- Doctor-led every treatment performed by a doctor
- 8 years on Harley Street
- 50,000+ patients treated
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The Fotona 4D laser facelift at Dr Elif Clinic, 54 Harley Street, London, is planned by dermatologist Dr Elif Benar and performed with the Fotona SP Dynamis laser. We have used Fotona since 2018 and have carried out more than 5,000 Fotona treatments, including the 4D facelift, SmoothEye for the eye and brow area and LipLase for the lips. Fotona 4D tightens and refreshes the face from the inside of the mouth to the skin surface in one 30–45 minute session, with no needles, no fillers and little or no downtime.
Fotona 4D at Dr Elif Clinic at a glance
- Laser: genuine Fotona SP Dynamis (Er:YAG 2940 nm + Nd:YAG 1064 nm)
- Lead doctor: Dr Elif Benar, dermatologist and clinic founder
- Fotona experience: since 2018 · more than 5,000 Fotona treatments
- Fotona treatments we offer: 4D laser facelift, SmoothEye (eyes and brows), laser eye lift, LipLase (lips)
- Session time: 30–45 minutes
- Downtime: little or none; mild redness for a few hours
- Results: fresher, tighter skin straight away; lifting builds over 2–3 months and keeps improving for up to 6 months
- Needles, fillers, anaesthesia: none
What is Fotona 4D?
Fotona 4D is a non-surgical laser facelift protocol developed by Fotona for its SP Dynamis laser. It combines two wavelengths — Er:YAG (2940 nm), which works on the surface and the inside of the mouth, and Nd:YAG (1064 nm), which heats deeper tissue — in four steps, or “dimensions”, in a single session. The heat stimulates your own collagen and elastin, so the face becomes firmer and more lifted from the inside out, without cuts, stitches, needles or fillers.
Because Fotona 4D is a named protocol on a specific laser, it is worth checking that a clinic offering a “4D laser facelift” is using a genuine Fotona SP Dynamis (or another Fotona system that runs the 4D modes) rather than a different laser under a similar name.
The four steps of Fotona 4D
| Step | Fotona mode | Wavelength | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1D – inside the mouth | SmoothLiftin | Er:YAG | Heats the tissue from inside the mouth to tighten the perioral area and soften nasolabial folds and lines around the mouth |
| 2D – deeper imperfections | FRAC3 | Nd:YAG | Targets deeper lines, texture and pigment for a more even complexion |
| 3D – overall tightening | PIANO | Nd:YAG | Gentle, deep bulk heating across the face and jawline for all-over tightening |
| 4D – light laser peel | SupErficial | Er:YAG | A very light peel of the surface for glow, smoother texture and finer pores |
Not every face needs every step at the same intensity. Dr Elif adjusts the steps, energy and number of passes to your skin thickness, laxity, skin type and goals, and may leave a step out if it is not right for you.
Why Fotona experience matters more than owning the laser
The Fotona SP Dynamis is a versatile laser, and its results depend on the person using it: how much heat to build in each area, how to work safely inside the mouth, and how to adapt the settings for thin skin, darker skin types or sensitive areas. At Dr Elif Clinic we have used Fotona since 2018 and have carried out more than 5,000 Fotona treatments, so our settings come from years of real patient follow-up rather than a default programme.
Fotona treatments at Dr Elif Clinic
- Fotona 4D laser facelift — whole-face tightening and rejuvenation (this page)
- Fotona SmoothEye and laser eye lift — tightening of the upper and lower eyelid skin, crow’s feet and brow area; see our laser eye lift and brow lift page
- Fotona LipLase — laser lip treatment that stimulates collagen for fuller-looking, smoother lips without filler; see laser lip enhancement
These can be combined in one plan — for example Fotona 4D for the face with SmoothEye for the eye area.
Who carries out your Fotona treatment?
Every Fotona patient at Dr Elif Clinic is assessed by a doctor first. Dr Elif Benar, a dermatologist, decides whether Fotona 4D is right for you, which steps to use and at what settings. Treatments are carried out by Dr Elif or by a laser-trained therapist working to her protocol and under her supervision, so every session follows a dermatologist’s plan. The clinic has two dermatologists on site, Dr Elif Benar and Dr Hasan Benar, so a doctor is always available if your skin needs review.
Is Fotona 4D right for you?
Fotona 4D suits adults with early to moderate loss of firmness around the jawline, cheeks and mouth, lines around the mouth, and dull or uneven skin, who want a natural improvement without surgery or injections. Because there are no needles and no anaesthesia, it is also popular with people who are nervous about injections.
It is not the answer to every concern, and we will tell you if another option would serve you better:
- Marked sagging of the lower face or neck — deeper tightening with HIFU or XERF may suit you better, or a surgical opinion if laxity is severe
- Jowls or a double chin with excess fat — Endolift tightens and reduces fat
- Acne scars or deep texture — Morpheus8 or Tixel may be more effective
- Volume loss — a collagen biostimulator or filler may be needed alongside laser
Fotona 4D for darker skin types
The Nd:YAG steps of Fotona 4D heat the skin from below the surface and are generally well tolerated across skin types. The surface Er:YAG peel step carries a higher risk of pigmentation change in Fitzpatrick skin types IV–VI, so for darker skin we reduce its intensity or leave it out, and prepare the skin beforehand where needed. As dermatologists, we manage any pigment change early.
Genuine Fotona SP Dynamis
We use a genuine Fotona SP Dynamis, maintained to the manufacturer’s standards. Many clinics advertise a “4D laser facelift”; it is reasonable to ask any clinic which laser will be used and whether it runs the original Fotona 4D modes.
Side effects, safety and aftercare
Fotona 4D is a low-downtime treatment. Most people have mild redness and a feeling of warmth for a few hours, and sometimes slight swelling or fine flaking after the peel step for a day or two. Uncommon risks include prolonged redness, pigmentation change, and — rarely, if too much heat is used — blistering or a burn. Careful settings, skin cooling and an experienced operator keep these risks low.
After treatment you receive aftercare advice, including daily sun protection, a follow-up review and a direct line to the clinic by WhatsApp or phone, so that any concern is seen by a doctor quickly.
What to expect: session, downtime and results
- Consultation: assessment of your skin and laxity by a doctor, and a treatment plan
- Session: 30–45 minutes; no needles and no anaesthesia
- How it feels: warmth and a mild snapping sensation; the intra-oral step feels warm inside the cheeks
- Downtime: little or none — most people return to normal activities the same day
- Results: skin looks fresher and tighter straight away; the lifting effect builds over 2–3 months as new collagen forms, with continuing improvement for up to 6 months
- Number of sessions: agreed at your consultation, depending on your skin and goals
Fotona 4D or another skin-tightening treatment?
| Treatment | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fotona 4D | Er:YAG + Nd:YAG laser, inside the mouth and on the skin; no needles | Early to moderate laxity, lines around the mouth, dull skin; minimal downtime |
| HIFU | Focused ultrasound to the deeper supporting layer | Lifting of the lower face and brow |
| XERF | Monopolar radiofrequency, no needles | Tightening of the whole face and neck |
| Endolift | Laser fibre under the skin | Lower-face laxity with some excess fat |
| Morpheus8 | RF microneedling | Texture, acne scars, crepey skin |
None of these treatments is best for everyone. At consultation Dr Elif explains which option — or combination — fits your face.
Fotona 4D, 5D and “laser face lift” — what is the difference?
Fotona’s official facelift protocol is Fotona 4D. You may also see “Fotona 5D”, “6D” or “8D” advertised in London; these are not separate Fotona protocols but names some clinics use when they add extra areas or steps to Fotona 4D, such as the eyes, lips or neck. At Dr Elif Clinic we plan this openly: Fotona 4D for the face, combined where helpful with Fotona SmoothEye for the eye area and Fotona LipLase for the lips — so your plan covers the same areas a “5D” package would, with each step named.
About Dr Elif Benar
Dr Elif Benar is a dermatologist and the founder of Dr Elif Clinic at 54 Harley Street, London. She has 15 years of experience in aesthetic dermatology and has led Fotona laser treatment at the clinic since 2018 — more than 5,000 Fotona treatments, including the 4D facelift, SmoothEye and LipLase.
Dr Elif is a member of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), the American Academy of Dermatology, the Turkish Dermatology Association and the Turkish Medical Association. She works alongside dermatologist Dr Hasan Benar, co-author with Dr Elif of a peer-reviewed study on a combination skin-tightening treatment published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2024). Meet the team.
How to choose a Fotona 4D clinic in London
These are the questions we suggest asking any clinic, including ours:
| Question | Why it matters | At Dr Elif Clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Is it a genuine Fotona laser running the 4D modes? | “4D laser facelift” is sometimes used for other lasers | Genuine Fotona SP Dynamis |
| How long has the clinic used Fotona, and how many treatments? | Settings and technique come from experience | Since 2018, more than 5,000 Fotona treatments |
| Who plans and who performs the treatment? | Medical oversight matters for settings and safety | Planned by a dermatologist; Dr Elif or a laser-trained therapist under her supervision |
| Are the steps adjusted to my skin? | Thin skin and darker skin types need different settings | Steps, energy and passes tailored; peel reduced or omitted when needed |
| Will you tell me if another treatment suits me better? | Laser is not right for every degree of laxity | HIFU, XERF, Endolift or Morpheus8 offered when a better fit |
| Who do I contact after treatment? | Early review keeps small problems small | Follow-up review and a direct line to the clinic |
Fotona 4D price in London
Prices depend on the treatment and the number of sessions in your plan. Current prices for Fotona 4D, SmoothEye / laser eye lift and LipLase are on our price list, and your doctor confirms the cost of your plan at consultation.
Fotona 4D FAQs
Fotona 4D is a non-surgical laser facelift performed with the Fotona SP Dynamis. It combines Er:YAG and Nd:YAG laser wavelengths in four steps — SmoothLiftin inside the mouth, FRAC3, PIANO and a light SupErficial peel — to tighten and rejuvenate the face from the inside out, without needles, fillers or anaesthesia.
“5D” is not a separate Fotona protocol; it is a name some clinics use when they add an extra area, such as the eyes, lips or neck, to the official Fotona 4D facelift. At Dr Elif Clinic we combine Fotona 4D with SmoothEye for the eyes and LipLase for the lips when your face needs it.
We use a genuine Fotona SP Dynamis, which runs the original Fotona 4D, SmoothEye and LipLase protocols.
The clinic has used Fotona since 2018 and has carried out more than 5,000 Fotona treatments at 54 Harley Street, London, planned by dermatologist Dr Elif Benar.
Every patient is assessed by a doctor. Dr Elif Benar sets the plan and settings, and treatments are carried out by Dr Elif or by a laser-trained therapist working to her protocol and under her supervision.
A session takes 30–45 minutes. No needles or anaesthesia are needed.
Little or none. Most people have mild redness and warmth for a few hours and return to normal activities the same day; the light peel step can cause fine flaking for a day or two.
The skin looks fresher and tighter straight away. The lifting effect builds over 2–3 months as new collagen forms, with continuing improvement for up to 6 months.
Most people describe warmth and a mild snapping sensation. The intra-oral step feels warm inside the cheeks. No anaesthesia is usually needed.
Yes, with adjustments. The deeper Nd:YAG steps are generally well tolerated; for Fitzpatrick skin types IV–VI we reduce or omit the surface peel step to lower the risk of pigmentation.
They work differently. Fotona 4D tightens and refreshes the skin with laser from inside the mouth and on the surface, with almost no downtime; HIFU lifts the deeper supporting layer with focused ultrasound. Dr Elif recommends one or a combination at consultation.
Yes. We use the same Fotona SP Dynamis for SmoothEye and laser eye lift treatments around the eyes and brows, and for LipLase laser lip treatment.
Prices depend on the treatment and number of sessions. Current prices are on our price list, and your doctor confirms the cost of your plan at consultation.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr Elif Benar, dermatologist. Last reviewed: 25 September 2026.
