Breath of fresh air

Can an oxygen facial achieve real results? Georgia Seago finds out

THE LOWDOWN

Amid the needles, acids and lasers that make up the bulk of non-surgical aesthetic treatments, it’s easy to forget that sometimes a gentler approach can still be effective, and it doesn’t get much gentler than oxygen. Billed as a treatment to “breathe life back into your skin”, an OXYjet advanced facial using the OXYjet Leo device is designed to repair, energise, lift and restore the skin through the power of pure oxygen, helped by a couple of other effective modalities.

THE EXPERIENCE

I had my OXYjet facial at facialist Lisa Franklin’s beautiful Clinic Privé in London’s Knightsbridge, where the treatment is adapted using Lisa’s own product line.

My therapist Kimberley began by cleansing my skin using Lisa Franklin Anti-Pollution Cleanser. She then went in for a second cleanse with Phyto Gel Wash on the OXYclear handpiece, which uses pure oxygen combined with OXYclear Lotion solution, encapsulated in the disposable sponge hand. This created a soft, rich bubbling effect on the skin. The handpiece also features blue LED light for its anti-bacterial effects and to help keep the skin calm during cleansing.

After swiping my face with Micellar Water to regulate my skin’s pH balance and prepare it for the main event, Kimberley used the OXYdiamond “peeling” handpiece, which passes oxygen through “diamond peel heads” in various grain sizes to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the skin. Next, she massaged in Refining Exfoliator, rinsed and followed with a light Clinic Privé Facial Peel to refine pores, smooth and tighten. The cooling – but thankfully, not freezing – CRYO2 handpiece came next, to cool the skin and reduce inflammation while temporarily tightening the and lifting contours. My favourite part of the treatment followed– a gorgeous facial massage with the OXYtone handpiece with red and blue LED, pure oxygen and a poly-rotation head to tighten facial muscles. Kimberley then applied No.1 Serum Repair + Protect, a soothing serum with vitamins C and E for active cell protection.

A gentle spritz with the OXYspray handpiece then calmed my skin and helped any excess serum sink in. The device has a second OXYtone handpiece, this time with a more intense massage head and red LED built into the disk. Kimberley passed this over the contours of my face to stimulate the subcutaneous tissue and give a lift. After applying Pollution Defence Cream she used the OXYjet pulsed oxygen handpiece around my forehead and eyes. Finally, my treatment was completed with an application of Luminescent Base, an illuminating matte-finish serum, and a relaxing lymphatic drainage massage with two rose quartz gua sha tools.

THE VERDICT

The OXYjet Leo device would be great for a clinic which provides more invasive or aggressive skin treatments to balance out the treatment menu with something relaxing yet still effective for those who aren’t ready for injectables or more intense technologies. The selection of handpieces is impressive –I personally hadn’t seen anything like the OXYclear or OXYtone handles before – and allow practitioners to provide a comprehensive, advanced facial that leaves skin refreshed and looking lifted. The cooling, soothing pure oxygen in the CRYO2 and OXYspray handpieces would also be ideal post-procedure to calm the skin and promote healing.