Microdermabrasion Facials

By Aveda

Price: £81 for 60 minutes

Stockist: Aveda

Best for: Skin which is in good condition but just needs a boost.

Tester’s skin type - normal
The spa
Aveda’s salon-spa had a great vibe, the cafe was bustling with people meeting for lunch, and having their hair and nails done in the hair salon.
The consultation
I was taken from the bustling hub of the salon to a quiet treatment room where I filled out a questionnaire about my skin and general health, while the therapist soaked, scrubbed and massaged my feet!
The facial
I was covered in warm towels and made to feel really comfortable before the treatment started. I was then asked to choose an oil I would like to be used on me during the treatment, this involved inhaling deeply while smelling differently scented oils. Rather than a microdermabrasion machine, Aveda’s resurfacing facial involved a natural scrub to help remove the dead skin cells.
The extras
I was given a cleansing massage before the exfoliating treatment, followed by a steamer which was placed over my face, this was slightly uncomfortable but only lasted 5 minutes. My face was also covered in hot flannels and then moisturised. During the procedure my feet, shoulders and head were massaged which was immense!
The result
My skin was smooth and radiant straight after the treatment. I was worried I may breakout but it had the complete opposite effect, my skin is clearer than ever – I feel like I haven’t had to use any foundation to cover imperfections and everyone kept commenting on how fresh my skin looks!

By Bliss London

Price: £183.90 for 105 minutes

Stockist: Bliss London

Best for: intense microdermabrasion with all the decadence of a luxury facial.

The Bliss spa is one of London’s best: bright, chic and with friendly and professional staff. Treatment rooms are secluded are peaceful making this a great, central location for an intense treatment such as the Steep Clean micro-dermabrasian facial. Click here read a review of the Bliss spa
During a pre treatment consultation and skin assessment, therapists explain the procedure and let you know exactly what to expect. This is important if you’re a microdermabrasion first timer: these are no ordinary facials.
A mask is then applied to soften skin for the microdermabrasion, which at Bliss Spa is done using a machine (this is tested on your inner arm first so you’ll know exactly how it’s going to feel on the face).
Next you’ll don a shower cap and ear plugs (this is some serious buffing!) and the machine gets to work, starting on the lowest setting and building up to a more intense level for problem areas like scars or pigmentation. The buffing does feel exactly as it sounds – like having your face sandpapered! Not the most relaxing treatment in the world, but not exactly painful either.
This facial is over an hour long and by the end of it you’ll feel sore, like you have sun burn. The soothing mask that is now applied for ten minutes definitely helps, as does the second and final mask during which your face is wrapped in film and hot towels and you’re treated to a hand, foot, neck and shoulder massage.
By the time you leave Bliss, all redness has disappeared and skin is super soft, radient and glowing.

By Elemis

Price: £118 (course of four required)

Stockist: Elemis

Best for: Mature, congested and blemished skin.
The Tri-enzyme Resurfacing Facial promises much: anti-ageing benefits, diminished fine lines and even improved skin tone. It’s a gentle skin peel which is done in three stages and is best undertaken as a course of facials – rather than a one off -  to reap the full benefits. Elemis recommend six facials, one every three weeks for optimum results, but even after one visit we found skin felt smoother and revitalised with no redness or post treatment blotches

By Harley Medical

Price: £95 for 30 minutes

Stockist: Harley Medical

Best for: An instant boost

Harley Medical is a smart surgery, not at all like a spa or a salon, which should fill you with confidence if you are in any way worried by a treatment that’s described as medical.
A pre facial consultation will asses your skin’s health (at Harley Medical spots are called ‘active areas’) and also explain the procedure and any possible side effects you may experience.
Once make-up is removed, a gel is applied to soften the skin and disinfect the surface before the microdermabrasion begins.  A machine then works like a small vacuum, buffing the top layers of the skin away by circulating fine crystals, and at the same time sucking debris back up into the vacuum. It’s not a painful procedure but is abrasive and an odd sensation at first.
Post treatment, skin is red but not sore or sensitive. You need to spend the rest of the day product and make-up free and the next day your face should be smooth and glowing. This is not a miracle facial but for problematic skin will help blemishes, dry out spots and even out skin. A one-off treatment is a great boost for dull blemished skin and for deeper problems like scarring, pigmentation or acne a course of six is recommended.

By Renew Medica

Price: £90 for 30 minutes

Stockist: Renew Medica

Best for: People with problem skin.

Renew Medica Spas are clinical yet welcoming and friendly. Your pre treatment consultation is kept brief and is focused on any skin problems rather than what the facial entails and what you can expect the results to be.
Like many spas Renew Medica use a buffing tool for their microdermabrasian facial. This is a small wand containing micro-beads which polishes and buffs the top layers of the skin. As you can imagine, this is not a relaxing procedure, it takes some getting used to and is more like an intense almost medical procedure. Afterwards skin feels raw and sore so this is definitely a facial only worth undergoing if you suffer with specific skin issues like pigmentation, ageing and scarring. Toner is applied afterwards to help soothe skin, which undeniably looks and feels smoother. However don’t expect miracles after one 30 minute treatment, instead try a course of three taken every 3-5 weeks for maximum effect.
Note - different skins react in different ways and some people may experience break outs, however 5-7 days later this should clear.

By The Sanctuary

Price: £125 for 85 minutes

Stockist: The Sanctuary

Best for: great value

The Sanctuary is one of London’s most well known women’s day spas, offering good value for money treatments in a lively yet relaxing, urban, city-centre setting. This is not an exclusive or super-deluxe spa, but a fantastic place to hang out with girlfriends and indulge in some pampering and great food
The Sanctuary’s Chroma Oxy Ultimate facial is an intense treatment designed to deliver results for those with problem and blemished skin.
The pre treatment consultation is thorough and your therapist will even photograph your skin to assess sun damage and collagen levels. You’ll be shown this on a computer and given print outs to take home as a worrying reminder to protect your skin at all times.
The facial begins with cleansing after which the microdermabrasion machine sets to work, exfoliating and buffing the surface of the skin. It’s not what you would call relaxing and can be uncomfortable so the cooling mask that is then applied, and the shoulder and neck massage you’ll be treated to while it’s left on all help to make you feel pampered. In addition oxygen is pumped into pores plumping up the skin.
Skin feels softer and revived although for sensitive skin this particular treatment can be a little harsh and we would recommend it for problem skin only.