Clients have plentiful choices in electing a skin treatment to undergo, so what sets one apart from all the rest? We zero in on three facials we’ve tried recently that have stood out from the crowd.
endota spa Intense Renewal Facial
What is it?
endota spa’s Intense Renewal Facial is a multifaceted treatment designed to increase skin’s hydration levels through a series of specially curated steps. The 75-minute treatment commences by placing a tool against the skin to measure presence of hydration.
“It’s important for clients to realise the difference between dry and dehydrated skin. Dry meaning a lack of oil in the skin and dehydrated being a lack of water,” explains endota education and skin specialist, Kimberley Duck. “Dehydration can be caused by the environment, like artificial air blowing on the skin (caused by heaters and air conditioners), not drinking enough water, high stress, high caffeine and sugar diets, and lack of sleep. endota like to treat skin conditions with product and treatment recommendations, and some lifestyle advice.”
A jade stone is placed on the centre of the torso while soothing massages are conducted against key pain points. A series of topical solutions are applied to the skin, all taken from the endota New Age Range. “Often for a dehydrated skin, products that contain hyaluronic acid, particularly the Peptide 8 Hyaluronic Serum, are a great go to, as well as increasing water intake and decreasing caffeine and having a regular Glycolic Peel power series to recharge the skin.” Other products used were the endota Deep Cleansing Cream, Power Serum Sheet Mask, Advanced Hydration Cream, and Environmental Shield Mist.
A spot of red light LED is also used on bare skin.
Why does it work?
This treatment is marketed toward clients looking for a non-invasive, pre-event pick-me-up. Over 3-5 days, the skin appears more radiant thanks to the peel’s exfoliating properties.
“The benefits of LED come from the light diodes in the machine. With the skin bare there is no additional barrier for the light to penetrate through, and results are better as the wavelengths are able to provide benefits to the whole face,” Duck explains. “The results of LED will continue as healthy charged skin cells move towards the surface of the skin and with the application of serum after will assist with this result.”
Why we love it
Hannah Gay, Online Editor said: “Not only was this treatment incredibly relaxing and holistic, it was fascinating to witness the hydration levels in my skin increase so dramatically, as demonstrated with the hydration measurement tool.
My endota therapist was very informative, educating me on the differences between hydrated and oily skin, and following up with a checklist of product recommendations tailored to me. I regularly recommend family and friends to endota for this reason – treatments are soothing, yet powerful.”
Laser Clinics Australia Personalised Facial
What is it?
Laser Clinics Australia (LCA) provided a skin analysis on the day of treatment, and crafted a personalised treatment designed to target individual skincare concerns. “Our ethos is that it’s all about tailoring each treatment plan to the client’s unique needs,” says Global Medical Director at Laser Clinics Group, Dr Jonathan Hopkirk. “Every client is different, so it’s about ensuring that first we understand the ‘why’ of why our clients are seeking the treatment(s), then understanding the ‘what’ with respect to what the desired outcome is, and finally the ‘how’ – how we will work together to achieve the aforementioned outcome in a tailored treatment plan.”
LCA offers a long list of skin treatment options. For our treatment, LCA involved elements of the BBL Hero (utilising pulsed light), AquaFacial (involving hydrodermabrasion) and Kleresca (ultilising fluorescent energy). The tailored treatment involved a manual exfoliation with a device which brushed away dead skin and worked to clear congestion. A vitamin C serum was then incorporated to brighten.
LCA is also one of few Australian beauty spaces offering the Esthemax HydroJelly mask. “The Hydrojelly mask treatment is quite holistic in the sense that it utilises pure algae, skin-boosting actives and electrolyte technology to rejuvenate and enhance your skin,” Dr Hopkirk said. “The peel-off jelly mask is applied to the skin after the skin is cleansed, where the aforementioned ingredients rebalance the skin’s pH, restore moisture levels, cool and soothe the skin and overall leave your skin looking and feeling healthy and incredibly smooth.”
Why does it work?
“Laser Clinics is the largest cosmetic clinic company globally and we have the best medical-grade, industry-leading technology and the experience we need to get the best results for our clients,” Dr Hopkirk said. “Our advanced treatments are fast, effective and deliver results.”
While clients will regularly book in for a specific treatment, the therapists at LCA are trained to guide clients on what will benefit them most. “Sometimes, the treatment the client is adamant they want is not the treatment they will benefit most from,” said Dr Hopkirk. “So, it’s about giving clients an educational mirror so they can see the vision of what is available to them and how it will help. From there, the ongoing beautiful journey of skin improvements begins.”
“BBL-HERO is our latest innovation – the world’s most powerful IPL device – which has been used to deliver results on the likes of Kim Kardashian. It’s great for reducing pigment, vascular and age spots, inducing skin tightening and smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles, reducing active acne and rejuvenating the skin with an anti-ageing function.”
“Kleresca utilises ‘biophotomodulation’ technology, where chromophore cells in a unique gel convert specialised phototherapy light into fluorescence energy to heal acne, rosacea and renew skin cells,” Dr Hopkirk explained.
“It’s about giving clients an educational mirror so they can see the vision of what is available to them and how it will help.” – Dr Jonathan Hopkirk
Why we love it
Sarah Woodcock, Marketing Manager said: “Laser Clinics’ Sydney CBD space was in a great location – so convenient. The clinic treatment menu is extensive and [inclusive of] results-focused treatments.
The therapist sat down with me to discuss my skin concerns, treatment history and skin goals, and also made sure to check whether I had any major events coming up that would be impacted by an active treatment. I was focused on clearing some congestion, anti-wrinkle treatment and overall brightening.
My therapist, Serra and I spent some time chatting about my long term skincare goals (particularly around anti-aging) and she recommended some additional treatments to consider. It was really nice to have someone with that level of experience take the time to diagnose my skin and put a plan in place that would last longer than just the one treatment.
[In the weeks following my treatment], I have much less congestion in areas and overall have felt that my skin was brighter. I was able to go makeup free after the treatment because my skin felt healthy and happy. Overall, I would describe my treatment with LCA as customised, results-focused, and friendly.”
Rationale The Vitality Rejuvenation Facial
What is it?
Designed to tackle signs of unevenness, dullness and pigmentation in the skin, Rationale’s Vitality Rejuvenation Facial is available to clients looking to brighten the skin overall.
This facial involves a luxurious double cleanse using carefully selected products from the Rationale backbar. This is followed by an Enzyme Reactivation Complex (comprising Pyruvic Acid, Amino Acids and Skin Identical Minerals) and Antioxidant Infusion using three types of vitamin C. A key feature of this treatment is the use of an electroporation tool which penetrates the cell’s membranes via the emission of gentle, electric pulses. This process works to ‘wake up’ and nourish the deepest dermal layers.
Why does it work?
Offering ‘the perfect synergy between hydration, rejuvenation and protection’, this treatment embodies the latest in brightening ingredients and technology.
Why we love it
Rationale plays host to premium skincare houses dotted around Australia’s most upmarket locations. The business, which is currently celebrating its 30th year of operation, was founded by Richard Parker after developing an interest in the power of zinc in protecting the skin from UV rays. Parker then took his career further down a path of research into skincare. Rationale works in partnership with select agencies, those of whom are to undergo the brand’s signature consultation and treatment training. Therefore, while clients can expect a consistent treatment offering from location to location, Rationale agencies are also largely exclusive with a boutique feel.
Hannah Gay, Online Editor said: “There’s nothing like the experience of a Rationale facial. You truly feel taken care of from the moment you enter the business’ bright, modern reception space, right through to the moment you reluctantly peel yourself from the warm bed post-treatment. I was particularly impressed by the sensation of the electroporation tool; its heated plate felt much like a warm mug of tea pressed against the cheek, and cooled plate mimicked that of an ice cube run along the skin to tighten.
Immediately post-treatment, I felt a plumpness to my face I hadn’t experienced before. My skin tone appeared even, healthy and vibrant. 24-hours later, my skin remained supple, dewy and hydrated. Red acne scars along my cheeks appeared muted in tone, and thus less angry. This facial is a must for anyone looking up the ante when it comes to their skin brightening regimen.”
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