The Snake Venom facial made famous as a red carpet procedure in Hollywood is usually done in a cosmetology clinic using a combination of peptides that mimic one of the peptides found in Viper venom. It is a synthetic snake serum used extensively in the West for reducing wrinkles. A number of stars like Kylie and Danii Minogue and Gwyneth Paltrow are known to indulge in this treatment and use the serum regularly for its anti-ageing properties. Apart from its anti-ageing effects, the facial amazingly refreshes the skin, brightening it, lifting tan and gives it a luminous glow.
If used regularly, it has a botox like action, thus helping to reduce lines and wrinkles too.
The synthetically made tripeptide combination mimics Waglerin peptide, which is found in the Viper’s snake venom. Since it’s only applied as a cream on the surface of the skin, its effectiveness cannot be compared to botox but for people who are wary of botox, this is a good alternative as it’s more natural and non-invasive.
While it is a medical rejuvenation treatment, it doesn’t cause redness and peeling like some other medical cosmetic treatments.
The procedure involves deep cleansing of the skin followed by exfoliation with a scrub, and then application of a mild peel. This is then followed by a good facial massage with two different creams. Then snake serum is applied and then a mask, which helps to plump and moisturise the skin. Electroporation is done as the final step and this helps to enhance penetration of all serums and creams deep into the skin. The mask is then removed, after which sunscreen is finally applied.
It’s a pampering treatment that takes anywhere between 45 minutes to one hour. The results can be seen immediately after the facial. Proper anti-ageing effects are seen after one month if a regular skin care routine is also followed at home. The facial can be done as often as one would like since there are no side effects. Once every fortnight or month is what I would recommend. For all this pampering goodness, the facial only costs just Rs 5,000 for each session.
The writer is a celebrity cosmetologist
