A week after I headed to the SK:N clinic to see for myself what all the hype around the HydraFacial was about, I could still feel the effects.

The non-invasive one-hour procedure is not the type of facial you can relax through or fall asleep during but it will leave you with impressive results.

The clinic in George Lane, South Woodford, is just a stone’s throw from the station. Upon entering, I am greeted by friendly and professional staff and escorted to my treatment room.

There is a calm atmosphere throughout the clinic and the premises are clean and have recently been refurbished.

The HydraFacial machine’s four-in-one Vortex cleansing system uses different caps on the same wand for each stage.

After the practitioner has cleansed my skin, the first step is detox. It aims to increase circulation and eliminate toxins and involves the use of a lymphatic drainage technique.

Next is exfoliation stage and a lactic acid serum is used to rid the face and neck of dead skin cells and sebum.

I found that the spiral design at the tip of the suction wand created a rougher than expected sensation but my skin felt noticeably smoother afterwards.

The third stage involves the application of a brightening agent which is a mix of glycolic and salicylic acids.

While salicylic acid speeds up the healing of spots and reduces inflammation, glycolic acid exfoliates the skin to reveal a fresher complexion.

The extraction stage is up next and as opposed to the manual extraction of impurities, dirt and blackheads, the vortex system is painless.

The strong vacuum works wonders and leaves my skin feeling renewed and fresh.

The fifth stage is the hydration stage and as the wand moves around my face and neck, I can instantly feel a burst of hydration on my skin.

After LED lights are applied to reduce any redness and boost the production of collagen, I examine the results in a mirror.

The texture and tone of my skin has improved and I have not been left with any redness or irritation which can be caused by some other treatments.

The HydraFacial which has you in and out in one hour is a one-stop-shop for a range of skin problems including acne, pigmentation and dry skin, and is effective for all skin types.

Price and availability: From £90 at SK:N, 77-81 George Lane, E18 1JJ. Details: sknclinics.co.uk