Light touch

CACI Synergy Purifying Facial

Daily environmental exposure from pollutants and weather can lead to a weakened skin barrier where the skin becomes irritated and less able to repair itself.

The CACI Synergy Purifying Facial treatment combines anti-bacterial and antiinflammatory red and blue LED light therapy to heal the skin and trigger tissue repair, orbital microdermabrasion or ultrasonic waves to exfoliate the skin, ETR (enhanced tissue repair) pads placed on specific areas of concern and CACI’s skin-repairing Wrinkle Comb, which combines high frequency with LED light.

The treatment finishes with the New Purifying Silver Mask. This transparent gel face mask is infused with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory pure colloidal silver, enhanced with antioxidant-rich ingredients to strengthen the skin’s natural defences and protect against free-radical damage, which is known to age the skin. This treatment has been designed to be suitable for sensitised, irritated, oily, combination, teen and hormonal skin.

Recommended prices for the CACI Synergy Purifying Facial start from £50 for 45 minutes. 020 8731 5678 / cacibeauty.com

Tried and tested… Body Ballancer

The lowdown: Body Ballancer is essentially a lymphatic drainage machine. Each garment contains 24 individual air chambers that overlap to apply fluent compression strokes for either gentle or firm massage upwards from the legs to the torso.

This massage motion increases circulation and gently but thoroughly decongests common problem areas including the hips, thighs and bum by accelerating the removal of waste and excess fluid via the lymphatic system. This can help reduce the appearance of cellulite, improve skin tone, and reduce swelling and volume.

The experience: I’ve wanted to try a compression suit for ages so when I was offered the opportunity to try Body Ballancer at Phi Clinic on Harley Street, London, I jumped at the chance. After putting on some rather unflattering disposable trousers I was helped into the suit and zipped up. The treatment lasts 45 minutes, in which time the therapist can go about their day, as all they need to do after getting the client into the suit is turn on the machine. I asked for my phone to be passed so I could listen to a podcast but the therapist gently advised that I enjoy the peace and quiet. I was a bit concerned about spending almost an hour with my own thoughts but agreed to give it a go – after all, we spend too much time on our phones. The machine’s contractions were so rhythmic that it wasn’t long before I was not actively trying to control my thoughts and became very relaxed. While the compression was firm, it was very comfortable. To make sure I was doing OK, the therapist popped in halfway through but otherwise left me to relax.

The verdict: I loved the feel of the garment compressing and releasing, and after I managed to sync my breathing touch This month we explore a new facial to tackle inflammation and pollution and try out a popular lymphatic drainage device with the motion, I almost reached a meditative state. When I got up, I immediately noticed that my legs felt much lighter.

Business benefits: One of the biggest benefits is the possibility to combine and upsell other treatments. For example, the client could wear The Body Ballancer while receiving a facial or upper-body massage. It can also allow therapists to treat multiple clients at once. Plus, lymphatic drainage is said to enhance the results of any aesthetic treatment.