05
Jun
2025
The Late Late Aesthetics Show, hosted by Vanessa Lana Brown (owner of VL Aesthetics in Carlisle), delivers expert insights and engaging discussions on all things skincare, aesthetics, and wellbeing.
The eye area is one of the most delicate and prominent features of the face, yet it often ages the fastest. In a recent episode of The Late Late Aesthetic Show podcast, renowned oculoplastic surgeon and aesthetic expert Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai shared her invaluable insights on how to maintain youthful, vibrant eyes. With over 25 years of experience, she delved into the biggest mistakes people make, the best treatments for different age groups, and the future of eye rejuvenation.
One of the most common mistakes Dr Sabrina has observed is that people neglect to invest in a quality eye care product. Many expect their eye creams to perform miracles, akin to the results of surgery or energy-based treatments, without realising that skincare is about maintenance, not transformation.
She equates eye care to dental hygiene, just as brushing your teeth doesn’t prevent cavities entirely, but is still essential, using a good eye product is crucial for slowing down ageing. The key is to nourish, protect, and hydrate the under-eye skin, ensuring it doesn’t age disproportionately faster than the rest of the face.
According to Dr Sabrina, eye care should begin as early as childhood with daily SPF application. By age 18, a simple antioxidant like low-dose vitamin C is a great starting point. As the skin matures, introducing niacinamide, retinol (for those with thicker skin), and targeted ingredients for pigmentation can help prevent premature ageing.
She emphasises that while some face products can be used on the eyes, thinner skin types require specially formulated eye creams with lower concentrations to avoid irritation.
Dr Sabrina recounted an amusing yet unsettling experience where a patient presented a highly cropped photograph and requested eyes like the ones in the image, only to reveal that the eyes in question belonged to Dr Sabrina herself!
While eye shape can be subtly enhanced through surgery, she stressed that every individual’s anatomy is unique. Procedures like lifting the outer corner, reducing excess upper lid skin, or reshaping the brow can create subtle but significant enhancements. However, drastic changes are often unrealistic.
Aesthetic trends, especially those fueled by social media, often spark dangerous practices. One such trend is surgical eye colour change, which Dr Sabrina strongly advises against. This high-risk procedure, often performed in unregulated settings, can lead to irreversible blindness, glaucoma, or extrusion of the implant. Ethical surgeons do not offer it, as the risks far outweigh any cosmetic benefits.
One of the biggest ongoing issues in aesthetics is the overuse of fillers under the eyes. Many practitioners continue injecting fillers every six months, despite new evidence showing that fillers can persist for 2 to 15 years. The constant pursuit of a “perfectly filled” under-eye has led to unnatural results, perception drift, and an increase in filler dissolving procedures.
She stresses that while a shallow under-eye hollow is normal, the obsession with perfectly smooth, filled-in eyes has led to overcorrection. Instead of blindly adding more filler, a tailored approach using a combination of skincare, energy-based treatments, and, when necessary, surgery, yields the best results.
Dr Sabrina warns against excessive rubbing of the eyes, harsh makeup application, and overuse of false eyelashes. False lashes, in particular, can cause long-term damage, leading to dry eyes, allergic reactions, or even eyelid ptosis (drooping).
Additionally, for those who wear contact lenses, she highlights that prolonged use can contribute to eyelid ptosis and dry eye conditions. For eligible candidates, laser eye surgery is often a better long-term solution.
Face taping, a viral TikTok trend, is based on Japanese practices but is largely ineffective. Instead of relying on temporary fixes, she recommends skincare ingredients like argireline, which can relax facial muscles and reduce fine lines without injections.
She urges consumers to differentiate between entertainment, education, and science-backed treatments, warning against following unverified social media fads blindly.
With the shift towards a more natural and regenerative approach, preventative aesthetics is gaining popularity. Dr Sabrina advocates for collagen banking—starting early with skin-tightening treatments, proper nutrition, and sun protection to slow collagen depletion.
She shares her personal experience of beginning skin-tightening treatments at 40 and now, at 58, having better skin quality than in her 40s. This proves that it’s never too late to start.
Dr Sabrina’s Eye Boost Treatment is a game-changer in under-eye rejuvenation. Unlike traditional tear trough filler, which often leads to unnatural results, Eye Boost focuses on the entire infraorbital area (not just the inner hollow).
By injecting at multiple levels and using specialised soft fillers, this technique avoids common issues like the Tyndall effect (blue-grey discolouration) and excessive swelling. It is particularly effective for ethnic dark circles, offering subtle, natural-looking volume restoration.
Polynucleotides are gaining traction as a safer alternative to fillers. While they don’t provide structure, they improve under-eye skin quality by enhancing hydration, reducing pigmentation, and boosting collagen production.
Dr Sabrina emphasises that they are ideal for preventative treatment in patients in their late 20s and early 30s, but should not be seen as a replacement for fillers in those needing structural correction.
For younger patients with tight skin and mild hollowness, fillers can provide great results. However, for those with loose skin, significant eye bags, or severe volume loss, surgery is the only effective option.
She highlights a simple test: if you look up in a mirror and notice a distinct bag sitting above a hollow, surgery is likely the best course of action. While energy-based treatments can help with mild skin laxity, they cannot remove fat pads, causing bulging under-eye bags.
Looking ahead, Dr Sabrina predicts the following trends:
With the UK’s medical aesthetics industry still largely unregulated, Dr Sabrina advises patients to thoroughly research their practitioners. Key factors to look for include:
Dr Sabrina emphasises that aesthetic treatments should be viewed as a journey, not a quick fix. Instead of chasing instant gratification, patients should focus on a holistic approach that includes skincare, energy-based treatments, and, when needed, surgery.
She also strongly recommends keeping an aesthetic diary to track treatments and taking unfiltered “before” photos to prevent perception drift.
With her vast experience and nuanced approach, Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai is shaping the future of eye aesthetics. Whether through pioneering surgical techniques, advocating for regenerative medicine, or educating patients on realistic expectations, her insights are invaluable for anyone looking to maintain youthful, refreshed eyes.
For consultations and more information, visit Perfect Eyes Ltd or follow Dr Sabrina on Instagram.
Thank you to the dedicated team at VL Aesthetics in Carlisle, Cumbria—experts in advanced face and body treatments tailored to individual needs.
Known for blending aesthetic enhancements with medical-grade solutions, VL Aesthetics offers treatments for fine lines, stubborn fat, cellulite, acne, rosacea, and more. Clients choose them for their award-winning technology, personalised care, and discreet, modern clinic.
With over 1,500 glowing 5-star reviews, a team of expert doctors, nurses, and therapists, and CQC regulation, you’re in safe, trusted hands.
Visit VL Aesthetics or call now to book your consultation and start your journey to confidence.
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