The best spa detox programmes
Struggling to stick to that new year detox plan? Why not give yourself a helping hand with one of these detoxifying treatments?
Elemis Body Sculpting Cellulite and Colon Therapy, Elemis
Shakira sang that "the hips don't lie" and I'm sure that's something most people would agree on. In my case, even the slightest over indulgence seems to super-size the wobbly bits in my hip and thigh area, while the dreaded orange peel is another tell-tell sign of my excesses. In the past, I've shied away from treatments which promise to work wonders on said wobbly bits, probably due to my loathing of the countless creams and lotions on offer which falsely promise to break down fat cells (which simply isn't possible, by the way).
However, Elemis has taken a much more scientific approach to the matter by creating a treatment which combines colon-cleansing massage techniques with their Body Sculpting Lipo Refining Treatment and Body-Sculpting Lipo-Refining Serum, with the theory being that by increasing circulation and encouraging the body to flush out all those nasty toxins we can at least improve the appearance of these areas. The treatment certainly isn't for the faint hearted but then again, they do say no pain no gain. First, my skin was body brushed with natural cactus skin (not as painful as it sounds), before the Elemis Body Sculpting Lipo Refining Serum was slathered on.
After applying a detoxifying fennel and birch peel-off mask to my hip and thigh area, my therapist asked me to breathe in deeply while she massaged my abdominal area to help restore my overworked colon to full working order. The mask was then removed, before a liberal application of the Body Sculpting Firming Cream brought the treatment to a conclusion. While no treatment is ever going to replace the results achieved by regular work outs in the gym, Elemis Body Sculpting Cellulite and Colon Therapy is
the ideal option for those keen to give their post Christmas detox plans a boost, while the emphasis on ridding the body of excess fluids means you could well find your jeans feeling — albeit temporarily - a little looser.
£60, www.elemis.com
[Relevant: The secret of successful slimmers]
COMO Shambhala PURIFY Holistic facial, Metropolitan London
If the past few weeks have left you looking a little washed out, this incredibly thorough facial might just be for you. The treatment's USP is the use of boluses — small, herb-filled sacks - which are used to massage the face in order to give neglected, overworked pores the most thorough spring clean of their life. My therapist started by cleansing and exfoliating my skin, before a warm towel compress paved the way for some scarily thorough extractions.
After a firming mask was applied, I was given a facial massage designed to promote lymphatic drainage. Next came a second application of the firming mask, which was left to work its magic while the warm boluses were dabbed all over my skin, before the mask was applied for a second time. At this point it all got a little hazy. I probably shouldn't admit this but there were at least two instances where I remember emitting one of those hybrid snort/snores that snaps you back to consciousness just as you're on the verge of a one-way trip to the land of nod.
Sadly, the facial was almost over: after a final application of moisturiser and eye cream, I was good to go. I can honestly say that no facial has left my skin brighter or clearer. I also guarantee that it will be one of the most enjoyable facials you've ever had, although if you're anything like me, it's highly likely you'll be unconscious for large parts. And, let's face it, sleeping your way to perfect skin sounds like a pretty good concept to me.
£100, www.metropolitan.london.como.bz
Active Abdominal Detox, ESPA Life at Corinthia
The treatment is another that involves some serious prodding and poking: this time, there's even a machine. The G5 is a kind of vibrating wand that breaks down what my therapist politely referred to as "blockages" in the colon area. Anyway, more of that later. My therapist kicked things off with a deceptively relaxing foot massage, before my lower body was encased in an alga body wrap, while a warm herb-filled poultice was placed on my stomach to aid the process of detoxification.
While the wrap worked its magic, my therapist carried out an abdominal massage to boost my digestive system and help flush out any nasties. This is also where the G5 machine came in. The G5 is a kind of vibrating wand that helps to "get things moving", as my therapist politely put it, by stimulating blood flow. I can't exactly say this part was a highlight of the treatment, but my therapist explained that the slight discomfort people often feel when the G5 is used in certain areas hints at the presence of the aforementioned blockages. The good news was that the G5 isn't just good at detecting these blockages, but gently facilitating their natural removal, too, by simply increasing circulation in specific areas, making it easier for the body to break and flush out any baddies.
After removing the wrap and poultice, the treatment came to an end, but not before my therapist reminded me that drinking lots of water throughout the day was crucial when it came to flushing out the "blockages" the G5 machine had helped to shift. Forget iPods and Kindles — it's the G5 that will be topping my Christmas wish list next Christmas.
£105, www.espaonline.com
Cavendish Signature Detox Facial, the Cavendish Clinic, London
The Cavendish Clinic feels more like a private hospital than a spa, and perhaps with good reason: the wide range of results driven treatments offered by this London hideaway has earned the centre a reputation for excellence. If you like your spa treatments candle lit and accompanied by a soundtrack of crashing waves you should probably head elsewhere; although I can guarantee you're unlikely to get the same results.
My therapist started by cleansing and exfoliating my face, before carrying out a facial lymph massage to banish excess fluid. Next came some extractions — something that less and less spas seem to offer but in my opinion, one of the most crucial parts, especially when it comes to post-Christmas skin. Then it was time for the lactic peel. I've had glycolic peels before and this was definitely a less uncomfortable experience: an itchy sensation, rather than a burning one.
Finally, the piece de resistance: a vitamin c-rich mask. In my case, it only takes a few days of eating rubbish for my skin to suffer — all traces of radiance disappears, while the dark circles under my eyes would put an insomniac panda to shame — but the vitamin c mask instantly resorted the radiance my skin had been lacking and my eye area in particular looked de-puffed and bag-free. The panda had officially left the building.
£100, www.cavendishclinic.co.uk
Glacial Shell Detox Massage, the Sanctuary Spa, nationwide
I hate being cold — during the winter months I've constantly got a hot water bottle to hand while my heating bills would easily cover the debt of most third world countries — so when I was informed that the Sanctuary's latest treatment involved being massaged with glacial shells I was apprehensive to say the least. Volcanic stones? Lovely. Lava shells? Fabulous. Glacial shells? Not too appealing in the depths of a cold, dark British winter. How wrong I was.
The Glacial Shell Detox massage is another no-nonsense treatment designed to jump start sluggish circulations and help our bodies to expel all those nasties whilst eliminating water retention. The treatment kicks off with a vigorous body brushing — imagine being given a rub down with a scourer — before my therapist used the hot lava shells and ice cold glacial shells simultaneously to massage my stomach, hips and thighs. Getting my wobbly bits out in front of a total stranger might not have been the highlight of the treatment, but on the plus side, my skin felt smoother than ever before.
This is the ideal treatment for those of you looking for a back-to-basics detoxifying treatment, with a spot of massage thrown in for good measure. It's official — I'm a glacial shell convert.
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