Why does Paul Pogba swear by the LED Opera mask?

Inspired by Paul Pogba, Mike Keegan heads to a Wilmslow salon to experience the joys of the LED Opera Mask…

You may well have seen the story we wrote last week about Paul Pogba and his I, Robot/Phantom of the Opera mask.

Unfortunately, so did my online boss, who told – I mean asked – me if I fancied going to have the same treatment.

Sportsmail sent reporter Mike Keegan to try the LED Opera mask treatment for himself

I protest too much. If anyone needs to knock a few years off, it is me.

After a lifetime of late nights and Factor 6 holidays, I’ve been left with more lines than a naughty schoolboy and more bags than a Heathrow carousel.

I have no daily moisturising routine. Other than the occasional dabble with a Clarins Christmas present, my skin hydration levels are zero.

I am 39 – 40 in June – and it has been known for people to comment that my paper round may have been of the substantial variety.

So it was with some hope that I arrived at Medispa Wilmslow, in the heart of footballer and celebrityville.

Sportsmail’s Mike Keegan poses with the team behind the LED Opera mask treatment

Almost immediately, I am given a rollocking by the brilliantly forthright founder and medical director, Dr Nyla Raja.

Apparently, our online story has offended by stating that treatments cost £50. 

Her point is that each patient is evaluated, and treatments vary to accommodate their needs.

I look at the menu, which features a number of treatments including BOTOX and the intriguing-sounding Dracula Therapy and Cheshire Facelift.

But I am here for the Opera LED mask, which is what our Manchester United man swears by, along with the likes of Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, Kourtney Kardashian and Steven Gerrard’s wife Alex.

The treatment begins by riding the face of debris using a suction pump machine

In the next stage, a balm is then spread over the face to allow the mask to be applied 

The balm is applied using what is described as ‘an oversized roller ball pen’

A mask is applied prior to the LED Opera treatment to ensure maximum impact

After filling in a questionnaire and drinking a lemon-infused water in reception, I am led down a brilliant white hallway (everything is white) through a glass door and into the (white) treatment room where I am asked to recline on the (white) treatment table.

My consultant, Stephanie, then gets to work. First, what appears to be a suction device rids my aging boat race of debris. 

Then, a kind of over-sized roller ball pen spreads a balm over my face before a gel mask is lowered. I have to shut up, because when I speak it falls off.

Then it is time for the ‘Opera LED mask’ – and everything goes dark. 

All of a sudden the red light comes on and the light wavelengths kick in. Stephanie says this part triggers collagen rejuvenation. 

The mask’s red light is first up – this part of the procedure triggers collagen rejuvenation

The second phase of the treatment, the blue light, treats acne and helps blemish-free skin

The third stage of the mask treatment is purple, which triggers healing and aftercare

Apparently, bags and wrinkles are caused by the breakdown of collagen, which are, I am told, the building blocks of your skin. 

A few minutes later, blue descends as the mask switches to the mode which treats acne. This stage helps purify the skin, stabilises the oil secreting glands and calms inflammation. 

Finally, it is purple, which triggers healing and aftercare. There is no pain and only a minimal feeling of claustrophobia. 

My treatment takes an hour, would usually cost around £140 and should be repeated every two weeks for the best results.

Time for the big reveal. The mask, and the gel mask underneath it, come off. ‘Who’s this?’ asks Simon, the hilarious photographer.

Sportsmail’s Mike Keegan gives the thumbs up during the hour-long LED Opera mask 

It is recommended that the mask treatment is repeated every two weeks for the best results

As I depart, the girl behind reception is taking a call from another punter who wants the mask treatment. Word is clearly spreading.

I get home an hour later and the other half, who is substantially more well-versed in this type of thing, is impressed.

‘You definitely look a bit different,’ she says.

I am not sure whether to take that as a compliment.

For more information on the Opera Mask, visit: http://doctornyla.com