Saving FACE

Sothys Le Soin Saisonnier Facial

Chronobiology, the science of circadian rhythms, has been applied in the creation of this treatment, which is adaptable to the seasons. After the removal of make-up, 2-in-1 Mask Exfoliant, rich in pink clay, is applied to the face and neck to provide a brightening and radiance-boosting effect. Following this, relaxing massage is performed on the face, neck and décolleté before the under-mask, a mix of Modelling Cream and 10 drops of the Oxy-minerals Radiance Treatment for winter skin, is smoothed on and topped up with Radiance Peel-off Mask.

The facial culminates with the seasonal Oxy-minerals Radiance Treatment and application of the relevant cream. The autumn/winter scents of vanilla and passion fruit were crafted to invigorate the senses throughout the experience.

Sothys recommends charging from £45 for the treatment. Call the brand on 01303 263666

This month we tried… Spa/Clinic by 111Skin Clarity Anti-Blemish Facial

The lowdown: 111Skin and Bulgari Hotels have collaborated to offer luxury spa treatments with clinic-worthy results. This 90-minute treatment was designed by Dr Yannis Alexandrides to tackle problematic and acne-prone skin, specifically alleviating excess sebum production, large pores and blemishes with a non-invasive approach.

The Experience: As someone predisposed to spots, I was excited yet sceptical about a facial that claimed to offer an immediate solution to my blemishes. In the elegant spa at Bulgari Hotel London, where my treatment took place, the facial commenced with a cleanse using the Cryo Pre-Activated Toning Cleanser and Exfolactic Cleanse. My therapist Kumari Thapa said my skin was “highly congested” and so chose to perform extractions after steaming my face. After this, a Tartaric & Lactic Clinical Exfoliator was applied to remove any dead skin cells and left for three minutes. Then, Thapa applied Anti-Blemish Tonic over my face and neck using gauze and left it to activate for a few minutes.

After the application of 3 Phase Anti-Blemish Booster, the next stage was a signature massage. To finish, the Anti-Blemish Bio Cellulose Facial Mask was moulded to my face and the Meso Infusion Lip Mask was left to work it’s magic while I received a relaxing head massage. At the end of the treatment, Thapa applied Space Defence Bright Eye Lift Gel and Meso Infusion Lip Balm. My inlamed spots were still slightly visible but the swelling was considerably reduced.

Business Benefits: The Spa/Clinic by 111Skin concept of delivering science-led treatments in a luxurious spa setting is a great selling point that would appeal to two distinct groups of people, those seeking resultsdriven treatments and those that want to relax and unwind in the theraputic environment of a spa.

The Bulgari Spa charges £260 for the Clarity Anti-Blemish Facial. Call the spa on 0344 692 1112 Tried by Lydia Mormen

Thalgo Joyaux Atlantique Body Ritual

This two-hour, multi-sensorial journey is performed in three stages, intended to recharge clients with positive energy. After a relaxing welcome ceremony, the body is wrapped in a Precious Algae Balm enriched with green olivine shimmers, a semi-precious stone rich in magnesium. The client then enjoys a hot hydro-massaging bath before the second step, a Pink Sand Scrub with white quartz crystals, renowned for their balancing and stabilising beneits.

The exclusive Thalgo Signature Massage, which combines ancestral African techniques and with marine lithotherapy, is step three and the end-of-treatment ceremony concludes the experience with gentle rocking and stretching techniques to awaken the body.

Thalgo recommends charging £80 to £120 for the ritual, depending on location. Call the brand on 020 7512 0872

This month we tried… Eva by Endosphères

The lowdown: A new treatment that applies Endosphères’s compressive microvibration technology to the face. The Eva facial is a three-phase treatment that uses three handpieces on different layers of the skin to exfoliate, lift and deine facial contours and nourish the complexion. Those with dull skin presenting poor laxity and wrinkles or open pores, congestion and overall bad condition would beneit most.

The Experience: My therapist Sara Vannella performed the treatment on one side of my face first so I could compare results. The first phase is called sensorised ablative microvibration, a deep exfoliation, which Vannella explained uses gel microspheres to ablate the upper layers of the skin while stimulating the tissue to prepare for the second phase. She concentrated the exfoliation, particularly in areas of congestion, but was careful to avoid active breakouts.

Next came the main event – the compressive microvibration handpiece that Endosphères’s body treatment is known for. The device has a built-in sensor that applies the correct pressure to each part of the face, and it felt completely comfortable throughout, kneading my facial muscles and releasing tension.

Vannella stuck with the gel microspheres for me, but therapists have the option of switching them out for a silicone version that has a higher density and gives a more intense vibrational massage.

The third and final phase is vibro-electric delivery. Vannella applied a hyaluronic acid serum to my face and hooked me up to the transdermal electroporation handpiece that delivers square symmetrical pulses into the dermal-epidermal layer, stimulating down to the muscular level. This was the only part of the process that was slightly unpleasant, as the pulses are deepened when the device is passed over bone, and it felt quite intense across the frontal bone of my forehead.

Post-treatment, it really looked and felt as though my face had had an intense workout, and I deinitely noticed the effects of the lymphatic drainage and vascular actions of the compressive microvibration.

Business Benefits: The compressive microvibration handpiece’s built-in sensor takes the guesswork out of optimal treatment delivery for therapists and ensures a comfortable experience for clients. There’s no branded skincare to buy into along with the machine, so salons can incorporate their existing favourite products into treatment.

Endosphères Therapy recommends charging £150 to £250 for the 60-minute treatment, depending on products used. Call manufacturer Fenix Group on 0207 096 0040