As someone who had never had a facial before, I was nervous for my first time. I dislike discomfort of any kind, and I’ve heard that popping persistent whiteheads and blackheads can be quite uncomfortable. But hey, you gotta live a little, right? So, I set out for skincare expert Dr Sheth’s Yuva Clinic at Kamala Mills, Mumbai, for my appointment. Upon walking in, the cool lemonade they offered me was a welcome respite from the mugginess outside. Ten minutes later, I was talking to a therapist who took me through the multilayered procedure she would soon perform on my face.
“Will it hurt?” I asked. “Will I break out?” She assured me that neither would happen. Feeling emboldened, I said, “Okay, let’s go for it.”
As I lay there, as she cleansed my face with a refreshing toner, before starting to slough off dead skin and even out my complexion with the diamond-tipped exfoliator, all part of the Instabrasion treatment (it has nothing to do with Instagram; it’s just quick: 30 minutes). Next, came the part I was initially concerned about: extraction. Was it quick? Pretty. Was it painful? Only a few areas, like my nose. Next, came a creamy and indulgent facemask that I could have happily left on for longer than the stipulated time. It was scented, cool and cocoon-like—and the quick snooze I caught while waiting for the mask to work its wonders was blissful.
Thirty minutes after I walked in, dull-faced, drawn and dispirited, I left feeling rejuvenated, knowing that my skin looked better than it had since pre-puberty (thanks, life). And that, I think, is possibly the best kind of mid-week validation one needs.
Address: Yuva Clinic, inside Kamala Mills, 9 Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel. Contact: 022 49702172
