A state of tranquillity
Conrad Spa, Conrad Hotel Dubai
I step away from the scorching heat and chaotic traffic of Shaikh Zayed Road into the quiet calm of the Conrad hotel lobby and then to the sixth floor where the spa is located. A warm welcome and hot shower later, I’m wrapped in a voluminous fluffy bathrobe and seated in the relaxing area of the spa.
Armed with a bottle of water, I lie down on the white leather reclining lounges and try to get into the mood. I love massages and scrubs and any body indulgent treatment that will help me unwind, but by the time my brain switches off and the body decides to relax, the treatment is over. I am hoping that the two-hour signature tranquil treatment that promises a “higher state of relaxation” will finally do the trick. And it does. A 120 minutes later, I wake up to the harmonious sounds of nature streaming through the speakers and the gentle gurgle of water.
The treatment is designed to soothe you into a state of tranquillity. You begin by choosing the aromatherapy oils best suited for your needs. A muscle relaxing gel is first applied and then the oil worked into every pore. The body massage is followed by a relaxing facial that again uses aromatherapy creams, scrubs, and serums based on your skin type. And while the face pack is drying, you get a mini head massage.
The spa at the Conrad is spacious, functional and ticks all the right boxes — from water features and spa lighting to a soothing colour palette. But what really makes it a must-visit is the efficient and friendly therapists. My therapist Lorraine from the UK has magical hands that work out all the soreness from my body, leaving me fresh and invigorated.
What The Conrad Signature Tranquil Body
Price Dh850 (30 per cent off on all spa treatments throughout this month)
Call 04 444 7444
— Sanaya Pavri/Features Writer
Laser for lunchtime
Aesthetica Clinic Dubai
Years of sun exposure and the stress of a fast-paced urban lifestyle have left me with dull, pigmented skin that lacks radiance. Having tried everything from organic face oils to lactic acid peels to treat the problem – temporarily, I was quite happy to seek the counsel of Dr Maria Khattar, Managing Director and Founder of the Aesthetica Clinic in Dubai. A consult with her yielded a two-pronged solution: a 20-minute session with the Clearlift laser followed by the application of the Dermamelan mask. The prospect of having my face zapped with laser pulses seemed more perilous than pleasant but my trepidations were put to rest as Dr Khattar performed the procedure. It was quite literally painless. The only thing that proved uncomfortable was the warm sensation I felt in the areas the laser targets.
Dr Khattar explained that the non ablative ClearLift laser emits short, yet extremely powerful bursts of light which reach underneath the skin’s surface (the dermal area); stimulating the collagen and breaking down pigmentation. Since it doesn’t affect the skin’s outer layer, it doesn’t cause any damage to the skin, making it a perfect lunch time procedure with absolutely no downtime required for recovery. This laser technology is gaining ground for its rejuvenating and skin tightening benefits and can also be used on the body to reduce stretch marks and improve the tone of skin on the arms, tummy and thighs. Typically, a course of four weekly treatments are required followed by maintenance treatments for optimal results.
Once the laser procedure was complete, Dr Khattar proceeded to apply a thin layer of the Dermemelan Depigmentation mask on my face. I was instructed to leave the mask on for six to eight hours and then wash it off. She explained that the skin would start sloughing off after three days, revealing new skin that was brighter and more radiant. She also gave me a home treatment kit, which included a face wash, toner, sunscreen, moisturiser and treatment cream, to compound the benefits of the mask.
I was quite happy with the results of both the laser procedure and the mask. The skin brightening benefits of the laser were almost immediate. The skin felt tighter and more toned. The peeling was not a problem as it presented itself more like a case of dry skin – easily fixed by a moisturiser and a sunscreen. I would definitely like to another session to maintain the results. I also recommend this for people who are looking for a painless solution to target melasma, sagging skin or wrinkles.
What Aesthetica Clinic’s ClearLift and Dermamelan treatment
Price Mesoestetic Dermamelan mask — Dh2,500 (excluding price for home care kit); ClearLift session — Dh1,500 per session (Dh4,000 for four sessions)
Call 04 342 8383
— Neesha Salian/Editor - Contract Publishing
Showered with attention
Amara Spa, Park Hyatt Dubai
The summer sales are a great opportunity to pay some attention to yourself. How so? Why, by dropping the wife and kids off at the mall and heading next door to the Park Hyatt Dubai. Or, if you’re a summer bachelor, why not knock off work early – August is a slow month anyway – and let yourself be taken care of?
As part of the month-long Dubai Summer Surprises, city spas have slashed rates on all kinds of treatments. At the hotel’s Amara Spa, the embarrassingly named Head to Toe Pampering package is priced at Dh759 all this month, about 30 per cent off the regular rate of Dh1,080.
Simply walking into the spa is immediately relaxing. Situated in its own building, the spa quite literally is an oasis of tranquillity at one of the busiest intersections in the city. Once done with the formalities – the staff need to know about allergies, injuries and problem areas – I’m led to a spacious, well-lit room with an indoor and an outdoor shower, as well as an ensuite toilet. There’s an variety of music themes, and I opt to escape with an oriental interlude.
After a brief shower (indoors; I can’t handle the humidity of the open-to-sky outside shower), I take a seat, before my feet are gently washed and I’m asked to lie face-down on the treatment table. Its cool cotton sheets are soft on the skin, unlike the towels used at cheaper spas elsewhere.
Sawtik, the therapist, begins with a half-hour stress release massage, kneading my shoulders and back to rid them of the kinks of the Dubai workweek, and pretty soon I’m more relaxed than I usually am after a couple of after-work beverages.
He then applies a cleansing seaweed mask to my feet, which haven’t ever had this much attention, and then begins a head massage. Seaweed apparently improves circulation and flushes out toxins, while the head massage both relaxes the brain and boosts blood flow to the area. My brain reacts in typical style: I fall asleep.
I shower and towel off again and head outside to a poolside meal. The Thai beef salad I chose is spicier than anticipated and properly wakes me up, so I can enjoy the wet spa facilities at this beautiful city bolthole.
What Amara Spa’s Head to Toe Pampering package
Price (Original) Dh1,080;
DSS discount: Dh759 (throughout this month).
Call 04 602 1660
— Matt Smith/Special to GN Focus
