Tried and tested: the Obagi Blue Peel Radiance Facial for perkier skin

Walking into the Fitzgerald Private Clinic, discreetly hidden just off Dublin’s Grafton Street, you immediately know you’re in for something special. The interior fit-out, designed by Kingston Lafferty Design, is like nothing else in Ireland. It’s no surprise, then, to learn that the space was one of the only Irish winners in the prestigious Dezeen People’s Choice Awards 2021. The combination of polished concrete, marble, brass, terrazzo, mirror and plush pile fabrics creates a beguiling sensory experience.

But in case you thought that might indicate style over substance, think again. The clinic is founded and run by Dr Deirdre Fitzgerald, a consultant facial plastic surgeon and aesthetic medical doctor who boasts more letters after her name than there are counties in Ireland. The Dublin clinic opened in early 2020 and has quickly gained a firm following, thanks in no small part to the precedent for excellence set by its sister clinic, open since 2014, in Letterkenny. Sister in every sense – as it is run by Deirdre’s sister Dr Róisín Fitzgerald, also a highly qualified doctor and advanced medical aesthetic trainer.

On the day I visit, I get a one-to-one skin consultation with Deirdre. Of course, the first thing I do is clock how her own skin looks… it’s flawless. But not Real Housewives of Beverly Hills flawless. Although in her early-forties, Deirdre’s skin is softly freckled, fresh and remarkably youthful and natural looking.

The Fitzgerald sisters have built up a reputation for a lighter approach to medical aesthetics, and this comes through as we chat. I explain I haven’t gone down the Botox route (yet); not that I have any overt aversion to it. But I have quite a large and prominent forehead and fear I might end up looking like Megamind (albeit minus the cerulean complexion) – all giant, shiny, bowling ball brow. But I am dismayed by the amount of lines and the general ageing “sag” of my skin.

Deirdre explains that with skin over 40, it is the quality and texture of the skin that makes us look older rather than the number of lines or wrinkles per se. The natural drop in collagen as we age results in lacklustre, dull and slack skin. Having diagnosed some specific areas of rosacea also, she advises I focus on getting my skin health up to scratch first and then we can see what small amount of Botox I might want (or not). I love her moderate approach. We will start with a medical-grade peel – an Obagi Blue Peel Radiance – followed by a few sessions of microneedling and then re-address.

Moving into the treatment room, I’m greeted by senior therapist Jade Guidon, who wraps me up in a cocoon on the bed. After a cleanse and tone, she gradually applies four layers of the Obagi peel. I have had peels before but this did feel different – significantly stronger and more active. As she applies each new layer, Jade passes me a mini handheld fan to keep my face cool, and I’m glad of it. But as she lifts a mirror, I’m surprised to see my skin is not even red at all.

To finish, Jade applies Calecim Professional Serum and Obagi Hydrate. Calecim is something of a miracle product that the Fitzgerald Clinic is one of only a few clinics in Ireland to offer. That evening, I am literally glowing. My skin has never felt softer or smoother; it’s full-on perky – that’s how I’d describe it. Two days later, some superficial peeling did occur, but on the evening of the facial, my make-up glided on, and I felt the boost in every step I took.

Obagi Blue Peel Radiance Facial, €180, fitzgeraldprivateclinic.com.

This article originally appeared in the Winter issue of IMAGE Magazine.Have you thought about becoming an IMAGE subscriber? Our Print & Digital subscribers receive all four issues of IMAGE Magazine and two issues of IMAGE Interiors directly to their door along with access to all premium content on IMAGE.ie and a gorgeous welcome gift worth €60 from The Handmade Soap Company. Visit here to find out more about our IMAGE subscription packages.