Treatment: CACI Electro Cellulite Massage (from £25 for 30 minutes, tel: 020 8731 5678)
Lowdown: This treatment combines 24 massage rollers with electro-stimulation to improve firmness, cellulite and skin tone over hips, thighs and stomach.
Electro-stimulation (via the metal rollers) helps stimulate fat cells into releasing stored fat, breaking down any fatty deposits. It also increases skin cell permeability, so cells become better at holding nutrients and detoxifying which helps improve tone and texture.
The treatment is surprisingly relaxing - it feels like massage but with a tingling sensation. A course of 10 is recommended, although after one treatment hips and thighs feel firmer and skin looks brighter.
Balms that help ease aching muscles
Treatment: Clarins Melting Honey Hot Stone Massage (£60 for 60 minutes, tel: 0800 036 3558)
Lowdown: A muscle soothing, detoxifying, tension reliever using the deeper massage action of hot stones. The therapist uses four different shaped stones designed for different purposes – from the tear drop, which has a pointed end to work shoulders, limbs and feet, to the diamond, which works the back. A fabulously luxurious massage gel adds to the experience.
Our tester could really feel the deep reaching effects of the hot stones, especially on the back and shoulder area. ‘I fell asleep half way through because it was so de-stressing and afterwards I felt wonderfully relaxed, but not wiped out – and my skin was silky soft.’
Beauty products to target problem areas
Treatment: The Balancer (£40 for 45 minutes, tel: 01491 413671)
Lowdown: This treatment uses compression trousers to mimic the effects of manual lymphatic drainage, boosting microcirculation to flush out toxins, drain excess fluids and energize the system – so it’s fab for cellulite and water retention. Air cells built into the trousers compress to deliver massage pressure from the toes to just above the diaphragm – it’s rather like having half a dozen hands working on you.
After a treatment, your legs feel lighter - testers report jeans feeling looser - thanks to the flushing out of excess fluids. A course of 10 to 12 treatments over four weeks is recommended.
Cellulite-busting foods to keep toxins at bay
