Beauty

Forget chemicals, new treatment offers a skin renewal that is cool and calming

A Guinot Hydra Peel at Moi Beauty, Edinburgh

The treatment

An alternative to chemical peels, the Guinot Hydra Peeling Skin Renewal Treatment is £75, or a recommended course of four for £225, at Moi Beauty, Edinburgh. It lasts 45 minutes, and you choose from two types of peel – Hydra PH Peeling which exfoliates deeply, or Hydrabrasion Peeling, which restores radiance, and is more suited for sensitive skin. After the peel phase, there is a facial massage, and the application of a Hydra Beaute Mask.

Why go?

Perhaps you are worried about the signs of ageing – you want more of a glow, and to reduce those dark spots, but you aren’t quite ready for the more aesthetic medicine approach, like a chemical peel. This is a bona fide alternative, and Guinot is a respected salon brand that constantly comes up with new and innovative treatments like this.

Our spy says

This is a three-step treatment, and lasts just 45 minutes. While you can see, and feel, the benefits after just one treatment, a course of four should yield the most impressive results. My skin could withstand the Hydra PH Peeling treatment, so I was given that as opposed to the lighter option. Be aware that with this treatment, a patch test needs to be done at least 24 hours prior to any product being applied to your face.

After cleansing my skin, my therapist, Amy, began the peel. She explained that the product would be brushed on, and she would keep brushing throughout the procedure, to help detract from any tingling sensation. It felt slightly odd, and quite intense to have someone constantly brushing my face for a good 20 minutes, but any tingling was dissipated by the sweeping. There was no discomfort at all; my only issue in Moi is the soundproofing in the beauty treatment rooms could be better. My relaxation was spoiled slightly by the music/loud chatter coming from the main nail bar area of the salon. Amy apologised when I addressed the situation, but it was a little off-putting.

The facial massage following the peel was most welcome, and the mask that ends the treatment is a soothing, peel-off potion that has a cooling effect and calms the skin postpeel.

The results

There is no red face comedy moment a la Samantha in Sex and the City. In fact, there is no real redness at all, and my skin instantly looked brighter. I do have to say that the dark spots on my face didn’t disappear or diminish after one treatment. Perhaps the course of four would have more lasting results. However, my skin did look brighter, and felt soft and smooth. I did have to moisturise again later in the day, as I felt my face tighten slightly, but I do have quite dry skin. n

Merle Brown

Moi Beauty, 90 Comiston Road, Edinburgh (0131-629 4532, www. moibeauty.co.uk)