A Beverly Hills facial for the wedding photos

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

Catastrophic life events and sudden weight loss have left my skin sallow with deep lines. As a healthy 62-year-old woman, I was shocked to see the person in the mirror. My son is soon to marry a Beverly Hills beauty.

My new in-laws have not a frown line in sight. I’d do anything not to look like an old witch in the wedding photos.

THE SOLUTION

I journeyed to the Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel, a home-from-home for the likes of Kate Winslet and Glenn Close, famed for its anti-ageing treatments.

THE TREATMENT

‘Electro-spun’ hyaluronic acid facials, using one of the few substances scientifically proven to reduce wrinkles, involve using a special machine to turn the potent acid into solid patches that dissolve directly into the skin. As the molecules hold 1,000 times their weight in water, it traps moisture in the skin, smoothing out creases. During the 90-minute treatment, my therapist measures my face, before cutting patches to fit.

A cooling exfoliating lotion clears grime off my skin. The patches are then placed on problem areas. A serum to accelerate the effect of the patches is massaged into them.

My therapist then slathers a moisturising Biologique Recherche mask containing amino acids, soy, placenta extract and omega 3 and 6 oils on my face. It ‘restructures’ the skin, while lanolin and plant oils inject moisture. My skin felt as if it had been pulled back together. Tight. It took 12 hours to regain mobility in my eyebrows, but it was a small price to pay for my reflection – a plumped, dewy version of myself with minimal creases. What a joy it was to look my age again. I shall go to the ball after all.

The Biologique Recherche Second Skin Facial is available at the Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel from £450. Double rooms are from £480 a night.