Advanced Skin Rejuvenation
& Tightening

Written and medically reviewed by Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician, Contoura Medical (GMC 4776646) · Last updated 4 October 2026

Face and neck treatments at Contoura Medical are doctor-led procedures for laxity, volume loss and skin quality: EmbraceRF2, QuantumRF, Thermage FLX and microfat or nanofat grafting. Dr Edwin Anthony performs them at Langham Hospital, Marylebone, London.

Three problems, different tools

Facial ageing is rarely one thing. Most people have a mix of three changes, and each responds to a different kind of treatment.

• Laxity: the skin and the support layer beneath it loosen, giving jowls, a softer jawline and neck bands. Heat-based tightening helps here.
• Volume loss: fat pads in the temples, cheeks and around the eyes shrink, so the face looks hollow or tired. Replacing volume helps here.
• Skin quality: fine lines, crepiness, texture and colour. Regenerative and resurfacing treatments help here.

The plan starts with whichever change matters most to you.

The doctor-led treatments

EmbraceRF2

EmbraceRF2 combines subdermal radiofrequency, delivered through a fine cannula beneath the skin of the jawline and neck, with Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling for the skin itself. It suits mild to moderate jowling, a heavy under-chin and crepey neck skin. It is a minimally invasive procedure under local anaesthetic or IV sedation, with redness and swelling for a few days and most people back to normal activities within 2 to 3 days. Improvement builds over 2 to 3 months.

QuantumRF for the face and neck

QuantumRF delivers radiofrequency under the skin through tiny entry points under local anaesthetic. On the face it is used mainly for the jawline, jowls and neck where tightening is the priority and surface texture is less of a concern. Light activity is usually possible within about 48 hours.

Thermage FLX

Thermage FLX is non-surgical. It heats the skin from the surface, with no needles or anaesthetic, and suits mild laxity of the face, neck and eyelids in people who want no downtime. The change is subtle and gradual.

Microfat and nanofat grafting

Fat grafting uses your own fat, taken through a fine cannula, usually from the abdomen or thighs. Microfat is filtered into small particles and placed to restore volume in the temples, cheeks and jawline. Nanofat is processed into a fine liquid that adds little volume but is used to improve skin quality under the eyes and on the neck. This is a surgical procedure, usually carried out under local anaesthetic. Swelling lasts 1 to 2 weeks, and some of the fat is always reabsorbed, so a second session is sometimes needed.

When we refer to Orovenza or to a surgeon

Orovenza is our nurse-led non-surgical division, working under Dr Edwin Anthony's medical oversight. When injectables or skin treatments are the right answer, you are referred there rather than offered a procedure you do not need. That includes:

• Radiesse with NCTF for collagen stimulation and gentle volume
• Polynucleotides for skin quality, particularly around the eyes
• Morpheus8 Scale & Burst for texture, pores and mild laxity
• Lesnisna & Juvelook
• Hyaluronic Acid fillers and anti-wrinkle injections

At the other end of the scale, heavy jowls, deep neck bands and a lot of loose skin need a surgical facelift. The NHS facelift guide describes an operation of 2 to 3 hours, usually under general anaesthetic, 2 to 4 weeks of recovery and final results at 6 to 9 months. If that is the realistic option, Dr Edwin Anthony will say so and refer you to an appropriate surgeon.

How the options compare

Results and what the evidence says

• For surface radiofrequency, a survey of 5,700 facial treatments reported immediate tightening in 87% of patients using a multiple-pass technique, with 92% still showing tightening at six months.
• For fat grafting, how much fat survives varies. A systematic review in Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that adding supplements improved retention in 13 of 22 studies, but concluded it remains unclear whether they help. We plan for some loss rather than overfilling.

Risks and safety

• Swelling, bruising and tenderness, usually settling within 1 to 2 weeks
• Temporary numbness or tightness under the jawline after subdermal treatments
• Rarely, burns, lumps, contour irregularity or infection
• Rarely, temporary weakness of a nerve to the lower lip after work along the jawline
• With fat grafting, uneven take, lumps and, very rarely, fat entering a blood vessel

Treatment is for adults aged 18 and over.

Why patients choose Dr Edwin Anthony

Dr Edwin Anthony is Lead Clinician at Contoura Medical (GMC 4776646). He qualified at Trinity College Dublin (MB BCh BAO), holds MRCS (Edinburgh) and undertook junior NHS plastic surgery and burns training. Better known for over 1,500 VASER procedures across 14 years, he also carries out facial tightening and fat grafting himself at Langham Hospital within the Harley Street medical district. For a wider view of body and face tightening, see our skin tightening guide.

Related procedures

• EmbraceRF2
• Thermage FLX
• Fat grafting
• Orovenza non-surgical treatments
• See our price list

Consultations with Dr Edwin Anthony take place at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB, or by video. Call 020 3890 1911. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices. Your full price is confirmed in writing after consultation, with any theatre fees or IV sedation itemised, and finance is available through Chrysalis Finance. Book a consultation

Frequently asked questions

Which face treatment is right for me?

It depends on whether your main concern is loose skin, lost volume or skin quality. Laxity usually suits EmbraceRF2, QuantumRF or Thermage FLX. Hollowness suits microfat grafting. Texture and fine lines may suit treatments at Orovenza, our nurse-led division. Dr Edwin Anthony examines your face and explains the options before recommending anything.

What is EmbraceRF2?

EmbraceRF2 combines radiofrequency delivered under the skin through a fine cannula with Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling for the skin surface. It treats deeper tissue and skin quality in one session, mainly along the jawline, under the chin and on the neck. It is minimally invasive, done under local anaesthetic or IV sedation, with 2 to 3 days of downtime.

Can face treatments replace a facelift?

For mild to moderate laxity they can be a reasonable alternative, with shorter recovery and no long scars. They cannot remove skin, so heavy jowls, deep neck bands or a lot of loose skin respond better to a facelift. If surgery is the realistic option for you, Dr Edwin Anthony will say so and arrange referral to an appropriate surgeon.

How long does fat grafting to the face last?

Some transferred fat is reabsorbed in the first few months. The fat that establishes a blood supply can last for many years and ages with you. Because take varies, a second session is sometimes needed. Large changes in body weight can alter the result, so a stable weight before and after treatment matters.

What is the difference between microfat and nanofat?

Both use your own fat. Microfat is filtered into small particles and placed to restore volume in areas such as the temples, cheeks and jawline. Nanofat is processed into a fine liquid that adds very little volume and is used to improve skin quality, for example under the eyes or on the neck. They are often combined.

Are these face treatments painful?

EmbraceRF2, QuantumRF and fat grafting are done under local anaesthetic, with IV sedation available for some procedures, so you should feel pressure rather than pain during treatment. Afterwards, tenderness and tightness are common for a few days and are managed with simple painkillers. Thermage FLX needs no anaesthetic and feels like short pulses of deep heat.

When would I be referred to Orovenza?

When your concerns are better treated without a procedure, for example early volume loss, fine lines, texture or pigmentation. Orovenza is our nurse-led non-surgical division, working under Dr Edwin Anthony's medical oversight. Options include Radiesse with NCTF, polynucleotides, Morpheus8 Scale & Burst, Hyaluronic Acid fillers and anti-wrinkle injections.

How much do face treatments cost?

Costs depend on the treatment, the areas and whether procedures are combined. Your full price is confirmed in writing after consultation, and you can see our price list online for guidance. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices. Any theatre fees or IV sedation are itemised in your quote, and finance is available.

What are the risks of face and neck treatments?

Swelling, bruising and tenderness are common and usually settle within one to two weeks. Less common risks include numbness, lumps, burns, contour irregularity, infection and temporary weakness of a nerve along the jawline. With fat grafting, uneven take is possible. Serious complications are rare. Dr Edwin Anthony discusses your individual risks at consultation.

Who performs face treatments at Contoura Medical?

Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician at Contoura Medical, GMC 4776646, personally performs EmbraceRF2, QuantumRF, Thermage FLX and fat grafting. He trained at Trinity College Dublin, holds MRCS (Edinburgh) and completed NHS plastic surgery and burns training. Injectable and skin treatments are delivered by the nurse-led team at Orovenza under his oversight.

Sources

1. Facelift, NHS
2. Results of a survey of 5,700 patient monopolar radiofrequency facial skin tightening treatments, Dermatologic Surgery (PubMed)
3. Supplementation of Facial Fat Grafting to Increase Volume Retention: A Systematic Review, Aesthetic Surgery Journal