HydraFacials to cleanse, extract and hydrate your skin | ERA Clinic, Thame near Oxford

When Emma from the ERA Skin & Laser Clinic in Thame got in touch with me earlier this year, I had never heard of a HydraFacial, Emma really generously offered to gift me a course of six HydraFacials, one a month for six months.  Emma was keen to educate on the benefits of good skincare and how a HydraFacial can help support and improve the condition of our skin.  Well last week I had my sixth HydraFacial and my skin feels and looks amazing!  I am delighted to be sharing my experience and my results of HydraFacial with you on my blog.

We all love a facial!  But do the results last beyond that hour of relaxation in the salon?  A regular facial carried out in the traditional way is indeed very relaxing and our skin feels fantastic afterwards, soft and hydrated.  But the results aren't long term.  To really see changes to our skin we need to go much deeper.  A regular facial will treat the outer surface of our skin but cannot penetrate and benefit the layers of new growth below.  
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This post is part of gifted collaboration.

Makeup free after my sixth HydraFacial at ERA Skin & Laser Clinic in Thame

What is a HydraFacial?

HydraFacial is a machine that uses patented technology to cleanse, extract and hydrate, it uses super serums made with nourishing ingredients that create an instantly gratifying glow.

This is not a facial where you come out of the salon with a red face!  I looked glowing and was confident with my makeup free look every time I left the ERA Clinic in Thame.

There are 5 main steps to a HydraFacial.

Detox
Cleanse and Peel 
Extract and Hydrate 
Fuse and Protect
Rejuvenation

If you visit my Instagram you can see a little IGTV of me getting a HydraFacial at ERA Skin & Laser Clinic in Thame..

​The whole process is relaxing and comfortable, it does not hurt or aggravate the skin and leaves you feeling refreshed and glowing.  Plus the serums keep working hard on your skin for days afterwards, so the benefits are longer lasting.  I love that first look in the mirror the day after, it is just so impressive, plumped and smoother skin that lasts.

What can HydraFacial help with?

Whatever you want or need!  ERA Clinic now stock a wide selection of HydraFacial booster serums to target your skin concerns.

Combat fine lines and wrinkles
Increase firmness
Even out skin tone
Improve skin texture
Improve brown spots
Treat congested skin
Help enlarged pores
Treat rosacea

You can find out more on my Instagram under my HydraFacial story highlight.

Talking you through my HydraFacial at ERA Skin & Laser Clinic

For each of my six HydraFacials at the ERA Clinic in Thame I was looked after by Paige who is their Aesthetic Practitioner.  Paige is trained as an Advanced HydraFacialist, she is very knowledgable about skin health and is passionate about helping her clients look after their skin and educating them on the best skincare methods.

She talked me through a HydraFacial ...

First Paige cleanses my skin and removes any makeup.

The first step with the HydraFacial machine is the detox / lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness on the jawline and under the eyes, to help define features and stimulate the lymphatic system to create radiance and awaken the skin so it looks brighter and healthier.

Next is the cleanse and peel stage, this is a deep cleanse and exfoliation using a serum with lactic acid and glucosamine HCL to dissolve dead skin cells, the vacuum process helps to lift off the dead skin, unblocking pores, removing debris and cleaning the skin which allows the products to penetrate deeper for maximum benefits.  Your skin might look slightly pink at this stage. 

Then the glycolic peel is applied which goes a little deeper into the skin to help with any scarring, pigmentation, wrinkles and blackheads.  The skin will feel tingly and warm, and the peel is left on for 1-2 minutes to allow it to sink thoroughly into the skin before removing.

The extraction part then sucks out any impurities like blackheads and any congestion around the nose and chin.

The next step uses three active ingredients to protect the skin from environmental stresses and create hydration and glow.

An LED light is then used which smooths and calms the skin and the red light is able to stimulate collagen.  Paige leaves me under the LED light for ten minutes while I enjoy a relaxing hand and arm massage.

Finally Paige applies the growth factor serum to encourage anti ageing and an SPF to protect my skin.

And at the end, you can take a look at your 'HydraFacial Gunkie' (if you want to) which contains all the impurities that have been drawn out of the skin, like dead skin cells and blackheads!

No makeup selfie and no filter or editing, just natural light - not my comfort zone but I am delighted with the results!

My results after a course of HydraFacials

​I have been really very impressed with how my skin glows after a HydraFacial, there is no redness and although I am makeup free, I do not feel at all uncomfortable about facing the world.  The next morning, my skin looks even fresher and I am always so delighted!

Emma who is the Clinical Director at ERA Skin & Laser Clinic in Thame said that after my course of six HydraFacials I should feel absolutely comfortable with posting a no makeup selfie!  And she was right.  I am delighted with the results and agree that my skin has benefitted.  My fine lines and wrinkles have diminished considerably, a couple of prominent acne scars are much less obvious and my skin feels clearer and is less prone to breakouts.

I asked Paige if all results are this good, she said if the client comes regularly, so no longer than 4-6 weeks between each HydraFacial, books a course of at least six and uses the recommended skincare from ZO Skin Health then the results are impressive.  Regular maintenance HydraFacials are also a good idea.

The advice for choosing a facial is - if you want something relaxing then choose a traditional facial carried out by a therapist by hand.  If you want something relaxing AND to really benefit your skin on the longer term, for the products to go much deeper rather than sit on top, then consider a course of HydraFacials.   They are an amazing deep cleansing and hydrating medical grade facial treatment which will leave your skin brighter, hydrated and with less pigmentation.

ERA Skin & Laser Clinic recommends using ZO Skin Health products, I talk about my routine on my blog post here and also discuss why wearing a daily SPF is so important.

​If you have questions, do get in touch or leave me a comment below. 

On Wednesday 29th September 2021 at 7.15 pm, I will be doing an Insta-Live with Emma and Paige from ERA Skin & Laser Clinic - we will have a chat about the importance of good skincare, the benefits of the HydraFacial and answer yours beauty questions!  Do pop the date in your diary, I'd love to see you - you can find us on my Instagram!

Love from
Michelle xx


Disclaimer: ERA Clinic gifted me a course of 6 x HydraFacials and a skincare starter pack from ZO Skin Health, Emma asked if I would write a blog post explaining the HydraFacial process and how I felt abut my results.

Professional makeup by @lielle_mua done for a photoshoot for a brand, my skin feels so much healthier and glowing, giving a much better base for my makeup

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Other blogs I link up with:

Is This Mutton
#WowOnWednesday 

​Mummabstylish
#Chic&Stylish

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