Many people spend hours looking in the mirror worrying about frown or laughter lines appearing on their face.

The usual reaction is to use face creams in a bid to get rid of them but there is a simpler and more effective solution available. Siobhan Ryan investigates.

Say cosmetic surgery surgery to someone and the immediate response is to think of a surgeon's knife and spending days afterwards swathed in bandages.

But there is a more simple option available with the increasing popularity of non-surgical procedures that are quick and effective.

These include injecting a collagen-type substance similar in texture to Polyfilla under the surface of the skin which plumps it out, smoothing the wrinkles. The method is almost immediately effective and usually lasts for about six months.

It is now quite possible for a person to go into the Franklynn Surgery in Haywards Heath and, during their lunch hour, have one of the treatments. Cosmetic nurse Jackie Knight says:"This method is becoming increasingly popular with people who are uncertain about having full cosmetic surgery.

"Each session takes only about 15 minutes and there is no worry about a general anaesthetic. "The method is painless and immediately afterwards the person can get up and carry on with what they were doing."

The injection method is generally used for lines around the nose, mouth and lips and can be used for lines in the forehead as well. Another form of temporary treatment that has worked well for deep lines in the forehead is the use of botox.

The substance essentially freezes the facial muscles and stops them from moving and causing wrinkles and lasts for about five months. Mrs Knight, who works at the centre, said she was aiming to raise more public awareness about the methods and how simple they can be.

The centre has already staged an open evening at the Grand Hotel in Brighton which was attended by about 80 people and one of the guest speakers was internationally renowned cosmetic surgeon Daniel Fleming.

The evening was a big success and there are now plans for a second event later this year. "The aim was to let people know about all the treatments that are available and the latest developments in cosmetic surgery," says Mrs Knight.

"Things are changing all the time and it is important that people are made aware of what they can do. "I would like to see with some of these treatments is them becoming part of a person's life; like going to the hairdresser.

"We must stress that when people come to us they are given a free assessment and we make sure they are suitable for treatment before we continue."

The number of people turning to cosmetic improvements is increasing all the time with many people opting for it to give their self-esteem a boost.

Feeling good can then put people into a better frame of mind and give them another outlook on life. Felicity Evans from Brighton, who has had the lines removed from her forehead in a number of sessions, explains: "It depends on the individual concerned.

"A lot of people think you should just let nature take its course or accept what is happening but if a person wants to do this, there is no reason why they shouldn't.

"Whether it changes their life or not, if it makes them happy and is not hurting anyone else, there is no problem."