Summer is nearly here. It’s a time when we start coming out of our shell of hibernation and pull ourselves away from the crackling fire and hearty roasts. It’s a time to begin reclaiming our social activities and hobbies– re-connecting with the world, so to speak.

Each month, I always treat myself to a gift, something I do not really need, be it a gift of therapeutic self indulgence, a pretty household gift or an exotic plant. Whatever it is, the denominator is one of ’joy’.
This month it was an expensive serum, ‘Uspa vitamin C’ which helps combat the signs of ageing associated with being a smoker.

Before I began using it, I decided to treat myself to a facial at the Acupuncture & Yonka Clinic with Deidre. Deidre’s premises are located just off Blackrock main street. Her house is beautifully designed as is her treatment room. Upon entering you are immediately greeted with the the aroma of botanical oils and scents.

A Yon-ka facial is tailor made for your own skin type. Each Yon-ka treatment is designed solely in response to you and your needs. Only a Yon-ka trained beauty therapist is capable of administering these specialised facials and Deidre has 12 years experience in this field.

Deidre is also a fully-qualified acupuncturist and combines Yon-ka facial treatments with facial acupuncture if she feels you would benefit from it.

Deidre decided on the Le Grande Classique– a deep pore cleansing, restoring and relaxing facial. This involved two warm mists of five essential oils, lavender, cypress, rosemary, thyme and geranium.

A plant-based soft gel peel is then applied, micro peeling and exfoliating the skin. Then the ‘must have’ extraction of blackheads and a gentle relaxing massage to the face and neck. Deidre then placed a purifying mask with an aromatic compress which was left on for ten minutes while she positioned hot stones in specific spots around my neck and shoulders. An eye contour was applied at the end.

The facial took approximately 1hour 15 minutes. Only botanical oils are used so you are not left with a ruddy red complexion upon completion. Deidre gives very good, practical advice and she is really an expert in the field of accupuncture combined with facials. She advises a facial every six weeks, if not six weeks, at least treat yourself to one at the beginning of every season.

I feel great and my skin looks great, in fact two of my best male friends actually notice there is ‘something different’. The vitamin C serum and the Yonka facial have really brought the redness down in my skin tone. I am one hundred percent returning to Deidre for my next facial, it may even be 5 weeks. I’m sold.

Deidre at The Accupuncture & Skincare Clinic. Phone 0868559074.