In a world where celebrity beauty secrets are often guarded like royal treasures, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is doing the complete opposite.
Rather than shying away from public curiosity, she’s speaking openly—and even proudly—about the cosmetic treatments she’s undergone over the years.
And true to her personality, she’s doing it with honesty, wit, and zero shame.
A Glow That Goes Beyond Cranberry Juice
Back in 2018, royal watchers couldn’t help but notice the Duchess’s radiant appearance at her daughter Princess Eugenie’s wedding.
Many assumed it was simply the joy of the occasion—but Sarah herself later admitted that her healthy glow had a little extra help.
“Yes, I was happy,” she shared with the Daily Mail. “It was Eugenie’s big day, and I love Jack.
That joy showed on my face. But I’d also had some laser treatment beforehand—it made a difference.”
£25,000 in an Hour and a Lifelong Friendship
As revealed in excerpts from Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, Sarah isn’t a stranger to indulgence.
At one point, she famously spent £25,000 in just an hour at Bloomingdale’s.
But her biggest beauty investment may be her decades-long friendship with Dr. Gabriela Mercik, a Harley Street aesthetic medicine expert.
The two first met in Poland in 1992 while Sarah was visiting children with cancer.
Since then, their bond has grown—and Dr. Gabriela has become Sarah’s go-to for skincare and cosmetic treatments.
“I’m very loyal to my friends,” Sarah said. “And Gabriela has helped me every time I’ve had a moment to sit still long enough!”
Jittery Energy Meets Lunch-Break Laser Lifts
Sarah calls herself a “jingly-jangly” person—always moving, always buzzing with energy.
So when it comes to beauty treatments, they have to be quick.
That’s why Dr. Gabriela’s “ultimate laser facelift” suits her so well.
The non-invasive treatment, done in under an hour, boosts collagen and promises visible results in the weeks that follow.
“I much prefer it to Botox,” Sarah said.
“I tried Botox years ago when nothing else was available, but I didn’t like the frozen look.”
Dr. Gabriela agrees: “Toxins are toxins. We have better options now.”
No Shame, No Secrets
What sets Sarah apart from many public figures is her willingness to talk about her cosmetic journey without pretense.
She’s open about using Dr. Gabriela’s skincare range and happy to test out new treatments—even being a self-proclaimed “guinea pig.”
From mesotherapy (vitamin injections under the skin) to organic fillers, Sarah has tried several non-invasive methods to keep her skin hydrated and youthful.
And then came the thread lift, which she describes in a way only Sarah can.
The Thread Lift Explained—With a Garden Metaphor
“I call it sweet pea trellising,” Sarah joked.
The thread lift, or “puppet lift,” involves inserting dissolvable threads under the skin to subtly pull it upward and stimulate collagen growth.
“It wasn’t painful,” she said. “And honestly, if you look at my photos after the procedure, I look better.”
Dr. Gabriela introduced the thread lift to the UK back in 2013 and still teaches the procedure globally.
While the threads dissolve over several months, the effects can last up to two years.
Recently, they’ve started swapping out the threads for laser treatments, which Sarah is currently undergoing.
Skin Damage, Family History, and Why It Matters
Sarah also sees skincare as more than vanity. She’s painfully aware of the consequences of neglecting it.
Her father, Major Ronald Ferguson, died of melanoma, and her best friend Carolyn Cotterell also lost her life to skin cancer at just 43.
“When I was young, we thought Nivea was sunscreen,” she admitted. “It wasn’t. That’s where the damage began.”
These experiences pushed her to take her skin health seriously.
“It’s not just about how you look—it’s about caring for your largest organ.”
The Price of Youthful Skin and the Cost of Confidence
Laser treatments like the one Sarah uses can cost upwards of £3,750.
She’s upfront about paying for her treatments, although Dr. Gabriela sometimes offers them at her discretion as part of their friendship.
Dr. Gabriela notes that results vary based on age, lifestyle, and even skin tone.
“Redheads, like the Duchess, often have more sensitive skin,” she explained.
A Real Recovery Beyond the Surface
In addition to aesthetic treatments, Sarah has had serious health battles in recent years.
She was treated for early-stage breast cancer and later underwent surgery that revealed she also had malignant melanoma.
But even after these scares, she returned to the public eye with confidence—appearing recently at Royal Ascot looking strong and radiant.
Still Fergie, Still Fearless
Sarah Ferguson has long been known as a ‘breath of fresh air’ in the royal circle, and her candidness about cosmetic treatments only reinforces that image.
There’s no smoke and mirrors, no awkward dodging of questions—just an honest woman who wants to look and feel her best, inside and out.
“I like being me,” she said. “I don’t need to hide it.”
And in today’s image-obsessed culture, that honesty might just be the boldest beauty statement of all.