About

Firstly, welcome to The Glacial Method. My name is Hannela, and I am a 31-year-old aesthetician currently based in Tbilisi. In the past 10 years I have lived in Japan, California, Germany, Vietnam and the UK. My interest in health and wellness began at a young age and has always inspired me to find ways to optimise well-being. It led me to train as a yoga instructor while I was at university — an experience that developed in me a deep love for helping others relax, unwind and restore balance within themselves.

In each of the places I have lived, I have explored the health approaches of different cultures: from onsens and the prevalence of barrier-focused skincare in Japan, to Korean spa culture and 20-step facial experiences in Vietnam, my interest in skincare, health and wellness has evolved with every culture I have lived in.

Through every stage of my life, skincare has been both a way to improve my skin and a structuring ritual to start and end my days. I have also always struggled with hormonal acne, which was severe when I was a teenager. It was a terrible experience — but it set me searching for the best skincare, treatments and practitioners from a young age. Eventually it hit me: why not become a skin and wellness practitioner myself?

Ildsjæl (pronounced "eeld-shell") is a Danish and Norwegian word that literally means "fire soul". It describes a person who puts their whole heart, soul and passion into whatever they do — someone deeply committed and driven from within.

That is my approach to skincare and aesthetics: to learning and mastering the science behind beauty treatments, and, most importantly, to every client. I believe in putting my soul into my work and delivering a luxury experience rooted in a deep understanding of each client’s unique skin and health concerns.

A glacial method is an extremely slow, careful and methodical approach. Rather than rushing, it prioritises precision, deep absorption of knowledge and meticulous execution. That captures perfectly how I approach every treatment.

I believe every client deserves a bespoke approach to their skin and wellness, which is why every treatment journey begins with The Glacial Assessment. My aesthetics training in the UK taught me that understanding clients holistically is crucial to determining the best treatment plan. So alongside a visual and tactile analysis, I consider your lifestyle, medical history and skin history — and together we build a plan tailored specially to you that benefits your skin health and well-being long term.

You will feel this methodology the moment you step into a treatment with me. We do not rush. Every step is designed to relax your nervous system just as much as to deliver aesthetic and health results you can truly feel when you leave. Every detail is deeply considered — from your pre-treatment detox tea and health shot to the products, techniques and machines chosen for you.

In aesthetics, "glacial" also refers to cryo-aesthetics: cold-based treatments designed to calm inflammation and boost radiance. This is the foundation of a facial with me. Barrier repair, inflammation reduction and promoting a beautiful glow are cornerstones of The Glacial Method, and we will discuss them in depth during your consultation.

The idea first came to me thinking about how my skin always looks its best after a week of skiing in the mountains. And it makes sense: the pure oxygen, the cold therapy and the reset to your nervous system all invoke that "just been on a ski holiday" glow — and that is what I aim to emulate in my treatments.

I am very up front about my training, because I am incredibly proud of it and confident in the skills I have acquired. The foundation took place in Stafford, UK, at the Curlita Beauty Academy: the Level 3 Entry to Aesthetics programme and Level 3 Microdermabrasion. The training was rigorous and in-depth — I worked on over 50 models by the end of the course, learning to incorporate lymphatic drainage massage, facial electrical modalities such as microcurrent and LED, skin analysis and appropriate product selection into the facial. I completed twelve essays on topics from anatomy and physiology to infection prevention control, electrical science, client care and skin assessment, with practical examinations assessed both by my trainer and by Focus Awards, a UK examining body.

During that training I discovered what my teacher called a "natural talent" for massage — and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. So I added a Level 3 in Full Body Swedish Massage, again formally assessed on technique, health and safety, client care and infection prevention control. The course was Ofqual-regulated, meaning it is officially approved by the UK government’s independent regulator for exams and assessments.

I have also taken CPD courses in microneedling, dermaplaning and chemical peels — rigorous one-to-one training under an NHS nurse with over 30 years’ experience in health and aesthetics, covering the theory before performing the treatments on countless models under supervision. At Lash and Thread in Brighton I studied lash lift and tint, brow lamination and tint, and Indian head massage.

I went on to train with Relax Skin Studio in London, learning to incorporate gua sha, facial cupping, rollers, mushrooms and acupressure into my facials — going further into skin analysis, lymphatic stimulation, muscular release, manually lifting and toning the muscles to promote collagen and elastin production, acupressure for full-body restoration, and treating conditions such as rosacea, cystic acne and tension headaches through facial massage.

To keep up with emerging trends, I completed Korean Aqua Facials training at KBH Training Academy in London — Korean skincare and glass-skin concepts in depth, ampoule and essence layering, barrier repair and microbiome concepts, oxygen infusion, hydrodermabrasion, ultrasound product infusion and Korean facial massage techniques, as well as natural body contouring with woodworking tools. Lastly, at Elemental Massage School of Beauty and Holistic Therapies in London, I trained in Brazilian lymphatic drainage massage and natural body contouring.

I aspire to move on to my Level 4 aesthetics training soon — and ultimately to my Level 7 in Aesthetics, the highest level, equivalent to a Master’s degree.