I tried a £90 ‘face lift’ loved by Bridgerton stars & have never had more compliments – even Amanda Holden was impressed
THE tweakments market is bigger than ever thanks to the stars of the silver screen promoting that fresh-faced, snatched jawline look that we’re all after.
But if fillers or surgery are off the cards – it can be difficult to know how effective non-surgical treatment really are and which, if any, are worth splashing that hard-earned cash on.
At 26 – I don’t want to pump my face with hyaluronic acid fillers to boost natural beauty.
I’ve worked hard to improve my skin texture and glow – taking good care of my face with serums and creams – but I quickly went down a rabbit hole when I looked for non-invasive and inexpensive treatments to supplement my own routine.
And I was very tempted.
Among them is the CACI facial which can be completed on a lunch-hour at hundreds of locations across the UK – and better still, there’s no downtime meaning I could go straight back to the office afterwards.
The technology stimulates the facial muscles to tone, and uses LED lights to rejuvenate.
And the CACI facial is already hailed by celebrities as the must-have treatment, with celebrity fans including Bridgerton leading lady Simone Ashley and The Crown’s Elizabeth Debicki.
Even J-Lo is said to have her very own CACI system at home while telly presenter Ranvir Singh, and Lorraine Kelly, also appear on the CACI website, just two out of dozens of famous faces who regularly pop in for a treatment.
The treatment prides itself on its natural results, which can be built up over time with regular visits to further tighten and brighten the face, neck, and décolletage.
I opted for the Signature Synergy Non-Surgical Facial, with a lip-plumping add-on to improve my pout, to get the best that this electrode machine can offer. At £90, it isn’t cheap, but it’s a snip compared with other age-defying options like Botox.
While it’s famed for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and improving skin elasticity, it was the snatched look of the likes of other CACI customers, House of the Dragon’s Emma D’Arcy and Dune 2’s Anya Taylor-Joy, that I was after.
And if anything could minimise my bags from a long week at work, even better.
What is a CACI facial?
CACI facials are a non-invasive treatment that can help lift, tighten and brighten the skin without the need for surgical intervention.
This technique became popular over two decades ago as a red carpet secret, but is now increasingly popular in treating lines and wrinkles.
CACI stands for Computer Aided Cosmetology Instrument and uses a microcurrent machine with waveforms and ultra-low frequencies to transmit electrical signals through the skin.
The signals boost muscle tone and skin tissue by stimulating the muscles to improve face shape, skin tone and texture.
The treatment also uses LED light therapy, which penetrates the skin to regenerate tissue and repair collagen.
The 60-minute treatment took place at Lisa Franklin’s flagship Knightsbridge store, where I was welcomed with a glass of cucumber water to detox before lying back in a remote-controlled treatment bed that moulded itself to my body shape.
It was then that my skin specialist Nicole got to work, layering cleansers, toners, and gels on my face before hooking up the electrodes to the CACI machine.
It’s best described as a pulling and pinching technique with the gentle tingling sensation of the electronic currents – and while it’s far from painful, it can be uncomfortable.
Luckily, I was not one of the clients to experience a metallic sensation in my mouth, a side effect of the electricity, just the occasional discomfort in areas of my face that are more sensitive.
But, I soon relaxed into the feeling – anticipating the little buzz of the machine – and was almost asleep by the time Nicole had moved onto the lip-plumping machine.
She explained that the treatments could keep developing in the coming days – with the most noticeable difference later on in the afternoon, or even the next morning.
And while these natural treatments do wear off more quickly than filler, I was encouraged that repeat treatments over a period of six weeks can help the results stick around for weeks, or even months.
It just so happened my 24 hours post-treatment time coincided with a chat with Amanda Holden – and even she complimented me on my skin.
It’s the reason I will be putting off the needles and I’ve booked back in for another treatment next month.”
And as time went on, the compliments kept rolling in from friends and family.
The treatment undoubtedly gave me that dewy appearance I was after, with the added bonus of minimising my pores, slimming down my jawline and lifting my brows.
But more importantly, I felt completely de-puffed and suitably plumped for a camera close up.
It’s the reason I will be putting off the needles and I’ve booked back in for another treatment next month.
CACI treatments can start from as little as £17. Your local clinic can be found using the CACI Clinic Finder.