Just as the ingredients in our skincare evolve as research and development discoveries are made, so too does the professional in-salon approach to achieving visibly-improved, glowing, beautiful skin.
We look at five new facials on offer and the approaches that are delivering our best complexions ever.
Tonic Room AcuFacial
Cosmetic acupuncture has been growing overseas and there are now a handful of local practitioners working with this approach aiming to revitalise skin, improve circulation, balance moisture and boost collagen production.
Taking the treatment up a luxury level is the new AcuFacial available at Auckland’s Tonic Room. The 90-minute treatment consists of a bespoke 45-minute facial designed to prime the skin for 45 minutes of facial acupuncture where ultra-fine needles that delicately penetrate the skin barrier. Much finer than traditional acupuncture needles, AcuFacial’s micro-needles cause microtraumas to the skin, prompting a natural healing response.
Skin is prepared with a deep cleanse followed by a face mask, and muscles are relaxed for the acupuncture by using a mix of Gua Sha and facial massage. Then the acupuncturist will begin one of two treatments – “Glow”, which focuses on the facial acupuncture points to stimulate a radiant complexion, or “Target”, a tailored approach to a client’s areas of concerns such as lifting, sculpting and the softening of deep facial lines. The treatment concludes with a 30-minute rest period as the needles restore and revitalise the skin. The Acufacial is 90 minutes and has an introductory price of $290.
The Facialist F.Sculpt Face Workout
This central Auckland destination has become known for the fact it focuses on only facials, hence the name, offering a variety of the deeply nourishing skin treatments.
Founder Ashleigh Scott and her team were early proponents of incorporating facial massage in these sessions, in particular the popular ‘Yoga Facial’ and has now taken the approach one step further.
Rather than a facial, Scott refers to new F.Sculpt facial as a face ‘workout’ as the treatment, which can be undertaken as a 30, 60 or 90 minute session and aims to work out the 40-odd forgotten muscles in the face.
You’ll experience a range of manipulations and massage designed to relieve tension and condition and strengthen facial muscles whilst creating a healthy radiant glow on the surface. The 45 minute version even includes elements of the celeb-popular Buccal (or intra-oral) technique, massaging inside the mouth to better target cheeks and the jaw to release tension and lift the face. A 60 minute treatment adds a microcurrent treatment to further stimulate and work facial muscles.
Among the treatment goals are kickstarting skin metabolism, stimulating blood flow, boosting oxygenation, promoting collagen production and lymphatic drainage. F.Sculpt is $149 for 30 minutes, $199 for 45 minutes and $249 for 60 minutes.
Skintopia Procalm Facial
Skin specialist Skintopia, with locations in Auckland and Wellington, has become known for its energetic, results-driven bespoke facial services. We’re fans of the way the treatments directly address what’s going on with your skin and there are quick and easy 30 minute options in the open plan skin lounge as well as more advanced options in a private treatment room.
Newest treatment ‘ProCalm’ has been devised to treat temporarily sensitive skin as well as those with genetically sensitive skin. In particular it can address skin problems experienced post-Covid infection where rashes, dry/flaky skin and a compromised barrier can linger. It’s also great for those of us that have skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and redness.
It’s part of a suite of available Dermalogica PRO treatments including ProClear, ProBright and ProFirm treatments to target different skin challenges you are experiencing. Each is available at Skintopia’s three Auckland locations and two Wellington locations and costs $140 for 30 minutes or $230 for 60 minutes.
Caci Laser Facial
Caci has added a new treatment to its lineup, introducing the rejuvenating results of laser to those that haven’t tried it before and offering one way to further step up the results of skin conditioning treatments.
The Caci Laser facial provides a deep cleanse, exfoliation and stimulates skin cell turnover plus triggers the skin’s natural healing function for an overall reset, in turn leaving you with a healthy, fresh glow.
First, a Rapid Resurfacing Peel loosens and dissolves the connections between dead skin cells to help reveal fresh skin, before a Fractional CO2 Laser is used at a lower level than traditional advanced treatments to stimulate the skin with a controlled amount of thermal energy.
The treatment takes 30 minutes and is said to help with tighter, firmer feeling skin, improving texture and tone and stimulating that all-important collagen.
A casual treatment at Caci locations throughout the country is $190. Caci members can access the treatment for $152.
Sothys Limited Edition Seasonal Facial – Orange and Goji Berries
A new Sothys Limited Edition Seasonal Facial is released twice a year. The winter facial takes chronobiology into account, or the way our biological processes are impacted by the season and circadian rhythms, and also aims to deliver radiance and hydration skin can be lacking at this time of year. Plus, there’s that feel-good aromatherapy mood boost we’re all after.
This winter the Orange and Goji Berries Seasonal Facial Treatment and Body Escape is a full-body boost, using goji berry for its revitalising properties and orange because it is rich with antioxidant properties. The dose of oxygen and minerals helps boost the skin’s defence system to ward off winter’s challenges, plus it smells amazing! The 45 minute facial treatment can be upgraded with a customised body treatment option.
You can also purchase the Orange and Goji Berries Perfection Skin Cleanser and Hydra-protect Shower Lotion and take the indulgent limited edition home to your own shower! Available at selected Sothys treatment providers.
Pro Dermal Active by O Cosmedics
A results-driven facial that still feels pleasantly relaxing and indulgent? Sign us up! This 75 minute treatment includes a number of different elements to help achieve a range of goals in one go. It’s also partly customised to your needs thanks to an O-Biome Oxygenating Mask with the choice of a targeted skin ‘activator’ chosen to address lifting and firming, boosting collagen, clearing breakouts or brightening and addressing pigmentation.
The facial begins with a double cleanse and exfoliation, followed by an Oxygen Enzyme Peel accompanied by a ‘spicy’ sensation on the face which lets you know it’s doing its job!
A recovery facial massage is carried out using the O-Rejuv Gua Sha Facial Device, designed to stimulate microcirculation to oxygenate the skin for healthier blood flow and nutrient delivery. The tool combines thermal massage with low-level Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) Technology and LED Therapy – a serious combo that goes deep as well as delivering surface level improvements.
Then it’s onto that mask that dries and firms over a period of time, tightening to provide lymphatic compression, before being cleansed away leaving skin looking fresh and bright. The facial’s results are apparent immediately so it’s great for a one-off skin boost but like many treatments, results are said to be cumulative so returning for periodic treatments will help with keeping skin look fabulous in the long-term.
The treatment, that takes 75 minutes and costs $235, is available from selected O Cosmedics Treatment Providers,
