For millennia, we have put ourselves in pain’s path for the sake of youth and beauty. Women back in the day used to eat “complexion wafers” made with arsenic for clearer skin. The Romans used to grind the intestines of a small crocodile as a blemish remedy. Closer to our present day, we’ve done all sorts of beauty treatments, from vampire facials (Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP] therapy) involving applying your own blood to your face after pricking it multiple times, to applying snail mucin on our faces. These days, the latter has been replaced with salmon sperm—the cult-favourite PDRN ingredient.
All this to say, we’re willing to go the extra mile to look beautiful. Thankfully, though, the latest facial treatment I tried did not involve any pain or poison. In fact, for a treatment designed to slough away dead skin cells, it is surprisingly gentle and has zero downtime after.
The treatment in question is the Glacē facial (pronounced “glass-ee”), now available at The M.A.C Clinic in The Starhill. According to its proprietors, Candela, this treatment “combines advanced hydrodermabrasion, dual-mode cupping massage, and a relaxing finishing experience to cleanse, smooth, and illuminate. The customizable Glacē treatment transforms skin care, revealing luminous, naturally radiant skin in just one session.”
Before starting my facial treatment, a skin diagnosis is always important, and I got one done with a nifty camera and 3D technology to really see my problem areas. This helps the treatment tech determine what serums I’ll need during the facial later, alongside the light therapy. The Glace facial combines three technologies in one treatment: hydrodermabrasion, dual-mode cupping, and LED treatment. Hydrodermabrasion utilises precision-engineered diamond tips and an adjustable closed-vacuum technology to exfoliate and replenish skin, thanks to the tip’s hygienic precision. This is all done with a two-phase serum infusion treatment that’s been selected according to your skin’s needs.
The second part of the treatment, dual-mode cupping, is a relaxing cupping massage that helps detoxify and contour two areas simultaneously, reducing treatment time since we’re all busy people. The pulsations support lymphatic drainage to reduce the appearance of puffiness and encourage natural detoxification. Finally, we come to the third—and most relaxing—part of the facial: LED treatment coupled with a soothing biocellulose mesh mask. The light therapy is dependent on your skin’s needs: blue for balancing and acne-prone skin; green for mature and dull skin types; and red for soothing and redness-prone skin. Since my skin is slightly sensitised and prone to turning red from exfoliating treatments, I requested the red light therapy.
Did I get glass skin immediately?
Not immediately. However, having just returned from a winter vacation with dried-out skin, this facial treatment was perfect to slough off the dead skin and leave me with peeled-egg smooth skin. The great thing about the Glace facial treatment is that it slowly shows off its full potential as the week progresses. Upon finishing the treatment, yes, you get really smooth and hydrated skin. As the week goes on, you will even begin to notice—as I have—your skin becoming firmer, giving you the appearance of a more snatched jawline. Naturally, Dr Hew of The M.A.C Clinic advises a more comprehensive, regular treatment basis to really cement that glass skin look. And with zero downtime (my skin was barely reddened after), it’s an easy yes to incorporate this treatment into your regular facial block.
READ MORE