Could the Fotofacial Turn Back Time on Your Skin?

In constant pursuit of turning back time on our skin, is it really possible for skin peels and IPL Photo-rejuvenation treatments to return our skin to it’s natural, glowy, youthful complexion?

I set out to Woodford Medical in London to find out. Carla Pooran, the Senior Aesthetic Therapist, led me through her recommended treatments for my skin during the initial consultation. We decided on two Epionce Skin Peels spaced a month apart with the second peel being stronger than the first and finishing with the IPL Photo-rejuvenation treatment a month after that. The whole process would be spaced over 3 months.

Carla Pooran is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the skin, skincare and the treatments Woodford Medical offer, she clearly loves what she does and her enthusiasm for the products and the treatments was palpable. Her expertise was visible and I felt very safe in her hands as she explained to me how the treatments work and what to expect.

Carla suggested that we begin with the Epionce Lite Refresh Peel so as not to aggravate my skin and to gently prepare it for the following treatments over the next couple of months. This peel is ideal for anyone embarking on a skin peel for the first time. The main benefit of the peel is to enhance skin hydration and encourage cell turnover. I was also instructed that post-treatment I was to use the Epionce Essential Recovery Kit to help look after my skin and to begin a new skincare regime using only Epionce products including: Lytic Gel cleanser, Renewal Lite Facial Lotion, Daily Shield Tinted SPF 50, Lytic TX and Purifying Spot Gel.

The initial peel was pain-free, the most prominent moments being the smell of the salic acid and the cool refreshing, minty-smelling firming mask that was applied at the end. It was the perfect starter peel. After this first treatment my skin felt refreshed and looked bright and clear. The Epionce products that were selected specifically for my skin type helped to control my oily skin and blemishes as I waited for the next session.

I returned a month later for the second stage, the Epionce Lite Refresh Peel and Microdermabrasion. The process was similar, the salic acid felt a little more intense as we had increased the dosage and the microdermobrasion was introduced to help remove dead skin cells to encourage a brighter complexion. It was once again a relaxing and enjoyable experience and I felt no pain. A few days later my skin peeled slightly, so best to leave a few days before a big event when doing this stage of the treatment, otherwise I felt my skin looked fresh and my blemishes appeared reduced.

It was the last stage of the treatment that I was most intrigued by, the IPL Photo-rejuvination treatment, or Fotofacial. Carla had explained to me that one of the best ways to prepare your skin for this final treatment was to begin with the Epionce peels so that your skin is more accustomed to the gradual intensity of the treatments. This time we began again with an Epionce peel and then Carla introduced to me the machine that would deliver direct shots of visible white light onto my blemishes and any pigmentation with the aim to reduce acne, rosacea, pigmentation and any broken capillaries. Basically this machine promised to turn back time on my skin.

After popping on some tiny eye protectors Carla set about firing the bright light darts at my skin. It made me jump. The light was so incredibly bright that even with my eyes squeezed tight I could feel the piercing brightness from behind the little eye shades. It was a fairly intense experience. I did feel some sharp jabs of pain in more sensitive areas of my face but predominantly it was the light that was most uncomfortable. Thankfully, Carla is an expert and the procedure was over after 5 minutes. Immediately after my face was a little red but this disappeared fairly quickly and over the next few days any pigmentation on my skin, such as my freckles darkened before fading away. A couple of months post treatment and my skin has remained glowy with less redness and appears more even. Carla said that with a couple more of the Fotofacial treatments I would see a huge improvement in the texture and clarity of my skin. To be honest, I felt I could see a difference after just one including the Epionce skin peels.

I would highly recommend a visit to Woodford Medical, make sure you ask for Carla, she is truly helpful and she can help create a bespoke treatment that is perfect for your skin type. Turns out these facials really do turn back time.

Epionce Skin Peels start from £120.00 and the Fotofacial from £195.00 to find out more head to Woodford Medical

Words by JESSICA WEIR