The ‘W’ word

beauty

My visit to Skin Deep last week certainly tested the mettle, calibre and expertise of the staff at the clinic.

Practice manager Chrissy Aldridge and Pepi Bolton-Riley, both registered nurses, and spa therapists Gabby Ryan and Jade White, must have wondered what the heck had hit them.

But they handled their pernickety patient like true professionals without so much as a raised eyebrow or a tightened neck muscle.

I’m the patient from hell. Not only am I a wuss when it comes to needles and pain, I also have multiple allergies, and skin and eye sensitivities.

However, they weren’t at all fazed — and after an exceptionally thorough consultation, they devised a custom-made treatment incorporating a range of different components which cleverly side-stepped all my ‘what-ifs’ and ‘maybes’.

The procedures ranged from minor discomfort — I reminded myself ‘no pain, no gain’ — to major pampering, a treat after a needly thing.

Being a woman of a ‘certain age’, the dreaded ‘W’ word features prominently in the ever-increasing list of things I would love to magic away . . . along with the years.

So Pepi suggested I try Dermapen Collagen Induction Therapy on my forehead, a treatment recommended for fine lines and w******* (which rhymes with tinkles).

It’s seriously clever technology which stimulates natural collagen production and creates minute channels in the skin to allow deeper penetration of topical nutrients.

Most patients have the procedure over the entire face and neck but because I could not guarantee I would not have sun exposure in the next couple of weeks — an important factor with skin needling — Gabby limited the treatment to my forehead which I could easily cover with a hat. It was moderately uncomfortable — pain is too strong a word — but Gabby says the forehead is the most sensitive area of the face because it is bony and the skin is thin. She said I handled it like a real trooper.

The pen has multiple tiny needles that pierce the epidermis of the skin so I was reassured when Gabby showed me the disposable tip which ensures there is no risk of cross-contamination.

The skin on my forehead looked slightly reddened and a bit blotchy afterwards and you cannot wear make-up on the treated area until the next day — so if you have a special event coming up, the procedure should be done well in advance.

For optimal results, four-to-six treatments are recommended at six-week intervals. The beneficial effects last up to two years so there is long-term gain from the short-term pain . . . or rather discomfort.

Elsewhere on my face Gabby used the Silk Peel Dermalinfusion which is one of the most advanced machines of its kind.

“It’s powered by a patented handpiece, developed to deliver exfoliation, extraction and infusion simultaneously through pneumatic pressure, volumising the skin by 70 precent,” Gabby explained . . . to which I replied “Wow!”

The products she applied before and after the treatments were Osmosis Pur Medical skincare which are cruelty free, free of toxic chemicals, SLS, phthalates, parabens, gluten, artificial colours and fragrances and are even safe for oncology patients.

“The Osmosis range is impressive due to its highly advanced liposomal delivery systems and patented technologies which deliver the active ingredients to the dermis (active layers of the skin) creating permanent change in the skin,” she said.

After cleansing, Gabby applied Stemfactor serum with 150 skin growth factors derived from adult stem cells, followed by Catalyst AC-11, a patented formula combining Vitamin C, amino acids and minerals to promote DNA skin repair, elastin production and promote wound healing.

Gabby then used Correct Vitamin A serum, a liposomal formula to enhance collagen and cell renewal; Clear Plus+ peptide and vitamin-enriched activating mist to rejuvenate and hydrate; Quench Plus+ moisturiser with powerful plumpers and fibroblasts to enhance collagen and cell renewal.

After the facial therapy, Gabby performed a sublime back, neck and shoulders massage which transported me to Cloud 10.

A weekend of heavy lifting and lugging in the garden had left my muscles screaming out for relief so it was the perfect finale. She’s a talented masseuse with a divine touch.

Front of house, spa therapist and marketing guru Jade White sent me away with a goody bag full of little pots and samples to ensure I maintained the Osmosis skincare routine, and information about the wide range of treatments and products available at Skin Deep.

She also explained that the clinic is in the process of pioneering a new direction based on a medi-spa model — a hybrid between the traditional day-spa and a medical clinic which is operated under the supervision of a licensed health care professional.

By the end of June, Skin Deep will have a full complement of beauty and spa therapy services to add to their already impressive treatment menu.

The clinic is also moving into the wedding and ball make-up arena using the fabulous Osmosis Colour Prescription range of cosmetics . . . which were expertly applied (to my lower face) as a finishing touch before I walked out the door.

Next morning, the redness on my forehead had subsided and was replaced by smoother looking skin with noticeably less of the W-factor.

Even my husband noticed something different . . .