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Fashion Voyeur

People will stare, make it worth their while.

Categories: Beauty, Fashion, Uncategorized

How To Find An Awesome Aesthetics Practitioner

The aesthetics business is booming right now and the rise in so called “Selfie Surgery” is fuelling that boom.  From minor ‘tweakments’ to full scale surgery, it’s never been more normal, or accepted to admit that you’ve had work done.  What was once only accessible to the rich and famous has hit the mainstream and I can guarantee that you already know someone who’s dabbled in the world of aesthetic treatment, whether you know it or not.  It’s no longer about looking ‘done’, just as fashion has trends, so does the beauty industry and within that, the aesthetic industry.  In the 90’s Pamela Anderson appeared on the scene with her surgically enhanced breasts and the silicone era was born, today’s version is Kylie Jenner, with her plump lips and crease free face, she’s the poster child for an industry that we hold up as the Holy Grail.

two images of Kylie Jenner side by side showing the pre and post effects of her facial aesthetic treatments

But can we really turn back time, or at least hit the snooze button for a little while, using just a needle?  Well, yes as it turns out.  When you seek out advice from an Aesthetic Doctor it’s completely bespoke to your face structure and needs, it’s not like taking a prescription medication which is prescribed universally for a particular set of symptoms.  That’s the reason it’s important to do your research if you are planning on looking into taking the injectables route, the Safety in Beauty Campaign seeks to highlight the difficulties in regulating the industry and ensuring that practice is safe.  Nobody wants to end up on Botched Bodies and there are a few things you can do to prevent that from happening:

1. Only seek treatment from a qualified doctor, nurse prescriber or dentist to ensure that your practitioner has a medical background and a knowledge of facial structure and dynamics.

2. Beauty Therapists, no matter what they claim, are not trained medically, and if something does go wrong, they can’t prescribe the product used to treat and dissolve filler.  In fact there is a national campaign gathering momentum to call for a halt on this type of medical practice taking place outside of a medical environment.

3. Have a clear idea of what it is you want to achieve, rather than the product you want to use.  Just because a product worked for someone else, it doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you, your practitioner will look at your facial structure and help you to decide.  Sometimes filler can be used to slim down other areas, it’s not always injectable toxin you need.

4. Be prepared to hear “No”.  A good aesthetic doctor won’t be afraid to turn you away if treatment really isn’t necessary.

5. Don’t have unrealistic expectations, if you’re 46, you won’t leave the clinic looking 26.

I’m no stranger to the odd tweakment, I’ve been having Botox injections for almost two years now, I was probably late to the game at my age (the average age that women to begin aesthetic treatment in the UK is now just 22) but it’s something I’m happy with and planning to continue.  I have an inherited forehead line that completely disappears around two weeks post treatment and looking back at pictures from as little as two years ago and seeing how much I’ve managed to change and control that particular facial dynamic using a minimally invasive procedure is seriously impressive.  To me anyway.  The fashion industry is cut-throat, youth is its currency and everywhere you look there are examples of good and bad aesthetic treatment, the chances are, you only ever notice the bad.

One of the most important things to remember if you are making inquiries about possible aesthetic treatment, whether it’s dermal filler, lip filler or wrinkle relaxing treatments, my advice is the same:  cheap treatment doesn’t mean you’re getting a bargain.  Seriously, those FaceBook ads you see advertising lip filler or wrinkle relaxing treatments for an unbelievably affordable price, can come with a hefty hidden cost.  You’re literally putting your face on the line here, the first thing people see when they look at you, your shop front as it were.  Do research, look at previous work, ask about medical qualifications and whether they’re equipped to manage you as a case should things go wrong.  If somebody claims that things “never go wrong” alarm bells should be ringing.  Like any surgical procedure in a hospital, aesthetic treatments, although minimally invasive, are still medical procedures and yes, things can occasionally go wrong.  What you need to be sure of, is that if you happen to be one of those people in the minority, are they able to treat you effectively.

The biggest change in my own face has been through growing in my eyebrows with the assistance of a (private) prescription only product called Lumigan.  You’ll have seen me raving about Lumigan on here and on social media but I can’t begin to communicate just how effective it is, without showing you.

An image of Blogger Pixie Tenenbaum leaving the gym showing a lined forehead and sparse brows pre-treatment
An image of Blogger pixie Tenenbaum leaving the gym looking line free and fresh faced in 2018

The picture on the left is pre-botox and mega brows (obvs) and was taken in 2016 as I was leaving the gym, the picture on the right was taken a few days ago (2018), also leaving the gym.  Neither image is posed for or altered in any way.  Big difference right?  See my point is, if you are planning on traversing the aesthetics slope, then the best way to do it is to look hard at yourself and only treat the bits that matter, don’t jump on the bandwagon to follow a trend just because somebody else is doing it.  Aesthetics is about you, and you alone.  You can’t change yourself to be someone else.

Of course, you could always adopt the Ru Paul mantra “If you don’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” and embrace what you already have….

P x

Categories: Beauty, Pixie

The Secret to Growing in Showstopping Brows

This is the one you’ve been waiting for Voyeurs, the secret to my awesome brows…

I pick up a lot of compliments on my brows and with the hell I’ve put them through over the years they deserve every goddamn nice word they get.  I was a motherplucker in the 90’s, I didn’t go to quite the same extreme as Kate moss or Pamela Anderson but I definitely veered into apostrophe territory and for some reason they ended up way shorter overall than they should have been.

Kate Moss holding her ponytail over her haid looking sideways, early 90's
90’s Kate Moss
Pamela Anderson on a beach, early 90's wearing double denim
90’s Pamela Anderson

Now if you know anything about the laws of hair then you will know this:  The hair you want never grows, and the hair you don’t want grows at a rate of knots unless you intervene.  Ergo, the hair on my head is never as long as I would like, my eyebrows never grew back on their own, and my bush sprouts like wildfire.  In terms of growing back lost eyebrow hair, they definitely need an assist.

The arrival of Cara Delevingne on the modelling scene sparked a whole new trend for brows and changed the beauty industry completely.  With her thick, grown in brows that blew the “Facial Measuring” rules out the water, suddenly a new brow shape was king and with that trend came a new division of the beauty marketplace.

Close crop of Cara Delevingne's face with messy brows and pink lips

Brow gels, palettes, powders, waxes and serums flooded the shelves and overnight, brows became big business.  Next came the brow growth products from serums to ‘stickers’, there was a whole new range of products aimed at 90’s motherpluckers like me, claiming to be able to grow your brows back to their former glory.

Up until a few years ago my brows were thin and kinda looked ‘stuck on’, my efforts to grow them in over the years had been futile.  For every small amount of growth I’d get, some trigger happy Beauty Therapist would wax or tweeze it back off despite my protesting.  When you’ve waxed, tweezed and plucked for so long, you’ll know that any brow regrowth you’re lucky to see is different than it was before, it’s not uniform, the colour is different and the hair is more translucent due to damage to the follicles.  I spent a small fortune on RapidBrow, from the makers of the hugely successful Rapid Lash which claimed to grow back and also darken brows with regular use, in as little as three months.  Eighteen months down the line my brows showed no difference and at £37 for a tube that lasts a month, it’s a hefty investment to get nothing back from.

Pixie Tenenbaum at Centerparcs wearing a hat and braids pulling a face

So I did a little research, and there’s some science behind all of this so take a seat and settle in.  Why should you listen to me?  because I grew back the most awesome pair of brows from pretty much nothing.  Ready?  Here comes the science:

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH RAPIDLASH & RAPIDBROW?

If you used the product from the beginning then you’ll know that it used to be pretty effective.  Not any more.  Why so?  Well, RapidLash used to contain an active ingredient called isopropyl cloprostenate.  It’s an ingredient which has some molecular similarities to a medical active ingredient called bimatoprost.  Why am I telling you this?  Bimatoprost is an ingredient used in medication for the treatment of glaucoma, after extensive medical trials it was discovered that one of the side effects of its use in an eye drop formula was that it caused eyelashes to grow longer and darker in participants.  Something cosmeceutical manufacturer Allergan jumped on and harnessed in a product developed for the US aesthetics market called Latisse.

Still with me?  Allergan successfully brought a case against the makers of RapidLash outlining the similarities between the molecular makeup and performance of the two ingredients and used the years and years of patient trials as evidence which detailed benefits, side effects and potential risk factors.  RapidLash put forward a limited defence which contained no actual human research, all of their testing is, or had at the time, been done on animals.  Case closed.  RapidLash were ordered to remove isopropyl cloprostenate from all products in their line up.  However, and here’s the rub for any of you still using RapidLash, despite still being marketed in the same way, RapidLash and RapidBrow are little more than expensive conditioners and serums.  Ouch.  Still think shelling out £41 is a good investment for a product with no active ingredient?  Then consider this, RapidBrow came so much after the original RapidLash product that it never actually contained any active ingredient at all.

MIND BLOWN! SO WHAT DO I USE INSTEAD?

Well remember that potentially active ingredient Bimatoprost i told you about?  It’s available in a product in the UK designed to grow lashes, but because of it’s medical licensing and cosmeceutical benefits, it must be prescribed by an aesthetic doctor or nurse.  It’s not something you can just go ahead an buy on the web, but then nor do you need to be diagnosed with a medical condition to get it.  Let me explain…

Lumigan is a product that’s been crafted for the UK aesthetics market and it comes in two different formats.  The first is an eye drop bottle, the second is as individual eye droppers in a pack which lasts 2-3 months depending on how you use it.  The intention and the way it’s marketed is for growing eyelashes and it works, my lashes were ravaged by my addiction to lash extensions and I was at one point left with none at all.  Lumigan helped me grow them back quickly, however it’s also suitable for brow growth too.  I use it on both my lashes and brows – obviously this means I get through more of it in a shorter space of time but trust me, it’s worth it.  Apply with the brushes which come with it, leave to dry et voila.  Well, not quite et voila but it doesn’t take long to see results.

PIXIE TENENBAUM BEFORE & AFTER

SOLD! HOW CAN I GET IT?

You need to book a consultation with an aesthetic doctor or an aesthetic nurse with a prescribers license.  Once they’ve checked you over for any contra-indications and given you the lowdown on how to administer the product, you’re good to go.  You’ll find it marketed as Eyelash Growth Serum and the formulation and dose are the same whether you’re purchasing the product to use on brows or lashes.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

That’s a good question.  Depending on which aesthetic practitioner you choose (not all of them will prescribe Lumigan as one of their products), and whether you opt for the 0.1mg/ml or 0.3mg/ml strength,  it ranges from £40 – £120 and a lot of this is to do with the name of the practitioner, or the repackaging the clinic has done to make the product look prettier.   My advice?  If you’re serious about growing back your brows, find and buy the 0.3mg/ml product if you’re starting out & the 0.1mg/ml version for maintenance, at the cheapest provider.  You’re not buying expertise with the product, you’ll administer it yourself at home and throw the packaging away.  If you’re talking filler, wrinkle relaxing or any other type of aesthetic procedure which requires an injection then always choose expertise over cost but in this case, cost is king.

Personally I get mine on a private prescription from Dr Steven Land at Novellus Aesthetics in Newcastle where it retails for £65 and if it’s in stock, is dispensed the same day where it can be collected or shipped to you at your home address. Remember it’s a prescription only medication (POM) so there are guidelines with this, it requires a proper consultation with a Doctor, Steven talks through what the product is (it’s for lashes and brows as an aesthetic medicine), how to use it and what to do if you have an adverse reaction – I’ve never had one but some people using it for lashes have reported a minor change in the colour of their iris.

Lumigan 0.3mg/ml
Lumigan 0.3mg/ml
Lumigan Bottle 0.1 mg with brush
Lumigan 0.1mg/ml

WHAT DO I DO WITH IT?

Paint it sparingly on to your brows, or the parts around the existing brow shape where you want the hair to grow and leave it to dry before putting on moisturiser or makeup.  It’s that simple.  Using it for your lashes?  A very small amount along the lash line, any more is just waste.

HOW LONG BEFORE I LOOK LIKE CARA?

I saw a big difference to my brows within three months but everybody is different.  Trials for Latisse in the US reported participants seeing results to their lashes in as little as 4 weeks.  Persevere, it’s something that’s been proven to work and we all know that brows are big business that require commitment!

To complement your new brows, you’re going to need some products to keep them in check, look out for my Best Brow Products post so you can tame your face framers and be the envy of everyone you know…

Pixie xo

Categories: Beauty, Fashion, Uncategorized

YUVA MEDI-SPA Launch

YUVA MEDI-SPA opened its doors to the public in April 2017 and got to work on it’s three month wait list.  Fast forward to the end of September and here we are at the official press launch (I told you about in this post) at the prestigious Alderley Edge clinic.  YUVA really is something else.  When you drive through the gates and lay eyes on the converted mansion house for the first time, it buries your expectations completely, it’s a beautiful building and when I visited there was nothing but blue skies over Cheshire making it feel like I was visiting a Swiss chalet.

YUVA MEDI-SPA ALDERLEY EDGE
YUVA MEDI-SPA ALDERLEY EDGE
YUVA MEDI SPA TEAM

The launch has been a long time coming, founder Dr Raj Acquilla is one of the most respected aesthetic practitioners in the world and his vision for creating a luxurious escape for that defies the usual medi-spa environment have been truly brought to life with YUVA.  The grey and muted gold tones throughout the clinic make for a super relaxing environment and the furnishings and layout have all been planned with the patient in mind.

We’ve assembled at YUVA to watch not one, but three live procedures today by Dr Raj Acquilla and Dr Liesel Holler, YUVA’s resident expert practitioners.  We arrive to a champagne reception and a bit of exploring before things get underway.  The former recording studio that YUVA MEDI-SPA occupies is huge yet Acquilla made the decision to fit out just three spacious and well equipped treatment rooms with beds flown in from the US, and give each room its own dedicated waiting area.  Perfect for celebrity clients who want to get in and out without having been spotted.

YUVA MEDI SPA CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION
YUVA MEDI-SPA Private Treatment Room 1
Private Treatment room at YUVA MEDI-SPA
YUVA MEDI SPA JO MALONE

The reception area resembles that of a 5 star hotel, with a seating area and skin bar either side, there’s a large communal waiting area in front of the downstairs treatment area fragranced with Jo Malone’s Lime, Basil & Mandarin and looking out over the gorgeous landscaped garden.  It’s a world away from the usual aesthetic clinic and that’s exactly what Acquilla wanted.  A quick visit to the restroom unveils more luxury, again fragranced by Jo Malone and each basin is topped with a range of SHOW Beauty styling products for post treatment touch ups – very client-centric.

DR RAJ ACQUILLA YUVA MEDI-SPA
YUVA MEDI SPA RECEPTION AREA
YUVA MEDI-SPA PRIVATE WAITING AREA
YUVA MEDI SPA RECEPTION SHOT

We’re welcomed by Acquilla and his team and given the story behind YUVA and how he feels that there needs to be more of a focus on preserving and enhancing our natural beauty, rather than changing things drastically with lots of filler and Botox.  Acquilla is a doctor who’s not afraid to turn away a patient, or prescribe a treatment different than the one they’re requesting; he tells us that often a patient knows what they want to achieve, but is looking at the wrong course of action to get there.  Acquilla prefers to assess patients on a case by case basis and make small tweaks which give big gains.  The young doctor is charismatic and speaks intelligently about only offering treatments which are safe and proven and have trackable results, whilst YUVA is at the cutting edge when it comes to aesthetic treatment, you’ll never be offered something so new that there are no comparable results.

We’re taken upstairs to a room to watch a Spotlight treatment on a live model.  Acquilla reminds us that preserving natural youthful looks is what he wants to achieve, and ultimately, making his model feel happier about the way she looks.  He works on the right side of her face with a camera providing close up images on a big screen while we watch.  One thing to note is that every injection is small and precise, Acquilla uses no anaesthesia or numbing cream anywhere on the face saying that if precise injection points are used, there is no pain for the patient – credit to him, his model never flinches, not even when her lips are injected.

YUVA MEDI SPA RAJ ACQUILLA LIVE DEMO
YUVA MEDI SPA RAJ ACQUILLA LIVE DEMO
YUVA MEDI SPA RAJ ACQUILLA LIVE DEMO

He proceeds to talk us through the subtle improvements he will make, from an eyebrow tail lift, the lift in the corners of her mouth, the reduction in her ‘gummy smile’, her ‘sad eyes’ and rounded jaw.  With each injection he lifts and physically sculpts the skin to the bone creating a subtle, but instant impact.  Her jaw is sculpted, her mouth is no longer downturned and her eyes seem happier.  Everything is small and subtle, but she’ll leave looking refreshed with no downtime at all and with results that should last around 12 months.  There is no drastic difference, no over inflated lips or flat, expression free forehead (something Acquilla isn’t a fan of), everything is natural and you really wouldn’t be able to tell she’d had work done.  He asks his patient regularly if she’s comfortable and she chats freely during her procedure, laughing and joking with Acquilla and definitely not showing any signs of discomfort, something I’m intrigued by as I’m familiar with the extreme pain of lip filler without a dental block.

YUVA MEDI SPA LIESEL HOLLER LIVE DEMO
YUVA MEDI SPA LIESEL HOLLER LIVE DEMO
YUVA MEDI SPA LIESEL HOLLER LIVE DEMO 2

Next we’re introduced to Dr Liesel Holler, a former Peruvian beauty queen who turned her back on a career in modelling to focus on medicine and aesthetics.  Holler is a vision, she’s captivatingly beautiful and speaks passionately about aesthetics, with a particular interest in skin.  The treatment she’s showcasing is a 5 step bespoke Nanopore skin treatment which includes:

◆ A Liposomed Ferulac Peel – high dose antioxidant peel to help resurface the skin and remove dead cells.
◆ Application of Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid to nourish and brighten the skin
◆ Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) which uses your own blood platelets to stimulate new cell growth
◆ Nanopure Micro-needling which produces micro-channels in the skin
(with a depth of 0.2mm around the eyes and 0.5mm on the rest of the face) to encourage absorption of the preceding ingredients
◆ An LED light is placed over the patient’s face for 20-30 minutes to restore and calm the skin

The benefits to this treatment are huge, Holler tells us that the needles cause a controlled trauma to the skin, which in turn induces collagen stimulation and over the course of a month it results in smoother tone and texture to the skin, addressing concerns from acne scarring to facial lines and wrinkles.  It’s part of a new wave of aesthetic treatments where skin and cells are encouraged to repair themselves on the inside, giving a greater result on the outside.  The YUVA team are a testament to their procedures, each of them has glowing skin that gives you confidence in their ability, that and the fact that each member of the practicing team is listed in the Top 20 Injectors in the UK.

YUVA also offers non-surgical treatments, with HydraFacial as one of their most popular non-invasive treatments.  The focus at YUVA MEDI-SPA is clear, improvement in skin quality, appearance and overall wellbeing without over injecting.  If you’re starting your aesthetic journey and are looking for a doctor you can trust to take your best interests into account then YUVA is a place to put at the top of your list.  Achievable outcomes, subtle improvements, conscientious practitioners and doctor led treatment, all in a luxurious and relaxing environment.  Kudos Dr Raj Acquilla, YUVA MEDI-SPA just set the bar for medi-spas everywhere and damn is it high.

pixie xo

Categories: Beauty, Fashion

Dr Raj Acquilla launches YUVA MEDI-SPA

When it comes to aesthetics, education and trust are key.  We’re constantly searching for innovative new ways to turn back the clock and retain or regain our youthful appearance and because of this, the aesthetics market is booming.  Selecting an aesthetics practitioner is difficult, after-all, you’re trusting this person with your face and potentially how it might look for 12 months after any treatment you elect to have, that’s a scary thought right?  You can do research and ask friends, but ultimately it’s your decision and you’d be surprised how many people I’ve spoken to who cite “proximity to home” as their top priority when selecting a practitioner.  Me personally?  I’d travel for the right practitioner any day of the week, if it means the difference between being a Leslie Ash or a Margot Robbie then distance isn’t a factor.  Fortunately, from the moment you enter the prestigious new YUVA MEDI-SPA in Alderley Edge, you know you’re in safe hands.

Founded by award winning doctor and aesthetics educator Dr Raj Acquilla, YUVA MEDI-SPA is a cut above other offerings in the UK.  Not strictly brand new, the clinic is the second in Acquilla’s expanding portfolio and opened to a three month wait list back in April 2017.  After months of planning, the official press launch was set for the end of September, yes, they’re that in demand and there’ll be more on the press launch in my follow up post.

Dr Raj Acquilla Headshot
Dr Raj Acquilla
YUVA MEDI-SPA Reception 2

YUVA MEDI-SPA occupies an entire mansion house and former recording studio with its own pretty gardens and parking, it’s a pretty spectacular setting and a step away from the usual high street pop up clinics.  Acquilla’s vision for YUVA MEDI-SPA was grand: to take the traditional idea of a medi-spa and turn it on its head.  Acquilla wanted to step away from the expected clinical environment and create something luxurious, unique and beautiful.  Ultimately, a place where patients could feel relaxed, reassured, not rushed, and enjoy their aesthetic journey.

“Our philosophy is to make our patients not only look but feel better about themselves through proven, safe and effective procedures. We pride ourselves on listening to their needs so that we can tailor and deliver a treatment plan that suits their individual goals. We understand the emotions that are attached to age-related changes in appearance and endeavour to make all our patients experience and journey with us a memorable and positive one.”  Dr Raj Acquilla, Founder of YUVA MEDI-SPA

YUVA has certainly achieved that, everything aspect of the clinic has been planned with the client in mind.  From the furnishings and calming colour scheme of soft grey and gold, to the individual waiting areas, the medi-spa is focussed entirely on patient experience and comfort.  I chatted to Dr Acquilla and he told me that patients don’t want to have to sit with other patients before or after having treatment, they want to be able to relax alone and leave when they’re ready without worrying about being rushed out to make space for the next patient.  With that in mind, Acquilla decided that despite the fact that this would cut down treatment space, it was something that absolutely had to be factored in.

YUVA MEDI-SPA Private Waiting Room 1
Private Waiting area at YUVA MEDI-SPA
YUVA MEDI-SPA Private Treatment Room 1
Private Treatment room at YUVA MEDI-SPA
YUVA MEDI-SPA Communal Waiting Area
Communal Waiting Area at YUVA MEDI-SPA

WHAT HAPPENS AT YUVA MEDI-SPA?

YUVA is on the cutting edge when it comes to aesthetic treatments.  With a whole range of injectables available as with most clinics, YUVA also offers non-invasive, non-surgical, proven treatments such as HydraFacial.  There’s a whole suite of A-List treatment available at YUVA, all of it tried, tested and proven.  Acquilla has a hard and fast rule when it comes to offering new treatments, everything he and his team offer must be backed up, certified and proven meaning that you’ll never be a guinea pig and you’ll never be ‘The First’.

The YUVA menu has you covered top to toe with an extensive range of treatments including Wrinkle Relaxing Injections, Dermal Fillers, The Liquid Facelift, HydraFacial, Skin Peels, Spotlight Treatment, Body Shaping and Skin Tightening with Exilis, Photo-rejuvenation with IPL, CO2RE Fractional Laser resurfacing treatment, Exilis RF Skin Tightening and rejuvenation for the face and neck, Laser and IPL for Vascular Lesions and Thread Veins, Injections for Excessive Sweating, Laser Hair Removal, Laser Tattoo Removal and the highest quality, results driven skincare solutions to address every concern including the ZO range developed by Dr Obagi.  Phew, that’s some list right?  But it doesn’t end there, Acquila is one of the most recognised and applauded global aesthetic educators, where new treatments and products are made available, he’s there, watching and waiting for long term efficacy to be proven.

THE A-TEAM

Sidebar, there is no B-Team, YUVA’s team is made up of the best talent in the business.  Dr Acquilla has hand selected every member of his team and when you consider that all of them are amongst the Top 20 Injectors in the UK, it’s safe to say that you’re in good hands at YUVA.  The team ethos is to never administer treatment that isn’t needed, when it comes to aesthetics there’s a level of trust between patient and practitioner and with the team at YUVA, you’re given options based on your desired outcome and quite often, they’re not what you might expect.

Emma Chan is YUVA’S Advanced Aesthetic Nurse, and one of the first Advanced Nurse Practitioners in the UK.  Chan is a visiting Associate Practitioner at YUVA and a faculty member for the renowned RA Academy masterclasses, teaching doctors and nurses around the globe.

Dr Liesel Holler is YUVA’s skin maestro, having graduated from Ulmea University in Sweden in 2005 this uber talented doctor moved away from abdominal surgery and anaesthesia to focus fully on aesthetics.  The former Miss Peru turned down a TV career for medicine and aesthetics.

Dr Raj Acquilla is one of the UK’s most respected aesthetic doctors known for his natural looking results and his dislike for over inflated lips.  Driven by his passion for science and safety in beauty, Acquilla has been a practicing doctor for 18 years.

Like what you hear?  I’ll be bringing you the verdict on a live treatment at the official launch of YUVA MEDI-SPA but if you’re too keen to wait, then you can contact the clinic to book a consultation on 01625 322430.

Pixie xo

Categories: Beauty, North East, Uncategorized

Image Skincare O2 Lift Facial

Oxygen facials, we’ve all heard of them and there are hundreds of variations out there to choose from, but what are the benefits?  Well, there are actually many.  Infusing the skin with pure oxygen speeds up healing, brightens and illuminates, fights off toxins and helps to eliminate pollution damage; the big question you should be asking, is how do you deliver an effective dose of oxygen to the skin without unnecessary fads and expense….

I was invited along to Novellus Aesthetics in Jesmond by Dr Steven Land to experience the VIP Image O2 Lift – dubbed The Red Carpet facial by those in the know, and a pre-awards show staple of many an A-Lister including Jessica Biel.  The O2 Lift (Oxygen Facial) is a facial treatment with a difference, it’s administered by an Aesthetic Practitioner rather than a Beauty Therapist and every step of the treatment aims to address a particular need.  First up, skin is cleansed with Image Skincare’s Gel to Milk Cleanser to lift off any surface grime, pollution and impurities, it’s removed with a warm washcloth which opens up the pores ready for the next stage.

A very mild Fruit Enzyme Peel is applied to skin – there’s no tingling and no after peeling, it’s purely to dissolve any dead skin cells sitting at the surface and in turn, amplify the effects of the facial and prolong the result.  Once this is removed, your skin is a blank canvas and that’s when the magic really happens.  An Oxygen mask is applied over the skin, with a foamy consistency, the mask fizzes and pops until it eventually fully disappears.  The effervescent nature of the product delivers oxygen deep into the skin along with brightening agents which promote even skintone, it’s something you can really feel working, it’s a pleasant sensation and a little bit tickly.

Once skin is completely clear, a Stem Cell Rejuvenator is applied and massaged into the skin, it’s a watery serum rich in plant stem cells and vitamin C which help to seal the treatment into the skin.  Dr Land tells me that the O2 Lift is a facial treatment that’s suitable for any skin type, there’s nothing harsh or abrasive at all in it and the end result is lighter and brighter skin.  Normally at this point, you’d have a skin specific moisturiser applied and be sent on your way but Novellus Aesthetics have added in an extra step to magnify the effects of the Stem Cell serum.

Even if you don’t know it by name, you’ll have seen the Opera LED mask – it’s a big, weird looking imposing gadget that kinda looks a bit like Iron Man taking a nap – this high tech face mask has been featured in the pages of British Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, and most recently on TV in reality series TOWIE.  In a nutshell, it utilises three wavelengths of low level light therapy to provide a multitude of skin rejuvenation treatments to the face and neck, adding in the LED mask whilst the skin is absorbing plant stem cells encourages faster collagen production and cell turnover which further enhances the benefits of the O2 Lift.  You can of course, opt to have the original off-the-shelf O2 Lift without the LED mask, but then you wouldn’t be VIP would you?

Opera LED Mask Blue Light
Opera LED Mask Blue Light
Opera LED Mask Pink Light

I’m not gonna lie Voyeurs, it’s a weighty piece of kit and it takes a bit of wriggling around to get it in a comfortable position, but once you’re set, it’s plain sailing.  The mask cycles through three different light settings which each have different skin benefits.  The infrared light works on tightening and anti-ageing, the blue light promotes blood circulation and helps to treat acne, and the pink light is not only an excellent anti-inflammatory, it also makes you look like Kimberley, the best ever Power Ranger.  Hashtag winning.  Need further convincing of the benefits of light therapy?  Look no further than Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, Khloe Kardashian and Chrissy Tiegen who are all Opera LED Mask devotees.

BEFORE
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER

Once the Stem Cell serum is absorbed and the LED mask cycle is complete, a light moisturiser with UVA and UVB protection is applied (essential after this treatment) and I’m shown  my face in a mirror.  Once I look past the imprints of the mask which make me look like I’m wearing swimming goggles, I can see that there’s a radiance that wasn’t there before and a plumpness to the surface of my skin.  Dr Land tells me that the effects should be better the next day too.  I have enough facials to know that the following day I usually have a few surface blemishes appear as the toxins are drawn to the surface of the skin which happens to me every time, but by day three, my skin looks and feels softer and more luminous and is responding better to the products I’m using at home, like a fresh canvas.

Pixie xo

The O2 Lift Facial at Novellus Aesthetics is £80, for the upgraded VIP version of the treatment with the Opera LED Mask, expect to pay £100.

To book an appointment at Novellus Aesthetics, email info@novellusaesthetics.co.uk or visit the FaceBook page.

Pixie Tenenbaum 2024

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Pixie Tenenbaum

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