Tried and Tested: A facial that offers real results without pain or downtime
Looking for real results without pain or downtime, Dominique McMullan tries out a facial that promises to deliver on lift, tightness, hydration and exfoliation.
I look after my skin. In fact, it’s probably the only area of my life that I’m pretty consistent with these days. I have reasonably good skin as a result, but I’m also 38, with a five-year-old and a three-year-old, and I’m starting to feel like I need a little extra help. I’m not at the point where I want anything dramatic or painful; I just want something quick and easy that encourages my friends to exclaim, “Look at YOU!” when I walk into a party.
I was lucky enough to experience a HydraTight Facial in the beautiful surrounds of The Fitzgerald Private Clinic on Anne’s Lane, Dublin. This facial is a perfect combination of two powerhouse treatments, the well-loved HydraFacial and Grid Fractional Radiofrequency.
The HydraFacial is known for giving skin a lovely, plump glow and is a great treatment to get ahead of a big event. It works a treat but, while the HydraFacial is amazing for deep cleansing, exfoliating and hydrating your skin, it doesn’t do much when it comes to tightening and lifting, and cards on the table, I would also like a little lift.
Enter Grid Fractional Radiofrequency (GFR, the “tight” part of the HydraTight Facial) – this, ladies and gentlemen, is the game-changer.
WHAT IS GRID FRACTIONAL RADIOFREQUENCY?
Radiofrequency is part of a new family of cutting-edge technologies available in skincare. It uses energy to heat skin to stimulate collagen production, and it’s especially effective in creating that mystical beast – a “snatched” jawline. My jawline and (whisper it, jowls) are the areas I am most conscious of, so the minute I hear that, I’m in.
The GFR is applied through a wand-like device, which is lightly massaged into the skin while delivering a controlled amount of radiofrequency thermal energy. It heats a large volume of collagen in the deeper layers of the skin, causing it to tighten, and, over time, produce new and remodelled collagen. There is no pain and no discomfort. In fact, it feels a lot like a hot stone massage for the face. There is a certain magic in finding an effective but also relaxing treatment.
Next is the multi-modal HydraFacial. With my skin still warm after the GFR, the magical water work begins. A HydraFacial treats the skin with lymphatic drainage, a deep cleanse, gentle exfoliation, a peel to suit my skin type, and delivers heaps of hydration and antioxidants, too.
I add on an optional Dermalux LED Light Therapy session at the end, which uses the three most clinically proven and precise wavelengths: Blue 415nm, Red 633nm and Near Infrared 830nm, all with the latest generation bespoke LEDs. All I need to do is lie in front of the screen as the different wavelengths work their magic to reduce inflammation, stimulate the production of collagen, and destroy any acne-causing bacteria.
There is no pain and no discomfort. In fact, it feels a lot like a hot stone massage for the face. There is a certain magic in finding an effective but also relaxing treatment.
THE RESULTS
My skin feels soft, dewy, healthy and clear immediately after the treatment. There is a little redness, which disappears after about 30 minutes and for the following two weeks, I wear nothing more than SPF, such is the confidence I feel in my skin. The HydraTight Facial is the ultimate feel-good, look-good treatment, and trust me, you’ll walk out of the clinic feeling like you’ve just had the best night’s sleep in years (even if you haven’t).
The HydraTight Facial treatment costs €360; the Dermalux add-on is €50. fitzgeraldprivateclinic.com
Photography by Ruth Maria. This article originally appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of IMAGE.
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