Herts &amp; Beds


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<p>Skin feeling the effects of the Christmas excesses, winter dryness and general dullness that takes over at this time of year? Or perhaps those fine lines are looking a little more pronounced than you&#8217;d like. I hear you, and as I approach my 40th year I&#8217;m all in for anything that claims to preserve (or improve) the youthfulness of my skin. That&#8217;s why my ears pricked up when I heard about this non-invasive Environ Active Vitamin Facial at Eve &amp; Adam Beauty Clinic in St Albans. It promises to pack a nourishing, anti-ageing punch by driving active ingredients deep into the layers of skin via sound waves and mini electrical pulses, with its whizzy &#8216;Ionzyme&#8217; machine. Don&#8217;t worry &#8211; it&#8217;s not as scary as it sounds! In fact it&#8217;s the perfect ease in to facial treatments if you&#8217;re a first timer or facial novice like me. It&#8217;s also recommended for sun damage, uneven skin tone and scarring. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Environ-facial-from-eve-and-adam-1000x667.jpg" alt="Environ facial eve and adam beauty clinic" class="wp-image-82094" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Environ-facial-from-eve-and-adam-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Environ-facial-from-eve-and-adam-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Environ-facial-from-eve-and-adam-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Environ-facial-from-eve-and-adam.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<p>Eve &amp; Adam has just celebrated its 20th year in business, thanks to the personal service and customer loyalty (it&#8217;s won awards for it!), plus, what owner Sally-Anne doesn&#8217;t know about beauty isn&#8217;t worth knowing! So, if it&#8217;s experience and peace of mind you are after, you&#8217;ve come to the right place. Just off the main drag of St Peter’s Street, you may not stumble across the clinic, but once you’ve found it, you’ll be sure to remember it, not least for the impecable service, warm welcome and super friendly therapists. It&#8217;s not a vast spa-like labyrinth, but a petite clinic (don&#8217;t let that word put you off, as it doesn&#8217;t feel at all medical), with a handful of prettily decorated treatment rooms. Sally-Anne is glam and glowing &#8211; a real-life advert for her business &#8211; but not in the least bit intimidating, with her utterly down-to-earth manner and non-pushy approach. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Eve-and-Adam.jpg" alt="Eve and Adam Beauty Clinic St Albans" class="wp-image-75497" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Eve-and-Adam.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Eve-and-Adam-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Eve-and-Adam-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-diagnosis">THE DIAGNOSIS</h2>



<p>My therapist, Rozi, was instantly warm and bubbly, plus extremely knowledgeable about skin care, which gave me utter confidence in her skill and had me hanging on her every word. With 30+ years experience she says can tell if her clients are being truthful about their regimes, including their diet and if they snack (yep, even a sneaky biccie break can impact on your skin &#8211; who knew?) *steps away from the biscuit tin*. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-skin-scan-1000x667.jpg" alt="Eve and Adam skin scan" class="wp-image-82096" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-skin-scan-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-skin-scan-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-skin-scan-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-skin-scan.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>First step &#8211; a diagnostic skin scan. I put my head in something resembling a mini spaceship, which took detailed pictures of my face. The high tech scanner measured hydration, sebum (oil) production, open pores, pigmentation, broken collagen, black heads, dark circles, acne and more. The good news is that overall it showed my skin was in fairly good nick. As expected, it showed signs of pigmentation, and a few areas of collagen damage in my forehead particularly &#8211; good to know that slathering on those expensive moisturisers over the years has paid off. But, I knew my worst offenders would be dehydration and sun damage. And the machine didn’t lie. My Skin moisture content was just 15% (more than 50 is good). Rozi was very straight with me that this was not good. Ahem&#8230; moving on. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-skin-scan-2-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Eve and Adam beauty clini skin scan" class="wp-image-82099" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-skin-scan-2-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-skin-scan-2-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-skin-scan-2-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-skin-scan-2-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-skin-scan-2-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-skin-scan-2-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-skin-scan-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Now for the scary bit &#8211; the machine takes everything into account before revealing your skin age. Mine was 43 (4 years higher than my actual age). Eek! However Rozi reassured me that this was actually not bad, and that she can tell I’m looking after my skin on the whole. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-treatment">THE TREATMENT</h2>



<p>The nice thing about this treatment is that it can be made bespoke for your specific needs (based on the results of your skin scan). For me that meant using active Peptides (for anti-ageing) and active Vitamin C (for pigmentation and hydration boosting).</p>



<p>First I enjoyed a relaxing pre-cleanse with a nourishing coconut and jojoba oil, with a lovely facial massage, before Rozi applied the active ingredients to my skin in the relevant places and used the Ionzyme machine to send sound waves through my skin, creating vibrations which allow the ingredients to penetrate up to 70% deeper than just applying with hands. It was a peculiar, yet not unpleasant sensation as I could occasionally hear crackling and high pitched noises accompanied with flashing lights (less like the start of a migraine and more like seeing the gentle flicker of a candle through closed eyelids). She lingered over problem areas, such as my forehead, smile lines and crow&#8217;s feet. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Environ-facial-from-Environ-website-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-82098" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Environ-facial-from-Environ-website-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Environ-facial-from-Environ-website-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Environ-facial-from-Environ-website-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Environ-facial-from-Environ-website.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The stages of the Environ facial using the Ionzyme machine</figcaption></figure>



<p>Next, Rozi applied an algaenate mask, which felt like a cool, cushiony blanket being laid over my face. A really unusual but actually very pleasant feeling. Not one for claustrophobics, as she completely covered my eyes and mouth, (although was very careful to ensure I was comfortable at all times). While the mask set, (again with the help of the machine &#8211; this time attaching wires to the mask itself, to pump those goodies deep into my skin), Rozi gave me a gorgeously relaxing and tension easing shoulder massage. When the mask was ready to be removed it peeled off in one thick rubbery piece, without any pulling on the skin, lips or eyelashes. Finally she applied a moisturiser and SPF to protect my skin from the elements.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-result">THE RESULT</h2>



<p>I’m realistic enough not to expect to miraculously look 10 years younger after a single treatment, BUT, I have to say there was an obvious reduction in my forehead lines and my skin looked more even, plumper and fresher, with my former wintry dullness gone. An impressive result. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-facial-before-and-after-1000x667.jpg" alt="Eve and adam Environ facial before and after" class="wp-image-82092" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-facial-before-and-after-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-facial-before-and-after-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-facial-before-and-after-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Eve-and-adam-facial-before-and-after.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-takeway-tips">TAKEWAY TIPS</h2>



<p>Rozi fuelled me up with lots of useful facts and tips to help me maintain and improve my skin at home. I&#8217;ll certainly be working these into my routine from now on:  </p>



<ul>
<li>Contrary to what you might expect, your skin hydration level isn&#8217;t just about how much water you drink. Lack of Vitamin C is one of the biggest causes of dehydration as it helps your skin to absorb water from your body. You can get it through your diet or via a good &#8216;active&#8217; serum (look for one that requires mixing with Peptides before use). Other serums will sit on the skin&#8217;s surface and protect from anti-oxidants but won&#8217;t penetrate deeply enough to improve hydration.</li>



<li>Exfoliating regularly will improve the absorption and efficacy of the products you apply afterwards. Otherwise you are just applying them on top of a barrier layer of dead skin cells, preventing absorption into the skin. Avoid exfoliators with large particles and opt for a gentle daily product containing salicylic acid instead.</li>



<li>Drinking ice cold water closes up your skin cells preventing absorption of water (the same applies to sparkling water). Instead, start the day with a glass of room temperature or warm water with a few drops of fresh lemon in, if you like, then wait 30 mins before eating breakfast, to allow your body to absorb it properly. A hydrated stomach will also aid digestion, allowing your skin to take what it needs from your food. Then wait an hour after eating before your next glass. </li>
</ul>



<p><strong>The details: The Environ Active Vitamin Facial at Eve &amp; Adam Beauty Clinic, costs £75 for 60 mins and promises results in just one session. <a href="https://www.eve-and-adam.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eve &amp; Adam Beauty Clinic</a>, 12 Catherine St, St Albans, Herts, AL3 5BX; 01727 854483. </strong></p>


Review: Environ Active Vitamin Facial at Eve & Adam Beauty Clinic

You may also like