A Wren Says

As I planned my trip to New York, I figured, why not treat myself. I would be staying at the Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards, so I decided to book a treatment at their spa. I scrolled through the treatment on my computer, agonizing over the right decision. But my curiosity got to me. I had to know what was up with this Dr. Lara Devgan Gold Collagen facial. The website describes the treatment as “a hydrating, brightening, pore refining facial.” They claimed you would end with fewer visible fine lines, smoother skin, and overall brighter appearance. I’d find out for myself how it really worked.

The aesthetician greeted me after I had just had a sauna and cryo session. (I can write more on that another day.) She led me into the dimly lit treatment room. There was soft music playing that I wished I could have sent to me as a sleep playlist. It was a calming environment. After I got ready and under the sheets of the treatment table, the aesthetician returned to get to know my skin.

As you can guess from the past posts on the blog, I let her know that I like experimenting with my skincare, struggle with dry skin, and regularly wear sunscreen. She inspected my skin and say she wasn’t noticing dryness but congestion, and then she suggested I should be exfoliating more regularly. (Side note, I’m wondering if my skin is actually not dry or if the product I was testing out at the time was just that good.) Then she got on with the treatment.

I have to admit. I was very relaxed throughout the session and may have things mixed up in my head or completely omit key steps. What follows, however, is what I remember.

The treatment began with cleansing and then a chemical exfoliant. She said that mild tingling sensation was expected. I wondered how she was defining tingling and mild. Is that what you call a slight burning sensation. She then suggested extractions for the acne that had shown up on my face. I was hesitant, since all the skincare experts say not to touch your pimples, and I didn’t want to end up with scarring. She worked on one, and let the rest alone. At some point there was a hydrating steam treatment. Then towards the end, as the gold collagen mask was left to do its work, she gave me an arm massage. And then she applied the final layer of products.

I ended the facial and went to desk to pay my bill. They remarked on how glowy I looked. I went to the front desk at the hotel for something. They made a remark as well. But when I went to look at my own face in the mirror, I still saw my pores. Yes, my skin was much more hydrated than before, but I got so stuck on the pore refining piece of it that I didn’t do a fully evaluation. If I were to do it again, I would remind myself that skincare is not magic, and that pore fining treatments take time and consistency to work. And then I would point out all the things that made the experience worth it, even if it completely change me into having airbrushed skin. Personally, I would go back to the spa. I would likely try other treatments while there.  But before I do, I am curious about how I can get the Gold Collagen treatment at home. If you are also wondering how you can bring a little bit of the luxury facial experience to where you are, you should look into the Gold Collagen sheet masks offered by Dr. Lara Devgan.