By Judy Johnson
With the sun shining and hemlines rising it’s time again to bare all, whether it’s to hit the beach and top up your tan or to show your pins on a warm summer evening. All well and good, but most of us worry about showing off too much skin in the heat because of every woman’s worst enemy – cellulite.
But fear not. Wahanda is always on the lookout for treatments to combat your every woe, from bad skin to bad fitness, bad hair to bad nails. We brought you the very latest in technology, with Destination Skin’s launch of Smooth Shapes, and now we’ve tried a more natural approach with the Firm and Tone treatment at the Six Senses Spa at Pan Peninsula, the first of the chain to open its doors in the UK.
The spa
A little tricky to find but worth the search, Six Senses Spa is based in the highest residential building in London, set in the heart of the city with views over Canary Wharf. Neutral colours and soothing soft music fills the airy space, with a gentle aroma of incense and scented candles in the air making the bustling capital below seem far, far away.
Six Senses Spa’s main attraction is the stunning Thermal Suite, including a chromotherapy steam cabin, crystal laconium, dry sauna, sensory shower and hydrotherapy pool. A perfect chance to relax prior to an indulgent treatment, we took a short yet calming dip in the pool, before our therapist let us know it’s five minutes until our treatment. So we hopped back into the plush changing rooms and swapped our swimsuits for robes, slippers and some very original spa pants – not the typical paper pair that does very little to put you at ease, but stretchy cotton-like mini shorts which were even quite flattering. It’s the little details that count, after all!
The treatment
Through to a quiet and tranquil treatment room, our therapist explained what the treatment involves, then held up the sheet to let us get comfortable on the soft bed, face down. Already the professional attitude and approach of the staff made us feel completely at ease, as the sheets were always covering us and were held up for whe
n we turned over.
The Firm and Tone treatment is designed to combat cellulite, by eliminating toxins and toning the skin for a fresher appearance – which sounds good to us. Starting with a dry body brushing, the therapist used sweeping strokes towards the heart all over our legs to give the skin a boost, leaving us feeling invigorated yet relaxed.
Once we were exfoliated and super soft, the therapist then began to apply the Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Gel, an energising toning gel which felt cool to the touch but soothing as it was massaged in to the backs of the legs with a firm pressure. With ingredients such as juniper, pink grapefruit and rosemary, it not only smelt divine but the essential oils can help to improve skin texture and appearance of cellulite with regular use. To complement the gel’s toning properties, we were then smothered in Revive Evening Bath and Shower Oil to leave our skin silky soft, and the Six Senses mud was applied and our legs wrapped up for some toxin-busting treatment. While the mud got to work, the same treatment was performed on our tummy, which was a strange feeling particularly as the massaging movements became stronger but enjoyable nonetheless.
The result
Not only was the whole experience utterly relaxing and soothing, with great attention to detail and a brief explanation of the products throughout, but our skin felt super smooth and refreshed. Of course, one treatment won’t banish cellulite in the short but wonderful fifty minutes – if only – but a course of six treatments is recommended to see a difference. Already our skin was glowing, hydrated and revived, and the treatment was rounded off with a sit down in the relaxation suite with a cup of herbal Six Senses tea and fruit. A pleasure from start to finish, Six Senses Spa pay attention to your every need.
If you fancy trying the reviving Firm and Tone treatment at Six Senses Spa, you can purchase a spa voucher from Wahanda. Enjoy!
Tags: canary wharf, cellulite, chromotherapy, day spas, firm and tone, firming, health, legs, London, London spas, massage, new treatments, pampering, sauna, six senses spa, skincare, spa treatment, steam room, summer, swimming pool, therapist, tone, toning, Wahanda, women