What They Say
Situated in a Grade II–listed townhouse right on Knightsbridge’s main drag, The HVN opened in late 2023 as the ultimate modern wellness retreat: a science-led clinic that doubles as a sensory sanctuary and escape from the chaos of city life. Inside, the atmosphere is hushed and restorative—more rainforest grotto than Harley Street clinic—with piped-in birdsong, the sound of trickling water, and ceilings draped in preserved greenery.
The interiors are serene and elegant in neutral tones, softly perfumed with The HVN’s own line of home scents (available as candles, diffusers, and sprays). On the day of my visit, the air carried their “Goa Forest Bathing” aroma: a lush, tropical-inspired blend of blackcurrant, mandarin, geranium, and mango, underscored with cinnamon, iris, peach, cedarwood, patchouli, vanilla, and incense. Supposed to evoke the tranquillity of India’s coastal woodlands, it instantly calmed me the moment I walked through the door. Even the waiting area feels exclusive, with curving pod seats where guests are offered herbal teas while they wait.
The HVN’s menu spans both ancient and cutting-edge: Ayurvedic-inspired facials, acupuncture, IV drips, posture coaching, and functional medicine sit alongside high-tech offerings such as body-sculpting, injectables, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and advanced laser procedures. Among its standout technologies is the Fotona 4D Laser, the centrepiece of its non-surgical lifting and resurfacing suite. This next-generation device is renowned for its versatility and precision, with customisable settings that can target everything from laxity and wrinkles to pigmentation and melasma.
The Process
My visit began with a consultation with the wonderful Xenia Mitsiou, whose professionalism and warmth instantly reassured me. She started with a complimentary Visia Skin Analysis—a high-tech facial scan that uses multi-spectral imaging to capture the skin’s condition at both the surface and deeper levels. It can reveal pigmentation, sun damage, vascular changes, and even bacterial build-up invisible to the naked eye. The report provided a detailed baseline of my skin’s health and problem areas.
One of my clear concerns was pigmentation, specifically melasma: the dark, patchy discolouration often triggered by sun exposure and hormonal changes. Xenia explained how Fotona’s dual-laser technology could be tailored to my skin. The system combines Er:YAG (erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet) laser, which gently resurfaces the outer layers to lift surface pigmentation, with Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet), which penetrates deeper to break up stubborn melanin deposits. This layered approach helps fade age spots, sun damage, and melasma while stimulating collagen for overall brightness and smoother texture.
She recommended around four sessions for optimal results, but suggested we start with a patch test. It was painless, quick, and over in less than 10 minutes (Xenia explained every step so there were no surprises).
For my first full treatment, I returned a few weeks later. The session lasted about an hour and began with a thorough cleansing. The first pass of the laser delivered rapid bursts of light energy across the surface of my skin. Xenia handed me a cold-air cooling tube, which I could direct onto any area that felt “spicy”—on the pain scale, I’d call it a manageable 5 out of 10.
The second pass targeted inflammation and felt far gentler. But the third and final pass was undeniably intense—closer to an 8 out of 10. The high-energy pulses were loud and sharp, leaving my skin flushed, peppered with tiny pinpricks of blood. Thankfully, Xenia’s calm, attentive presence kept me grounded: she checked in constantly, offering breaks and reassurance. By the time it was over, I knew I’d be taking an Uber home rather than braving the Tube.
The Results
Immediately after, my face was very red and spotted with pinpricks of blood—definitely not public-facing. For 2–3 days, I kept social plans to a minimum while diligently following Xenia’s aftercare advice and using the recommended soothing products.
By the next morning, the redness had already begun to calm, and within a few days the pinpricks were gone. After about a week, my skin was still slightly rough in texture, but by the two-week mark—when Xenia said it was safe to resume my normal skincare, including exfoliation and retinol—my complexion looked noticeably fresher.
While pigmentation improvement will require the full course of sessions, my skin already feels smoother, more even, and healthier in texture. I’m genuinely excited to see the results build with each visit.
For anyone battling pigmentation or melasma—and who appreciates a clinic where the setting is as beautiful as the science—the Fotona 4D Laser at The HVN feels like the perfect marriage of self-care and substance. Plus, Xenia is such a star: I would trust her with all my skin needs. She even emailed me a few times to check in on how my skin was healing, offering really outstanding and compassionate service.
The Details
The HVN, 57–63 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7BF
Fotona laser is £350 per session
