With Strictly Come Dancing back on our screens, all eyes are on Head Judge Shirley Ballas – and her notably glowing skin.
Lighting up our screens with a fresh complexion, the 66-year-old is proof that great skin isn't just about age, but also about knowing how to look after it and which treatments can work in your favour.
As Shirley often says, it takes more than good lighting to maintain that healthy glow. Now her skincare expert – and Women's Health columnist – Dr Johanna Ward has revealed exactly how she does it.
What has Shirley Ballas done to her face?
Dr Ward, the aesthetic doctor behind Shirley's glow, has been working with her for the past two years. Together, they've built a results-driven but realistic routine that fits around Shirley's busy life – and it all starts with an energy-based treatment called NeoGen Plasma.
'I've been working with Shirley for the last two years to ensure she always looks her very best for Strictly,' says Dr Ward. 'She has regular NeoGen treatments with me to keep her skin tight, taut and healthy.'
What is NeoGen Plasma treatment?
NeoGen uses advanced nitrogen plasma technology, delivering controlled bursts of plasma energy to gently heat the skin – or, as Dr Ward describes it, 'a series of hot blasts'. This stimulates the skin's healing response, encouraging the production of new collagen and elastin.
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It might sound intense, but it's surprisingly tolerable and involves minimal downtime because the treatment doesn't create an open wound. This means recovery is much quicker than with many popular ablative laser treatments.
Over the past few years, Shirley has been refreshingly open about her approach to skincare and cosmetic treatments. She's spoken publicly about opting for non-surgical facelifts and advanced skin-rejuvenation therapies to lift and firm her complexion without going under the knife.
How does NeoGen Plasma work?
Unlike standard facial treatments, NeoGen Plasma works beneath the surface of the skin. It stimulates the skin's natural renewal process, encouraging collagen and elastin production – the proteins that help keep skin firm, smooth and bouncy.
'It's a deliberate attempt to regenerate the skin. The results can take 6-12 weeks to show, so Shirley and I do these treatments throughout the year to make sure she's always looking her best,' explains Dr Ward.
What else is part of Shirley Ballas's skincare routine?
Beyond NeoGen, Shirley has also embraced a non-surgical facelift to tighten her jawline and neck – something she's described as helping her 'sparkle again'.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, the Strictly head judge said the combination of high-tech treatments and great skincare had 'shaved 30 years off' how she feels about her face.
She's also been honest about why she sought treatment. Entering her 60s, she noticed sagging around her jawline, pigmentation from sun exposure and redness that left her complexion looking uneven. Rather than opting for surgery, she chose gentler, energy-based treatments to naturally boost firmness and brightness.
Of course, it's not just about what happens in the clinic. Dr Ward pairs Shirley's treatments with medical-grade skincare, daily SPF and a collagen-boosting supplement.
'We couple the treatments with great medical-grade skincare, a daily collagen drink called ZENii Fusion, and sun protection every day. It's all about maintaining collagen renewal and keeping the skin barrier healthy,' Dr Ward tells WH.
This consistent, layered approach helps keep Shirley's skin looking strong, supple and radiant, both on and off the dancefloor.
Perdita Nouril is the Beauty Editor for Women’s Health UK. She has worked in the beauty industry for 15 years since graduating from the University of Nottingham. Adept at exploring the colossal world of beauty, she loves to scratch beneath the surface to debunk the myths, decode the science and challenge traditional notions of beauty. You can always find her preaching sermons on the power of a red lip, extolling the virtues of a decent serum and championing the very best female beauty founders.
You can find Perdita on Instagram on @perditanouril
