I’m realistic about ageing, and honestly not interested in trying to look 25 again, but over the years I have noticed changes to my skin tone and texture. Even with foundation on, my skin no longer had that healthy, lit-from-within quality it once did. And that was the problem: I never went anywhere without foundation.
So when I started hearing more about Exion – a non-invasive skin treatment reportedly loved by Victoria Beckham – I was curious.
The treatment, offered at ACL Cosmetic Clinic, combines radiofrequency energy and targeted ultrasound technology to improve skin quality, firmness and hydration over time, without needles or downtime. According to the clinic, Exion is designed to stimulate the skin’s natural production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, helping create a plumper, firmer and more radiant appearance gradually over a course of treatments.
Unlike more aggressive laser procedures or invasive cosmetic treatments, the appeal of Exion is that it feels subtle and cumulative. It’s a non-invasive in-clinic treatment that uses controlled energy – including radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound technology depending on the applicator – to deliver heat into targeted layers of the skin.
The aim is to stimulate the skin’s natural production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid over time, helping improve the appearance of skin texture, firmness and fine lines without surgery or significant downtime.
During my treatments, the handheld ultrasound applicator did heat up at certain points, although it was never unbearable. After each session, the clinician placed a cooling mask over my face, which immediately soothed any lingering warmth and left my skin feeling calm, refreshed and hydrated.
© Getty ImagesI completed four treatments over roughly two months, spaced about a fortnight apart. After each session my skin looked fresher and brighter, with a healthy glow that made me look more awake almost immediately. But the real transformation happened gradually.
By the time I returned for my fourth appointment and saw my before-and-after photos side by side, the difference genuinely shocked me. My skin looked brighter, smoother and significantly more plump, while my cheeks appeared fuller and more lifted.
Rather than looking like I had "had work done", I simply looked fresher, healthier and more like myself again. Oddly enough, the biggest change was not physical at all, but psychological. For the first time in literally decades, I stopped wearing foundation most days.
According to the ACL Cosmetic Clinic team, Exion may suit people experiencing early to moderate skin laxity, fine lines or changes in skin texture, particularly those wanting a non-surgical option with minimal downtime. The clinic says many patients notice improvements in skin texture, hydration and firmness across a series of treatments, with results continuing to develop gradually over time.
Downtime is also minimal. Aside from some mild warmth and temporary redness immediately after treatment, I was able to go straight back to work and daily life afterwards, which is a large part of the appeal for busy women who cannot afford to disappear for weeks of recovery.
What I ultimately appreciated most about Exion was how natural the process felt. There was no frozen look, no dramatic overnight transformation and no sense that my face had been altered. Instead, my skin simply looked healthier, fresher and more supported over time.
