I tried SQT Bio-Microneedling at Elan Laser Clinic, Hale Barns

I must admit that when I discovered the ins and outs of the SQT Bio-Microneedling treatment, I was a tad nervous about the process that uses spicules from a freshwater sponge - and curious about the results.

Using no machine, acids, needles or anaesthesia, it promises to shorten the skin cycle from 28 days to just seven resulting in brighter, firmer and plumper skin.

It’s a world-first that is now available at Élan Laser Clinics in Liverpool, Leeds and Hale Barns which is the salon I paid a visit to.

On hand to answer all my questions and put my mind at ease was the delightful and knowledgeable Monika, who welcomed me to the salon in The Square.

She said: “The SQT is one of the most advanced treatments at the moment.

“One session of SQT bio-micro needling is equivalent to four sessions of the actual micro needling ones that are on the market at the moment.

“So you get the same results after one treatment that you would get after four treatments, which is amazing.

“As there are no needles involved, there is no risk of bleeding, cross contamination, no risk of infection like with normal micro needling treatments.”

As a full-time working mother of two boys, aged five and 18-months, there was only one version of the treatment I was going for – and that’s anti-aging.

Explaining how it works, Monika said: “Scientists discovered that spongilla in the ocean have spicules, shaped like needles. They are very tiny and can only be seen under the microscope.

“They extracted those spicules and put them in a little pot. In the pot, it looks like grey power, you cannot see the actual needles.

“We take those needles – three million very tiny needles – we mix it with a serum to target a specific concern.”

The anti-aging one works by stimulating your body to regenerate collagen and elastin, as well as triggering an anti-inflammatory and healing response within the skin.

The spicule-infused serum is massaged into the skin and the tiny natural needles penetrate deep into the skin’s layers.

As Monika began to explain how the treatment would feel when it was carried out, as well afterwards, the mantra ‘no pain, no gain’ sprang to mind.

But I was reassured by the high standards of my surroundings and knew I was in safe hands with Monika, who told me she was a fan of the treatment herself.

She said: “Usually if you do a facial, most of the ingredients cannot penetrate the skin as deeply unless they are injected.

“They travel down and all those three million needles are in your skin. After the treatment, you can literally feel them for the next 72 hours.

“Once the needles are there and have transported all the nice ingredients, they are working in your skin. Because it is a foreign object for the body, the natural body response is to try to push it out of the skin and get rid of it.

“For the next 72 hours, your body is pushing the needles out of the skin.”

Monika likened the treatment to having sandpaper rubbed on your skin and, as mine can be quite sensitive, I fully expected it to be extremely unpleasant.

But I’m happy to report that it was only a tad uncomfortable and not at all painful.

She also warned me that every time I touched my skin for the next 24 hours, it would feel like an ‘electric shock’ as you can feel needles underneath.

But thankfully, I’d describe it more as a spiky tingling sensation, which again was fine for me – and I felt as if the treatment really was working some magic.

But what about the results? This treatment – which costs £270 and takes around 40 minutes – really does do what it says on the tin.

After the redness (which again was nothing too extreme and lasting until that evening) calmed and the tingling subsided after a day, I was delighted with the results.

My skin felt more plump, more hydrated, smoother and with better texture, and even better after a week.

Other versions of SQT Bio-Microneedling can help with acne, congested skin and pigmentation, with up to five million of the magic, microscopic needles being administered.

A client's results after the treatment

Monika sent me on my way with a small pot of special essence cream to calm the skin down should it need it.

The trickiest part of the whole thing was remembering to apply SPF 50 in the days that followed to protect the skin.

A client's results after the treatment

It is recommended to have four treatments to get the best results but I could definitely see a difference after one.

If you have a specific skin concern or perhaps a big event coming up, Elan and SQT Bio-Microneedling could provide that skin boost you’re looking for.