Talk about the Midas touch of beauty! The trending 24k gold facial is a must have for celebrity beauty mavens and they swear by its benefits. This type of skin treatment has been around for centuries. History books even claim that Cleopatra slept in a gold face mask every night in order to preserve her natural skin’s beauty. The Egyptians had an exclusivity surrounding the usage of gold for their beauty and health rituals. It was only done by the elite.
This notion has not changed. Only being offered at some of the most expensive spas around the world, these treatments cost more than some people’s rent, and if done regularly you’ve most definitely purchased a nice car. Fortunately, many skincare companies have come out with their own at-home versions of the treatment, though I’m guessing its nothing like the real thing!
How It Works
Gold is one of the softest metals and can be easily absorbed into the skin. It has also been used for both beauty and medicinal reasons throughout history. As an antibacterial and antimicrobial agent, gold can help remove filthy toxins and impurities from the skin, leaving you with a youthful and radiant look.
This process is usually done by starting with an initial basic cleansing and lymphatic draining facial massage followed up by layering on sheets of 24k gold. After the placement of the gold ultrasonic mist charged with negative ions is directed onto the skin. This helps the ingredients penetrate.
The Benefits
The mask is a mixture of several ingredients, with the main two being the 24k gold and bee venom. Other commonly used ingredients are lactic acid, green tea and diamond dust. Each ingredient offers its own set of benefits, but here are some of the most commonly reported:
- Fine lines and wrinkles reduction
- Sun damage and age spots reduction
- Hydration
- Stimulates circulation
- Slows collagen depletion
- Prevents the premature aging of skin by fighting off free radicals
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
- Improved metabolism and secretion of waste
- Gold activates ions to recreate cellular connections
- Provides a golden glow, creates luminous, radiant skin
- Helps eliminate blemishes
The Cons
There is some skepticisim out there about this treatment. There is much debate in the health world on whether or not the treatment is worth the pretty penny you spend. According to celebrity aesthetician Mary DeRolph, “The gold will dissolve on your skin’s surface to instantly reflect light, and tiny particles will seep in to protect against fine lines and discoloration.” She recommends the at-home treatment La Prairie’s Cellular Radiance Concentrate Pure Gold serum ($615 per ounce).
On the not so convinced side, dermatologist Robert Anolik, of Dr. Brandt Dermatology Associates in New York, says, “There are not enough studies yet on the cosmetic use of gold. If there are real improvements, it is likely because of other ingredients in the product or because the material it comes in is moisturizing.”
According to Veronica Barton Schwartz, owner of Veronica’s Skin & Body Care Center in Malibu there is always a rush of celebrities in her salon around awards season for her signature Umo 24 Karat Gold Facial ($300). “It’s the ultimate red-carpet treatment. The celebs rave about her treatment saying that they see results that last for about 10 days.”
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