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Lunchtime laser facials - the lowdown
Aesthetic and machine / tech led beauty treatments are becoming more and more popular, people are looking for results rather than pampering more than ever before. This combined with a trend of people wanting faster, quicker treatments has left to a growth in ‘lunchtime lift’ treatments - quick treatments that promise big results.
One of the most popular of these (aside from LED) is a lunchtime laser facial which uses the Harmony ClearLift™, a non ablative laser which promises to to resurface, lift and rejuvenate the face, neck and decolletage in under an hour. This laser uses beams of light to mimic a wound and put your skin cells into repair mode.
What it promises:
1. Fast treatment time - No topical numbing is required and the treatment takes less than hour
2. Virtually painless - Most clients report a comfortable experience
3. No downtime - No redness, clients can go back to their daily life, hence being called a lunchtime treatment
How it works:
The low-energy laser works at a dermal skin layer, which where the collagen and elastin are found, rather than stripping away the outer layer of your skin, hence no downtime and no redness.
The ClearLift™ uses a specially designed fractional Q-Switched laser to achieve a deep mechanical effect, focusing the energy beneath the epidermis. This creates a controlled dermal wound while leaving the epidermis intact. The wound healing process stimulates growth of new collagen which plumps out fine lines and tightens and lifts the skin.
What it feels like:
The treatments begins with a double cleanse but your eye makeup can stay on. You are given some eye coverings (to protect your eyes from the laser) and your hairline is well covered. The therapist then fires up the machine and start running it over your face small section by small section, to keep control. Be warned, the laser does singe your facial hair and any remaining makeup on your skin so there is a slight burnt-hair smell throughout the treatment but it’s not unpleasant.
It’s not a really relaxing treatment, the machine beeps its way across my face, sounding like a mosquito zapper and there is some warm prickly heat type feel but it’s not uncomfortable. Because it’s a laser it can burn so you need to have a constant dialogue with your therapist to ensure you’re not getting any hot spots and that you’re getting the best treatment for your skin - i.e if you don’t feel uncomfortable you could ramp up the power etc, everyone has different skin and tolerances.
Does it work:
Straight after treatment, my skin was a little irritated but I frequently have histamine reactions to treatments. The next day I could tell a difference, the results were subtle but I could see an improved skin firmness, lift and tone, especially around my jawline. I definitely had a fresh glow too, tauter, more radiant skin. As with many result focused treatments, a course of six treatments are recommended, two weeks apart.
Any risks / downsides?
There are risks as soon as you are working with lasers, please make sure that whomever is treating you is thoroughly trained with the equipment and they have a level 4 in laser qualification. Also, you need to have a patch test 24 hours prior to treatment to ensure you don’t react to the laser and to make sure you are suitable for the treatment. There are also various contraindications for the treatment and your therapist should take a detailed medical history prior to treatment.
My verdict:
I like this treatment but I’m not wild about it, if my skin was prone to breakouts I’d have it regularly as the light vaporizes bacteria on the skin making it a useful treatment for acne sufferers. If my melasma was less of an issue and I was only contending with mild pigmentation issues then I may have a course to even out my skin tone - but in it’s current state it’s going to take a lot more than a mild laser to sort it out!
Where can I go?
I had mine at EF MEDISPA as part of a training day but you can also trial this treatment at the Skin Laundry clinic in Liberty London