From Mesotherapy To Microcurrent: Vogue's Guide To The Latest Advanced Facial Therapies

Jun 26, 2023

By Jessica Diner

What is it for? Breakout-prone skin

The ultimate exfoliating experience, a hydrafacial involves a high-speed water-jet pen that gently yet thoroughly cleanses your face – unclogging pores and removing any debris that it comes into contact with (images of a power-jet car wash come to mind). The treatment is then followed by lymphatic drainage, a chemical peel, a soothing serum and a dose of anti-bacterial LED light – the upshot of which is that dead layers of skin are removed, luminosity is restored and the face is left feeling squeaky clean. It’s highly recommended if you are having a breakout, or just suffering from a lacklustre complexion and in need of a refresh.

Visit Mallucci London, from £200.

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What is it for? A bit of everything…

There are myriad lasers to choose from for beautifying purposes, a fact that can often lead to confusion about which one to try. While it goes without saying that visiting a reputable clinic or doctor is the first step in the process, research is always advisable. There is the anti-acne Nd:YAG laser treatment, which is ideal for removing bacteria from pores; or Laser Genesis, which sublimely smooths on the outside and encourages collagen production on the inside. Then there are more powerful options, such as Fraxel, to thoroughly resurface the skin (this often requires some downtime while the redness fades). Whichever you choose, don’t underestimate the effectiveness of laser therapy – a laser session can transform good skin into really great skin.

Visit D Thomas Clinic for Nd:YAG, from £145; Dr Maryam Zamani for Laser Genesis, from £800; Dr Sebagh for Fraxel, from £600.

What is it for? A radiance boost

Non-invasive light therapy treatments are an ideal choice for those who are on-the-go (a pick-me-up session can be done in just 15 minutes) and in need of instant results with no downtime. It’s also suitable for a wealth of skin conditions, depending on the type of light you opt for. Blue is known for its calming, soothing and antibacterial properties, which makes it ideal for acne sufferers; red can boost healing and promote radiance; and yellow is anti-inflammatory and excellent for energising skin cells and making them communicate better with one another. What’s especially great about this treatment is that it can be used on any skin type, even the most sensitive, and it has positive side effects – including mood-lifting and stress-busting.

Visit The Light Salon at Harvey Nichols and Hershesons, from £35.

What is it for? A plump, juicy glow

By Radhika Seth

By Hannah Coates

By Emma Spedding

Mesotherapy is an entry-level injectable – not especially painful, it’s best described as a sort of souped-up microneedling. It delivers a rejuvenating cocktail of vitamins, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants – which will vary depending on your skin’s needs – via an air-pressure gun with a microneedle attached to the end of it. These tiny punctures all over the face drive the “meso mix” right under the skin’s surface, where it needs to be. The results? An unparalleled glow, both instantly, as the revitalising fluid literally plumps up skin from the inside, but also long-term, as it encourages the regeneration of collagen and elastin production. To maximise the treatment’s benefits, book in for a course of three initially, and then make quarterly appointments after that – you won’t look back.

Visit Dr Dray Clinic, from £200.

What is it for? Firming and lifting

If you ever feel as though you would like your face to revert back to being half an inch or so “higher”, then microcurrents are the treatment for you. Pioneering the notion of an electrical facial workout, this type of treatment still remains the most effective method of awakening skin. Using electrical currents, facial muscles are invigorated in a way that means the face becomes perkier and tighter – as any muscles in the body might do after a workout. While the results are not necessarily long lasting (like any workout plan) the most effective way to use microcurrent treatments and keep skin as toned as possible is to commit to it little and often. Also try the FaceGym Pro Tool, £429, to maintain results at home between sessions.

Visit FaceGym for Signature Electrical Facial Workout, from £85.

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What is it for? Intense hydration

Dubbed “injectable skincare”, Profhilo has fast become the treatment of choice in the cosmetic industry, owing to its all-important molecule – hyaluronic acid. Injecting this clever ingredient – which occurs naturally in the body – into five key points on each side of the face helps spread the hydrating substance under the skin’s surface, stimulating collagen production for a complexion that is plumped and firmed up from the inside out. Quick and relatively pain-free (little bumps at the injection sites disappear soon after), the whole treatment takes about 15 minutes – and it’s advisable to have a follow-up one month later as a booster. However, unlike other injectables, the results aren’t immediately visible. It takes time for the skin’s natural synthesis to get going but, once it does, it will keep improving over time, with supreme radiance the result.

By Radhika Seth

By Hannah Coates

By Emma Spedding

Visit Dr Michael Prager, from £595.

This article was originally published in the November 2019 issue of British Vogue.