It’s no secret that the skincare industry is booming. Since the first lockdown, our TikTok feeds have been besieged by elaborate nightly regimens and clean girlies vying for their fifteen minutes.

We now live in a world where words like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are regularly peppered through casual conversation. So it’s no wonder that the demand for high-end facials has increased exponentially.

Here are some of the most cutting-edge facials in the game. These treatments blend medical-grade skincare with the latest research and technology to peel, plump, and perfect.

You may remember this one from Kim Kardashian’s Instagram. In 2013, the KUWTK star posted this viral selfie which had hordes of young influencées rushing to Google in search of their nearest vampire facial.

Nowadays, it’s as in demand as ever and is widely regarded as one of the best facials money can buy. Otherwise known by its more scientific name, PRP Micro-needling, the treatment combines microdermabrasion with plasma from the client’s own blood to achieve the desired glow. The facial is said to boost the skin’s cell turnover, smooth fine lines, and increase collagen production; the holy trinity of skin care.

The legendary French brand, Biologique Recherche, has long been the pinnacle of exclusivity. Celebrities swear by it, Victoria’s Secret Models slather themselves in it, and their masque vivant is said to stop the aging process entirely. Notoriously tricky to purchase, your best bet is to track down a certified practitioner and book in for what is widely considered the world’s best facial. During a 45–120 minute session, your esthetician will assess your skin’s current condition, using advanced technology to test for things like hydration level and thickness. Their infamous products are then applied in a sequence completely tailored to your needs. Want skin like Emily Ratajkowski, Victoria Beckham or Zoe Kravitz? Stock up on some Biologique Recherche.

Yes, you read that right. Even if you found science class super boring in school, I bet you’ll start to think of stem cells in a new light once you find out what they can do for the skin.

The hottest new skincare technique involves injecting the epidermis with live stem cells via micro-needling. These cells, which have been manipulated in a lab to produce collagen, antioxidants, and skin-supporting proteins, get to work firming and plumping the skin as soon as they’re injected, giving unprecedented results. Scientists and dermatologists alike are raving about this revolutionary new approach to skincare. Would you give it a go?

Okay, so this is probably closer to a facelift than a traditional facial. But it’s still 100% non-invasive. The award-winning exilis machine uses radiofrequency and ultrasound technology to smooth wrinkles and tighten any sagging — jowls be gone! The two forms of energy work as a team to heat the dermis, which stimulates collagen growth and fat lipolysis, leading to both immediate and long-term benefits as the skin continues to tighten over the next 4–6 months. What’s even better is that there’s virtually no downtime so you can have this done and continue with your day as normal. Well, normal apart from your amazing skin that is!

From hot to freezing, one thing’s for sure; if your facialist mentions a temperature extreme of some kind, it’s bound to work wonders for the skin. Such is the case with cryo facials, which have taken the world by storm with their chilly approach to skincare that generally starts somewhere in the region of -200°F. During the treatment, liquid nitrogen is pumped onto the skin where it freezes to cool, tighten, and reduce inflammation. Clients have cleverly dubbed this new approach to skincare, “Frotox” because it quite literally freezes fine lines and wrinkles in their tracks. You might look like Iceman but once you melt the afterglow is sure to make up for it!