WHAT IS IT:
The 5-Phase HydraTouch Facial is a non-invasive, multi-layer, medical facial that uses a HydraTouch machine which combines hydra-dermabrasion, chemical resurfacing, skin tightening and transdermal mesotherapy with electroporation and photodynamic therapy. Together these techniques aim to tighten, resurface and hydrate skin as well as address signs of ageing such as fine lines, puffiness, age spots, mild sagging, dehydration and congestion.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
On arrival at the Skin Renewal branch, I was greeted by calming, golden interiors and a warm group of staff who guided me through filling out an extensive patient form prior to the treatment. This documented preferences, skin concerns or health issues to be aware of. As I was ushered into the treatment room, the therapist gave me a brief outline of what the treatment entails, what each step is for and had me sign a consent form, giving her permission to touch me and perform the treatment.
THE EXPERIENCE:
The treatment starts off with a two-part deep cleansing of the skin. The first is a standard soapy cleanse to remove any dirt or makeup. The second is done by hydra-dermabrasion using distilled water dispensed through a suction pen device. The pen is guided over the face approximately three times using light upward strokes, while the distilled water is pushed through the pen onto the skin and simultaneously suctioned off. The pen feels cold to the touch with a slightly scratchy, sucking feeling but is not painful.
During this process, the therapist also administers two chemical peel infusions; the first with AHA and the second with BHA as well as a moisture infusion that uses pure hyaluronic acid to put hydration back into the skin. The diluted peels are gentle so no discomfort, flaking or peeling is expected.
Then the therapist applies a sonar gel to the face and uses an electroporation device in conjunction with a hydrating serum and glides it over the skin to work on the deeper layers, using a blend of electroporation and photodynamic therapy. You might doze off at this point as the device feels like a cool metal face massager on the skin and is very relaxing.
You may, however, experience a slight tingle at first, similar to ants walking on your face as the device penetrates. The therapist then uses a skin tightening device - which also feels like a cool metal face massager - with electrical pulses to help tighten skin. Expect muscles to spasm as the device goes over bony facial contours like the brow bone, cheeks and jaw.
Lastly, the therapist applies a cold alginate mask, which starts off as a thick liquid and gradually sets into a jelly-like mask on the skin. Before applying the mask, she asked if I would be comfortable with it being applied over my closed eyes and mouth, in case of possible claustrophobic feelings. Once I agreed, she applied the gel over my whole face, including eyes and mouth, leaving just my nostrils open for breathing calmly through my nose. While the mask sets, the therapist gives a super relaxing neck and shoulder massage. Once set, the mask is removed, revealing drenched, super-soft skin.
THE VERDICT:
This is definitely not your average facial. Although it is recommended to have eight to 12 treatments for optimal results, immediately after the treatment my skin felt noticeably more hydrated, radiant, smoother and refreshed. For the next few days my skin felt more supple and hydrated; it also had a continuous glow and there was no irritation or peeling.
In some cases, you can expect the skin to purge impurities to the surface and breakouts to occur, but this is not likely. It is recommended that you do not cleanse your skin on the day of the facial and only use your regular skincare routine products again the next morning. Try to avoid actives, such as retinol, or exfoliating for about a week to give skin time to adequately adjust and renew.
• 5-Phase HydraTouch Facial 1,695 skinrenewal.co.za
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