Reincarnated skin

MANILA, Philippines - As far as I can remember, or cared enough to notice, I feel that my skin looks okay. This isn’t enough, of course, — there are just things you learn to live with. It was neither too oily nor too dry. “Combination skin” they would say. However, as I grew older, my skin’s texture became as inconsistent and unpredictable as the weather. Not being genetically blessed with (oriental) flawless skin plus the advent of a myriad of skincare products, my journey started towards looking for my Rosetta stone — one which would unlock the secret to graceful aging.

After trying out various local and global brands, a friend introduced me to Sheila Ching, aesthetician and owner of Perfect Contour and the Skin Perfect Facial Care chain. She advised a series of treatments using Skeyndor products, a brand from Terrasa, Barcelona.

Skeyndor’s beauty journey spans more than 45 years. The skin, with its significance in the concept of contemporary beauty, is the continual challenge Skeyndor faces and similarly, its purpose to make people a little happier with their face and body. With its inception in 1966, its passion for developing the best anti-aging treatments has grown throughout the years, making it an internationally well-known Spanish trademark.

Sheila swore by it, saying it was the only one that could handle her sensitive skin, while maintaining healthy skin volume and glow. Looking at Sheila’s bright and porcelain skin, it didn’t take much to convince me.

First, a derma peel to rejuvenate and even out my skin tone was done through deep exfoliation. Designed for skin renewal and to get softer skin, the overall appearance and texture are improved.  Its efficiency is based on the combination of five peeling techniques in just one session. The five-step process involves: micro peeling, ultrasound micro dermal abrasion, acid compound cleansing, enzymatic exfoliation and organic peeling.

I found out that I was late in the game as the recommended age to undergo a derma peel is actually 25 years old. But then again, nowadays it’s never too early to take care of one’s skin. With my skin properly exfoliated, Sheila suggested another non-invasive Skeyndor treatment to complement it — the Anti-ageing Corrective line.

In 2012, it won the Asia Spa Awards. Its corrective line won the Best Anti Aging product of the year — the very first time a Spanish brand has received such a distinctive award. The brand was nominated in six among 14 categories, the highest among participating global brands. It is no wonder that Skeyndor, through a chain of international distributors, is present in over 40 countries worldwide, which now includes the Philippines.

As we age, our skin tends to become thinner, drier and dull. Free radicals — the unstable oxygen molecules produced by pollution, stress and sun — are a skincare nightmare. They attack healthy skin cells and cause collagen breakdown, all of which lead to wrinkles. That’s why the recommended age for this treatment is 40 years old.

The corrective line is a facial treatment which includes muscle-relaxing peptides with a complementary effect in its formula. This means a targeted treatment for addressing and correcting definitive expression and wrinkle lines on the face. The corrective line combines fill-in techniques with oil soluble sea lavender extract that relax the skin’s micro-contractures, resulting in an intensive, smoothening effect. The range includes the active substance Syn-ake or “snake venom” which suppresses the acetylcholine receptors and hence, contracts muscles involved in facial modulation. It also contains Cosmetic Hyaluronic Acid — a new generation of non–invasive fill-in agents which fills in wrinkles with biocompatible material in real time. Brown Algae extracts, found in this line, stimulate the synthesis of three essential proteins involved in the ability to capture and store fats, thus helping address collagen production.

Studies show a reduction of up to 52 percent in wrinkle depth. It exactly addresses a major concern: deepening expression lines due not only to aging but to a vice I have been trying to quit for years — smoking!

The procedure took almost an hour, beginning with cleansing and the application of the Wrinkle Reducer Peptide Complex over the face, neck and décolleté. The facial massage was not only relaxing but also allowed the effective penetration of the active ingredients, helping redefine the facial shape. The part I like best was the Pearl Regenerating Luxe Mask which is applied and left on for 20 blissful minutes.

Once I got up after the treatment to examine and touch my face, it felt soft, moist and hydrated. When I looked in the mirror, I could see the visible glow! Apparently, aside from its hydrating and softening benefits, the Pearl Powder also unifies skin color, making it even through and through. The Corrective treatment rejuvenates the face and minimizes facial expressions to restore that supple yet firm skin and at the same time, a youthful appearance. To think this was just my first session, I couldn’t wait for the next!                                                                      

Sheila recommended that I go for weekly treatments until the corrective pack is used up. I was also given home care products for maintenance until my next appointment. As with beauty treatments, maintenance is key to keeping skin healthy way beyond the service. The pack included Expression Lines Serum, Instant Wrinkle Filler Cream, Eye Expression Lines Eraser, and Instant Lip Contour Filler.

With all the added environmental pollutants and harmful external agents that harm the skin, it is no wonder that just as many skincare products have surfaced to combat them. It is just a matter of finding the perfect fit for you. And I think I have found mine.

* * *

For more information on Skeyndor treatments and products, call hotline 0917-5579619 or Perfect Contour at 442-1067 or 0906-4603966.