Youth Lab, Claremont

After opening their well-loved West Perth clinic in 2018, Youth Lab are now extending their reach into the city’s western suburbs with their elegantly designed Claremont outpost. A stone’s throw from the heart of Claremont, it’s a chic urban oasis where modern design perfectly and respectfully complements the heritage of the building that houses the clinic.

Their new space was conceived by Melbourne-based designer Nickolas Gurtler, who was also behind the design of cult furniture purveyor James Said’s Nedlands showroom. Taking inspiration from the understated luxury of New York’s Upper East Side, Gurtler has done an exquisite job in highlighting the building’s framework (think lofty ceilings with intricate plasterwork) and blending it with more modern elements.

As I enter I spy a table laden with interesting vases by Jonathan Adler, illuminated by an eye-catching angular light fitting. A striking artpiece by artist Dina Broadhurst serves as the focal point of the waiting room, while Calacatta Viola marble fixtures and brass fittings dot the various treatment rooms.

Dr Kate Jameson and the team behind Youth Lab have established a solid reputation for their state of the art advanced clinical dermal therapy and injectable treatments: some of their most popular offerings include their Hydrafacial (which I enjoyed before my wedding and rate highly). Today I’m opting for their Signature Facial to give my skin a total reset: the treatment combines select elements of their most popular offerings for a comprehensive and totally customised experience.

After a brief consultation about what I want to get out of my skin, Sarah thoroughly cleanses my skin with a clever ultrasonophoresis device. She follows with a bespoke enzymatic peel to exfoliate and rejuvenate, carefully monitoring my skin to see if it could manage an extra layer. Next Sarah performs a beautifully thorough massage – it’s so deeply relaxing, although I fight the urge to sleep in order to take mental notes of the whole experience – followed by a nourishing layer of Mesoestetic’s Radiance DNA Crystal Fibre Mask.

And then, my favourite part of the facial: the Healite II LED. I’d previously enjoyed this light energy treatment on two occasions, and rated it highly for its skin repairing qualities, as well as imparting that ethereal ‘lit from within’ glow to the skin. It’s a soothing experience for body and mind too, with the warm light lulling you into serenity and calm.

After emerging blissfully from my treatment room, Sarah presents me with a glass of water spiked with The Beauty Chef’s Hydration Booster, a delicious refreshment that highlights their ‘beauty from the inside out’ philosophy. My skin, which before the treatment was annoyingly temperamental and sensitised, is glowing and soft, and I decide to switch out my low-key weekend plans for something more social just to make the most of my beautified complexion.