Join The Jet Set – My Power Peel

The Jet Peel is currently available only at the Paramedical Skin Clinic at their two locations in Melbourne, so I booked a ticket and jumped on a plane. I really didn’t know what I was in for but I wasn’t too concerned as it had been described as quick and painless – just the way I like it.

I was told there was nothing I needed to do beforehand to prep so I just arrived with clean skin – no makeup just in case. My treatment was being done at the Thornbury location and I arrived a little early because I really had no idea where Thornbury was (always better to be early than late, I say).

The clinic itself was very clean and open, it had tranquil background music playing and there were lots of holistic books and trinkets around the reception area. The staff were very friendly and didn’t seem to mind that I was borrowing their couch to sleep on for 15 minutes (sorry ’bout that; guess I was jet-lagged from that one hour flight down from Sydney).

When my appointment time came around, the beautiful owner Illesha Haywood took me into her office for a consultation. I couldn’t help but stare at her because she looked so youthful!

Illesha explained a Jet Peel combines medical grade microdermabrasion with a super-powerful jet stream. The jet stream boosts the already positive effects of microdermabrasion by getting into the pores and cleaning away dead skin cells, plus it also hydrates the skin.

First we had to get the hideous “before” shots out of the way. Once the close-ups were taken, Illesha analysed my skin and asked what concerns I have. My biggest is ageing, so anything preventative is great with me, but I also have very noticeable dark circles under my eyes and multi-toned patchy skin.

Something I didn’t mention (mostly because I wasn’t concerned about it) was that until a couple years ago my skin was plump and my cheekbones razor sharp. After Illesha looked at my eye area closely she asked if I had recently experienced dramatic weight loss. I was shocked.

You see, 2009 was a tough year for me and I dropped almost half my weight to clock in at a rather slim 36kg (I am only 155cm so I didn’t think I looked that bad!). I also didn’t think I had lost that much weight from my face. So how did she know?

Illesha told me that the muscle that runs along the top of the cheekbone had dropped dramatically, something that you usually see in people with eating disorders and it gives them that gaunt, tired look. Even though I have put back on 20kg it doesn’t make a difference to a dropped muscle. Bugger!

Illesha advised me that regular treatments like the Jet Peel and other collagen builders will help to make that area look fuller again but it will never be what it was. Once the damage is done it can’t be fixed. I guess we should all take that as a warning if you are considering dramatic weight loss!

After all this education and chatting, Illesha had a beauty technician take me into the treatment room to begin. My face was cleansed twice and I was told we would be starting on my forehead which has been known to cause a “brain freeze”. I thought that sounded very strange but whatever, I am here now!

The nozzle touching my skin at first felt like rod of ice was being dragged across it. At first it was cold but totally bearable. As it moved down my face certain areas, such as the under eyes, were way more sensitive and the cold felt sensation felt like it was freezing my eyeballs.

When it came to the lower half of my face I had the weirdest sensation that caused me to feel like I was drowning from cold air. I put this down to the fact that the water coming out is so cold and being blown at such a speed that my mind was playing a trick on me and not realising the water was actually being sucked up another tube at the same speed. Okay, that was confusing and yes, I am mental.

I only had my face done (not neck or décolletage) so it took about 40 minutes. Afterwards I felt pretty cold (for about 10 mins) but also refreshed and far more awake then I was when I arrived.

I have been a long time fan of microdermabrasion and started using it in my early teens, but at times I found it to be drying due to the crystals soaking up a bit too much oil from my skin. There was no evidence of this happening with the Jet Peel and my skin felt plump and smooth.

Illesha then took me back to her office for some “after” shots and to analyse my skin again. Looking front-on we both felt there was a small but noticeable improvement around the jawline and cheekbones. I was also shown the different layers of my skin using a special camera which revealed that my skin is heavily pigmented and I have lots and lots of sun spots beneath the surface just waiting to erupt.

On the plus side I had no capillaries, which means I don’t have to worry about redness or those weird red lines showing up, for now. The treatment also toned down the blemishes and mozzie bites giving my skin a less messy look.

One week later, my skin was still smooth and it has felt far more hydrated than usual. I don’t drink water (at all!) so I really noticed higher hydration levels in my skin.

Obviously this sort of treatment works best on a course of six or more, even though a single treatment can show results. I am going to try and get back to Melbourne on a semi-regular basis so I can keep up these treatments because I feel it has been worth it.