Beauty tech is working harder and harder to answer to our demands for Insta-worthy, filter-free skin but these incredible advancements, sadly don’t come cheap, so how can we choose which is right for us and which ones are worth the investment? I put my skin through its paces and trialled a few (lots) treatments so you don’t have to, and here’s a guide to my favourites…..
SKN REHAB “The Skin Re-Setter”
Designed by a group of friends, all with backgrounds in beauty, SKN REHAB products and treatments were designed to rehabilitate the skin, regain health and improve function- I can happily report that they have succeeded in doing so. Starting with Diamond Dermabrasion which feels gentle but is hugely effective for removing dull, dead skin (as long as the tip is effectively sterilised after each treatment) and allows the following products to penetrate much deeper. Next, (and most excitingly for me) is the first stage of the galvanic process (called, desincrustation) to draw out impurities from the skin. Galvanic treatments have been around for many years but, perhaps due to the constant demand for new and advanced treatments, have decreased in popularity over time. This is bizarre to me because it is such an incredible addition to any beauty treatment- its effectiveness is even backed by the medical profession whom use it to push drugs into the body via the skin. Then comes the second part of the galvanic (iontophoresis) to push one of the 4 chosen actives to the deepest layer of the skin; either clearing, anti-ageing, hydrating or vitamin boosting. Next up is LED light therapy – again, another proven and recognised treatment for skin health. Your therapist will choose either Red Light for collagen boosting, Blue Light to kill off bacteria or Green Light to calm the skin, this will come via a hard, plastic mask and be placed over a sheet mask for added benefits -I found this a tiny bit claustrophobic when it was first applied but relaxed into it quickly and found it really peaceful!. Last comes the Zeolite Oxygen- this is the oxygen you would find in a hospital- 90% pure oxygen, rather than the 17% we get in the air in London- the oxygen further purifies the skin negating the effects of pollution, sun exposure and poor diet, helping to repair and regenerate the cells (this does not mean you can skip spf in future though!).
All in all, this may sound like A LOT in a facial, and it is, but it is not too much- each part of this treatment is so well thought through, every step plays a part in preparing for the next one and each phase enhances the next. My skin felt fresh, plumped, lifted and calm, I seriously loved it and will be back for more!
Prices vary between clinics, starting from £80-£150
£80.00
CryoToning FACE “The Instant, Cooling Facelift”
And when I say instant ‘facelift’, I 100%, hand-on-heart, mean it! All brides-to-be, special event attendees or ‘accidently-on-purpose ex-bumper-inners’ (you know who you are) MUST try this facial! It is a very simple treatment; skin is thoroughly cleansed, gel is applied, and the coldness starts! A small paddle slowly glides over your facial contours, lifting and draining as it takes the skin down to 6◦c. Despite this not being touted as a pampering facial, I found it all quite relaxing -there were a couple of times around the temples that felt like I’d had a massive bite of ice cream but that passed as soon as the paddle left the area. The face is treated one side at a time for 15 minutes each (TIP: look at your face after the first half has been done to witness the lifting effect!) and that’s that! So quick and easy, zero downtime- you can apply makeup immediately after if you want to and you most definitely can/should go to a special event after!
My results were so impressive and continued as the day went on; my skin looked so calm and bright due to the cold soothing inflammation, reducing the appearance of open pores and boosting the micro-circulation (nutrient rich blood, rushes to the vessels as your skin temperature returns to normal giving a healthy glow), as the circulation is boosted, collagen production and elasticity are improved. I looked and felt so awake! My face was noticeably lifted and taught (not tight!) and my makeup glided on like a dream- I love this treatment!
I still felt the results on day 3 post treatment and then I started to feel a slow return to ‘normal’. However, like all great treatments, consistency is key – the more regularly you have these facials, the longer the results will last and potentially sustain. It’s not cheap but it is instant and overall long-lasting, which is a rare find, so, to me that sounds like an investment!
£300 (discounted courses available and 1st time introductory offer is £190)
Tel: 0207 247 6230
£190.00
D.Thomas Clinic “The Complexion Councillor”
The D(ebbie) Thomas Clinic has really found its niche, they have all the latest technology, products and know-how to offer you their DNA Signature Collection – Bespoke seems to small a word to use to describe their treatments. You book a time slot and your highly skilled therapist (I had the amazing Carly) creates your treatment based on what she can see you need. With the vast arsenal of beauty tech to hand, they can treat almost any skincare condition you present them with; different strengths of peel to combat dryness, open pores or pigmentation, LED lights to rejuvenate or detoxify the skin, oxygen treatments for anti-pollution, milia (hard, white spot) removal, ultrasound for product infusion, you name it, they can do it! Not to mention the many different lasers they have at hand to treat over 10 different skin conditions for all skin types and ethnicities! (please bear in mind, you will need a patch test at least 24 hours before any laser treatment).
I have tried many, many treatments over the years, but something I have never experienced is laser inside my mouth for lip plumping and skin lifting!! I have a very high pain threshold, but I have to say, I was a bit nervous about this one, but in the name of research, I went for it! It was amazing! I personally, didn’t find it painful at all but I was conscious of the heat (which Carly had informed me would increase gradually throughout the intra-oral section of the treatment). The heat was totally tolerable, I think I just felt a bit vulnerable because it was inside my mouth! Performed on the lips, you get an instant pout as collagen is stimulated, and if treated regularly, you will get a lasting effect (a fantastic alternative for anyone scared of or intolerable to lip filler). To get a face-lifting effect, the inside of your cheeks is treated, again the results are instant and maintained over time with regular treatments. I was astonished! Apparently, Dua Lipa is a fan of the DNA treatment, so if it’s good enough for her dreamy skin, I’d get booking …..
DNA signature collection from £210.00
Tel. 020 7118 9000
£210.00
Byonik “The Special One”
I call this one ‘the special one’ because I feel like it’s the one we’ve all been waiting for! A new generation of laser which is pain-free, has no downtime (as in ‘hide away from the world because your face looks sore’ time) and gives results immediately and progressively over time. The stand-out feature of this treatment is that it works in time with your own heart beat – by working in coordination with your pulse/blood flow, you achieve maximum absorption of ingredients to all layers of the skin simultaneously. Pulse-triggered laser is used all over the world medically, with its efficacy proven and patented, but, Byonik is the first to use it for skin rejuvenation – and I’m so glad they did!
From the very thorough cleanse at the start of the treatment (pores must be absolutely and evenly clean for even absorption of products), to the ultra-comforting application of anti-oxidant, Hyaluronic balm/gels, right through to the actual laser treatment every part of this treatment feels soothing, relaxing and luxurious.
My skin was particularly upset before my treatment due to lots of over-testing of products and treatments, my usual advice to myself would have been to take it back to basics; keep it moisturised (with non-acid, non-retinol products) and lay off treatments for a while. However, I was reassured by facialist, Byonik expert and all-round aesthetic guru, Sarah-Jayne Tipper, that this treatment would get my skin back on track, and she was absolutely right. Shockingly right in-fact, the difference in the way my skin looked and felt after only 1 hour of treatment was nothing short of a miracle. The spots, redness and wounds (that I’d stupidly picked at) had already started to heal, my skin felt softer, plumper and just overall, better!
Byonik is not just for skin rejuvenation and acne healing though, it can be used to treat eczema, rosacea, the appearance of scars, it firms the skin and heals it after treatments such as needling, peels or fractional laser, and the best part of it- the more you have, the better your results! This is one treatment you can’t ‘over-do’ so it is definitely one for me!
From £250
£250.00