Facials Off
In the first of a very special series Beauty Terrorist has been on a very special mission to seek out the facials that really bring a healthy glow to your cheeky extremities. Dermalogica is up first with their little boutique in Kensington, West London.
Story Highlights
- Is it really worth a chunk of your travel budget?
- What's all that prodding and poking about?
- Electric Shock Tactics
- The Prescription
- Coming Up Next Time
Is it really worth a chunk of your travel budget?
The answer for the backpackers out there who want to pamper themselves or cash in a birthday present abroad is yes. The answer to those of you who are fed up of the break outs induced by travel stress is yes. The answer to the fence sitters who haven't had this done before and are worried about what the process involves exactly is, you guessed it, yes! It might be a tiny bit pricey at £60 but it's worth every penny and here's why.
What's all that prodding and poking about?
Lying in the dark as a very pretty Swede directed super heated steam onto my epidermis I began to wonder if this experience was going to involve a certain degree of pain. It didn't but the heat used to smoke open your pores is reminiscent of a super heated sauna and you will get a little sweaty. One of my favourite things about this treatment was the slightly scientific but very understandable commentary of what was going on.
One example involves the little white heads, usually found under the eyes. These are in fact called milia comedones – blocked pores that new skin rapidly grows over, trapping the white infection in your skin. You can't pop them but you can get them removed, without a scratch in the treatment room. A teeny tiny scalpol lacerates the skin just south of the lump and the contents are sucked out. The skin is then buffed and no lesion is visible.
Electric Shock Tactics
You've seen jump leads used to start cars but you wouldn't think of plugging yourself into the mains to jump start your skin's moisture levels. It sounds like a strange approach but passing a mild electrical current through your skin is a tried and tested technique for boosting skin hydration.
The laymen spin on the science behind this century old technique - goes something like this. The moisturiser applied to the skin on your face has a negative charge. The electric conductor placed under your right shoulder has a positive charge. Applying two small, massaging electrodes to your face causes the electricity to flow between the two points. The movement of energy takes the moisturiser with it and this gets stuck in your skin. The electricity then flows onwards and out though your shoulder. You are then left with a very healthy glow and a metal taste in your mouth. Strange but true.
The Prescription
When all the luxurious prodding and poking is over, you are handed a skin prescription - similar to what your doctor hands over - but a fair bit less ominous. You also get free samples of everything to try before you buy. The highlights of my doctor's note included:
Pre Cleanse: Applied to dry skin, where it bonds with excess oil, before foaming off when water is applied.
Ultracalming Cleanser: Tested and proven to be great for slightly sensitive skin.
Daily Microfoliant: This one is groovy beyond comparison and involves oatmeal! It's gentle enough to be applied every day and when this powder is combined with a bit of moisture on your facial extremities – it simply is baby soft, skin bliss.
Medicated Clearing Gel: If you're human you suffer from break outs, spots, zits or whatever you care to call them. This overnight beauty from the Medibac range combats this and when you wake up and wash it off, you can see a huge difference. Just be careful to use it once in a while - when you really need it.
MultiVitamin Power Recovery © Mask: This is the final pick and just like the gel you don't need it that often. Just once or twice a week, on your skin for ten minutes and then some warm water to wash it off ahead of the usual toning and moisturiser. Perfect.
You can see the products, prices and treatments for yourself at dermalogica.co.uk
Coming Up Next Time
Next month I'm going to be reclaiming the cash you blew on this treatment by showing you how to do it at home, with a friend, on the cheap. Think of it as a D.I.Y facial.
- Rob Savage
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