Glow with it

Murad Glycolic Acid Pro Peel

Murad Skincare has launched a high-strength peel featuring 67% glycolic acid alongside a proprietary ingredient blend designed to intensely resurface while brightening and refining skin. The highpotency peel can be used to treat more advanced skin concerns such as melasma, hyperpigmentation, and deep lines and wrinkles. Created by the brand’s founder Dr Murad, the medical-grade treatment can be administered by doctors, nurses or aestheticians with a Level 7 facial aesthetics diploma.

Formulated to be suitable for all skin types and tones, it uses a combination of 67% glycolic acid and proprietary niacinamide, salicylic acid and retinol, which Murad says is powerful enough to deliver immediately visible improvements in skin texture, and a noticeable reduction in lines, wrinkles and pigmentation two weeks after treatment. Possible side-effects include micro-peeling and temporary darkening of pre-existing lesions, such as pigmentation from sun damage or blemish scars. Erythema may also occur, but usually subsides within an hour.

Murad recommends charging £150 per treatment 0844 472 7050 / murad.co.uk

Tried and tested...

Cynoglow by Cynosure

The lowdown: This sequential treatment combines Cynosure’s picosecond laser, Picosure Pro, with its popular radiofrequency microneedling technology, Potenza. The two stages of the treatment work together to treat skin concerns including texture, pore size, active acne, acne scarring, pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. Cynoglow treatments can be carried out on the face, neck, decolletage, arms and hands.

The experience: I visited Yuchi Medical in London for a treatment with medical director Dr Kristy Lau. After a consultation, Dr Lau prepared my skin and began the laser stage of the treatment with the Picosure Pro laser.

The treatment was carried out on my full face but Dr Lau particularly focused on areas of pigmentation caused by sun damage and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. The Picosure Pro laser has a very quick delivery system, meaning it was less painful than some other laser treatments I’ve experienced – I actually found the cold air more uncomfortable than the laser itself.

Following the laser, Dr Lau began the Potenza stage of the treatment across my full face; my skin was numbed so there was only a sense of warmth from the radiofrequency. Potenza features both a bipolar and a monopolar mode, meaning it can draw the radiofrequency energy deeper into the skin to better stimulate collagen production. After the radiofrequency microneedling, I was put under an LED light for 20 minutes to bring down redness and boost skin healing.

The procedure took almost two hours, including 30 minutes for topical numbing, 60 for the procedure itself and 20 for the LED. After extensive aftercare advice, Dr Lau gave me skincare samples to speed recovery. I’d brought a hat and sunglasses, and Dr Lau also gave me a face mask to completely protect my skin from sun damage while it was vulnerable. 

The verdict: My skin is quite resilient, so I didn’t experience side-effects other than some rough texture as the wounds from the microneedling healed but this disappeared within a few days. I really started to see benefits a month later, with reduced areas of pigmentation, and three months later my skin is still in great condition.

Business benefits: This treatment is a great way to combine two very popular technologies – laser and RF microneedling – and with client demand for advanced treatments showing no sign of stopping, Cynoglow could be a valuable addition to any treatment menu.

Tried by Ellen Cummings

Yuchi Medical charges £1,299 for a course of three treatments. 01628 522252 / cynosureuk.com

Tried and tested…

Sensory Retreats Sensory Sleep Massage with a Touch of Thermabliss

The lowdown: Sensory Retreats has launched three sleep-focused treatments, the 60-minute Sensory Sleep Massage, 75-minute Sensory Sleep Massage with a Touch of Thermabliss, and 90-minute Sensory Sleep Complete Wellbeing Massage. All are designed to prepare mind and body for sleep with long massage strokes, but the longer two also include Lava Shells and Thermabliss Stones, and Complete Wellbeing has facial massage and the Divine Glow self-heating face mask. 

The experience: I opted for the 75-minute version, which I tried at Four Seasons Park Lane. It initially launched exclusively into Four Seasons but is available to all from January. I was greeted by the fabulous Alex James who led me to a cosy treatment room. After calming guided deep breathing, James applied Luna Wellbeing Oil and began with long strokes up the back of my body from foot to neck, which felt very grounding. She gradually introduced the warm Lava Shells which felt like a natural extension of her hands as she worked.

James really worked into the areas of tension in my shoulders before asking me to turn over. She then gently put the Luna Eyes Self-Heating Eye Mask on me, which was instantly soothing for my tired eyes. Next, she asked me to take some deep breaths to consciously draw air deep into my belly, which she massage as I exhaled. After a firm massage on the front of my legs and my arms and hands, James did some pressure point work on my ears before gently lifting my head and stretching out my neck and shoulders then performing a deeply relaxing head massage.

The verdict: I was almost asleep by the end of the treatment and felt deeply relaxed for the rest of the day before the best night’s sleep I’d had that week. The heat of the shells and the eye mask combined with the breathing exercises and expert head massage really elevated this full-body massage treatment.

Business benefits: With sleep issues on the rise among stressed spa clients, these targeted treatments offer more than most massages. The self-heating Lava Shells and eye masks mean they can be performed in any treatment room, without the need for heating equipment, and would be perfect for mobile therapists to offer in a client’s home or hotel.

TriedbyEveOxberry

Sensory Retreats recommends charging from £85 for the 75-minute treatment. 01295 235511 / sensoryretreats.com

Tried and tested…

SQT Bio Microneedling

The lowdown: The no-needle Bio Microneedling facial from SQT uses sponge spicules extracted from freshwater sponges to stimulate the dermis and prompt microcirculation. These siliceous bio-microneedles deliver active ingredients while also activating the basal skin cells. Spongilla spicules have been used for centuries in skincare, and SQT’s treatment inserts up to five million into the skin in five minutes to treat acne, pigmentation and wrinkles.

The experience: I have had a lot of microneedling but nothing that doesn’t involve actual needles, so I was excited to try this treatment at Elán Laser Clinics. Looking at the glass vial that contains the minute shards, you would think you are looking at a muddy powder. Under a microscope, though, my therapist Rebecca Morton, senior therapist at Elán, explained that you’d see sharp crystal rod-like structures.

The powder was mixed and shaken up with a serum and after a thorough cleanse the spicule solution was massaged gently into my face. The sensation wasn’t painful but felt like sandpaper on mild sunburn.

The shards drive themselves into the basal layer of skin, creating microchannels, which enhances production of collagen and elastin while delivering nutrients. They stay in your face until they fall out, which sounds strange but you can’t see them. I was told to keep my skin free of actives in the days following. 

The verdict: After spending a lot of time being pricked by microneedles in the quest for glassy, glowing skin, something natural and no-needle was a welcome relief. As warned, I still felt the tiny shards within my skin for a few days but within a week my complexion was improved and my skin tone a lot more even. My skin was absorbing serum better and the pigmentation on my cheeks from hormonal breakouts was reduced. 

Business benefits: Rather than taking 28 days to see a result, as is often the case with microneedling, SQT Bio Microneedling will have clients seeing noticeable changes within a week. I know I did. Plus, this is a great alternative for clients who avoid microneedling.

Tried by Kezia Parkins SQT recommends charging £160-£250 for a treatment. sqtuk.co.uk