High-tech facials: Medik8 Total Skin Reset peel

THE LOWDOWN

Medik8 chemical peels are professional-grade exfoliating acids applied to the skin with a small brush to help resurface and retexture. This multi-benefit peel combines three powerful exfoliation methods for maximum smoothing results and an improved complexion.

THE EXPERIENCE

This was my first time trying a Medik8 treatment or product. I arrived at the gorgeous Beyond Medispa in London’s iconic store and was greeted by my lovely therapist, Sarah Herring, who got me set up on a heated bed, following a consultation in which she decided to treat my skin as though it was sensitive.

The first step after having my face cleansed and make-up removed was physical exfoliation.

Herring mixed Medik8’s Bamboo Micro Polish’s fine dry polishing beads into some Surface Radiance Cleanse and massaged the mixture gently onto my face, before removing it with a warm mitt and toning with some Press and Clear.

The next step was enzyme exfoliation with the brand’s new Superfacial product. This was applied in a thin layer on the face, neck and décolletage avoiding the eye area which was protected with damp cotton pads. Superfacial can be massaged into the skin for up to 10 minutes or until it becomes ‘tacky’ beneath the fingers. Herring explained that enzyme exfoliators act like Pac-Man, chomping away at all the dead and damaged skin cells.

These first two steps helped to loosen dead skin before the final chemical peel step.

After another cotton pad swipe with Press and Clear, Herring swiftly applied Universal Peel with a fan brush, starting from my forehead then moving to my chin, leaving the cheek areas until last as this is the most sensitive.

For Fitzpatrick types I-IV, the peel can be left in contact with the skin for one to 10 minutes depending on personal assessment, but for my Fitzpatrick V/VI skin, it is recommended to leave the peel in contact with the skin for one to five minutes. Herring kept checking how it felt. Immediately I felt the tingle, which quickly started to get more intense. It was unpleasant but not painful. After a few minutes, it was time to neutralise the chemical peel. Calmwise Soothing Cleanser was applied and I was covered with gauze sheets saturated in neutralising spray, wrapping me up like a mummy.

This step was repeated three or four times until I could no longer feel the tingling. Hydr8 B5, Calmwise Serum, C-Tetra Luxe, Ultimate Recovery Intense and Physical Sunscreen were applied to my face and neck to finish off and I was given an aftercare skincare set to slather my skin in for the next few weeks.

Before

After

THE VERDICT

After the chemical peel step, Herring informed me that I would experiencing some frosting which makes areas of the skin go white. This is totally normal and shows that the peel is doing what it is supposed to. Over the following days, my skin got tight and dry, despite being slugged in thick moisturiser. Around day three post-peel, the skin in my T-zone started to experience some peeling and flaking, as did some areas where I had experienced some post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. At the week mark, I was working at Professional Beauty London and I started to receive compliments on how dewy and glowing my skin looked.

BUSINESS BENEFITS

This peel is great for all skin types and is a perfect treatment to offer in spring to get your clients summer ready by peeling away all that winter-worn dead skin.