According to a survey by Statista, only 11 percent of German women regularly visit a beautician once a month. It's a real shame! Even if you take consistent and loving care of your skin at home, you can achieve even more with the right facial. I experienced this first hand in Dr. Miriam Rehbein's practice.

Apparently, many women think that a facial is no better than what you can do for your skin at home. More than half (52%) have never been to a beauty salon. But the "refusers" have no idea what they are missing out on. I experience it first hand on my own face every month. At home, I use the same Doctor Mi! products that the beautician uses in Dr. Miriam Rehbein's practice. My skin is even and has the glow I want. Beautician Marietta is also very happy with me. "Your skin is beautiful," she says. When I ask skeptically whether there is anything that can be improved, she replies that there is always something that can be achieved. To get straight to the point: Marietta was right. The skin glows after the 1.5 hour facial, the contours are firmer, even the corners of the mouth are slightly lifted. And the positive effect is even more pronounced in the days that follow. But first things first...

ALL ABOUT GLOW

The facial starts with cleansing the face. There's not much to do with that because I never wear make-up. Then comes the peeling with crushed cherry stone shells. I do that regularly at home too because it gives you a really big glow. There's not much to cleanse yourself with either. The skin is disinfected with TONE.S because the two percent salicylic acid, an oil-soluble beta-hydroxy acid, wipes the last fat particles from the skin and improves the absorption of active ingredients. This is followed by the Glow Peel from Obagi. Hollywood doctor Zein Obagi became famous for his azure blue Blue Peel, which combines three acids. The Glow or Radiance Peel with salicylic acid is less spectacular visually than the blue texture, but it tingles nicely on the skin. It also works in depth, forms new collagen and minimizes pores.

This is followed by a jet peel. It sends shivers down my spine every time. A water-gas mixture hits the skin from small jets at supersonic speeds of over 700 kilometers per hour. But it's worth it, because the effect is phenomenal. "It's like a fitness workout for the skin," explains Marietta. The upper layer of skin is gently peeled by the aerosol jet, resulting in a fresher and smoother complexion, and small lines and wrinkles appear to be minimized. In addition, the beautician uses the jet applicator to inject three different high-dose anti-aging serums, which are applied one centimeter apart. The immediate kick of freshness builds up over a period of three days after the treatment. Depending on how the tissue individually absorbs the active ingredients, this condition can last up to three weeks.

LIFTING EFFECT THROUGH MASSAGE

My anti-aging beauty journey continues with needling . Yes, it stings, but it's bearable. Marietta uses this to work a gold ampoule into the skin, precisely in the areas where tightening is particularly needed. On the forehead, in the area of ​​the nasolabial folds. Gold is a select active ingredient in cosmetics. The metal is not only said to have a nourishing effect, it also has an antibacterial effect and supports collagen formation and thus the anti-aging aspect.

The highlight that follows should convince even the last doubter that the beautician can achieve much more than you can at home. It is a lifting massage combined with lymphatic drainage. With a firm grip, Marietta repeatedly strokes the cheek and chin contours, where unsightly hamster cheeks tend to manifest themselves. She massages the tissue upwards, shaking it. It feels as if my face has been exposed to a wind tunnel. In between, she massages with a rose quartz roller, which also has a decongestant effect on the tissue. Blood circulation and collagen production are stimulated.

PURE RELAXATION

Now the Kermit-green Doctor Mi! mask is applied - with a brush that strokes my skin as lightly as a feather. Much more pleasant than using your fingers - I'll get used to that at home too. The creamy texture contains a special black bee honey ferment (Black Beeome) from Switzerland, which helps regenerate the skin flora, has a clarifying effect and stimulates microcirculation. While the mask is taking effect, I get an extremely relaxing and extensive hand and foot massage. Right at the start of the treatment, Marietta had put on gloves soaked in active ingredients (with frangipani, a medicinal plant from Ayurveda) and socks with mandarin extract (vitamin C, pro-vitamin A and selenium).

Now it's time for the final round: the mask is cleaned off and " RED " is applied to my skin, which is used to retinol. It is my favorite product from the line with an eight percent reninol complex for a balanced pH value and a strong skin barrier. It promotes cell renewal and collagen production. "So that the skin has more to do, works even more intensively," says Marietta, explaining her choice. Of course, nothing works without UV protection, so she finishes by applying a SPF 50 sunscreen. "I use that every day," I answer her question about how I use sunscreen. Then I look in the mirror: I'm really surprised, my facial features look like they've been gently lifted, my skin is glowing. I could become addicted to this facial!

Are you not quite sure what your skin needs? Simply book a professional skin consultation with the skin experts at Doctor Mi! medical skincare online under “Doctor Mi!-Skin Expert Talk” .

MARGIT RÜDIGER

Margit Rüdiger is internationally known as “The Voice of Beauty”. She is one of the most renowned journalists in the field of beauty, anti-aging and aesthetics. Her career has taken her through the editorial departments of Germany’s most important fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Madame, Bunte, Freundin, Brigitte, Marie Claire and Esquire.

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