If you hear words like ‘face lift’ and ‘skin peel’ and that scene from Sex and the City springs to mind - yup, the one where Samantha’s face resembles a Sicilian blood orange – you need to read on. Facial peels are definitely not as scary as they sound; and with the right therapist to discuss and diagnose your individual needs and limitations, as well as using the right products, you can be on the road to glowing, healthy skin in no time.
Peels these days come in varying strengths according to the depth to which they penetrate, and can be personalised to your skin’s needs. On the whole, they work by deep cleaning and chemically exfoliating the outer layers of your skin, and revealing the younger skin beneath… But it’s important to remember at this point that a lot of what we see as ‘skin’, i.e. the outermost layer of skin (the stratum corneum), is actually covered in dead skin cells and general debris, so a good, superficial peel will remove this kind of gunk. Medium-depth peels work down to the epidermis, and fine lines and pigmentation exist on these layers, so you remove a few of those too with a basic or medium peel. Finally deep peels can stimulate down to the papillary dermis, creating miniature ‘trauma’ and wound effects, which encourage blood flow to the area and, as such, kick start a rejuvenation process which also stimulates collagen production.
In short, a good peel should or could leave your skin a little red, but within a few hours it should be soft and glowing; and within a few days it should be smooth, hydrated and gorgeous.
The enzyme-based SIGNATURE FACELIFT PEEL treatment by IMAGE at Skin Medi Spa which I had is a superficial peel – and did not hurt in the slightest! On the contrary, it was lovely! The IMAGE Signature Face Lift Peel is perfect for people who have acne and acne scarring, sun damage, (ME!) dry & dehydrated skin, (ME!) smoker’s skin, rosacea, pigmentation, or even just dull skin that needs a pick me up (ALSO ME!).
My goal was to rehydrate my lacklustre January skin and to remove surface debris as well as liven and lift for some springtime glow. I was not disappointed! I’ve listed my facial step-by-step below, although I did have a little nap during the masque process, but I think I have remembered everything 😊
CONSULTATION: Every facial should start with at least a 5 minute chat on the current state of your skin as well as your goals for the treatment. This should cover your daily routine and your diet, plus environmental factors like whether (and how much) you exercise, smoke and drink, plus whether you’re on medication or have any medical conditions which might preclude you from the treatment or elements of it. If you’re preggo, for example, you shouldn’t use Retinol.
2. CLEANSE: The facial started with a double cleanse, first to remove make-up, then the second cleanse to treat the skin and remove any oil, pollution and dead skin cells from the day. Judith used the IMAGE Ageless Total Facial Cleanser and then the I-Peel Degreasing Prep Solution. Judith then looked at my skin under the magnifying lamp to take a closer look at my skin needs. Next up, my skin was prepped for the peel part of the facial.
3.SIGNATURE FACELIFT PEEL STEP 1 Here, the first part of the peel process was applied. This is a blend of enzymes, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid. The enzymes get rid of dead skin cells, and this, plus the Hyaluronic Acid, mean the skin will absorb the products better. This solution is massaged into the skin, and can feel a little tingly or warm. For me it was fine except around my nostrils, weirdly, but it was January and I suppose they’re going to be a little sensitive from sniffing and wiping.
4. AGELESS TOTAL RESURFACING MASQUE: Next up, Judith layered my skin with the resurfacing mask which contains glycolic acid and menthol. This is where I started to feel the tingle happen.
5. SIGNATURE FACELIFT SOLUTION: The last layer of the peel is then applied and removed after about a minute.
6. VITAL C HYDRATING ENZYME MASQUE: Judith then applied the Image Vital C Hydrating Enzyme Masque. The Vital C range smells like oranges, and many of you know that I rave about the Vital C Vitamin C facial oil which I love putting on my face in the mornings and leaving to sit for an hour or so until I’m ready for SPF and make up. I have tried this masque at home and it is a great way to hydrate and exfoliate the skin. Whilst that was left on Judith massaged my neck and décolletage which was lovely and relaxing. I think some therapists offer hand and arm massages here, so this may differ depending on where you go.
7. HYALURONIC ACID FACIAL ENHANCER – At this point Judith used the Vital C Hydrating Anti-Ageing Serum (one of IMAGE’s most popular products) and she added in one dropper of 25% hyaluronic acid facial enhancer for a super boost. The Vital C serum has Botox-like peptides to relax muscles from facial expression, Here she also added in some IMAGE MAX Stem Cell Cream, which supports collagen regeneration, smooths wrinkles and hydrates skin. Boom!
8. VITAL C HYDRATING EYE RECOVERY GEL – this part needs no explaining. Eyes = rejuvenated!
9. PREVENTION: Here Judith applied the PREVENTION+ Daily Hydrating Moisturiser with SPF. Never, ever forget SPF, evenhere in the UK and Ireland. UV rays penetrate our skin even on dull weather days!
10. LIPS: This product was a revelation and an immediate addition to my wish list – the IMAGE Ormedic Balancing Lip Complex. Wow! It just felt soft, rich and had no funny, funky tastes that come with other lip products (usually the ones with petroleum-based ingredients, yuk!). Plus it looked super glossy too. Brownie Points: This one is all natural of course, and vegan approved.
11. I-CONCEAL Personally, I didn’t have this step as I just wanted the products to work away and wasn’t going anywhere that required make up or cover up, but this optional step is great for a complimentary cover up to the facial products.
12. POST PEEL KIT: Clients are given an IMAGE post peel kit to take home as well as a prescription of recommended products
**As an extra, I also tried out an LED light for 10 min while the masque was on. Doctors also use this kind of light to heal scarred or burnt/damaged skin ten times quicker than it normally can. Although not officially part if the IMAGE Signature Peel, I really think the light boosted the product and treatment effects, much to the benefit of my skin. Some clients find the proximity of the light to be quite claustrophobic, but once you breathe, relax and get used to it, it feels quite nice. In my opinion, it’s the facial equivalent of a weighted blanket!
The result? My skin was glowing, like, REALLY glowing. It looked plumped, hydrated and soft to touch. The pics speak for themselves I think, no?
I have also been following up since the facial with some of the Image products that I hadn’t used before and I am so impressed by them that they will definitely be part of my routine now, especially the Lip Complex and the MAX Stem Cell Cream.
If you want to see more, I have an IMAGE highlight on my Instagram profile at @cathymartin10, where you can see what products I love, however please bear in mind that while I have very specific needs, your goals or requirements may not be the same, so always ask the advice of a skincare professional before spending lots of money on products or a treatment plan. And remember to start at home with a healthy diet and lots of water *see my blog on FACE FOOD here. Please also note that peel is not just a one off treatment, so please make sure you find out about what is next in your journey to maintain results.
The Image Signature Lift Facial lasts 60 minutes, costs £75.00 or you can get a course for £375.00 (buy 5 and you get the 6th free) and is available at Skin Medi Spa. For more info on IMAGE skincare visit my page at
https://www.imageskincare.ie/shop-online.html?affiliate_code=c1NxmBrqdE&referring_service=link
You can also use my discount code CATHY10 here, for 10% off!
DISCLAIMER: I’m an ambassador for IMAGE Skincare now, but regular readers and social media followers will know that I have been using a number of IMAGE products for quite a few years now. Please note, as usual, all my reviews are 100% honest and any recommendations are 100% genuine (if I don’t like a product, you simply wont find it on this blog!). Also, for transparency, whilst I am a brand ambassador for IMAGE, I don’t make commission on sales.