The Blurb
The Organic Pharmacy flagship store sits proudly on Cadogan Gardens just off the King’s Road. Championing the natural approach, their products – including my favourite Antioxidant Face Gel & Serum Duo – work wonders whilst using only natural ingredients. Their treatments are of the same ilk: effective, science-backed options selected specifically for those seeking a more natural alternative to invasive skin aesthetics.
I’m no stranger to the more dramatic tweakments. In the name of journalism, I’ve tried it all. However, I’m here for a specific reason: I’ve just undergone a month or so of intense hormone treatments, and my skin is really suffering. Having already put my body through a lot, I have no desire to inject anything else into it. Microneedling feels like the ideal middle ground – a gentle treatment designed to trigger the skin’s natural healing response and revive a tired complexion without harsh chemicals or fillers.
A bonus to this treatment was that, having previously visited the clinic to try Lumecca Laser for my melasma (which is a constant, uphill battle to manage), I’m pleasantly surprised to learn that microneedling also works wonders for pigmentation and dark spots. It appears to be the gift that keeps on giving…
The Process
The session itself is far more comfortable than I imagined: I’m greeted with a sound just like an electric razor, and the sensation is best described as a close shave, just ever so slightly more prickly.
Every microneedling session I’ve done has felt different, from the machine itself, to whether they use numbing cream, to the depth of the needles. As I don’t have anything like acne scars (which would require something over 1mm to make an impact), we keep the discomfort to a minimum and stay around the 0.5mm mark, which helps with surface-level fine lines and gives my tired skin an overall refresh.
The good thing about the machine they use here is that you can adjust the settings incredibly easily, allowing the sensitive areas to be treated as well. I’ve historically found under-eye treatments deeply uncomfortable. Still, this light setting is surprisingly bearable (and very safe), and my nose, neglected and prone to blocked pores, is grateful to be included. We decide to treat the neck too, as it’s so often forgotten about, but just as important for long-term skin maintenance.
Before leaving, I’m given strict aftercare instructions to avoid retinol and active ingredients while my skin barrier recovered. Usually, just water is advised for cleansing on the day of the treatment, but because I have an hour-long commute on the Tube right after, I’m advised to go with a very gentle cleanser before bed to remove the city grime gently – thank goodness!
My skin looks red for a couple of hours post-treatment, so I look a bit sunburnt on the journey home. I then wake up a teeny bit pink, but nothing I’d be embarrassed about going to the shops bare-faced with.
The Results
It’s been two weeks, and though the full results are meant to show a couple of months down the line, my complexion already looks visibly brighter, smoother, and far more refreshed. It’s given my skin the exact boost it needs to recover without anything more invasive, which is exactly what I was after.
The Details
The Skin Reboot Microneedling Facial With Neck is £250 per session, with 3-5 sessions recommended for the best results.
The Organic Pharmacy, 43 Cadogan Gardens, London SW3 2TB
