Review: Fairmont The Palm Dubai’s radio frequency facial treatment helps reverse skin damage

Dr Rita Rakus demonstrates a facial treatment available at Willow Stream Spa at Dubai’s Fairmont The Palm. Courtesy Anna Nielsen for The National

As I enjoy the final few months of my 20s, I think I’ve got time before I start stocking up on anti-ageing creams. But, with the amount of sun that I’ve exposed my skin to over the years, I wouldn’t be shocked to find that when put under the microscope my skin is showing the early signs of ageing and damage.

So, with the aim of turning back time a little before I turn 30, I recently agreed to test the new Red Carpet Facial at the Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont The Palm Dubai, developed by British aesthetic specialist for celebrities Dr Rita Rakus. She recently launched three non-invasive therapies at the wellness centre to restore the skin’s youthful glow.

The treatment follows a three-step approach - cleansing, tightening and hydrating. What sets it apart from other such facials is the use of a radio frequency based machine, the BTL Exilis, for lifting and boosting the facial collagen. It’s worth noting, the machine can also be used for body contouring and reducing targeted fat deposits.

The therapist begins with the HydraFacial, which was developed in the United States in 1997. It uses hydro power to exfoliate and freshen the skin, while targeting specific skin issues like environmental damage,fine lines, excessive oil and acne. A vortex suction system is used for the entire procedure. My skin is cleansed with a seaweed and glucosamine serum to remove dead skin cells. This is followed by a mild glycolic and salicylic acid peel made from the bark of trees, fruits and dairy. The peel helps unclog pores. The next step involves an extraction of blackheads, which is often painful, but thankfully the suction method makes this procedure pain-free. The skin is them plumped with antioxidants, Vitamin E, peptides and hyaluronic acid serums to boost elasticity and keep it moisturised.

We finally move on to what makes the Red Carpet Facial one of the most sought after treatment among celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet. Before we begin, the therapist places a radio frequency ground pad on my back to prevent me getting a shock. The machine can go up to 120 watts of frequency, but the therapist keeps the power at 60W while working on my cheeks and around my lips. It’s even less, (around 30W) when she gets to the sensitive areas near the eyes.

She keeps checking to see if it isn’t getting to hot for me to handle so that she can adjust the temperature accordingly. The waves are meant to heat up specific layers of the skin to undo collagen fibres and stimulate fibroblasts to produce this protein and create a fibre network that will tighten the skin. After putting my skin through bearable heat for seven minutes on each side, it is given some more hydration with a concoction of chestnut, arnica plant and green tea by way of the hydra facial equipment.

A red light therapy to improve blood circulation and reduce redness is to follow for the next 12 minutes. This is all tied-in with a booster serum and cream from the Dr Levy Switzerland range of products that have also been recently introduced at the spa.

The 90-minute facial might feel like your skin is being put through a lot of procedures but at no point does this get uncomfortable. Luckily for me, I don’t have visible lines so am not able to see a noticeable difference, but my skin does look smoother and well-hydrated after the session. The BTL Exilis treatment needn’t be a regular beauty regime. I’m told a session a year will garner desired results. And at Dh1,900 a session, I might just stick to some of Rita Rakus’s other treatments until I actually start seeing visible lines and wrinkles appear.

Dr Rita Rakus skin analysis and treatments at Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont The Palm Dubai cost from Dh250. To book, call 04 457 35 4546 or email [e-mail]. Visit www.fairmont.com/palm-dubai/willow-stream

The review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel.