Monday, March 14, 2016

Intraderma - Lincoln: Review



When you live in a small city, you soon hear about new places opening and I was really excited to hear about a new company coming to our city late last year, offering facials with a BIG difference.

Intraderma Lincoln opened in September and when I heard about their oxygen facials I was intrigued! Luckily for me, I was kindly invited along recently for a consultation and treatment - unsurprisingly I jumped at the chance for a pampering, though I had no clue what to expect, I couldn't wait to venture inside and have a little 'me time'.

Quite often with product based reviews, in the anticipation of the products arrival I like to read other reviews to get a rough idea of what's to come. With this review though, I knew it was more results based and really wanted to go along with a totally open mind, as well as very little idea of what was in store as I wanted the full customer experience.


The Consultation


Before getting to work, I sat with the guys from Intraderma to establish firstly what my main skin issues are and secondly which products would be best suited for my needs. This consultation would then indicate which serum would need to be used in the oxygen facial itself. It's free to have a consultation, so well worth popping in for a chat.

My main areas of concern are my fine lines and wrinkles, ageing of the skin (I'm 32 next month), dark areas under my eyes and a general tired and dry look to my skin. It was decided that the 'Opulence' range would be best suited for me and I was introduced to the products.

OPULENCE: ILLUMINATE - BRIGHTEN - TIGHTEN


"Ideal for uneven dull spotty skin tone. Brightens and smoothes the look of the skin to reveal a lighter brighter appearance. The ultimate solution for skin that lacks radiance."

My first try of the products themselves came with a demonstration on the back of my hand where the skin is very dry and thin looking. The Opulence three part system was applied and the difference was incredible - it looked like my hand was ten years younger, the skin was plump and fresh and re-hydrated with a youthful glow. If this is what it could do to my shabby old hands, I couldn't wait to see what it would do to my poor neglected face! I wonder if they'd let me bathe in it?



The Treatment

For the treatment itself we made our way from the main 'shop' to a side room with a treatment bed, shelves with towels etc and then of course the machine that would be doing the magic - The Intraceuticals Face & Body System.

The applicator looks similar to an airbrush gun and the room itself was calm, extremely clean and relaxing (it smelt really nice too). I was told to get ready by putting my belongings away and lowering the straps on my top so the face and neck could be accessed easily. I was also given a super warm fluffy blanket to snuggle under to keep me warm. Heaven!

My hair was kept out the way with a towelling band and I was all ready to rumble.


I had the whole thing explained to me very well to start with, I'm not sure I'm the best at explaining it so I will let you read the full details here, but I will try and explain it as best I can.

The process started with a deep cleanse of my skin. Any makeup and grime lurking in my pores were blasted out ready to apply the serum itself.

The serum is carried deep into the skin by the oxygen bubbles meaning you can treat the skin a lot deeper and more thoroughly than your usual run of the mill facial can. This is definitely no run of the mill facial! The main difference between this and your usual pamper facial is that this is all about the results instead of being more about the relaxation, warm towels, music etc. This is about reducing those wrinkles, giving those problem areas a boost of youth juice and seeing instant results that get better with time. Despite this, I actually found this so so relaxing, probably more so than a normal facial as I enjoyed the feeling of the oxygen gun on my skin and the meticulous brush strokes back and forth; It felt like my wrinkles were being rubbed out and I enjoyed it from start to finish.

I felt completely relaxed and for some reason had none of that 'awkward' feeling I have in a spa environment, I loved that this was a bit more clinical and professional at the same time as being therapeutic.

It's really hard to explain what this feels like on your skin but its really nice like a tiny cold jet of air going back and fourth as if it was colouring in the skin - it felt amazing.


The Results



Now the important bit, did it work? 

I was really surprised to see that there was an instant difference in the wrinkles under my eyes and the biggest difference was in the frown crease at the top of my nose (the one that makes me look like an angry old lady!). The wrinkles were plumped nicely and my skin just looked so much younger and healthier, it's no wonder this is so popular with celebs like the Beckham's (they have their own machine!) and Kim Kardashian. The treatment was stopped halfway and I could see an instant lift in my brow area and shallowing of the lines.

I was told that the results on my first treatment would last around a week, but after each treatment the results last roughly twice as long, so next time it would last two weeks, the third time a month etc etc. I was also told that the results get better after a day and after two days I would see really good results, which is why a lot of people will have this done in the week so they are fully fresh and full of youth juice for the weekends shenanigans. For me I think the best results came after a couple of days, but were even better after a week and have remained pretty good since (around three weeks).

I have been really pleased with my results and only wish I had taken better pictures before hand to show the difference, but it has been so much fresher and my makeup has been really easy to apply (and I also don't need to use as much!) which is a great improvement from my dry tired looking skin. The day after my visit, I got asked for ID whilst buying my husband a beer, I haven't been asked for a good couple of years so I like to think this is thanks to my fresher looking skin! If not, then a happy coincidence.

I was sent home with samples of the three step system to use twice daily to continue the treatment, I have been using it and the products are absolutely lovely, no residue, no grease, just healthy fresh looking skin. A few weeks on and my skin is still massively clearer and fresher than before my treatment. My spots have pretty much gone and it all just feels younger and in much better condition.

Intraderma in Lincoln is the flagship store in the UK for Intraceuticals, as usual we are way behind the USA and this will be huge anytime soon I'm sure. This treatment would have cost £80 but there are so many options available and I also noticed a new 30 minute oxygen facial, perfect for lunch breaks. I can't think of any better way to treat yourself - or be treated!

A big thumbs up for Intraderma Lincoln. I could not fault the cleanliness and tidiness of the shop and rooms, the products are all displayed beautifully among fresh flowers and the staff were just lovely in every way. I felt a warm welcome as soon as I entered the shop, they were kind and polite, didn't shudder at my terribly dry, pale skin and treated me to the most perfect customer service. I perhaps would have been a bit apprehensive to walk in off the street (I am pretty shy), but once you go in that door I promise it's not as daunting as it looks and you will be so pleased that you did.

To find out more about the treatments and products of offer you can visit the Intraderma website here. Have you tried an oxygen facial yet?

I am so happy with the results of my treatment and three step
products at home! Big thanks to Intraderma!





Disclosure: I was given sample products and a treatment in exchange for an honest review, all words, thoughts and images are my own - it was great!