Berkshire

The Location
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-25933" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-clinic.jpg" alt="Aspire clinic sign on wall" width="1000" height="666" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-clinic.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-clinic-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-clinic-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-clinic-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-clinic-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Results-driven treatments to reduce wrinkles and improve skin health are booming – and aesthetics clinics are popping up all over Berkshire, as a result. <a href="https://www.aspireclinic.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Aspire Clinic</a> has been around for 12 years, and rather unusually, located in Reading&#8217;s Madjeski Stadium – home to the Royals. Bit odd? Not really. It&#8217;s on the outskirts of Reading, there&#8217;s loads of free parking, and you can duck in and out without anyone noticing. Sounds good, right?
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-25932" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Reading-Madjeski-Stadium.jpg" alt="Reading Madjeski Stadium Aspire Clinic" width="1000" height="666" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Reading-Madjeski-Stadium.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Reading-Madjeski-Stadium-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Reading-Madjeski-Stadium-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Reading-Madjeski-Stadium-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Reading-Madjeski-Stadium-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Simply step into the lift, you&#8217;ll be swiftly deposited on the third floor and the comfy reception area of Aspire Aesthetics.
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The Vibe
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-25931" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-clinic-treatment-room.jpg" alt="Aspire clinic treatment room" width="1000" height="666" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-clinic-treatment-room.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-clinic-treatment-room-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-clinic-treatment-room-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-clinic-treatment-room-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-clinic-treatment-room-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
The clinic occupies what was former Reading FC owner John Madjeski&#8217;s private apartment. It feels a bit like a boutique private hospital. The waiting room has a few comfy sofas and the three treatment rooms have a medical, feminine vibe that is very different from your average beauty salon. It&#8217;s not clinical and scary, but each room is kitted out with specialist machinery. It&#8217;s worth noting that staff are super-friendly. If you are at all concerned about your treatment, there&#8217;s plenty of hand-holding and information on tap.
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The Treatment
<div id="attachment_25927" style="width: 1010px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25927" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-25927" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hydrafacial.jpg" alt="Hydrafacial" width="1000" height="666" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hydrafacial.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hydrafacial-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hydrafacial-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hydrafacial-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hydrafacial-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />Image: HydraFacial</div>
Cranking up the central heating, the cold weather and too much red wine can take their toll on your face. So we&#8217;re keen to try the HydraFacial – the secret weapon of beauty editors and celebs like Beyoncé and Kate Winslet. In fact, it&#8217;s so popular, one is performed every 15 seconds around the world. The principal is simple but effective – deep cleansing and exfoliation, extraction and finally hydration, by infusing skin with intensive serums through a unique HydroPeel tip.
The beauty of this treatment is that you get radiant, super-clean skin without any redness or irritation. Using hydradermabrasion – which is far gentler than traditional dermabrasion – is vacuums out pores. In fact, you get to see what&#8217;s been hoovered out of your face which is gross and compelling at the same time.
<div id="attachment_25930" style="width: 1010px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25930" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-25930" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hydrafacial-Aspire-clinic-serum.jpg" alt="Hydrafacial Aspire clinic serum" width="1000" height="666" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hydrafacial-Aspire-clinic-serum.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hydrafacial-Aspire-clinic-serum-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hydrafacial-Aspire-clinic-serum-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hydrafacial-Aspire-clinic-serum-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Hydrafacial-Aspire-clinic-serum-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />Warning! Gross image of face goop</div>
Available as a 30-minute express or one-hour treatment, the HydraFacial is described by Aspire as &#8216;gym for the skin&#8217;, and I can see why. Even after one 30-minute treatment (£90) my fine lines and wrinkles are reduced thanks to use of hyaluronic acid and collagen stimulation. Despite the fact that it’s more than a basic spa facial, there is nothing painful or uncomfortable about the process, in fact, I actually found it very relaxing.
<div id="attachment_25928" style="width: 1010px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25928" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-25928 size-full" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-hydrafacial-review_SQ.jpg" alt="Aspire hydrafacial review_SQ" width="1000" height="1000" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-hydrafacial-review_SQ.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-hydrafacial-review_SQ-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-hydrafacial-review_SQ-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-hydrafacial-review_SQ-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Aspire-hydrafacial-review_SQ-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />Ahhhhh… extreme close up</div>
The results are very good. I looked about 100 when I went in so it’s like some kind of miracle. But if facials aren’t your bag but you like the sound of Aspire, they also offer cool-sculpting, peels, laser hair removal, a radio therapy treatment to combat stress incontinence (damn you childbirth), as well as needly treatments like botox and dermafillers.
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THE MUDDY VERDICT
Good for: Anyone after gorgeous glowing, clean skin. You&#8217;ll really notice the difference in the texture of your skin. If you want anti-aging results without having to opt for injectables. Those looking for excellent customer care.
Not for: If you prefer a hands 0n snoozy facial. You might be put off by the machinery. It didn&#8217;t bother me at all. That said, the results you get may change your mind.
£££: As with all aesthetics, it&#8217;s not a cheap option. The Hydrafacial is £90-£150 per treatment, but discounts are available for block bookings.
<a href="https://www.aspireclinic.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Aspire Clinic</a>, Third Floor Suite, Madejski Stadium, Reading RG2 0FL. Tel: 0118 931 3575

HydraFacial – celebs swear by it

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