Review of dermaplaning treatment | Elle The Beauty Box in Old Amersham

I was invited to Old Amersham recently to try a couple of beauty treatments at Elle The Beauty Box, a long established salon but with a new owner earlier this year and so a bit of a relaunch with new treatments and services!  Elle The Beauty Box offers beauty, well-being and aesthetics alongside their hair salon.  They are housed in a quaint old building just behind The Broadway in Old Amersham, next to the gardens.  It is easy to find and easy to park.

I was welcomed to the salon by Becci my therapist and Sarah the owner and senior stylist in the hair salon.  The salon is so pretty and the building is full of character.  There is a reception area and hair salon on the ground floor and then above there is a beauty salon and nail bar.  It was all looking very Christmassy when I visited.

I was very excited to be offered a full pampering afternoon!  Becci asked me to choose two treatments to try out and then she organised for Sarah to give me a blow dry in the hair salon afterwards.  ​

Dermaplaning​

For my first treatment I decided on dermaplaning.  I had seen another blogger try this a while back and had been interested to try it for myself but not seen any local salons offering it yet.

Dermaplaning is a skin rejuvenation treatment that removes the outermost layer of dead skin cells and the vellus hair which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scarring.  It leaves the skin feeling really soft and is a fabulous canvas for makeup application as the skin is smooth, supple and vibrant after the treatment.

Becci prepared my skin with a thorough cleanse and explained the process to me.  Dermaplaning is a manual exfoliation, it is the controlled scraping of the skin using a sterile, surgical blade which is held at a 45 degree angle.  It is not at all uncomfortable and was very relaxing.  

The dermaplaning was then followed by a gentle enzyme peel to complete the exfoliation process.

After the treatment Becci showed me the skin and hair that had been removed and my skin did indeed feel very smooth.  I also didn't look too dreadful with no makeup as the treatment is very gentle and it left a lovely glow to my complexion.

It is completely safe - well I wouldn't suggest trying it at home - but it certainly doesn't hurt and I had no redness afterwards either.  Becci was very gentle and won't touch any raised areas or blemishes on your skin.

And if you are wondering - will the fine hair grow back and leave me with thicker facial hair - horror!  No it doesn't, the vellus hair is a completely different type of hair and it doesn't matter how many times you remove it, it will still come back as very fine peachy fuzz!

As i write this I am about two weeks post treatment, and I am delighted with the results, my skin is still looking much fresher and clearer.  I think it is an ideal treatment for women over 40/50 as it really does brighten up the skin and leave you with a glow.  Plus it has given me a much smoother base for makeup.  

You must remember to use an SPF50 for at least 3 weeks after but then we should be doing that anyway.  And I was due for my laser hair removal treatment but I had to delay that as you can't have laser for 3 weeks after either. 

Lipofirm Pro

For my second treatment I decided to try out the Lipofirm Pro on my tummy area. This is a non-invasive body sculpting and skin tightening procedure.  The before and after results look impressive but do they last and what does it feel like?  I was well aware that one treatment wouldn't really make a huge difference but I wanted to experience it and if there was a small visual difference then I could consider more.

I found the procedure to be comfortable and actually quite pleasant, like having a tummy massage.  Some women do find it more uncomfortable but I was able to have the machine turned up higher without any problems.   I didn't get any bruising.

Becci took thorough measurements and photos before and after and I did feel a visible difference, not a huge amount as I am already quite small, but enough that I felt slimmer and smoother, less bloated.  I did notice a continual improvement for a few days and up to a week after the first treatment too.
​
I decided to go back for a second treatment prior to revealing my winter body when we are away for a few days of sunshine next week.  My first treatment was complimentary but any further treatments I have will be paid for personally.  I will report back!  

And then a blow dry to finish off

I was then taken downstairs to have a wash and blow dry in the hair salon with Sarah the salon owner.  Sarah is about my age with two grown up daughters.  She was really lovely to chat to and I was keen to hear how she had ended up owning her own salon, it was a midlife decision and one that certainly keeps her busy!  But she has a very clear vision for her gorgeous salon and is enjoying making it a reality.  Sarah and her team are all really welcoming, it is a very pleasant place to visit, and of course Old Amersham has some fabulous shops so a great location for a bit of 'me time'.

My hair looked lovely after my blow dry - I am quite fussy but Sarah did a great job and my bouncy, shiny blow dry lasted me for a couple of days so even better.

And I didn't even feel too self conscious with no makeup on - I then went next door to Odette Lingerie to try on some of their pretty lingerie!  What a gorgeous boutique and if you want to get a proper measure and advice then Old Amersham is very accessible from around the Buckinghamshire area and with not many of these specialist lingerie shops left - a must visit to really understand your size.  I was in underwear heaven!  Odette also stock Ruth Mastenbroek perfume and diffusers, this is a family run business, it is a very niche, luxurious brand made in England.  I have sampled the fragrances and they are beautiful.

Night dress and matching robe from Eberjey at Odette in Old Amersham, blow dry by Sarah at Elle The Beauty Box

​I definitely recommend making the trip to Old Amersham for an amazing beauty salon, great lingerie shop and a very pretty walk along The Broadway and into some of the shops - there are some fab independents as well as bigger names like Hobbs and Moda in Pelle.  Lunch at The Grocer further down is fabulous too!  And great gift ideas here - a voucher to spend at Elle The Beauty Box or start a wish list with Odette and send your husband or partner into see what you'd love.  Or you could be really decadent if you live further away and book a night in one of the hotels - there is The Crown which was used in Four Weddings and a Funeral or we have stayed further along at The Kings Arms.

To make an appointment at Elle The Beauty Box you can call them on 01494 721532, Becci the therapist who did my dermaplaning and Lipofirm Pro works every Monday.  Or explore their website here - Elle The Beauty Box - to see the wide range of treatments they offer.

Love from
Michelle xx

Other blogs you may have missed and find useful:

An introduction to advanced medical aesthetics with Bodyvie in Richmond
Skincare and makeup masterclass with Imedeen and Mary Greenwell
My experience of getting permanent eyeliner

​Disclaimer:  I was invited to try out two treatments at Elle The Beauty Box, both these initial treatments were gifted to me, any subsequent visits will be paid for personally.  I was under no obligation to write about my experience on my blog, all opinions are my own.  My visit to Odette was a personal visit.

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After my skin has felt very smooth and much brighter!