Marylebone’s chi chi High Street is just a short walk from the station, with its direct services from to and from Oxfordshire, so on arrival in the capital you’re in the heart of the area’s luxury boutiques and independent eateries. As I strolled to my destination, I noted the sheer quantity of sober brass plaques outside imposing doorways, signalling the discreet specialist clinics housed therein. Eyes, feet, teeth, face; everything you could possibly desire is available through these magical portals, each promising improved wellbeing and a better you.
I was headed to Clinic Dr Paris, which is on the first floor of a large Georgian townhouse on Devonshire Street. If the exterior was austere and formal, the ambience inside was thankfully open and inviting. All of the team – including Dr Paris herself, who popped out to greet me – were warm and welcoming. I immediately felt at home in the tranquil and elegantly designed treatment and reception rooms.
I was there to try the CACI RejuvaMed facial, a non-surgical lifting treatment which uses microcurrent technology in the form of various handheld probes, wands and other attachments. This five-step process promises to lift and contour the skin by working the facial muscles and addressing issues with skin and structure. Moreover, a course of treatments can be used to support your usual skincare routine – be that regular injectables, or simply the use of actives like tretinoin or retinol.
I was seen by Eden, one of the expertly trained therapists working at the clinic. She started with a deep cleanse, and, as her firm, confident fingers got to work on my face, it immediately became obvious to me that I had hit gold. As we talked, she reinforced my belief that whilst tech has taken cosmetic treatments to previously unimaginable levels, a truly expert massage is unbeatable. In addition to a thorough cleanse, I was also reaping the benefits of a light lymphatic drainage – plus there’s nothing to beat a bit of old-fashioned human contact.
As she worked on my skin, Eden explained each step in the process, and why it was so beneficial. I was reassured to hear that even in my mid-50s there are still active collagen levels in my system – too much doomscrolling on Instagram had convinced me my dermis was a desert at this point. Not at all. The depletion in collagen levels starts around our mid-20s and increases with menopause, so it is well worth seeking out treatments to stimulate natural production. CACI RejuvaMed uses carefully calibrated heat to help ‘shock’ both collagen and elastin into action but if that sounds faintly alarming, fear not: think of it more in terms of the relaxing sensation of a hot stone massage but with added benefits.
Once the skin was prepped, firm kneading with the sculpting attachment helped to remind my face that it used to hang from the cheekbones, not my jaw. I am aware that there are interventions I could seek out but as Eden observed, ‘All good skin maintenance starts with foundations – good soil, good plants’.
Next up, red-light therapy. As part of a professional treatment, this will penetrate the dermis, further boosting that all-important collagen production, improving the circulation, and energising those tired cells by reminding them how to heal themselves. If you’ve been made dubious about the efficacy of red-light therapy due to the proliferation of at-home treatment products, be reassured by the fact that when used by a professional as part of a treatment, the benefits are proven. And, if you have been tempted to invest in a mask yourself, you’ll know that consistent use does indeed yield rewards. The key is in the word consistent, and remember the impact is gradual so don’t expect to see a difference within the first few weeks of regular use.
Back in the treatment room, and all too soon, we were at the final stage: moisturiser, vigorously worked into every nook and cranny, followed by SPF and a slick of lip balm.
Although a course of treatments is advisable (ideally between six and eight), I certainly saw an improvement after my single session. My skin felt firmer and looked more lifted, plus I could see natural light bouncing off my cheeks in the clinic’s bathroom mirror, which (for me) is always the best sign of buoyancy and good skin health. Not only was I happy with my reflection, but my spirits had also been lifted by a treatment combining the best of old and new: the latest advances in tech with traditional manual therapy, courtesy of an expert.
Prices start from £300. For more information, or to book a treatment, visit drparis.co.uk.
