The Professional Beauty editorial team has tried out a whole range of skin, body and nail treatments this year, from massages to tech-based facials, lash extensions and more.
As we look back at the treatments we tried in 2024, we're sharing just a handful of our personal faves, to give you a little inspiration for ways to expand your offering in 2025.
Eve Oxberry, head of editorial
Germaine de Capuccini Mesoboost
The lowdown: Mesoboost is a tech-led treatment that uses a device with a microcrystal tip to create microchannels, while simultaneously using electroporation to drive active ingredients deeper into the skin, helping to firm and hydrate.
Germaine de Capuccini (GDC) describes the device as a transdermal electroporation meso-chip system, with benefits including increased collagen synthesis, reduced wrinkle depth, improvement in appearance of scars and hydration.
The experience: I visited the training room at GDC’s UK head office in Surrey, where head of training Gina Baker assessed my skin.
After an opening ritual with scent inhalation then a thorough cleanse, she applied a 10% lactobionic acid peel to deeply exfoliate and prep for the device. It was mild and not at all tingly on my skin, which can be sensitive to peels.
The device is super compact and has a handpiece with a microcrystal tip made of pyramid-shaped metal spikes. It works in a stamping motion, mimicking needling but without causing the associated trauma. At the same time, the electroporation function sends pulses of current to help push active ingredients into the skin.
For me, Baker chose the Lift Complex, which features DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) for tightening, as well as peptides and centella asiatica to induce collagen and elastin fibre synthesis for skin plumping.
She also used Rejuvenating Complex with niacinamide to brighten and galactomannans, which she explained has a retinol-like action, without the associated side effects.
Baker began working across my forehead then cheeks. Around the eye and nose area it felt strange as the current pulses made my muscles twitch and I could feel how they connected across my face.
It was never uncomfortable though. Afterwards, Baker applied Skin Recovery Mask to calm, giving me an arm and shoulder massage while it worked. She explained this mask is great for skin that is easily sensitised and helps reduce redness. The treatment finished with massage and application of SPF 50.
The verdict: This was an interesting treatment to try as the sensation was like nothing I’d felt – when it moved across my forehead, the device had the effect of someone knocking on my head but was never painful, even as Baker increased the intensity. Afterwards, my skin was lifted, plumped and glowy.
Business benefits: The treatment starts with a welcoming ritual that includes aromatherapy and warm towels to cleanse the feet and hands, bringing GDC’s spa roots into this advanced facial.
This, paired with the fact that the treatment is not aggressive, makes it a great option for spas or luxury salons. The size and portability of the device also makes it good for mobile or home-based therapists.
Sensory Sleep Massage with a Touch of Thermabliss
The lowdown: Sensory Retreats has launched three sleep-focused treatments, the 60-minute Sensory Sleep Massage, 75-minute Sensory Sleep Massage with a Touch of Thermabliss, and 90-minute Sensory Sleep Complete Wellbeing Massage.
All are designed to prepare mind and body for sleep with long massage strokes, but the longer two also include Lava Shells and Thermabliss Stones, and Complete Wellbeing has facial massage and the Divine Glow self-heating face mask.
The experience: I opted for the 75-minute version, which I tried at Four Seasons Park Lane. It initially launched exclusively into Four Seasons but is available to all from January.
I was greeted by the fabulous Alex James who led me to a cosy treatment room.
After calming guided deep breathing, James applied Luna Wellbeing Oil and began with long strokes up the back of my body from foot to neck, which felt very grounding.
She gradually introduced the warm Lava Shells which felt like a natural extension of her hands as she worked.
James really worked into the areas of tension in my shoulders before asking me to turn over.
She then gently put the Luna Eyes Self-Heating Eye Mask on me, which was instantly soothing for my tired eyes.
Next, she asked me to take some deep breaths to consciously draw air deep into my belly, which she massage as I exhaled.
After a firm massage on the front of my legs and my arms and hands, James did some pressure point work on my ears before gently lifting my head and stretching out my neck and shoulders then performing a deeply relaxing head massage.
The verdict: I was almost asleep by the end of the treatment and felt deeply relaxed for the rest of the day before the best night’s sleep I’d had that week.
The heat of the shells and the eye mask combined with the breathing exercises and expert head massage really elevated this full-body massage treatment.
Business benefits: With sleep issues on the rise among stressed spa clients, these targeted treatments offer more than most massages.
The self-heating Lava Shells and eye masks mean they can be performed in any treatment room, without the need for heating equipment, and would be perfect for mobile therapists to offer in a client’s home or hotel.
Kezia Parkins, deputy editor
SQT Bio Microneedling
The lowdown: The no-needle Bio Microneedling facial from SQT uses sponge spicules extracted from freshwater sponges to stimulate the dermis and prompt microcirculation.
These siliceous bio-microneedles deliver active ingredients while also activating the basal skin cells.
Spongilla spicules have been used for centuries in skincare, and SQT’s treatment inserts up to five million into the skin in five minutes to treat acne, pigmentation and wrinkles.
The experience: I have had a lot of microneedling but nothing that doesn’t involve actual needles, so I was excited to try this treatment.
Looking at the glass vial that contains the minute shards, you would think you are looking at a muddy powder.
Under a microscope, though, my therapist Rebecca Morton explained that you’d see sharp crystal rod-like structures.
The powder was mixed and shaken up with a serum and after a thorough cleanse the spicule solution was massaged gently into my face.
The sensation wasn’t painful but felt like sandpaper on mild sunburn.
The shards drive themselves into the basal layer of skin, creating microchannels, which enhances production of collagen and elastin while delivering nutrients.
They stay in your face until they fall out, which sounds strange but you can’t see them. I was told to keep my skin free of actives in the days following.
The verdict: After spending a lot of time being pricked by microneedles in the quest for glassy, glowing skin, something natural and no-needle was a welcome relief.
As warned, I still felt the tiny shards within my skin for a few days but within a week my complexion was improved and my skin tone a lot more even.
My skin was absorbing serum better and the pigmentation on my cheeks from hormonal breakouts was reduced.
Business benefits: Rather than taking 28 days to see a result, as is often the case with microneedling, SQT Bio Microneedling will have clients seeing noticeable changes within a week. I know I did.
Plus, this is a great alternative for clients who avoid microneedling.
Medik8 Total Skin Reset Peel
The lowdown: Medik8 peels are professional-grade exfoliating acids applied with a brush to resurface. This particular peel combines three exfoliation methods.
The experience: I arrived at Beyond Medispa in Harvey Nichols, London, to be among the first to try the new peel.
I was greeted by therapist Sarah Herring, who asked me if my skin was sensitive – something I always have trouble answering, so Herring said she would treat my skin as though it was.
The first step after a cleanse was physical exfoliation. Herring mixed Medik8’s Bamboo Micro Polish into Surface Radiance Cleanse and massaged it onto my face before removing with a warm mitt then toning.
Next came enzyme exfoliation with the new Superfacial product. This was applied in a thin layer, avoiding the eye area.
Superfacial can be massaged into skin for up to 10 minutes or until it becomes “tacky”. Its enzyme exfoliators attack dead and damaged skin cells.
Herring then applied Universal Peel with a fan brush, starting at my forehead then my chin, leaving the cheek areas until last as these are the most sensitive.
For Fitzpatrick types I-IV, the peel can be left for one to 10 minutes but for my Fitzpatrick V/VI skin, it is recommended to leave it on for one-to-five minutes.
Immediately I felt the tingle, which quickly started to get more intense. It felt unpleasant but not painful.
After a few minutes, Herring neutralised the peel.
Calmwise Soothing Cleanser was sprayed and I was covered with gauze saturated in neutralising spray. Herring repeated this step three times until I could no longer feel tingling.
Hydr8 B5, Calmwise Serum, C-Tetra Luxe, Ultimate Recovery Intense and Physical Sunscreen were applied and I was given an aftercare skincare set.
The verdict: After the peel, Herring told me I was experiencing some frosting, where areas of skin go white. This is normal and shows the peel is working.
In the days following, my skin got tight and dry despite being slugged in thick moisturiser. Around day three, skin in my t-zone started to flake.
At the one-week mark, I started to receive compliments on how dewy my skin looked.
Business benefits: This peel is great for all skin types and a perfect treatment to offer in spring to get clients summer ready.
Ellen Cummings, features editor
Ishga Back, Face and Scalp Sound Treatment
The lowdown: This treatment is designed to take clients on a journey to the Scottish Hebrides – the home of organic skincare brand Ishga.
It incorporates sound treatment techniques to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, a stimulating back exfoliation, personalised back, neck, shoulder and scalp massage, and a lifting facial.
The experience: I visited the Dorchester Spa in London for a treatment with Denise Doe, who began with a sensory test to select which oil to use.
I went for the Invigorating oil which features essential oils of lavender, rose geranium, juniper and lemongrass to aid in relaxation while also providing a feeling of renewed energy.
Doe asked me to lie face down before getting me to inhale the oil for three breaths.
She then carried out a foot cleanse using hot mitts, followed by a back exfoliation using Ishga’s Hebridean Sea Salt Scrub, which contains pure sea salt, known for its rich mineral content.
After removing the scrub, Doe carried out a back massage with hot stones – I struggle with tension in my shoulders so she paid particular attention to this area, and the use of hot stones made such a difference.
She then asked me to turn over to start the facial, placing hot stones at my root, solar plexus and heart chakras to help balance my energy.
She cleansed my face using the buttery Marine Cleansing Balm before applying Hebridean Marine Toner, which contains Scottish seawater, Hebridean spring water, seaweed extract and aloe vera to brighten and soothe.
Doe then applied the Rejuvenating Eye Balm and carried out a facial and scalp massage using the Nourishing Face Oil.
She finished by applying Marine Cream, which contains shea butter, extract of macadamia, vitamin E and calming bergamot.
The treatment worked in harmony with the music throughout, helping to capture the calming essence of the ocean.
The verdict: I really appreciate when therapists do sensory tests to choose products at the start of treatments – it makes me feel involved and affirms that I’ll receive the kind of treatment I’m looking for.
The treatment was very in-depth and tackled a lot of my concerns. The products definitely helped with the transportive aspect – they do smell very slightly of the sea but not in a stinky-wetseaweed kind of way.
I certainly noticed a hydrated glow in my skin and I’ve been using the Hydra+ Marine Cream as my night-time moisturiser since having the treatment.
Business benefits: Seaweed skincare has a whole range of benefits including supporting collagen, aiding in hydration and acting as an antioxidant.
The seaweed used by Ishga also ticks the sustainability box for more environmentally minded businesses; the Ishga team harvests it by hand in the Hebrides and rotates harvesting locations to allow for natural regeneration and biodiversity.
Ishga recommends charging from £300 for the 90-minute treatment.
Guinot Hydradermie Youth Treatment
The lowdown: Marketed as an alternative to aesthetic procedures, the Hydradermie Youth Treatment rejuvenates skin by boosting cellular activity to promote radiance.
The facial is tailored for the client, with eight options including purifying, moisturising, anti-ageing, nourishing, anti-wrinkle, brightening, soothing and sun preparation/repair.
The experience: I visited the Guinot salon in Earlsfield for a treatment with franchisee Justyna Rostek.
Rostek has worked with Guinot for 15 years, so she was the perfect person to perform my first ever Guinot facial.
During a very thorough consultation, she ascertained I had been over exfoliating and stripping my skin barrier, leading to excessive oil production – although my skin is generally clear, it tends to get shiny very quickly.
This led to Rostek choosing the nourishing facial, to start repairing my skin barrier.
After cleansing, Rostek applied Eye Anti-Wrinkle Gel Serum and Nutrition Nourishing Face Gel Serum using the dynamic ionisation setting on Guinot’s Hydraderm device, which transmits energy to skin cells for quick distribution of active ingredients.
She moved the electrodes in set patterns across my neck, chest, chin, mouth, cheeks, eye contours and forehead, repeating each movement twice.
After removing surplus serum, she applied Oxygenating Face Emulsion, using thermal electrodes to stimulate cellular activity.
Next came Modelage Cream Serum, applied with a relaxing massage to further boost microcirculation.
This was followed by Essentiel Nutri Confort Mask, containing oils including jojoba, evening primrose and avocado to restore the skin’s hydrolipidic film.
She left this on for 10 minutes, then removed it and applied Eye Fresh Cream, Hydra Beauté Cream and Youth Perfect Finish Cream – a tinted SPF 50 which has a lovely, subtle makeup-like finish and is my absolute favourite Guinot product.
Rostek ended with aftercare advice and would usually prescribe products, but in my case her recommendation was to use less, to restore my skin barrier.
The verdict: I appreciated how thorough the consultation was; I’ve had many great facials with skilled therapists, but I’ve never been told over-exfoliation was the root of my skin issues before.
The treatment was a synergy of luxurious yet effective skincare and clever technology, and I left the salon well on my way to healthier (and less shiny!) skin.
Business benefits: The treatment has many personalisation options, so it can be tailored to suit almost all clients.
The inclusion of a personalised product prescription in the protocol is also a great way to boost retail sales.
Erin Leybourne, editorial assistant
Image Skincare O2 Lift Facial
The lowdown: The O2 Lift Facial uses a foaming mask to deliver oxygen to add brightness, clean clogged pores and clarify skin.
In combination, it uses an enzyme peel, stem cells and peptides to boost skin health.
The experience: I visited Glass House Retreat in Upminster for the facial.
After a chat with my therapist, Amy Gilbert, about my concerns, we decided the O2 Lift would be best for my dehydrated skin.
Under a cosy heated blanket, my treatment began with a crystal press.
All treatments at Glass House start with this step to help guests unwind.
Gilbert pressed two parcels of warm crystals around the perimeter of my body as pressure therapy and to relax my muscles.
To prep, she used Hydrating Facial Cleanser, removing my makeup and the day’s pollution.
Next, she used the enzymatic facial peel to gently exfoliate, and massaged away the dead skin cells with a thorough facial massage.
Then it was time for oxygenation. The O2 Lift oxygenating mask bubbles up on application, with a foam that uses patented Fiflow technology to deliver oxygen to skin.
While the mask bubbled away on my face, Gilbert turned her attention to my shoulders and head with a massage.
This was a great distraction from the tingling sensation on my face and added value to the treatment, rather than just waiting for the mask to work.
After the massage, she wiped off the remaining product from my face and fed my skin with the O2 Lift stem cell enhancer.
I was then given a bit of the lip-enhancing complex and topped off with SPF.
The verdict: The experience was truly luxurious.
Alongside the beautiful setup, the incorporation of massage added a spa-feel to this results-focused facial.
The results were visible from the get-go, with friends and family commenting that I looked refreshed straight after the treatment.
My skin has remained bouncy, with a lasting hydration and glow.
Business benefits: With oxygen facials being well-known by consumers as a red-carpet treatment, the O2 Lift is a great option for clients who want to get that quick glow with lasting results.
The facial uses high-performance ingredients such as plant-derived stem cells and peptides, as Image Skincare asserts that it’s the skincare that stays on your skin that makes a visible difference.
Agnes dos Santos eyelash extensions
The lowdown: Agnes dos Santos offers vegan-certified luxury lash extensions, customised for every client by expert stylists at its London salon.
The company also offers eyelash extension certified training for lash techs in classes or one-to-one setups, as well as mentoring masterclasses.
The experience: I visited the Agnes dos Santos salon the day before my extension appointment, where I was greeted by salon manager and lash expert Daria Wojtasik for my patch test and consultation.
She went through the options, showing me examples of the lashes and explaining the process, giving me a clear understanding of what we’d be able to achieve with my natural lashes as a base.
Wojtasik pointed out that due to my complexion and dark blonde hair, their brown lashes may be a good option for me.
I filled out a consultation form before Wojtasik attached a couple of lashes as a patch test. I was given homework, to find some reference images, and off I went for 24 hours.
The next day, after a problem-free patch test, I showed Wojtasik pictures of natural-looking, fluttery lashes, with the brief of “my lashes but better”. We agreed dark brown lashes would be fun, and that I’d like a lifted look, as I curl my lashes every day anyway.
The process itself was relaxing, the salon was quiet, with spa-style music, and lying down for an hour couldn’t be described as strenuous.
For thickness, Wojtasik chose a 0.15mm lash to give a light mascara effect, using 7mm and 12mm lengths and mixing sizes in-between for a realistic look.
After the appointment, I was given an aftercare leaflet and an eyelash spoolie to help keep my lashes tangle-free.
Wojtasik advised that I avoid sleeping on my side the first night, along with other tips to help retention.
The verdict: I’m really pleased with my new lashes. They define my eyes without being over the top, and the dark brown helps them look natural against my colouring.
The consultation was incredibly thorough, and Wojtasik listened well to achieve a look I was happy with. I could tell she prioritised the health of my natural lashes, which was reassuring.
Business benefits: A good set of extensions will keep clients coming back for infills, and when the natural lash health is prioritised, there’s scope for years of repeat custom.
Retailing lash shampoo or full aftercare kits can bring in extra revenue.