The Blurb
Led by renowned skin surgeon Doctor Ross Perry, Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer a range of laser, dermatology and beauty treatments for men and women, including the Murad range of facials at the flagship Putney branch.
The AHA Rapid Exfoliator Facial includes a glycolic peel to accelerate the removal of dry and dull skin, resulting in a softer, more radiant complexion. A course of six treatments is recommended for best results, as the strength of the AHA acid peel is gradually increased, but would I notice a difference after just one session?
The Process
After a consultation with beauty therapist Anna Zajac, during which she asks about my usual skincare routine (a bit haphazard at times, I’m afraid) and establishes my objectives with the treatment (giving my dry winter skin a bit of a boost), we talk about my skin concerns. Like most women, I am more prone to breakouts when I’m stressed or hormonal, and I tell Anna that although I was fortunate to have problem-free skin throughout my teens and twenties, I now feel that I need to step up my game. I confess the skin sins of my youth, when I was oblivious to the importance of wearing sunscreen regardless of the season and even went sans SPF when living in Spain and the Caribbean.
Anna doesn’t make any false promises about rolling back the years, but stresses the importance of exfoliating the face weekly and wearing eye cream daily. She starts by thoroughly steam cleaning and toning my face, choosing to use her fingers rather than a needle to tackle my clogged pores as she thinks I would be too sensitive for the latter. Then she warns me that I might feel a slight tingle as she applies the acid solution to my face, but I don’t find it unpleasant at all.
The final step is hydration: Anna mixes two different masks to suit my dry, sensitive skin before giving me a relaxing hand massage while the products work their magic. After gently washing it off, she finishes by applying moisturiser (Murad’s Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture). Because of the high concentration of active ingredients in the Murad products, you don’t need much, she explains, usually a pea-sized amount will suffice.
The Result
When I look in the mirror, I definitely have a more glowing complexion and despite being somewhat sleep-deprived I look and feel very well rested. I know the fine lines on my forehead and around my eyes are still there, but I feel temporarily rejuvenated and I don’t doubt that if I were to see Anna regularly, it would probably result in a more long-lasting effect.
