Who would spend £450 on a facial? By Caroline Phillips For You Magazine Published: 08:00, 2 November 2024 | Updated: 08:00, 2 November 2024 e-mail View comments I am sitting in a consulting room in a smart Georgian building in Marylebone, London . I’m with psychologist Dina El Adlani – for a facial. Yes, you read that correctly, because this treatment comes under the umbrella of psychodermatology: the interaction between mind (psyche) and skin (dermatology), focusing on how psychological factors such as stress or depression cause skin issues and, conversely, how skin disorders may affect mental health.
El Adlani asks me to complete a psychodermatological quiz – with questions such as ‘Does your appearance affect your ability to socialise?’ and ‘Does your skin condition impact your overall mental wellbeing?’ – before enquiring about my stress levels (high; I’m divorcing and moving house), lifestyle (healthy) and psychological challenges (many). Bliss out and bloom: psychodermatology focuses on the connection between mind and skin Next, she checks my skin health with an AI skin analyser: my dehydrated skin’s age is apparently five years older (I’m 64). Then I move to the couch.
The ensuing facial includes oil massage (the elixir is matched to one’s skin and emotional needs; mine’s an oil that promotes serotonin, reducing lines and calming me), plus ultrasound and radio frequency (to boost collagen). Meanwhile, El Adlani deploys psychological strategie.
