What Is ‘Skin Investment’?
ANTI-AGEING AND REJUVENATION
Grazia Magazine
Never have we ever spent SO much time looking at our faces on a screen. Over the past year, the number of daily Zoom users skyrocketed from 10 million in December 2019 to over 200 million in 2020. And while we Zoomed our way through the days and weeks, interest in skincare really took off. At John Lewis, sales of masks, moisturisers and serums soared with lots of us seeking out those hard-working ingredients that really deliver on results (vitamin C products upped an impressive 248%). And whether it’s due to the ‘Zoom boom’ and staring at own reflection endlessly, or perhaps more free-time in the evenings – one thing is for sure, we’re all investing in the health of our skin.
Skin-vestment is a trend we’re seeing whereby more people really want to invest in their skin post-lockdown,’ explains Dr Tracy Mountford, founder of The Cosmetic Skin Clinic, ‘patients are having aesthetic treatments for the first time, they’re investing in their skin health, and some are looking for greater longevity in their non-surgical treatments.’ New research commissioned by The Private Clinic and The Cosmetic Skin Clinic found a 160% year on year increase in bookings for non-surgical procedures including facial lasers and skin-boosting treatments. The Private Clinic also noted traffic to their site researching non-surgical treatments was three times higher in 2020 compared to 2019.
‘This is a trend we have seen for some years now. People are investing more in self-care and their overall wellbeing,’ says Valentina Petrone, group managing director for The Private Clinic, ‘the pandemic doesn’t seem to have changed that, quite the opposite.’ Mountford agrees. ‘This increase is no doubt fuelled by the Zoom boom and people seeing themselves non-stop on virtual calls. The industry as a whole is experiencing a sharp rise in the demand for non-invasive, skin savvy treatments.’ So what treatments are we booking into post-lockdown?
Ultherapy
As well as facial lasers, The Private Clinic and The Cosmetic Skin Clinic has noticed a growing interest in their Ultherapy treatment. ‘Patients are increasingly seeking out treatments that work with the body to boost natural collagen,’ says Mountford. So, what exactly is Ultherapy? The non-invasive treatment uses ultrasound technology to stimulate the production of collagen which, in turn, lifts and tightens the skin. ‘It boosts skin from the inside out for a fresh-faced, natural lift,’ she adds. ‘It’s a one-off treatment that can take as little as 30-minutes with results lasting between 12-months and two years depending on the age and lifestyle of the patient.’ Prices start from £500.
