable to anyone who looks too closely. But now, the concept of an ‘Undetectable Facelift’ has rapidly grown in popularity. Many surgeons in my field, myself included, are focusing on a more subtle approach to Facelifting. The emphasis is now on lifting and repositioning the facial structures and working on the deep plane of the face, without pulling the skin too tightly.

Another popular type of ‘undetectable Facelift’ is the minimally invasive Facelift – sometimes referred to as a ‘Mini Facelift’ – which uses smaller incisions and focuses on the lower face, jawline, and neck to restore youthful contours without the need for extensive work. The strategic placement of incisions in areas like the hairline or behind the ears ensures that the scars are well-hidden, and the results often look so natural that only those closest to the patient notice the improvements. When it comes to Mini Facelifts, I often say that the name does not reflect the nature, as the aesthetic created is massive, not mini – and the recovery is often faster than traditional Facelifts.

The idea is to create a lifted, rejuvenated appearance that doesn’t look like someone has ‘had work done’. Facelifts have become more refined now, and can be performed with such subtlety that the results are often unrecognizable as surgical interventions. The skin looks firmer, the jawline sharper, and the overall facial harmony restored – all without any visible scarring. The emphasis on leaving no trace, or any sign of incision, is shared by all the procedures I’m talking about, and is one of the key traits all these undetectable surgeries share.

Closed Rhinoplasty: Refining the Nose with Precision

Rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, has long been a go-to procedure for those seeking to refine the shape of their nose. Traditional Rhinoplasty is often performed using the ‘Open Technique’, where a visible incision is made across the columella. However, due of the rise of the Closed Rhinoplasty, the need for visible scarring has dramatically decreased.

In Closed Rhinoplasty, the incisions are made inside the nostrils, meaning there are no external scars to worry about. I often use a device called a Piezotome, which is an ultrasonic instrument that means I can still reshape the nose, remove bumps, or adjust the nasal tip, all without leaving any trace of the surgery. Whilst it’s not a technique that’s suited to all Rhinoplasties, it has gained in popularity due to the minimal invasiveness and the natural-looking outcomes offered. It also means that your recovery will be quicker than other Rhinoplasties as the ultrasonic energy causes no trauma to the sounding soft tissues. 

Another thing I love about Closed Rhinoplasty is that it enhances the patient’s profile in a way that feels effortless.

Botox and Fillers: The Subtle Art of Muscle Relaxation and Contour Enhancement

Botox and Dermal Fillers have long been staples in the world of non-surgical aesthetics, and are still the two most popular injectables in my 111 Harley St. clinic. Botox is best know for being a quick fix for wrinkles, whilst Dermal Fillers address loss of volume, or create volume where it never was, tweaking and balancing features. Of course, injectables are undeniably a part of the Undetectable Era! When administered expertly, the results are natural, rejuvenating and can be the cause of many compliments.

In the past, overuse of Botox could create a frozen, unnatural expression, while excessive filler could lead to a puffy or overly plumped appearance – known as ‘pillow face’. Nowadays, injectors are focusing on the concept of ‘preventative’ aesthetics, making subtle adjustments to the face that enhance natural features rather than drastically altering them. The beauty of these treatments not only lies in their precision, but also in their reversibility. 

Skin Boosters: Profhilo and RF Microneedling for Subtle Skin Rejuvenation

Skin Boosters and Microneedling have to be included in my line-up of undetectable treatments, especially because these two treatments do not add volume to the face, but rather enhance your skin’s structure.  

Profhilo, for example, has risen in popularity this year in my clinic, capturing the attention of my younger patients that are looking for a boost in hydration and radiance. Unlike traditional fillers, which add volume, Profhilo is an injectable treatment designed to rejuvenate the skin from within. By stimulating the production of four different types of collagen, Profhilo improves skin texture, tone, and elasticity, leaving the skin looking naturally radiant and youthful. 

Similarly, RF Microneedling (radiofrequency microneedling) is a non-surgical, device-led treatment that combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production deep within the skin. This results in tighter, smoother skin without the need for extensive downtime. The improvements in texture and elasticity are gradual, giving patients a glowing, refreshed appearance that looks completely natural.

Both Profhilo and RF Microneedling provide results that are noticeable, yet undetectable: especially as these results can be gradual; meaning nobody’s the wiser.

Exosomes: Cutting-Edge Technology for Regenerative Aesthetics

Exosomes were a big buzzword at end of last year and are still changing the game in regenerative aesthetics. These are microscopic particles, derived from stem cells, found naturally in the body of living things like people and plants, and have the potential to accelerate healing, reduce inflammation, and stimulate tissue regeneration. Some statistics have shown that they can increase collagen production by 300% and elastin by 100% too. While having almost unbelievable clinical trials, they can additionally be used in a variety of ways. They first appeared in regenerative medicine research, but the main use of exosomes in aesthetics is for skin rejuvenation and hair restoration where the results they can achieve, mean have cemented themselves as one of the most potent non-surgical treatments.

Laser Treatments: Refining the Skin Without Visible Signs

Laser treatments have long been used for skin resurfacing, acne scarring, and pigmentation correction – and in the early days of lasers; if your skin was red, peeling, or flaking after a treatment, it was considered a good sign. This often meant that the treatment was doing something ‘intense’, and that intensity was synonymous with effectiveness in the past. Now, we know that visible trauma isn’t necessary to achieve results; it’s the complete antithesis of achieving an undetectable result.

Luckily, modern lasers, such as ADVATx and ClearLift, are able to treat the skin, improve skin tone, texture, and reduce wrinkles and fine lines – all without the downtime for days afterwards.

What Does The Future Hold for Undetectable Enhancements?

As aesthetic treatments continue to evolve, the rise of undetectable Plastic Surgery and treatments is redefining beauty. Whether through Mini Facelifts, Closed Rhinoplasty, or non-surgical treatments like Botox, skin boosters, or lasers, the emphasis is on creating natural results that leave no obvious signs of intervention. These treatments allow individuals to reverse signs of ageing and enhance their features: all while remaining completely themselves – just more confident versions. This is the ultimate goal of the Undetectable Era we’ve entered in, and I for one, am excited for what else the future has to hold for aesthetics…