WE HAVE all been guilty of falling into the trap of buzz. Finding ourselves helplessly drawn to the latest product that promises to smooth, erase and brighten our appearance – and naturally, its only half the time that we agree we can see a change. Well when the invite came to try and test Dr. Barbara Sturm’s latest offering in her spa, the Thermal Sculpt Facial, I had my hesitations.
Would I really finally have a sculpted face? Would I look into the mirror and see model-esque cheekbones? I mean, there are a long line of A-listers that swear by her treatments and products, like Victoria Beckham, Kourtney Kardashian and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, maybe there is some truth in the headlines.
Mount Street Spa. Photograph: Katrina Lawson Johnston
Arriving at the London flagship store on Mayfair’s Mount Street, I was greeted by my facialist Anucha Mora, who talked me through the process. As it states in the name, the non-invasive procedure utilises thermal shock therapy through a specialised device that goes between warm and very cold temperatures to give your cells a surprise as its alternates.
Beginning and ending on heat, this phase aims to relax your face and dilate the blood vessels, and then the circular instrument progressively gets colder which constricts the vessels to give a tightening effect – entirely painless, albeit you will experience a slight brain-freeze effect on your face.
So what does this ultimately do? Firstly, it rejuvenates the skin as it stimulates the production of collagen and therefore, improves the elasticity helping smooth out the appearance of wrinkles and skin texture. Secondly, it reduces puffiness immediately helping give off that snatched look.
But getting into the science a bit more, the application of the cold – better known as cryoliposis – targets and breaks down the fat cells, especially under the chin. As the machine moves around the face, the now-dead cells are expelled through the movement akin to lymphatic drainage. The changing between the two temperatures causes vasoconstriction, thus breaking down stubborn toxins which get flushed out through the dilating and constricting – leaving a longer-term effect of healthier skin.
Mount Street Spa. Photograph: Katrina Lawson Johnston
Mount Street Spa. Photograph: Katrina Lawson Johnston
Did it work? Not only did Anucha clean and cleanse my face, I was genuinely left with my jaw dropped as I looked in the mirror. Cheekbones that were editorial ready – something I had never been able to achieve no matter my weight or gua sha routine. I was glowing, smiling and genuinely in shock that I was able to look like this – I even took to Instagram to showcase the aftermath and the reaction alone was enough for me to know I hadn’t just seen a mirage.
The only downfall is that this isn’t permanent. The intense face lift lasts around 48 hours, so they do recommend this being a more regular facial so your face adapts to it, in comparison to ones that are heavier on creating sensitivity to your skin barrier.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Sometimes, there is a hype that is entirely justified and Dr Barbara Sturm’s Thermal Sculpt Facial deserves a round of applause and an immediate re-booking.
by Imogen Clark
Dr. Barbara Sturm London Boutique & Spa, 125 Mount St, London W1K 3NS
To book, click here