Introducing: Non-Surgical Procedures at Transform

If only I could tell you what we were talking about... :)

Up until recently the Transform Clinic= boobs to me. Lucky for me I was invited along to find out much more about their company at a recent event, and I am so glad I did as I learnt a huge amount about what they are all about. Not only were the facilities in the Glasgow office fantastic but the staff were a real dream to chat to- unbelievably knowledgeable and passionate about what they can do for people and not just at a surgical level. We were there to learn about all the non- surgical treatments you can have and suffice to say I was in my element as the staff were on hand not just to fill us in but let us see first hand some of the treatments in action.

The best cakes have boobs on em :)

We were lucky enough get to watch demonstrations of an Obagi peel, botox and lip fillers and I found it absolutely fascinating. Seeing how quick and pain free these procedures are was amazing to me-the models who were all having the treatments for the first time, barely flinched which was hugely encouraging to a scaredy cat like me!

I have always wanted to try a proper facial peel so I was really keen to see what it might entail and was amazed with the pretty instant results and how little 'red face' it actually leaves you. Without a doubt you could head back to the office after a lunchtime peel without too much obvious signs and the team at Transform all agreed that it can do real wonders for the skin. The Obagi product lines are something I had heard wonderful stuff about with relation to pigmentation so getting to learn more was really insightful and definitely something I am going to look further into.

Botox is something I have always considered as I am pretty paranoid about the deep frown lines I have ( always wear your glasses people!) so I was excited to actually see it performed. Due to the  time it takes for the botox to really take effect we couldn't see anything straight away but in terms of the actual procedure it was fascinating to learn all the little areas it can be applied, even in tiny amounts, to allow for subtle but impactful changes to a persons appearance. Listening to the team give us the background on exactly how it behaves made me realise  how useful it can be in a preventative capacity to stop some wrinkles getting deeper.

Now with the Kylie Jenner phenomen well and truly taking over the world we couldn't go to a clinic and not hear something about lip fillers- they are so in demand right now! I totally had a different idea of what actually happens with fillers so I was completely engrossed in the model having hers done. We learnt that even a simple touch up around the lip line can cause just the emphasis in the right places to create a gorgeous effect but there is also a real build able level so you can get the look you want. Although not something I am keen on having done myself just now it was fab to learn from the pros how it should be done. I say pro's as that's really what I took from the whole evening, that Transform pride themselves on their level of knowledge, skill and professionalism and that is so important to be looking for when picking a clinic to have procedures like these done. Nowadays there are loads of less reputable places who are willing to pop a bit of filler in on the side of hair cut but that doesn't mean it is a good idea, some times you have to pay more to get a good, safe job done.

DELIGHTED to get to watch the demos

It was such a fab night getting to talk treatments with fellow bloggers and the clinic staff- it is always so nice to be in a room with similarly interested people and it was really great to get to ask questions that I have always wondered about. You can tell the staff are more than happy to sit down with anyone who might be the same and be curious about treatments or what might be beneficial for them. It is not just peels and fillers either, I was really intrigued to learn about the clinical grade skincare they can actually prescribe to people with acne. One of the staff at the night actually had the most phenomenal skin I have ever seen so I was shocked to learn that was actually thanks to using some of the Obagi line the clinic offer alongside having a few peels! The whole night was fantastically put together and it was great to get to see first hand how some of these treatments are performed.
I am a big believer in people having whatever done that might make them feel more confident in themselves and Transform are obviously dedicated to making sure that is achieved in the most professional and skilled way possible.

If you are considering any kind of treatments I highly recommend making an appointment to speak to one of the lovely staff- the Glasgow Clinic is located on Ingram Street and you can reach them on 0141 204 4567

Edinburgh Reviewed; The Hydratight facial at Beyond Medispa

Any facial that is created to combine the knockout benefits of two tried and tested formulas sounds like a total  winner and that was exactly what was in store for me at the weekend as I headed along to the Beyond Medispa in Edinburgh. Following on from the success of the Hydrafacial ( which you can read all about my experience here) and the Protege Elite facial, the Hydratight has been created to incorporate both to allow for the ultimate skin rejuvenating treatment. The Elite offers long lasting wrinkle reduction using radio frequency technology to stimulate collagen and improve skin texture, while the Hydrafacial on the other hand utlised powerful jets of cooling water to remove dead skin cells and treat the skin to a cocktail of serums designed to dramatically increase the skins hydration levels and reveal clearer, brighter skin. Now both of those separately are what so many of us are in need of so the of combination of the two is absolutely magic and I was chomping at the bit to give it a whirl.

Settling into the lovely surroundings of the Beyond Medispa hidden away in the shopping utopia of Harvey Nichols, I was ready for them to turn my skin around. Thanks to a fraught couple of weeks working on the General Election, my skin was looking tired, congested and generally flat- so I was hoping for a miracle that could get me back on track and with these facials having celeb fans in Beyonce and Eva Mendes, I was pretty sure this might just be that miracle. My therapist Sharon was fantastic at talking me through the procedure and was sure to prepare me on what to expect. The Protege element of the facial involves using heat so it was great to know to expect it from the outset. Starting with lymphatic drainage which helps detoxify the skin and remove dead skin cells, the treatment uses water and a vacuum based tip which is gentler on the skin than more abrasive micro dermabrasions. Performing the treatment this way also means the skin is receiving much more hydration which contributes to giving the skin a plumper, healthier look.



We then moved on to the Protege Elite element where Sharon applied a thick cool gel to my neck area and then ran  a heated device slowly and repeatedly over portions of my skin at a time. Although the system does get very warm, you are still relaxed and comfy throughout and I didn't find it too bad at all. there was the odd twinge where the frequency was near the fillings I have but it wasn't sore more just a quick snap feeling. This heated portion of the facial works to disrupt the collagen fibres and encourage the cells to create more resulting in tighter, more youthful looking skin. Billed as the most advanced skin tightening treatment in the world, Sharon filled me in on the different areas this cutting edge technology can actually be used on, and the success she has seen clients get from it. We chatted as she continued to move the device up the jaw line and onto the cheeks and before I knew it it was time to move on to the last portion of the facial. Using the specially designed vortex fusion tip again, my skin was treated to a concoction of serums filled with antioxidants, peptides and glorious hyaluronic acid  to replenish my skin and leave it feeling super... well, juicy! We finished off with a little red light technology that helps reduce redness and further promote the stimulation of new collagen and then a layer of SPF and I was good to go.

These facials although perfectly relaxing to have done are not designed to be all aromatherapy and candles, but instead to work the skin to deliver real tangible results and that is exactly what they do. My skin was incredibly bright and smooth following treatment, the difference with only one  was very visible so I can only imagine the results when booking in for a course. I was delighted to get to try out this futuristic feeling facial, and my skin is certainly thankful for it.

You can contact the Edinburgh Beyond Medispa on 0131 524 8332

Bioslimming wrap at Westfield Day Spa in Ayrshire

Warm hands, warm heart might not be exactly how the famous saying goes, but that is certainly what you are going to get on a visit to Marion at Westfield House Spa in Mauchline ( pronounced Moch-lin) in Ayrshire. Situated in a really beautiful bright and welcoming house, this holistic spa feels like a real break from the outside world and is well worth a visit.

I was here to try out the salons signature Bioslimming body wrap treatment and the 5D from Paris anti-Ageing Facial and knew little of what to expect before I arrived. Welcomed into this gorgeous home Ally and I were settled into the double treatment room to get ready with some herbal tea. Marion took my starting measurements and marked the skin to ensure exact positions for measuring after the treatment, she explained that the spa is the distributor across Scotland for the Bioslimming contouring treatment and how incredibly popular it is due to the results it can bring with one treatment. Always keen to see a few pesky lumps and bumps smoothed out, I was excited to see what the wrap could do for me. The treatment can take up to two hours and is done in two stages. First Marion uses brisk massage movements along with the Ultra Slim gel and cream to encourage the break up of fat cells and engage lymphatic drainage and also allow the treatment creams to penetrate.  The creams are a potent blend of caffeine, algae extract and thermo extracts ( giving hot and cold sensations) which work their magic while Marion applies the outer wrap and utilizes a special rolling machine which further helps break up the pesky fat cells and really encourage the contouring element of the treatment. It is not like other wraps I have encountered before where by you are really mummified and unable to move, instead each actual limb is individual wrapped loosely which allows for a really relaxing and comfortable experience. 

While the final cream for my bio slimming worked its magic I was treated to the 5D from Paris Anti Ageing facial which again I had no idea about going in. Also known as the 'Hollywood Glow' this facial is said to give instant results with decreasing the depth and volume of fine lines and wrinkles while stimulating collagen and refining and brightening. I could feel Marion working on my  problem areas such as the pigmentation on my cheeks and eye area and pesky deep lines between my brows. With a relaxing facial on the go while nestled under a beautiful big duvet while the wrap did its thang, I completely forgot about the actual results the facial should bring so I was totally thrilled when it was over and she handed me in a mirror to see how bright and clear my skin looked. The pigmentation looked so much lightened and my face just looked plump and healthy and without a doubt glowing. I was absolutely thrilled and I have to say 4 days later looking in the mirror I can see how much the treatment has helped with my deep frown lines and my makeup is sitting on my skin beautifully. 

With the facial complete and the wrap all removed and the final creams vigorously massage in, it was time to re-measure me and do some comparison snaps so I could see the differences. Marion said before even taking the measurements she could see the difference in my stomach in particular as she worked through the steps of the treatment and being the beauty cynic I am, I couldn't quite believe it until I stood looking at the pics. She hadn't even told me my measurement differences and I was beaming with delight as you could see a HUGE difference in my before and afters. I had expected maybe a few cms off in certain areas thanks to the massage but I did not expect to be able to see such a change in definition of my my waist and hips, the new tone to my stomach and thighs and marked difference in my cellulite and pesky stretch marks. Everything looked so much more 'shapely' and defined and I was properly bouncing off the ceiling with confidence. I have never worn a bikini in my life but I tell you after that treatment I would have gone and done my food shopping in one. I felt absolutely fantastic and it was really topped off when Marion revealed that over the course of 90 mins I had lost 28.5 cms from all over my body! A huge difference that I could really see and feel, my stomach which is so wobbly was 4.5 cms down which is a huge loss, considering the last wrap treatment I had saw me lose 4.5 inches from all over, the Bio slimming wrap produced 3 times that result which is amazing considering it is only £59 a treatment! I am not quite bold enough to show my own before and after pics on here but you can see other similar ones here which will give you an idea of how the treatment gives such a good shape. Inches aside I absolutely loved how my skin looked and felt after the treatment, as the fluid had been drawn out from the cells,circulation increased and collagen production enhanced everything just looked firmer, sleeker and boy was it smooth!

No sooner had I lost all those cms was I downstairs in the absolutely stunning relaxation room for a beautiful baked potato lunch and the largest plate of cakes I have ever had the pleasure of being tempted with. Now the bio slimming wrap I had does continue to take effect over the next 12 hours so of course I should have been keeping my body toxin free but honestly we went to town on that plate of cakes. Embarrassingly so in fact, but it was so much fun and such a relaxing setting we couldn't resist. The hospitality shown by Marion and her team was second to none and coming out to Ayrshire for a day reminded me that in order to truly relax and unwind sometimes you need to look a bit further out and really take yourself away from the hustle and bustle. I was completely sold on the two treatments and for sure the bio slimming one would be truly ideal for anyone just about to slip into a wedding dress this summer or off on a beach holiday and just looking for an easy confidence boost. 

You can read more about Bioslimming here and contact the lovely Marion about visiting Westfield here.

Glasgow Reviewed; Brow Envy at Westend Wax and Beauty

Before treatment with naked brows and one coat of mascara

Over a year ago now I met the amazing Debbie, waxer extraordinaire ( seriously she is incredible at it!) and an all round amazing business woman who I have such a big amount of time for. In just a year her salon, Westend Wax and Beauty has gone from strength to strength and the services it offers have continued to grow. Debbie welcomed Roslyn of Brow Envy in February this year and I had to get along and try out what was she had on offer.

I settled into the chair on Sunday and Ros walked me throw the HD brow treatment first, a seven step procedure including waxing, tinting, tweezing, threading. Ros was a complete professional throughout, I have had HD brows before at a couple of places and no one has ever spent as long explaining the procedure and discussing what I would like to get out of the treatment before. Working together in the consultation in this way meant I was totally confident in letting her just go to town on my brows. As I have explained before I have long suffered from Trichotillomania, a condition that means I mindlessly pull out hairs which has resulted in me having majorly sparse little brows for years that I have worked hard to try and encourage to grow in. Because of this I am pretty nervous when It comes to anyone touching them but Ros had me completely at ease and I was excited to see what she could do for them.  I was hoping for a really decent shape and to help encourage the new hairs to grow in the right way- and that is exactly what I got.

Ros set about working on the shape while I gabbed away to Debbie- she has years of experience on brows so the whole thing was completely painless, she showed me the shape she had managed to create before applying tint ( mixed to a shade I was happy with) and I was thrilled with how they looked. She had explained to me before starting why the shape they currently were in was ageing on my eyes and why moving the arch and altering the shape would be better, so I was delighted to see what she meant when I looked in the mirror! After the tint she actually gave me the mirror to watch her apply the HD powder to help fill in my gaps and pointing out where to focus the powder to help even up my new shape ( I have a lot of growing to do!) this was such a nice touch as often you are left just to walk out without a clue as to how to do it yourself. I was tickled pink with how they looked and could absolutely see where the changes to the shape had made a big difference, she walked me through the aftercare and explained how to work on training the brows to keep their shape. I was so impressed by the knowledge she had and the care she took over ensuring I had all the tools to help improve my brows in the long run.

During- my lashes taking their new shape against the guard.

Next up was the show stopper- the LVL lash treatment which is an innovative treatment designed to lift and straighten the lashes which helps make them look fuller and thicker. After following westendwaxandbeauty on facebook I was seeing photos go up of people who had already had this done and I was SO jealous! I was seeing boring old lashes turn into incredible, long, dark, amazing looking lashes and I wanted to see what she could do for mine. She explained how the process worked and what lotions she would be applying to my lashes to achieve the look and I sat back in the chair and let her work her magic.. A sort of shield is applied to the eye lid and she warned me it might feel slightly uncomfortable but she then makes sure the lashes are pressed against this guard and left to set in that upright position. She makes sure each lash is beautifully separated and also adds a dark tint to give even more definition to the completed look. It does feel odd having your lashes pressed against the lid like that but its not at all painful and you get to spend 45 minutes with your eyes closed which is never a bad thing to me! Ros does her thing making sure you are comfortable and happy throughout and the time passes really quickly and before I knew it, it was time for the pieces to be removed ( also entirely painless) and see the results.....

I have NEVER been so shocked and thrilled when handed a mirror in a salon before- I was completely and utterly blown away by how my own lashes with no mascara, curlers or extensions in sight could look this good. Completely upright, long, thick and healthy looking I literally could not stop staring at them! Ros was thrilled with how they had come out managed to put up with squealing with delight! this treatment is a complete revelation to me and I cannot stop telling people about it- I am not a fan of wearing false lashes and know if I had extensions I would just pick them all out but this means never having to even think of that. Results can last up to around 8 weeks which is incredible, think how handy for weddings and holidays! you could absolutely get away with no mascara at all with lashes like these, I had to keep them clean for 24 hours after which was no issue at all even though usually I am a complete mascara junkie! I am now enjoying just applying a thin layer in the morning which is all you need to achieve ridiculously amazing lashes- I am just so happy with how they look.

A few days later with no mascara or brow powder

I cannot encourage you enough to add these ladies on facebook and take advantage of the fantastic offers they run, (you can follow them on twitter too  Debbie and Ros ). You can get HD brows for £25 and LVL lashes for only £40 right now instead of £60, new clients get a super 15% off their first treatment and even better they do a student discount of 25% off! If you are heading to weddings this summer or off on a exotic holiday I cannot recommend these lash and brow treatments enough- they are just incredible. I have found that since I feel far more ' groomed' with my brows and lashes looking good I have been much happier wearing far less make up- just some tinted moisturiser and a bit of blusher which can only be a good thing for my skin!

BB cream and one coat of mascara and a quick sweep of brow powder and blush

IT'S LOVE!

You can contact Ros and Debbie at the salon on 0141 237 1778 

Glasgow Reviewed; Ishga facial and seaweed bath at the Blythswood Spa

If there is one place in Glasgow guaranteed to put a smile on my face it is the spa at Blythswood Square Hotel. I have long said that of all the spas I have tried there is something magical about this place- the dark lighting, relaxed vibe and excellent staff that just works together to do its job of chilling me out. This is no mean feat as I have mentioned before, unwinding is not my thang but somehow a trip here always sorts me out. It could be my obsession with their thermal experience which for me is a just a big step above your standard spa with pool and sauna, or their well thought out changing areas or maybe just because it is in the depths of such a beautiful hotel that makes me think about it often and get so excited when I have a chance to go along. They have recently introduced a new brand to the spa and I was intrigued to learn more about it and the treatments they are offering utilising them.

The Ishga range (derived from the Gaelic word for Water), has been created on the Isle of Lewis by a team of people with a passion for creating high quality cosmetics by harnessing the natural antioxidant, healing and anti-aging properties that are provided by the purest Scottish seaweed.  The seaweed itself comes from the pure unpolluted coastal waters of the Hebridean Islands and is known for its healing and therapeutic properties thanks to its balance of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants which are essential to healthy and youthful skin. It is said to tighten and tone the skin, stimulate blood and lymph circulation and provide a deep cleanse while still increasing the skin's moisture levels and elasticity. Alongside its ability to repair and revitalize it is often used to help with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. This Scottish aspect really piqued my interest, I am so passionate about supporting and helping promote Scottish brands and products that the range sounded right up my street.

With seaweed sounding like a bit of a wonder ingredient, I was of course thrilled to be climbing into a big hot bath of the stuff down in the spas bathhouse. The room is beautifully relaxing, you can lower the lights to suit, climb into the huge tub and just enjoy a solid half an hour of relaxing by candlelight and letting the seaweed do its magic. You pretty much had to drag me out of the massive warm bath tub when the time was up, it was so soothing and the perfect start to the coming facial. If my face was going to be feeling even half as smooth as my body after this bath then I would have been happy!

My therapist Joanne talked me through the brand and the facial while giving me a super enjoyable foot exfoliation.I then got settled on the bed and enjoyed a wonderful combination of products and massage which was in no way limited to the face. Throughout the treatments my arms and shoulder, neck, face and head were all massaged beautifully which added a really lovely layer to the experience and just added to the relaxation element. The products smelt divine and refreshing no doubt thanks to the other ingredients used such as jojoba, thistle and apricot kernel oils and cucumber and comfrey extract. I loved the second mask which is applied near the end, it is a thick peel off consistency that I have never had used in a facial before. When we were done I was super impressed with how plump, smooth and moisturised my skin felt while still feeling exceptionally clean and refreshed. I went home feeling beautifully peaceful, refreshed and with some seriously ' alive' looking skin. I was all round thrilled with my evening at the spa- they just never disappoint!

Having a Scottish sourced facial or seaweed bath at one of Glasgow's leading hotels would be such a gorgeous gift for anyone and seeing as Mother's Day is just around the corner, I can't think of a mum who would not ADORE this!

The Ishga facial is £80 and seaweed bath £25, to book in you can call the spa on 0141 240 1622 or email spa@blythswoodsquare.com

Glasgow Reviewed: Microneedling at La Belle Forme

By now you will no doubt have seen me shouting from the rooftops about my amazing experience with laser therapy at La Belle Forme in Glasgow. My time with the clinic was not done there however as after leaving my skin to recover for a few weeks I was then booked in for stage two of treating my skin issues, namely my uneven skin thanks to my melasma among some other niggles.

Having been so blown away with the changes in not only the appearance but the texture of my skin following laser therapy, I was incredibly excited to see what this next stage could do. I was provided with two small samples of vitamin A cream prior to my appointment to get my skin ready. I did experience a little over-stimulation using these but I had been pre-warned to cease using them if this occurred and allow my skin a break, which I did and it quickly returned to normal.

On the day of my appointment Norma walked me through the process of microneedling and the benefits it would bring about to my skin. They would be using a roller with 1.5mm needles ( a length that can only be used by a therapist in a clinic) which would be rolled across my skin in numerous directions ( think of a union jack design) which creates lots of little skin traumas on the face which encourages the skin to create more elastin and collagen which once healed can bring a rejuvenation to the skin.

To get us underway Norma first applied a thick white numbing cream all over the face and left it to kick in for around 20 minutes. Another therapist Caroline then joined us to get the treatment underway and I was genuinely shocked when I couldn't feel the needles at all when she began, the numbing cream is a real miracle worker. She worked the roller quickly across the entirety of the face, making sure to work over my problem areas a couple of times- the pressure does create blood to the surface for the skin which is quickly wiped away and at this point you still cant feel anything so it is all relatively fuss free!

In a couple of areas I could feel the needles a little but it is over so quickly it wasn't anything you can't take. I was so shocked at how quickly and painlessly the whole procedure was, i was totally expecting it to be quite painful! For my upper lip they used a derma stamp which is a much smaller head that is powered automatically and gets into the smaller areas. Just like the roller this was pain-free thanks to the numbing and also over quickly.

Afterwards a beautiful cooling menthol mask is applied to calm the skin while they talk you through any aftercare, and then a soothing rescue balm was applied to my face to leave on for the rest of the day. At this point the numbing cream had worn off but I wasn't left in any direct pain at all. When they showed me my face in the mirror it wasn't a major shock, I was a pink, kind of a sun-burnt shade all over and with lines on my forehead that made me look a little 'hellraiser' shall we say but considering how much blood had come to the surface it was not as horrific as I thought it might be and I was actually quite happy to head back on to the street among the crowds of shoppers and head home. No one screamed from my appearance certainly and it went down quicker than i thought it would. The next day I applied a little more of the balm and left my face make up free, it was still a little pink and my forehead still lined but it had gone down considerably and by the Monday I could cover it with make up fine. My skin felt a little rough for a couple of days afterwards and definitely required some intensive moisture but it passed quickly and without any major problems. I did notice a few spots breakout which given the time of year could have been all the quality street I was consuming- but I do think was a result of the heavy moisture I was applying.

After settling down I was thrilled with how my skin looks. You are recommended to have three sessions which I can imagine does absolute miracles but even after just one my skin was definitely happy. It is now 6 weeks since my treatment and I wanted to wait that long to really assess the results as it usually takes that long to see what the microneedling can really do. I am blown away by how my skin now looks thanks to the laser session and this, in the first post on La Belle Forme ( which I started just after the treatment in November) I wrote that it felt weird to have my make up off in public as its just something I never really did. It felt so strange to read that back as in the time since then I have gone out and about at the weekends without makeup on countless times- that might not seem much to some who are used to it, but I was so embarrassed by my uneven skin I just didn't have the confidence to do it. now it is a completely different story, I am truly proud of how good my skin is looking that I have no problems heading out without a scrap of make up on.

I genuinely did not expect such amazing tangible results from these treatments, they have absolutely boosted my confidence and made my skin feel fresher, younger and of course clearer, I wouldn't hesitate to do it all again.

You can get in touch with the amazing team at the clinic by calling 0141 552 0828 they also have branches all over the UK which you can find on their website here.

Glasgow Reviewed: Laser Therapy at La Belle Forme

I have been SO excited to share this post with you but I wanted to wait until my treatment was completely finished before showing off the amazing results. I have suffered in the past three years with really bad melasma on my face, melasma is a dark discolouration of the skin through over stimulated melanin that is in my case is caused by the hormones from taking contraception. Over time my dark colouring has spread and become much more noticeable and although in the privacy of my home and around friends it does not bother me- it does mean I always wear some kind of base even if just a good BB cream when going outside as it is really noticeable! I am always so envious of people with beautiful even toned skin as mine had become so patch worked that even with a good coverage foundation my dark parts were visible, and most of the time applying certain make up products just resulted in my face looking dirty when it was just in fact my darkening colour!

I have tried a variety of creams to try and lessen the pigment over time but had no major success with any, so I was over the moon when the opportunity to try laser therapy at La Belle Forme in Glasgow arose. Based in the merchant city this cosmetic surgery clinic offer a huge array of services, from breast implants to bikini waxing and everything in between. When arranging my appointments I found the staff were incredibly helpful and approachable and made the process so easy, and on arrival at the clinic I was super impressed with how welcoming it was and with a waiting area jam packed with fascinating reading of the treatments on offer, I really felt at ease.

On my first visit I met with my consultant Norma who is an absolute joy to work with. I went with my make up off ( such a weird feeling!) and she agreed with me on how bad my pigmentation was and took me through why light therapy was the best way forward in reducing it. She was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the treatments they offer but at no point tried to over sell or promote multiple procedures to me which I think is important when establishing a relationship of trust between you and a practitioner who is going to perform any kind of treatment on you. Norma took some photos using the amazing Visia Facial scanning machine, which analyses your bare face and  breaks down your skin- able to pinpoint how many wrinkles, spots or in my case brown spots you have! I then got settled on the bed, applied a cooling gel and then did a patch test using two different kinds of lasers ( yellow and green), she was then able to tell if how my skin would react and allowed me to see if there were any adverse effects over the next couple of days. What I loved about this was it gave me an idea of how the upcoming procedure was going to feel which was good being my whole face was being dealt with on my next visit! And how does it feel? I wouldn't sugar coat it, it stings. There is a bright flash and very quick 'snap' on the skin but it is nothing that can't be handled and is over very quickly. I was a little apprehensive of how it might feel when my whole face was being subject to these snaps but actually it was no where near as bad as I though.After the first couple you are used to it, you might jump and flinch at the more sensitive areas such as under the nose but the therapist moves so quickly you get used to it and then before you know it is over.

Norma was amazing,she knows when to stop if its hurting, keeps an excellent pace so the procedure is quick, was very reassuring and chatted away during to put me at ease. Afterwards as I lay on the bed and Norma applied a heavenly soothing balm to my face, it did feel hot and tight, not massively but I was aware my face was going to look a little.... treated. It was not as bad as I thought it might be however, my worse pigmented areas were very red but nothing too horrific, no one screamed at the sight of me in the street on the way home anyway. In the hour that followed my face was definitely very stingy but it quickly went down and off I went to bed.

In the days that followed all my dark parts went even darker as I had been told they would so it was no major surprise. It might be a little alarming to some, but I was actually fine with it, when I covered it with make up yes it was still obvious but with wearing my fringe down and keeping my glasses on it was covered mostly and with each day it went down. ( Apologies for the lack of snaps of my skin after treatment, I lost them all in a disastrous laptop failure-so frustrating!!) By 4 days later it was mostly gone and anything remaining were perfectly covered by make up which was quicker healing than I had anticipated, between day 3 and 4 it went from really dark to mostly disappearing and that is when I noticed it.... IT HAD WORKED. 

Looking at myself in the bathroom mirror I noticed just how much less the dark was, when I put on foundation and popped cream blush on top as normal my cheeks didn't look dirty- HURRAH! I was so intrigued by how much it changed I quickly stitched together a couple of before and after shots on my phone and then I was shocked, it hadn't just worked a bit- it was a massive difference. My boyfriend almost fell of his chair when I  ran over to show him my comparison snaps, he could not believe how much had changed in only 4 days and couldn't get over how bright my skin looks. I was so completely over the moon, I had such a confidence boost going out that day- i just wanted to show everyone those snaps- I had to stop myself popping them straight up on here!

In order to keep up my excellent results I need to make sure I am meticulous in using sun screen all year round, I usually always do but now I am sure to never go without. When I look back at the before pictures I realise just how bad it was and i really want don't it to go as dark again, I much prefer my clearer looking skin! On my return visit to see Norma at the clinic so she could take a look at the results and she too was so impressed with how well my skin had come up. A comparison photo been taken on the Visia machine showed that on top of the obvious colour change my skin texture had improved by a massive 42% and I was bowled over that my wrinkle percentage had halved, my spots have improved by 23% and my pores reduced by a futher 20! To be able to see such incredible changes was just an amazing feeling and it really has changed how I feel about my skin.

I could never have anticipated how much one session of light laser therapy could do for my skin and how much I would be screaming it from the rooftops at pretty much ANYONE who will listen. yes £150 is a lot, but considering how much I am willing to save and spend on skincare products that more often than not yield no results, I am more than happy to pay that price for skin as good as mine is right now- and the confidence boost it has brought. I cannot recommend enough getting along to La Belle Forme if you have any skin problems at all you are looking to change. The Staff there are all truly lovely, offering a superb thorough and welcoming service that has been a joy to experience. I really felt anyone I spoke to there wanted the best for me and my final results and that was so encouraging.

Huge thanks to all involved for turning my skin around- can't thank you enough. I have already taken advantage of a fantastic 1/3 off non-surgical treatments they were running to book in for another session of laser therapy to get rid of the remaining pigment this weekend, which I think is the biggest thumbs up I could ever give!

You can contact the lovely team at the clinic by ringing 0141 552 0828. They also have clinics in Edinburgh and London which you can read more about here. My skin adventures with La Belle form don't end with this first laser treatment so keep your eyes peeled for my next post for a review on my first ever derma roller experience!