Review: Jamie Roberts
Once enjoyed by Princess Diana, the CACI facial is still a firm favourite of many a fresh faced celeb; Jennifer Lopez, Laura Whitmore and Lucy Watson just a few radiant beauties who have shared their love of the wonder treatment. In fact Lucy Watson shared her visit to Clinic Privé where she enjoyed hers, and so when an invite came for me to visit the luxury aesthetic clinic of celebrity facialist Lisa Franklin herself, I couldn’t wait to head to Knightsbridge to see what all the fuss was about.
Clinic Privé matches everything you would expect from its luxury location, and exudes indulgence, comfort, and chic; all the while maintaining an impeccable elegance. The clinics moto ‘always effective but never invasive’ struck a real cord with me. As a devotee of a natural approach to beauty, when my therapist described the facial as a ‘workout for the face’ I was sold. From a medical background myself the CACI technologies ability to provide a ‘non-surgical facelift’ intrigued me, and I was keen to know how the equipment has provided not only instant tightening and sculpting for a dewy, youthful aesthetic, but also has managed to reverse facial droop for patients with bells palsy in as little as four sessions.
The treatment
I escaped the drizzle of the damp weather outside and was warmly welcomed into the clinic with a hydrating glass of cucumber water, and settled into the treatment suite. The ‘lift’ facial combines the CACI (computer aided cosmetology instrument) technology with bespoke combinations of ultrasonic peeling, hydrotone and LED light therapy for a complete non-surgical lift and toning experience. My therapist took time to address my skin concerns (namely winter dryness combined with congestion), whilst also treating my face to all-round boost of brightening and lifting. The beauty of the ‘lift’ facial is that it can be tailored to all skin types and skin ages, and the wonderful combination of the Lisa Franklin and CACI product ranges are a perfect duo.
The treatment was relaxing and painless, the ultrasonic peeling felt like mild soothing vibrations (it boasts an amazing 27,000 vibrations per second), as a gentle exfoliating ceramic/quartz tool was selected for my sensitive skin type. Whilst microdermabrasion historically leaves me with some redness and downtime, the combination of soothing ‘CACI hydromask’, and Lisa Franklin ‘calm and heal serum’ fed deep into my skin with the gentle microcurrent rollers, left my face energised, plump and soothed. The red LED light therapy to finish noticeably reduced redness and the appearance of minor capillaries that have sadly started to introduce themselves as I delve further into my 30s.
The microcurrent element of the CACI facial is complex but my therapist perfectly explained it in terms that I would understand. The low intensity currents provide a ‘muscle re-education’ by delivering micro-currents with cotton tipped probes to all 32 facial muscles- a relaxing/lengthening effect that works to reverse years of muscle contraction. We spend so much time stretching our bodies after exercise and hours of bad posture; yet seem to forget that so much of our tension is held in the delicate muscle fibres of our faces.
A cooling application of the ‘calm and heal serum’ with a beautiful Rose Quartz Gua Sha was a perfect finale, and I retired to the daybed with a delicious cup of rose tea feeling wonderfully pampered. Multiple trips to the mirror to marvel at my dewy plumpness later and I was ready to head back to the high street to show off my glowing face.
CACI facial; The Lift at Lisa Franklin.
Lisa Franklin Clinic Privé
251 Brompton Rd, London SW3 2EP
Appointment with Lisa, £125.
Appointment nationwide, from £60.