TREATMENT REVIEW

HIGH-TECH FACIALS... GLOW FACIAL BY DR VANITA RATTAN

Editor Kezia Parkins went to try Dr Vanita Rattan’s new facial formulated specifically for skin of colour at the Trikwan Clinic in Mayfair.

THE LOWDOWN

You may have been reading my facial column for the past few years, but in all of that time I have been writing about facials I have never experienced a facial made with my skin in mind. Enter Dr Vanita Rattan, who eats, sleeps, and breathes skin of colour becoming one of the most prominent practitioners and formulators in the space.

While many facials rely on heat and strong abrasion to tackle skin concerns, in some cases inflammation can be triggered in deeper skin tones causing hyperpigmentation rather than helping it. The Glow Facial is designed to preserve barrier function and prevent common reactive responses such as postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

THE EXPERIENCE

After being comfortably settled onto the treatment bed, my lovely therapist started off with a thorough cleanse. I had been advised to halt all retinols two weeks pretreatment which I dutifully obeyed.

Step 1 - Cupping

The first step of the Glow Facial involves lymphatic drainage with cupping. This felt amazing as the little cups lifted up the layers of my dermis to allow stagnant lymph fluid to drain and boost circulation. I immediately felt more awake and snatched after this relaxing step.

Step 2 - Radiofrequency

Next up was another soothing step… radiofrequency to help gently tighten and firm the skin. We paid special attention to my areas of concern – around the eyes and the jowel area which has been made worse by a masseter toxin treatment I had for my teeth grinding issues.

This felt delightfully warm as the device glided across my skin.

Step 3 - Glow Peel

Now it was time for the peel. Normally I would wince at peels as I hate downtime and the usual burning sensations associated with them. But formulated to be gentle enough to not negatively impact skin of colour, this was a different experience entirely. Key active ingredients include: 2% Phytic Acid, 1% Ferulic Acid, 1% Kojic Acid, 2% Ascorbic Acid, 5% Lactic Acid, 5% Mandelic Acid, Oligopeptide-1, Glutathione, Centella Asiatica Extract as well as DNA Repair Enzymes.

The sensation was mildly warm and slightly tingly. Rather than being deep and aggressive the Glow Peel provides micro-exfoliation to gently renew the skin cells with no visible shedding.

Step 4 - Microneedling

Collagen induction with microneedling was step four. My therapist carried out the microneedling so gently that it was only mildly scratchy. Therapists trained in Dr Rattan’s Glow Facial, work carefully to achieve a controlled microneedling response suitable for skin of colour. This means that any pinkness caused by typically disappears within the first 24 hours.

Step 5 - Glow Mask

To finish a cooling and refreshing mask was applied to calm the skin and seal in hydration. This felt wonderful after the exfoliating and collagen boosting steps.

THE VERDICT

This was a truly validating experience to get to try out a treatment specifically made for skin of colour - it really has been a long time coming. A lot of people with my skin tone or darker are incredibly cautious about visiting clinics and there is good reason for that – with increasingly well documented damage caused by energy based devices and peels. It is amazing to know that we now have safe and effective options just for us.

As for the results, I was really impressed. After the first day my skin felt a little dry and tight but in the days following the glow started to come through, enhanced even more by the Glow Facial Aftercare Kit.

BUSINESS BENEFITS

Every clinic should be able to competently treat skin of colour and this facial gives you a sure-fire safe option for all skin types. Plus the facial is designed so that clinics can use their own RF and microneedling technologies reducing the need to buy any more devices. While hyperpigmentation isn’t a huge issue for me, after multiple treatments this facial is incredibly effective in tackling it – one of the top skin concerns for people of colour.