SMOOTH & snatched

Treatments this month offer a workout for the face to boost collagen and redefine facial contours

QMS Medicosmetics new facials

QMS has created two new facials, which have just launched into Sequoia Spa at The Grove in Hertfordshire. The two 80-minute treatments are The Ultimate Revive Facial and The Collagen Recharge Facial. The former combines collagen-based products with a personalised deep-tissue massage for face and neck, promoting relaxation and muscle tone. It features LED light therapy to boost collagen production and skin immunity, plus a thermal mask to infuse skin with nutrients for a radiant, refreshed look.

Meanwhile, the Collagen Recharge Facial is designed to rejuvenate and hydrate using collagen-based products and a stem cell mask for deep hydration. It also has a personalised deep tissue massage but in this case that extends to the upper body. Additionally, an abdominal massage relieves muscle tension, and helps improve circulation and internal balance. This holistic approach helps achieve renewed luminosity and a revitalised appearance in the skin.

Sequoia Spa charges £225 for each of these facials uk.qmsmedicosmetics.com

Tried and tested…

CACI Synergy Flex facial

The lowdown: Marrying high-tech tools and holistic practices, the Flex Facial combines microcurrent, LED light therapy and souped-up Gua Sha to contour and sculpt the face, promote lymphatic drainage, boost circulation, reduce puffiness and renew skin for a radiant complexion.

The experience: I went back to one of my favourite clinics, Lisa Franklin Clinic in London, to try the facial. After being given time to slow down and settle on the bed, my therapist Nicole gave me a double cleanse before reaching for Caci’s Quad Probes.

Despite their slightly intimidating appearance, the probes are a non-invasive way to gently grab and target tissue and muscles in the face to lift and redefine facial contours. They were used wiht a pumping action on my cheek muscles and under my chin after more gentle contouring. Meanwhile, my skin was also reaping the benefits of the LED light.

The next step combined microcurrent with Gua Sha. The new treatment heads are made with electroplated stainless steel. After a cooling conducting gel was applied, the tool was used to drain fluid from my face while applying the microcurrent. This felt amazing around my sinuses and eyes, which can be congested and puffy.

The final step was the new Microcurrent Energising Mask. This sheet mask is printed with a silver conductive electronic circuit activated by the CACI Synergy Flex system, allowing the whole face to be touched with the microcurrent energy.

The masks have replaced CACI’s individual pads for face or neck during a facial toning treatment and are boosted with Super Charge Energiser sachets, which contain concentrated electrolytes (minerals that ionise and increase the electrical conductivity of water) added vitamin c, marine collagen and niacinamide to smooth, hydrate and brighten skin.

The verdict: Despite 10-15 sessions being recommended, I felt and saw benefits after one. My skin was glowy and depuffed and my sinuses felt clearer, meaning I left in a better state of wellbeing than I arrived – a great example of high-tech meets holistic.

Business benefits: Clients will love this facial for the results but also the visual “shareability” of each step and the way it helps relax the whole body. Also, Synergy Flex has been designed to be futureproof – with CACI promising that it will always be updatable and customisable with existing treatment heads and new ones yet to come to market.

Tried by Kezia Parkins

CACI recommends charging from £120 a session. 020 8731 5678 / cacibeauty.com

Tried and tested…

Germaine de Capuccini Timexpert Lift IN

This anti-ageing facial treatment is designed tackle and prevent visible signs of ageing. Following skin analysis and a thorough cleanse and exfoliation, Firming Concentrate is applied to the face and neck. Key ingredients include natural ceramides to protect and firm, and red macroalgae to help restore the skin’s biomechanical properties. Then the Revitalising Cream with Ceramides is warmed and used for a facial massage, using trapezium kneading, lissage, drumming and skin rolling movements with the hands. The massage step then continues with the Lift Massager tool, a hand-held metal roller tool used to help lift and reshape the facial contours. Next, the Tightening-Effect Definition Mask is applied in a sheet mask format and left for 15 –20 minutes before it is removed and the treatment finishes with two pumps of Firming Concentrate over the excess mask, with both massaged in until absorbed.

Germaine de Capuccini UK recommends charging £84 for a 60-minute treatment. germainedecapuccini.com/uk_en

Tried and tested…

Sciton BBL Hero treatment

The lowdown: The BBL Hero from Sciton is an advanced broadband light (BBL) device designed to rejuvenate skin by using light energy to treat concerns including pigmentation, sun damage, vascular lesions and uneven skin tone. By stimulating collagen production, it helps improve skin texture, firmness and radiance. Sciton claims that noticeable improvements are often visible after just one session, with continued improvement after each additional treatment.

The experience: Over the last few years. I’ve developed some small areas of pigmentation on my face, which have started to bother me, as well as some sun damage on my décolletage and red veins around my nose. These complaints weren’t significant enough to warrant any heavy-duty laser treatments, and I was apprehensive about doing anything that would require a lot of downtime, so when I heard about BBL Hero’s ability to treat a multitude of skin concerns in one session with minimal downtime, I had to give it a try.

I visited Real Plastic Surgery in Battersea for a treatment with senior nursing consultant and laser expert Elaine Singer. She started with a thorough consultation, including a medical questionnaire and skin analysis with a Visia device, and we discussed which aspects of my skin we could treat. Singer settled on a full-face treatment, with emphasis on my visible broken capillaries and areas of pigmentation, as well as treating my décolletage.

She completed two passes of the device over the treatment areas and although I can’t claim that it was completely painless, it was definitely tolerable, and I didn’t need to ask to stop at any point – although Singer was very considerate in checking in with me regularly throughout – and the whole treatment only took about half an hour.

The verdict: After just one session I noticed a visible reduction in pigmentation on my face and décolletage, although a follow-up session could enhance the results further. While the treatment initially left my skin a bit red, this faded quickly, and my skin looked and felt fine the next day. I also appreciated the thorough aftercare skincare advice from Singer, which made the experience feel very supportive and effective.

Business benefits: The BBL Hero device can elevate your service offering by providing clients with fast, visible skin improvements across a range of concerns, from pigmentation to skin tightening. With its ability to deliver noticeable results in one session and treat multiple skin issues comfortably, BBL Hero can help attract new clients and encourage repeat business.

Tried by Ellen Cummings

Real Plastic Surgery charges £500 for a single session of BBL Hero on the face. 020 3318 1108 / sciton.uk