Centella facials: what you need to know about the natural alternative to botox

Laura Hampson road tests the skin-tightening extract that’s been used by experts for thousands of years
LipoTherapeia

Botox certainly isn't for everyone. If you've always balked at the idea of having chemicals injected into your face, this could be the natural solution for you.

The lowdown: Centella asiatica is a herb native to the wetlands of Asia, which is used as a culinary vegetable and a medicinal herb. Centella has long been used for its skin repair and skin tightening properties as it improves micro-circulation in tissue.

The reason why people are turning to centella facials over botox is because it stimulates the production of collagen type I (the skin-tightening collagen), collagen type III (the skin repair collagen), elastin (the skin elasticity protein) and hyaluronic acid (the skin’s natural moisturiser).

Speaking to the Standard, Georgios Tzenichristoss of Lipotherapeia said: “By using a concentrated centella asiatica extract this help boost skin tightness, elasticity and blood circulation, which is experienced by the client as anti-ageing, or to use the new terminology, ‘well ageing’. Centella is the ideal ‘well ageing’ herb, in that it provides a balanced, healthful and natural effect.

“We combine centella asiatica extract with deep tissue radiofrequency, which is the strongest technology for skin tightening and which also increases the absorption of centella by 500 per cent.”

Centella
LipoTherapeia

How does it work?

The recipient has the centella cream applied to their face and massaged in using the deep tissue radiofrequency.

Unlike botox, whose effects are seen immediately, centella is a more practical and natural long-term solution that can help improve the skin’s natural collagen and elastin which can help combat the effects of ageing.

The verdict: While I only had one session with Georgios, I saw immediate effects. My dry, dull British weather-beaten skin looked “glowing” as my friend told me.

​If I were to have the full six to 12 recommended sessions I'm sure my results would have been longer-lasting, but if you are wanting to look fresh for a special event one session does the job.

Services: Lipotherapeia offer one-off centella facials along with packages of six and 12. They also specialise in therapy to help remove cellulite.

Cost: £145 per session.

Find it: Lipotherapeia at The Hale Clinic, 7 Park Crescent, London, W1B 1PF. 0207 118 2014. lipotherapeia.com.

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