Beauty therapists always look like walking advertisements for their own services. They don’t overdo it - no frozen face or filler lips - and manage to look fresh and glowing.
But what treatments do they use? We at the Irish Mirror asked the experts to reveal their skincare secrets.
At Therapie Clinic, skin specialist Audrey Kavanagh uses the “non-surgical facelift” Potenza. Kim Kardashian calls it a "game changer", while Lindsey Lohan said she is “obsessed”.
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What is Potenza? “It’s a combination of micro-needling and radio frequency. It improves skin texture, shrinks pores and diminishes scars. It’s known as a non-surgical facelift," said Audrey.
Audrey, 51, used to get botox three times a year, but since using Potenza only gets it once a year. At the Therapie Clinic on Molesworth Street in Dublin, Audrey prepped my face with gel and used a handheld device on my face and neck.
The device is attached to a machine called Cynosure. It has ultra-fine needles and heat to penetrate the top layer of skin and trigger the body’s natural healing process' to produce new collagen and elastin.
“Unlike other skin treatments, these treatments work on all skin types, anytime of the year.”
It was a little stingy, but like all things, it’s fleeting and the promise of great skin makes it all worthwhile. Audrey warned me not to put any makeup on my face or go swimming for a few days, as my pores are open and bacteria could get in.
Audrey suggests using peptides to repair the skin afterwards and retinol, antioxidants and SPF. For best results, you get three treatments over a six-month period. It takes around two to four months to see the ultimate effects of collagen tightening.
Depending on your skin and how you look after it, one treatment every three to six months is perfect thereafter. This treatment is great for all skin tones and textures, but especially those with early-to-moderate signs of ageing (40s is a good time).
She said: "It fills a 'treatment gap' for patients who have early loss of collagen and elastin, who want to maximise their appearance without surgical intervention."
Potenza is available at Therapie clinics across Ireland from €495 for one session and €885 for three sessions.
Elaine Butler Doolin, 51, owner of Bespoke Beauty in Dublin, recommends the Bespoke Superskin sculpting facial.
“I use it myself because it is packed full of vitamins, proteins and stem cells to keep my skin looking flawless. I have sensitive/combination skin that can be prone to redness so I need products that calm and desensitise, as well as keeping my skin looking good with or without makeup.”
Elaine - who has over 30 years of experience in the beauty business - said it's perfect when she needs something cleansing, refreshing and instantly boosting.
Each treatment takes around an hour. It sculpts the face and neck, and combines hyluronic serum, collagen and peptides delivered by Meso Vytal and lymphatic massage.
The Bespoke Superskin Sculpting Facial is available for €230 and on Special for €140 for anyone that quotes this article, she said.
At the Belfast Skin Clinic, medical director Pamela McHenry uses a CosMedix peel, which is infused with Vitamin A LED and can be used on sensitive skin unlike some chemical peels.
Victoria Beckham and Hailey Bieber are fans. It's ideal for anti-ageing, brightening, skin rejuvenation and redness and rosacea. It’s great for all skin types, but generally used by women between 40 and 50.
“There’s very little downtime, which is great. You just have to ensure you apply SPF50 and mineral make-up for the first 3 days," said Pamela. The peel generally takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes and costs €140.
Prof Caitriona Ryan, consultant dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists in Blackrock Clinic knows the science of good skin. She advises Secret PRO.
“It is the best rejuvenation, tightening and anti-ageing cosmetic treatment I’ve ever had.”
It stimulates collagen production, reduces wrinkles, tightens skin and reduces puffiness. "Secret PRO combines CO2 laser energy for skin resurfacing, and radio frequency micro-needling for deep dermal remodelling. The effects are phenomenal, and you only have to do it once every few years."
But, she says, you don’t want to plan anything in the days after the procedure. "Your skin will be red for a few days, so you won’t want to leave the house. Thankfully it's worth it."
Secret RF micro-needling and CO2 skin resurfacing cost €1,500 for one session. For more details go to www.instituteofdermatologists.ie
