TREATMENT FOCUS

HIGH-TECH FACIALS... WITH GLASSIFIER BY IDENEL

Editor Kezia Parkins visits The Taktouk Clinic to try IDENEL’s Glassifier, a needle-free spicule treatment designed to deliver GHK peptide beyond the skin’s surface.

THE LOWDOWN

I have been fascinated by Korean skincare innovation for a while, so when I was offered the chance to try Glassifier by Idenel, I jumped at it. It was even more appealing because the treatment was being offered at The Taktouk Clinic, one of my favourite clinics in London.

Glassifier sits within the growing category of liquid microneedling, which uses microscopic, sponge-derived silica spicules to create microchannels and carry active ingredients beyond the skin’s surface without injections or bleeding.

THE EXPERIENCE

My therapist was Monica Ordonez. She immediately put me at ease, which was useful because this was not about to be the relaxing facial experience I was used to at The Taktouk Clinic.

Monica began with Idenel’s Purifying Enzyme Powder Cleanser, a rice-based powder cleanser that provides gentle enzymatic exfoliation. After a thorough cleanse that felt more like a massage thanks to Monica’s expert hands, she applied Brightening Skin, the brand’s toner, to hydrate the skin and rebalance its pH.

For my treatment, she mixed Peptaxel TR Solution Powder with Brightening Concentrate. The TR powder was selected for my congested, slightly sensitive skin and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, while the concentrate contains a blend including VIT 12, glutathione and arbutin for tone and clarity.

I have tried biomicroneedling before, but I knew this felt different as soon as Monica started. She worked slowly around my face, pressing the mixture firmly into the skin with her fingertips rather than rubbing it, as the protocol directs. Despite the controlled pressure, it felt as though countless tiny needles were pricking my face and was noticeably more intense than previous liquid microneedling treatments I have tried.

Monica continued until she had used the whole vial. It was uncomfortable, but manageable, and she explained that the combination had been chosen to address the congestion I had developed after a summer of heavy sunscreen use, a few marks caused by picking and my uneven skin texture.

Once the Peptaxel mixture had been pressed in, Monica applied Glutagen Skin Booster M area by area. This is the synergistic third step in the protocol and contains glutathione, PDRN, tranexamic acid and Lactobacillus-derived exosomes. Glutathione helps trigger the release of the conjugated peptide from the spicules.

She then spritzed the skin with Intensive Mist before applying an Intensive Sheet Mask, which brought welcome relief. The mask was left on for around five to 10 minutes while Monica moved the Icha Cooling Device across my face to calm the heat and prickling. She finished with Intensive Locking Cream to cushion the skin and support the barrier.

THE RESULTS

The day of treatment and the following morning were the hardest part.

My face felt hot and prickly, and I had to resist cleansing it when I got home. As a side sleeper, I also struggled not to turn onto my face and be sharply reminded that the spicules were still there. By the next day, my skin felt dry and itchy, and I probably applied the Intensive Locking Cream a little too enthusiastically.

But the aftercare instructions matter. Idenel describes mild tingling and redness as typical, with redness usually settling within 24 hours, but patients need to understand that needle-free does not mean sensation-free. Within a week, however, the change in texture was striking. My skin looked unusually smooth even though I was in the hormonal phase of my cycle, when congestion normally appears. I know poreless skin is not biologically possible, but this was about as close as I have come to it. The finish was clear, polished and genuinely glass-like, and just from one treatment. Six are recommended for optimal results.

BUSINESS BENEFITS

For clinics, Glassifier offers a distinctive option for patients who want an active skin treatment but are wary of injections or bleeding. The ability to pair different powders and concentrates also gives practitioners scope to tailor the protocol to concerns including texture, firmness, acne-prone skin and uneven tone. Idenel also positions the treatment as compatible with existing treatment plans, which may make it a useful standalone service or add-on.

Practitioners need to set realistic expectations around the prickling sensation, possible redness, dryness and itchiness, and provide precise aftercare. For the right patient, the lack of needles and bleeding is a strong selling point. The honest message, however, is that this is still a high-sensation treatment with a short recovery period, rather than a gentle facial with no downtime.