Lift Up

Treatments to lift and tone the skin and muscles on both face and body come under the spotlight this month

3D Aesthetics 3D Emlift

The new 3D EMlift device combines two technologies to deliver facial rejuvenation by working simultaneously on muscles and skin. High-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFE) energy is combined with radiofrequency (RF). The HIFE energy selectively engages muscles to enhance muscle density and quality, resulting in a lifted and more defined facial contour.

Meanwhile, RF technology increases the stimulation of collagen production and elastin fibres through dermal heating for skin tightening and reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

Areas that can be treated include the forehead, eyebrow area, cheeks and jawline. The treatment has been designed to be conveniently hands-free for therapists. During each 20-minute treatment, applicators are placed on the forehead and each cheek, emitting the technologies simultaneously. Optimum results are achieved with three to four sessions, followed by an additional treatment once per year to maintain results.

3D Aesthetics recommends charging from £300 per treatment. 01788 550440 /3d-aesthetics.co.uk

CACI Synergy Purifying Facial

The lowdown: The CACI Synergy Purifying Facial treatment combines anti-bacterial and antiinflammatory red and blue LED light to heal skin and trigger tissue repair, crystal-free dermabrasion to exfoliate, enhanced tissue repair (ETR) pads placed on areas of concern, and the skin-repairing Wrinkle Comb, all finished off with a cool gel face mask – either the new CACI Purifying Silver Mask for oily skin or the Hydro Mask for dehydrated skin, depending on the client’s needs.

The experience: The treatment commenced just like all treatments I have had at the gorgeous Lisa Franklin Clinic in London, with a luxurious cleanse with Lisa Franklin’s signature products and rose quartz gua sha.

After my therapist had cleansed my skin, the first step was the Ultrasonic Actuator handpiece, which emits rapid vibrations of 27,000 per second to propel impurities to the skin surface, cause dead cells to dislodge and increase blood flow.

The handpiece can also be set to a specific frequency to enhance absorption of skincare products using sonophoresis. This is the more gentle of the two options – the other being orbital microdermabrasion.

Next, it was time for the Enhanced Tissue Repair Pads which can be placed over areas of concern to help tone. My therapist then went in with the CACI probes to help plump fine lines. The Wrinkle Comb was next, which transmits high-frequency electrical stimulation and LED to stimulate elastin and collagen production. My therapist used a combination of red and blue LED in an alternating pulses to encourage skin rejuvenation and promote tissue healing.

She then went back in with the actuator on my cheeks where I had some inflammation and scarring, working the nib diagonally and in a circular motion. Finally came the cooling hydromask, before a lymphatic drainage massage with red and blue LED light. Then she massaged in any extra serum and applied CACI’s Amino-Lift Peptide Complex and SPF.

The verdict: I loved every step of this facial, especially how much tech was involved and how my therapist was able to hone in on my areas of concern, which included postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, dryness and a little scarring from hormonal acne. My skin looked glowing immediately after and it helped resolve areas of dryness.

Business benefits: One of the things I loved about this facial, aside from the way it made my skin feel, was how aesthetic it was. With or without the colloidal silver sheet mask, it is so Instagramable that clients will not be able to resist sharing pictures and videos of the procedure.

Tried by Kezia Parkins

CACI recommends treatment prices start from £50. 020 8731 5678 / cacibeauty.com

Tried and tested…

BodySkulpt with Tesla Former

The lowdown: Suitable for treating abs, buttocks, arms and legs, and even pelvic floor muscles, Tesla Former uses functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) technology to deliver magnetic energy to the peripheral nerve of the muscle to contract the muscles to 100% of their strength, known as supramaximal contractions, leading to muscle strengthening, toning and sculpting.

The experience: I had a 10-session course of Tesla Former on the abdominal area at Laser Clinics Clapham Junction, London. Prior to the first session, I spoke with the clinic manager about my main goals, current fitness and exercise regime, and diet to ensure I would be getting the most out of the treatment.

The treatments took place over four and a half weeks, with a minimum of one day rest in between. During the treatment, which lasted half an hour, the applicator was strapped to my stomach and adjusted to a comfortable position –the applicator can even be applied over the top of clothing for more self-concscious clients.

Having tried other EMS and FMS treatments before, I had an idea of what to expect and was able to go up to 100% muscle stimulation in my first session. The device allows you to level-up the treatment in intervals to ensure client comfort and match clients’ pain thresholds.

By treatment four, I was feeling stronger in my core. By session six, I had family and friends commenting on the change in my body, including some weight loss.

The verdict: By the end of the 10 sessions, I felt more confident in my body than I had in years and now, six weeks later, the effects have lasted and even improved over time.

I also noticed the amount that I bloated dropped significantly, with the treatment also improving lymph flow and improving metabolism, something I’ve struggled with for years.

Business benefits: Tesla Former is a perfect lunchtime treatment due to it short treatment time and the lack of downtime post-treatment. The course element great for client retention, and it appeals to a range of body types.

Tried by Lollie Hancock

Laser Clinics charges £169 per treatment per area. 0330 122 0879/teslaformer.co.uk

Tried and tested…

Float therapy

The lowdown: Float therapy is a wellness experience where clients lie in a tank of water to holistically treat stress, anxiety and muscle pain. The float pods usually contain half a tonne of Epsom salt, which allows the body to float effortlessly, and are often dark and silent (although some have the option to keep the lights on and play relaxing music). The lack of sensory stimuli allows the muscular-skeletal system and sympathetic nervous system to relax, which promotes reduced stress, better sleep and less muscle tension.

The experience: We visited Yue Float in Wandsworth, London, for a full wellness experience – a sports massage, infrared sauna and float therapy.

The experience began with a personalised sports massage which focused on the upper back and shoulders for both of us, as we both suffer from upper body tension and discomfort from working at desks.

After this we went in the infrared sauna for 30 minutes, which helped improve circulation, promote cell regeneration and boost relaxation. We then moved on to the 60-minute float. After entering the pod, there was 10 minutes of calming music with the lights in the pod slowly changing colour, then the lights and music stopped, and we were left to float in the darkness for 45 minutes. During this time, we were able to deeply relax and disconnect. Then, the lights and music started again to gently bring us back into our bodies.

The verdict: Ellen – While the overall combined wellness experience was amazing, each individual treatment step also stood out in its own right. I had never been in an infrared sauna or a float tank but after this experience I’m really interested in using them more regularly because I left feeling rejuvenated in both body and mind.

Lollie – The combination of treatments gave a rounded wellness experience, with the sports massage helping my body get into recovery mode ahead of the floatation pod. The pod was a great opportunity to switch off from everything around me – something hard to do when working in London. I’ve recommended it to all my friends with high-stress jobs as the perfect grounding experience.

Business benefits: While the space required for a float tank might be an issue for some, adding float therapy to your offering is a great way to offer a holistic wellness experience that benefits clients’ mental and physical wellbeing without taking up much hands-on therapist time. Float therapy can be a great add-on to existing treatments or can work as a standalone treatment option – and clients will love the novelty of the experience. 

Tried by Ellen Cummings and Lollie Hancock

Yue Float charges £60 for a 60-minute float. 07949 804694 / yuefloat.com