Last week Wednesday, I was invited to experience an OptiPhi Skin Rejuvenating Peel at the fabulous day spa in Durban, La Belle Vie. Gotta love working on StyleScoop!
Now, I know what you’re thinking… skin peel – eek! When I first read the email, I couldn’t help but think of Samantha (Sex and the City) arriving at Carrie’s book party wearing an over-sized black hat and black vale trying to hide her hideous, raw and red skin peel! Thankfully, my skin peel had a completely different effect – all I wanted to do, and still do, is show off my face..
I keep catching a glimpse in the mirror every now and then and am very impressed with the results. My husband thinks I’m a nerd, but men just don’t understand how important good skin is to us gals. Guys usually look hotter the older they get, women on the other hand, well just ask the billionaire plastic surgeons who their biggest clients are!
Ok, so enough about the birds and bees of his and hers skin, I’m sure you’re dying to find out more about this fantastic facial.
The OptiPhi Skin Rejuvenating Peel takes about an hour in total. It’s done in a salon and only by a trained professional (of course). It’s non invasive and you could probably sneak one into your lunch hour and return back to work without anyone noticing – like I did. Although, I was asked if I had just been for a jog – not a bad thing I guess.
My lovely therapist, Candice, who also happens to be the Spa owner at La Belle Vie raved about this treatment from the start. As she cleaned off my makeup she mentioned how amazing this peel was and that I’d see instant results. I wasn’t 100% convinced, but after the treatment I really could. Five days later and I’m totally hooked! In fact, I’m booking five more sessions with Candice to get my skin looking brand new for my 30th Birthday, which happens to be next month – scary! Although one skin peel makes a huge difference, a series of six will make your skin feel totally new. If you got the bucks and feel your skin deserves it, go for it!
The skin peel consists of a series applications, starting with a cleanup to remove makeup and oil on the skin. This is then followed by an Anti-Inflammatory to help ease the inflammation of the next step. The peeling agent is then applied. This part stung a little, not too bad, but everyone is different. I guess in my case, having exfoliated my skin every day the week before (for a beauty feature on StyleScoop) was not ideal! Candice helped settle it down by playing a gentle piano on my face with her fingertips. After that, it was time for a rejuvenating serum, followed by a double mask and viola – five years off the clock! Yes I’m about 25 thank you very much 🙂
While it certainly brings out your younger skin, your “old” skin doesn’t actually peel off or so to speak. In addition, it doesn’t leave the skin feeling itchy or uncomfortable. The only thing you really notice, apart from fabulous skin texture, is that your skin feels a little flushed, but that settles down a couple hours later and it’s really not that bad in any case.
What it does
The OptiPhi Skin Rejuvenating Peel does so much, a lot of which I really needed and it delivered.
- It helps to firstly brighten the skin and make it look healthier.
- Smooth skin out and dry out inflamed breakouts. The next day the pimples were a lot smaller and a lot less noticeable.
- Leads to firmer looking skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. I’ve noticed some sneaky little frowny friends trying to become permanent book club members on my forehead. Time to kiss these goodbye, and after one treatment they were already heading out the door! This is also the reason I’m hooked and booking five more sessions to help them find another a club, somewhere far away from my face.
- Improves overall skin texture and hydrates the skin.
- Improves the appearance of sundamaged skin. I’ve got some pigmentation on my forehead that I absolutely hate. And after one peel it looks better, so that’s why I wanted to continue with five more sessions to make it less prominent or better yet, go away!
OptiPhi also have a full at home range that you can use (and I can’t wait to get my hands on). Check it out below, even the packaging is so ahmazingly stylish!
A new love is found. Be sure to stay tuned to StyleScoop for lots more OptiPhi features! Im totally addicted. Visit www.optiphi.com for more info about the brand and their range.
Durban girls, check out La Belle Vie on their website www.lbv.co.za
I have been wanting to do something like this for awhile now. My skin does not look young & fresh anymore. I will def give this a try. Thanks for the scoop 😉
Pleasure Nikki 🙂 I’ve just booked my second appointment for Wednesday – cant wait to see how much better my skin will look 🙂
Cannot wait to try, will definitely be making an appointment ASAP!
Wow…thanks for the lovely review Dimi, Optiphi really is a treatment and product that delivers!! Very rewarding brand to work with, loving every minute! Look forward to seeing you for treatment number 2-6! watch this space ladies:-)
is there a recommended age to begin peels?
how does 23 sound? 🙂
Hi Lavina, it depends on you skin conditions and concerns really…Feel free togive me a ring on 0836259946 or at La Belle Vie 031 5630960 to discuss further or to set up a complimentry consultation:-)
Would you be able to tell us how much 1 treatment cost you?
We are running a promotion at the moment – R450 per treatmennt and we for best results we recommend a course of 6..one per week for 6 consecutive weeks….R2700….offer valid till end March 2011!
I had my second OptiPhi skin peel yesterday and my skin is looking even better than before (YAY)>. Also, this time, and probably because I hadnt exfoliated like a mad woman, there was very little itching when the peel was applied.
Cant wait for session number 3 – Candice is awesome, you ladies will love her little spa.
ohmy gosh, this sounds like just the thing i’ve been looking for. can you it at home too?
Hi Kate. Fabulous it is! But you can’t do it at home. They do have a range of homecare products as well, which you can use after you’ve had the peel for extra benefits and results.
Hi Dimi,
Great to read about the peel, I’m very much interested however I have such a sensitive skin… I have a skin condition called “rosacea”, I often go for IPL treatment, but can surely do with a great peel:)
Hi Martie. It is truly amazing! My skin is looking so freaking amazing! Went for my third peel yesterday and started using the homecare products too. The Dermintense Active Gel is also super amazing.
Im sure it could probably help your condition, its reduced the redness of my face a lot and evened it out nicely.
If you’re in Durban give Candice a call on 031 5630960, she’s awesome.
Hey Dimi,
Thanks for the info. I live in Johannesburg and already booked a peel for next week Wednesday, why waste more time!?!
I really look forward to see great results, but I’ll keep you posted. Till next week, M
Do you happen to know the price of the Optiphi Home range? I have booked my app for my first peel for this Sat. Really excited about it. My skin has changed so drastically after having my twin 6 months ago and I have been looking for a product to help regain my complexion and glow.
Hi Cassandra
The range and costs vary. For the absolute essentials, which consists of; the Facial Cleanser (R513), Ageless Active Gel (R1140) and Moisture Control Light (R1197), you’re looking at R2850.
I’ve also done another feature review on it here if you want to read more about the homecare range 🙂 – http://www.stylescoop.co.za/2011/03/thirty-flirty-and-thriving-skin-optiphi/
I paid around R1300 for moisture control and the skin rejuvenator was slightly more…but the product is fabulous!
i have eczema on my face, can i still have the peel?
hi
I didnt realize that the peels could be done for 6 consecutive weeks, I have just had one and planned to have one every month.
how many peels did you need, and did you feel you needed to have them annually?
Hi Sassy Sami
I had six over a period of six weeks (one a week) as recommended by Candice at La Belle Vie. I loved how they made my skin feel, but my biggest concern was pigmentation and I found it didn’t help to remove it – although it did lighten it a bit.
I would still highly recommend these peels if you want gorgeous skin, but if you’ve got pigmentation issues, I’d recommend you see a dermatologist so he/ she can diagnose the problem for you and get it sorted. The problem with pigmentation is you get lots of different kinds and lots of different reasons for it, so once those are addressed you can work on getting rid of it 🙂
What about older people with deep wriinkes – would this have any effect?
Hi Heather
Your best bet would be to go in and see the therapist doing the OpiPhi peel and she can let you know if it will be suitable to your skin and needs 🙂
Good luck