Tell us about your journey and how Melanie Grant Skin clinic came about.
I wanted to create a space that I as a client would like to visit. I’d spent more than a decade working in medical spas with Doctors and Plastic Surgeons, though my heritage was in traditional spa therapies so I really appreciated the value from both disciplines. I wanted my clients to experience the incredible skin enhancing benefits of a laser treatment, while still feeling as if they were in a world class spa. And so the idea of “clinical beauty” was born – the best of both worlds.
What do you believe is the most important facial treatment a facialist can perform.
What a difficult question – it really all comes down to your client’s unique skin concerns and what you would like to achieve together. I think having the clinical knowledge and technical aptitude to safely and correctly administer treatments like Collagen Induction, Radio-Frequency, Medical-Grade Peels, Laser and even Microdermabrasion is unparalleled – it takes a lot of experience and care to do these treatments really well. Though that said, there is no surpassing a facialist who truly understands the musculature of the face, neck and décolleté and can perform a purposeful European massage …
My main skin issue is having clogged pores from so many days with on again off again make up. Do you have any tips for reducing tiny bumps/black heads?
I like to take a double pronged approach to congestion and blackheads – it’s equally about what you take away and what you put back in. I’m a firm believer in cleansing twice in the evenings: first with a gentle milk or oil to break down SPF, makeup and grime from the day, followed by something a little more active containing AHA’s to dissolve any cellular debris and really deep clean the pores. Next would be an exfoliating lotion – like Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 that has a combination of lactic and malic acids to refine the complexion and salicylic acid to break down any solidified oils and dirt set deep within the pores.
In terms of giving back – avoid mineral oils, heavy creams or anything comedogenic. Look for water based formulations, hyaluronic acid, peptides and collagens that will plump and quench your complexion without suffocating your pores. Often when we are dehydrated, our pores appear more lax or distended. Hydration is key – inside and out!
