Shirley Ballas, 65, has detailed a series of non-surgical aesthetic treatments that she says produced a marked facial transformation ahead of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Ballas said she underwent a course of six NeoGen nitrogen plasma sessions at the W1 Skin Clinic in London earlier this year, investing about £4,400 in the programme, and insisted the work was non-surgical. "I need to set the record straight here – I haven't had any surgical facelifts of any kind, at any time," she said, adding that there were "no stitches or scars."
Ballas told reporters she felt "20 years younger" after seven months of treatments and that the results had restored her confidence. She described improvements in skin tone, reduction of dark spots, a more defined jawline and a smoother neck, saying: "When I look in the mirror, I see this fresh face. It's not a little difference. It's a huge difference." She also said she took collagen supplements and used topical products prescribed by Dr. Johanna Ward, the clinician who oversaw the course.
Dr. Johanna Ward said the NeoGen procedure is non-invasive and works by stimulating the body to produce collagen and elastin. "NeoGen is unique because it doesn't just treat the surface of the skin – it penetrates deeper layers, triggering natural regeneration," Dr. Ward said, and added that using a lower energy setting allowed Ballas to maintain her busy schedule with minimal downtime. Sessions typically took about half an hour, she said, with numbing cream applied for 20 to 30 minutes beforehand. Ballas described the treatment as uncomfortable at times but manageable.
Ballas said the low-energy protocol resulted in only brief redness the day after treatment that could be covered with makeup and did not require extended recovery time. She said she noticed visible improvement after the second or third session and plans to continue maintenance treatments every three months, beginning again after the current Strictly series concludes.
The head judge returns to the Strictly ballroom as the BBC series launches this weekend. Ballas has publicly responded to social media comments suggesting surgical work after posting photographs from her 65th birthday and a summer fitness retreat in Portugal, where she shared images of herself in swimwear. She has rejected those suggestions and attributed her changed appearance to the NeoGen course and accompanying skincare measures.
Ballas said she viewed the investment as worthwhile. "It's not cheap but I think it's a worthwhile investment in yourself," she said. The W1 Skin Clinic and Dr. Ward described NeoGen as suitable for a range of skin types and tones and said cumulative effects from repeated sessions can produce steady improvement over time.