Nothing is more attractive than a killer smile, but my daily cup of coffee and glass of rosè are constant reminders that our teeth are not as white as they could be. Here's how to whiten your smile - fast. By editor Trudi Brewer.
Editor Trudi Brewer and style director Louise Hilsz
Please give me a beauty service that offers instant gratification, and I'll be there. That is precisely what's on offer at The Whitening Co. in-chair teeth whitening, and it’s a service you can have in your lunch break.
What's involved
After answering a few questions on the iPad provided, Jarrah Emery Ponsonby, the clinic manager, colour matched our teeth with a shade guide. We were both around shade S18 on the top and bottom row. She explained what we could expect during the treatment and is well-practised in whitening teeth. Offering a comfy pillow, a port to charge my phone and earphones to play tunes, we reclined in the dental chair, and the procedure was underway. 'The Confidence Package' was our complimentary service, designed to offer a brighter smile in a little over an hour.
The procedure
The service starts with a Hannibal Lecter-style mouth guard and applying a blue liquid gel to protect the gums. This acts as a shield (that dries hard), protecting the skin from the 12 per cent hydrogen peroxide whitening solution, used on every tooth. The gel-like solution is activated by an LED blue light in two, 25-minute sessions, refreshing the gel solution in between each session. And that is it. Once Emery removes the gel solution, you rinse your mouth, and you are glancing at a much brighter smile (our teeth both whitened five shades to S10 from where they started at S18). Relaxing back in the chair during the service, I thought it felt more like a skin spa than a clinic dedicated to teeth.
The homely touches, great music, and luxurious recliners make it inviting, efficient, and professional. Teeth whitening is a grooming service, not an oral hygiene check-up. It's a luxury that will boost your confidence and make you want to smile.
The Confidence Package costs $229, allowing 75 minutes.
Take home
Your teeth may be sensitive post-treatment. Mine felt tingly for 24 hours, but by the next morning, they felt fine. Hilsz did not react at all. A desensitising gel is provided in your take-home pack to soothe any discomfort. To maintain the best results, avoid eating or drinking anything that could re-stain your teeth post-service, such as coffee, tea, red wine, or brightly coloured foods, for 48 hours.
Before & After
Editor Trudi Brewer's results on the top row of the teeth whitened 10 levels from S18 to S10.
Style director Louise Hilsz's results on the top row of the teeth were whitened by eight levels, S18 to S8 on the shade guide, and the bottom row of teeth, 10 levels, S22 to S10.
See the results for yourself
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Brighten your smile in your lunch break.