Coming face-to-face with a gun and a scalpel knife during a beauty treatment is not exactly my idea of heaven, in fact it is something that happens in nightmares.
Yet, with the likes of celebrities, actors and pop stars swearing by Shane Cooper’s bespoke facials, I figure it can’t be too painful.
After all, beauty comes at a price and if it’s one that claims to make you look younger after just one treatment, then I’m up for it – provided the only thing it kills off is my dead skin cells.
This is no chamber of horrors though; in fact it is the complete opposite; a stunning brightly lit building in the heart of Kensington with art to die for (not literally!) and furnishings that wouldn’t look out of place in a luxury hotel. Everything about the treatment room offers a sense of calmness and serenity, providing the ultimate space for the skin guru to the stars to work his magic.
Suzanne Baum gives her verdict on a non-invasive facial from Shane Cooper who boasts Maya Jama, Rita Ora and Jessie J among his fans. Pictured: Suzanne, before
There are two reasons you can’t get a walk-in appointment with Shane. In fact, three – the third being he works from a private house so unless you are a client, you won’t find it. The other two reasons are you cannot just show up to the clinic- you have to book in advance -and even then you’ll be hard pressed to find an appointment as Shane is booked up for weeks. However, as anyone who knows Shane will tell you, his passion for his work means he will literally bend over backwards to fit you in.
Which is how I find myself lying on his luxurious treatment bed at 8am on a Monday morning – multitasking an interview with him at the same time as reviewing his red carpet facial treatment. It’s an early start but the fact I have not had to do my usual skincare routine or apply makeup means I have the just-got-out-of-bed look and arrive heavy eyed and spotty – the perfect canvas for Shane.
It’s been a good few months since I last had a facial and with skin break-outs on my chin from wearing a mask, I am literally beyond excited. But forget the facial you may be used too – the warm cotton pads and heated towels, the relaxing head rub and face massage– this treatment is so powerful you will most certainly be wide awake throughout.
That’s not to say it’s painful though – it isn’t, and the gun and scalpel (more of that later), are in fact just tools of Shane’s trade, which also involve the most advanced technology machines in the industry.
Suzanne revealed she’s often intimidated by electronic facial treatments, however the sensation from Shane’s facial isn’t uncomfortable. Pictured: Suzanne, after
After prepping my face for treatment, Shane reassures me that in 90 minutes time all my skin complaints would have vanished. The chronic pigmentation, acne scarring and dry patches increased during lockdown and fine lines, under eye bags and tiredness etched on my face from weeks of sleepless nights, he tells me, are soon to be a thing of the past. And – (admittedly after hours of stalking his Instagram videos of treatments with everyone from Rochelle Hulme’s to Anthony Joshua), I believe him.
Electronic facial treatments have often intimidated me; the noise and sensation of the machines have never appealed so I have always opted for the hands on approach. However, Shane’s calming and attentive attitude – which stems back from his early career working as a mental health therapist, – is super comforting.
Using a variety of different techniques, my skin is plumped, massaged and pummelled with different techniques, including a pair of what looks like metal tongs that provide magnetic pulsed therapy to tighten and rejuvenate my facial muscles.
Suzanne explained the facial involved a short procedure that exfoliates the skin and removes fine baby hair. Pictured: Suzanne, three days after the facial
The sensation is not uncomfortable, although it does startle me at first, but with everything in this treatment- you can actually feel it going to work. Yes, I didn’t need to Shane tell me, I could actually feel my elastin and collagen renewal going into overdrive!
Next, he applied a mild peel to help gently lift away the tired top layer of skin cells, before I went under the knife…..or should I say scalpel. Much to my surprise this process is so therapeutic I can’t help but stare at the procedure through my camera phone.
Dermaplaning is a short procedure that’s kind of like getting your face shaved. It’s meant to exfoliate your skin and remove small, fine baby hairs, otherwise known as ‘peach fuzz and let me warn you…… skincare addicts will find the scraping aspect of the facial oddly satisfying,
Suzanne said she couldn’t stop staring at her complexion in the mirror, revealing the facial is great for baby smooth skin. Pictured left: Before, right: After
And with all my dead skin removed I now understand just how the A-listers always look so flawless…for many it’s all down to the handy work of this aesthetician legend I can’t stop grinning up at.
If baby smooth skin that’s prepped and plumped is what you’re after, then this facial is the one. The dermaplaning helps remove and smooth out any lumps, bumps and face fuzz leaving me with a fresh new blemish-free layer of skin. I cannot stop staring at my complexion in the mirror!
And just as I think the treatment is over, then comes the weirdest part- the cryotherapy cool-lifting gun. Sprayed onto me face; it provides a powerful CO2 flow at a very low temperature and a high pressure, combined with an extremely high concentration of active ingredients.
Suzanne explained that the treatment takes off the top layer of dead skin cells and rejuvenates skin for instant results. Pictured: Suzanne days after the facial
The exclusive face treatment also involves the application of a special mask – not the face covering sort – but Shanes oxygenating product that he has bottled up himself so you can continue treatments at home. The procedure takes off the top layer of dead skin cells while rejuvenating and rehydrating the skin and, along with my blemishes and dry skin patches, literally blew me away.
So, the result? The bespoke facial lasts an hour and a half and results are instant. I could see an immediate difference straight away. Skin felt tighter, wrinkles were ironed out and I was left with a rosy healthy glow.
I also noticed all my pigmentation had gone and the collagen plumped in my cheeks meant my skin felt tauter than ever before, Yes, this is an expensive treatment but for people who want genuine results, it’s worth every penny.
Three days on and people keep asking me what have I done? I’ve not done anything – my new BFF Shane did it.
For more details, visit https://www.shanecooperuk.com/