As our lives become more fast-paced and hectic, it’s inevitable that more people seek instant gratification when it comes to their beauty regime. And at the pinnacle of that? High-tech facials that promise to smooth, plump, brighten and lift your mien without being ablative at all so you can resume your daily routine immediately after. For the best results, aesthetic clinics, medi-spas and facial salons usually combine a few different equipment for a synergistic effect on your skin with the minimal amount of treatment time. Plus, these types of technology don’t require a doctor’s supervision, which hints that they are relatively affordably priced while ensuring optimal results.

One of the more common technologies include red LED light therapy, which reaches the dermis layer of skin to accelerate collagen production for a lifting and smoothing effect. Cryotherapy is also often used as the intense cold helps stimulate circulation and oxygen flow for a healthier, more radiant glow. Here, the five most high-tech facials with no downtime you have to try in time for the festive season:

#1: Freia Aesthetics The BR Royale Experience, $488 for about 90 minutes

Using cult Biologique Recherche products, this power-packed facial can be fully customised according to your skin type and concerns. After a thorough cleanse of your skin, your therapist will select suitable booster serums from the BR range to target multiple signs of ageing like dullness, enlarged pores, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. And the perfect partner to these potent serums? The use of a micro-needling pen. Instead of the usual micro-needling roller that you might be more familiar with, this pen has adjustable intensity modes which gives your therapist better control for more consistent results. All you feel is a slight pricking sensation as the micro-needling pen is moved around your face, but if you have a really low threshold for pain, consider asking for a numbing cream. With tiny spikes at the end of the pen, micro-perforations are made to the skin surface, which signals to the fibroblasts to make more collagen for accelerated skin repair. These tiny openings also enhance product penetration to your skin for enhanced efficacy. You might notice a slight flushing on some areas of your skin, but this should subside within the day.

Available at #19-02 Wisma Atria Office Tower, Tel: 6734 3219

Photo: Shutterstock

#2: EstheClinic Intense Glow Treatment, $450 for 40 to 60 minutes

Combining IPL and LED light therapy, this facial treatment is your go-to if you’re concerned with pigmentation as well as a loss of skin firmness. After cleansing, EstheClinic’s patented MacPeel IPL technology is used to break up unwanted spots, accelerate skin turnover and refine skin texture. Best part? Even those with extremely low pain tolerance will feel at ease as you don’t feel any pain or pricking sensation at all. Next, the Eladerm CosmeLED Le Serum, a serum that’s packed with anti-ageing actives, is applied to enhance the effects of LED therapy. A combination of red and yellow lights are used, which not only stimulates collagen production but also inhibits the proliferation of melanocytes and gives skin an energy boost. You’ll emerge with brighter, suppler skin with zero redness and sensitivity.

Read more on the next page.

#3: ART by Verita ART Mesotherapy Anti-Aging Facial, $190 for 90 minutes

Designed for those who notice a loss of elasticity, this anti-ageing facial lifts and firms skin and is also suitable for those with combination and congestion-prone skin. To begin, your therapist double cleanses your skin before performing microdermabrasion and ultrasonic exfoliation to eliminate dead skin cells and accumulated gunk within pores. If required, a light extraction will be carried out to remove stubborn comedones, prepping your skin to receive the skincare products that follow. To boost the penetration of a customised Skin Repair Collagen Serum and Face Lifting Serum, a medical grade electroporation device is used. This alters the electrical field of your cells to increase the permeability of cell membranes, resulting in the improved absorption of active ingredients as compared to regular topical application of serums. Finally, a stem cell mask is applied to replenish skin with moisture and lock in nutrients for instantly plump and glowing skin. Available at #04-01, Wheelock Place, Tel: 6732 0836

#4: Porcelain Beespoke Honey Facial, $425.86 for 90 minutes

As its name suggests, this facial harnesses the endless benefits of bee-derived products like honey and propolis. After your skin is cleansed, a special salon-grade Honey Almond Scrub is used to sweep away debris, dirt and grime. The special shiatsu face massage techniques also help to relieve tension and relax facial muscles. Then, according to your skin type, a slew of products are applied to your skin along with the salon-exclusive Bee Propolis Extract. This is accompanied with the use of a cryotherapy device, which cools skin to a chilling temperature of -15 degrees Celsius, promoting better circulation and oxygen flow to your skin for an instant radiance. Then a Milk+Honey Firming Masque is applied to moisturise and lift the skin while tired eyes are treated to Porcelain’s Revital Eyes Multi-Peptide Silk Mask. Finally, red LED light therapy is used to promote skin regeneration and stimulate collagen synthesis for firmer skin. In just one treatment, you’ll notice that your complexion is more even-toned while fine lines are plumped.

Available at #03-13 Orchard Gateway, Tel: 6844 9660; 15 Cantonment Road, Tel: 6227 9692; #01-02, Tanjong Pagar Center, Tel: 6386 5388

#5: IDS Aesthetics Prestige Electro Infusion, $240 for 30 minutes

If you’re looking for a quick-fix during your lunch hour, this is your best bet. Conveniently located at Robinsons The Heeren, this is the perfect spot to pop in for a fuss-free treatment that will leave you looking like a million bucks in under an hour. If you’re concerned with dullness and loss of elasticity, this is the perfect solution as the highlight of this treatment includes the use of electro-magnetic pulsations which stimulates cell receptor, so that active ingredients in the products used are readily absorbed into skin for best results. You’ll feel a warm sensation and light tapping pulses that are so comforting that you might even fall asleep. Next, an LED light therapy ensues to increase cellular rejuvenation as collagen and elastic production is increased. For an added moisture boost, ask for a mask add-on at an additional top-up of $40 for smooth and supple skin.

Available at IDS Prestige Cabin at Metro Paragon Level 2 or IDS Aesthetics at Robinsons The Heeren