Seema and her team.
YOU may have noticed that I have been doing some reviews of late. The latest being Hyperbaric Therapy in Belfast.
Due to the positive feedback it received, I have decided to test other treatments over the next two weeks that promise to ease pain or reduce the effects of harsh treatments/medications. Rather than merely suggest that you try them I thought it would be useful if I test them first.
This week I am focusing on a treatment used by celebrities the world over. The purpose of this review is to assist people like myself who have experienced thinning of the skin, especially around the eyes.
I have openly discussed my dealings with chemotherapy and the associated side effects, one of which resulted in me taking HRT for the past ten years. For those unaware, chemotherapy can cause some women to experience symptoms of early menopause.
I was 19 when it affected me and, yes, I agree with what you are thinking, 19 is WAY too young to go through the nightmare that is menopause, but unfortunately I had no choice in the matter.
Hot flushes, mood swings, you name it, I had it! I have ‘fond’ memories of standing in Bar Mono (There’s a blast from the past!) with a beer mat in my hand fanning my face every couple of minutes to cool myself down.
I looked like a mad woman but dammit I was on fire! My doctors prescribed me with Hormone Replacement Therapy and I have taken it every day since. (Not including the summer of ’08 when I rebelled while on a J1 in America.
I regretted that instantly as my symptoms returned with a vengeance. Having hot flushes in a country that experiences soaring summer temperature is minus craic.)
Those who have gone through menopause will be aware of the effects it has on the body. I hated them all equally but the changes to my skin bothered me on a regular basis so I decided to do some research.
CACI
I found a treatment called CACI which looked interesting.
CACI (Computer Aided Cosmetology Instrument) is an award winning treatment.
Hailed the world over as the industry’s definitive alternative to Botox. Results are so dramatic that CACI has become known as “The non-surgical face lift”. and has attracted a unique celebrity following making it the most publicised beauty treatment in the industry’s history. CACI celebrity clients include Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Snowden and Suzanne Jackson.
Along with treating the signs of skin ageing, CACI treatments also work to improve sun-damaged skin, stretch-marks, acne and blemish scars.
Few salons offer this treatment, however we are lucky to have Indulgence Laser and Beauty in Letterkenny who have been offering CACI facials for months.
I spoke with Seema, who is the salon owner, and she arranged for me to undergo three treatments on my eye area.
I arrived at the salon for my first treatment with a mixture of excitement and curiosity.
My first impression was a good one as the salon was beautiful. Very stylish and upmarket which put me at ease.
If someone is going to perform a treatment on your eye area it is paramount that you feel the salon is of a high standard. I was able to t ick that box before I moved from the reception desk.
We made our way to the treatment room which was warm and inviting. I couldn’t help but notice a duvet on the bed and secretly hoped I would be under it at some point.
My wish was granted within the first ten seconds of entering the room and once I was as snug as a bug in a rug, Seema began my treatment. The first task was removing my make-up. A water based solution was gently massaged onto my eye area until my face was clean.
Knitting needles
Seema then placed a cool cream around my eyes and began the initial stage of the treatment which involved the use of two stick type instruments that looked similar to knitting needles.
The feeling on my skin was surprisingly pleasant and soothing. I had expected a small amount of discomfort or possibly even a little pain but instead I found myself drifting off to sleep! My eyes were closed for the entire treatment so I relied on my other senses to make up for my lack of sight. The feeling of the ‘knitting needles’ on my skin were nice and felt like a massage.
This section of the treatment took approximately 15 minutes by which stage I was deeply relaxed.
The second stage involved the use of the laser but again no pain was experienced. I felt what could only be described as gentle scratches as the laser travelled over my skin but it was so minor I barely registered it.
After this, two silicone pads which were attached with a wire to the machine were placed under my eyes. Once activated I could feel a vibration/gentle pulsing. This was my favourite part as it felt strangely pleasant on my eye area. Seema checked I was comfortable before leaving me to relax for about ten minutes.
I think I fell asleep about five times in that time frame. I know I was asleep as I kept waking myself up with a jolt that scared the living daylights out of me. Not unlike when you fall asleep on the bus and mortify yourself by waking up in a fit! (We’ve all been there)
After ten minutes Seema returned and my treatment was complete. Time absolutely flies once you enter the room, the entire process takes roughly one hour but it only feels like twenty minutes.
Results
Now to the all important part- THE RESULTS
It is recommended you have ten treatments to begin with and follow up with one monthly maintenance treatment however many clients have reported to have noticed a difference after their first session. I noticed a definite difference and was shocked as I genuinely didn’t expect it.
My eyes were a little puffy initially but once that subsided I could see much more of my eyelid. My whole eye area had opened up.
I returned last Tuesday for my second treatment and noticed how fresh I looked the following morning. I was attending an event quite early in the morning and expected to be greeted with tired eyes when I looked in the mirror but instead I looked like I had been awake for hours! It is early days for me and I plan to continue treatment but so far I am happy to say with complete honesty that this treatment works! Jennifer Aniston is such a strong believer in it that she actually bought her own machine! Hmmmm do you think Santa would bring me one for Christmas? A girl can dream!
To make an appointment with Seema you can visit her Facebook page.
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