Muddy tries the non-invasive alternative to filler and botox that’s adored by the A-listers.
A red-carpet favourite of Beyoncé, Kate Winslet and Insurgent star Suki Waterhouse, the great thing about the HydraFacial is that it takes as little as 30 minutes and gives immediate results. It’s good for all ages and complexions including teenagers with acne, as well as anti-ageing and skin brightening.
THE LOCATION
Hampton Clinic is reached by a stunning leafy lane in the grounds of Hampton Manor and Peel’s restaurant, home to young chef Rob Palmer. It’s located in the attractive upmarket village of Hampton-in-Arden, just outside Solihull, on the Warwickshire border. There’s ample parking.
THE VIBE
Think stylish Scandinavian lodge standing in 45-acres of wooded grounds overlooking Hampton Manor, a super-stylish Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms, on the historic estate of former Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel (if you watched ITV’s Victoria with Jenna Coleman he was the gruff PM played by Nigel Lindsay). This Tudor Gothic manor has been lovingly restored by the Hill family.
Inside the recently revamped Hampton Clinic you’ll be greeted by a very personable, friendly and vibrant team including owner Dr Lorraine Hill, previously a GP in Devon for 20 years, and her clinic manager Cherie Rhodes. It has a calm, peaceful ambience with chic rustic decor – wooden floors, soothing Fallow & Ball shades on the walls, luxurious fake fur throws and chunky wooden furnishings.
THE TREATMENT
Hampton Clinic’s snazzy HydraFacial machine wouldn’t like out of place on a spaceship!
The HydraFacial Classic is a 45-minute non-invasive treatment consisting of a six-step regime. It looks very scientific and is far more hi-tech than your usual pampering facial.
Originally developed in the US it’s the ultimate medical facial combining a detox, deep cleansing & exfoliation, extraction, brightening, hydration with an intense moisturising through a helix-like vacuum tip followed by LED light therapy – no injections needed.
My skin was feeling dry, dull and in need of a quick fix. Sherlena, my excellent therapist, was very good at explaining what each step involves. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect or whether it would hurt – but it feels gentle and causes no discomfort, as the probe massages the surface of your skin like an electric toothbrush. I found it relaxing.
Detoxing involves draining the lymphatic system. Step 2 is exfoliation and cleansing with dead cells rigorously exfoliated and skin nourished with a serum containing botanical extracts among other things.
The third stage uses a gentle glycolic and salicylic chemical peel to loosen debris while brightening the skin and the extraction process actually removed most of my blackheads. If you’re interested in the science-part, you can even see the results (although you may not wish to!). Sherlena held this giant test tube up to the lights to show me my blackheads…Very attractive!
After a skin plumping infusion of antioxidants and hyaluronic acid to counteract damage by free radicals – from pollution, to UV rays, sun damage and stress, the treatment ended with LED light therapy to stimulate collagen and elastin production.
The treatment is designed to help reverse the effects of UV rays and sun damage and restore youthful, healthy skin. For the first three facials, the clinic recommends one every two weeks and thereafter one a month.
Other treatments range from non-surgical aesthetics including injectables to non-surgical ultrasound facelifts (Ultherapy), Fat freezing (CoolSculpting) Nutrition and Functional Medicine, Life Coaching and Counselling as well as beauty, including Microblading, Microneedling and massage.
THE MUDDY VERDICT
My skin immediately felt brighter and firmer and the treatment did not result in any redness or irritation. It’s ideal for anyone who is not keen on the idea of invasive procedures but needs fast results – over time you’ll see fine lines and wrinkles reduced thanks to use of hyaluronic acid and LED light. I was massively impressed.
The upshot is you’ll want to wear a 30 SPF sunscreen whatever the weather – as Sherlena pointed out ageing UV rays and equally strong on sunny and cloudy days.
££
The HydraFacial Classic is the salon’s most popular facial and costs £105. Besides the classic, there are targeted add-ons and boosters which means you can tailor the treatment to focus on your specific concerns such as the 60-min HydraFacial Clear (£155) for acne prone skin and 60-min HydraFacial Anti-ageing (£155), which adds a DermaBuilder to specifically target fine lines and wrinkles. There’s also a 75-min HydraFacial Deep Clear Back treatment (£155).
And anyone with a busy lifestyle can pop in for a 30-minute HydraFacial Express (£75) which includes the core treatment, excluding the detox and LED light therapy.
Hampton Clinic, Hampton Manor, Shadowbrook Lane, Hampton-in-Arden, Solihull, B92 OEN. Tel: 01675 760644
Connect with us