Get PERSONAL

A personalised facial launches to tackle menopause symptoms, and we try a DNA-based skin service

Tried and tested… EmSculpt

The lowdown: Emsculpt – aBTL treatment – is based on high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy and causes thousands of muscle contractions, forcing the muscle tissue to adapt and remodel its inner structure to build muscle and sculpt the body.

Triggering supermaximal muscle contractions, clinical studies revealed the treatment can increase muscle mass by up to 16%, while reducing fat by up to 19%. The experience: I had four Emsculpt sessions at Therapié Clinic’s Wimbledon location.

Ahead of the first session I was asked to complete a consultation form outlining my medical history and what I was aiming to achieve from the sessions, which was for my core to feel stronger.

Therapist Tiziana Sergia, who provided all four sessions, explained that the results regarding fat loss can vary from person to person but, even if I didn’t see obvious fat loss, muscle would be building.

The treatment uses either one or two paddles, placed onto the body for 30-minute treatments, activating muscles 20,000 times in half an hour.

For my first treatment Sergia placed a single panel in the centre of my abdomen, starting the treatment intensity at 20%. Within a few minutes, I was up to 100% with a mixture of long and short sensations that felt like vibrations through my body, followed by tapping which helps to break up the lactic acid your muscles release.

While the treatment isn’t painful, the feeling was initially uncomfortable as it worked muscles I hadn’t used for a while. I love to feel like a treatment is doing something, so was happy that I could feel every contraction deep in my abdomen.

After the first session I was able to leave and get on with my day with no downtime, which is a huge bonus. My abdomen felt slightly tender that evening and the following morning, but no worse than you would expect to feel after a good abs session in the gym.

For the subsequent sessions, Sergia and I agreed to up the ante with the addition of a second panel on my abdomen, which made the treatment feel more intense, but no more uncomfortable or painful.

Sessions two, three and four also left me with no downtime, just a slight ache, with each session becoming more comfortable as my body knew what to expect. The verdict: At the end of the final session, we took a progress photo to compare to the first session, and, although I hadn’t miraculously dropped three dress sizes in three weeks, I felt a lot stronger in my core and my jeans were slightly easier to button up.

Sergia was right and, while I didn’t see huge inch-loss, my core felt significantly stronger when working out. I also felt as though I was bloating less after eating and during that time of the month my weight didn’t fluctuate as much as it usually would. Business benefits: Emsculpt offers quick, 30-minute treatments with minimal physical work for therapists as the machine is fully automatic. Clients need to commit to course, meaning repeat sales. The treatment is great for clients who work out but want that extra bit of definition they’re failing to achieve in the gym.

Tried by Lollie Hancock

BTL recommends charging £250 per session, with a course of four treatments recommended for best results. 01782 579060 / btlnet.com

Kate Kerr Clinical Perimenopause & Menopause Facial

Celebrity facialist Kate Kerr has developed a specialist facial to target and minimise the effects that perimenopause and menopause can have on the skin. Kerr specialises in bespoke facials, meaning the Clinical Perimenopause & Menopause Facial is adapted to meet the skin needs of each individual client.

Symptoms might include loss of elasticity and volume, acne and breakouts, dryness, dullness and sensitivity. Conditions such as rosacea and hyperpigmentation can also become worse.

Following a thorough skin consultation, Kerr or a therapist in her team put together the treatment, which may include a mild skin peel to improve texture and tone, red LED and infrared light to stimulate collagen production, mesotherapy, Venus radiofrequency to reduce the appearance of dark circles and help with loss of tone along the jawline, and application of cooling, hydrating masks.

Kate Kerr Clinic London charges from £280 for the 90-minute treatment. 020 7971 1331 / katekerrlondon.co.uk

Tried and tested… Team Gene Skin’s DNA skin test

The lowdown: This is a service where a beauty professional can administer a DNA test for a client then send it off to be analysed by Team Gene Skin. The test reports on the key genes involved in skin plumpness, structure and vitamin synthesis, and groups the client into a skin type. Type one is strength, which means clients need collagen synthesis support; type two is nourish, meaning they need vitamin and mineral support, and type three is combination, where they need both. Once results are returned, therapists use them to recommend treatments or products for that skin type. The experience: The process was very simple – Iswabbed the inside of my cheek, packaged up the test in the box provided and sent it off. It was analysed by Team Gene Skin founder Karen Harrison, who then carried out a consultation.

By analysing my genes, Harrison determined that my skin was type three – combination. My results showed that I have a genetic variation on my collagen type 1 and/or type 5 genes, which means the function of the collagen protein is not as efficient as it should be, so I’m at higher risk of producing less collagen, resulting in accelerated signs of ageing such as wrinkles and loss of elasticity.

The test also analysed my vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc genes, which provide instructions to allow the transportation of these nutrients to the skin. I have a genetic variation on the gene responsible for vitamin A synthesis, which converts beta-carotene into retinoic acid and stimulates fibroblasts. This means I’m less efficient at converting retinoic acid and transporting it to the skin.

If I’d had the test carried out through a salon, a therapist would use these results to suggest treatments. For example, microneedling, mesotherapy, radiofrequency and LED therapy could be suggested to treat my reduced collagen production, while facials involving vitamin A would be beneficial to support my skin in processing this nutrient. The verdict: The swab was easy, and results were really interesting. It’s useful to know I’m genetically predisposed to producing less collagen and processing vitamin A less effectively so that I can pursue treatments for this before signs become visible.

Business benefits: Team Gene Skin’s DNA skin test helps beauty professionals to better understand their clients’ skin health and recommend the right treatments and products. This can be a great route into personalised skincare for salons, and the science-backed recommendations should help with bookings. Salons can recommend treatments they already offer, so don’t need to invest in additional products.

Tried by Ellen Cummings

Team Gene Skin recommends charging from £150 per DNA skin test. 07729 201745 / teamgeneskin.com