Treatment news

Tech & wellness

From personalised skin technology to next-generation relaxation experiences, we put the latest professional treatments to the test

Taylor's CBD Body Massage Ritual

Taylor's has introduced the CBD Body Massage Ritual, a 60-minute treatment designed to target muscular discomfort using CBD-infused massage products.

Following a consultation to identify areas of tension, clients choose between a Recovery ritual with Sweet Orange & Bergamot oil or a Serenity ritual with Lavender & Ylang Ylang oil (both containing 2,000mg of CBD) as well as a Golden Healer or Rose Quartz crystal to accompany the treatment.

The ritual begins with a welcome touch before a full-body massage using the chosen CBD massage oil. Therapists then apply a CBD Deep Relief Balm to targeted areas such as the neck, shoulders, lower back, hips or knees, layering the product over the massage oil before continuing with bespoke massage techniques. A CBD hand and foot massage incorporates pressure point work on the soles of the feet, before the treatment concludes with a CBD pulse point oil and herbal CBD tea.

Taylor's recommends charging £80-£100 for the 60-minute treatment. taylorscbd.com

Tried & tested: Matrix RF microneedling

The lowdown: Matrix by Candela is a multi-application radiofrequency (RF) platform designed to allow practitioners to personalise skin rejuvenation treatments according to a client’s concerns, skin type and stage of ageing.

The system combines three RF modalities in one platform. The Matrix Pro applicator uses microneedles to deliver RF energy at adjustable depths into the skin, with real-time impedance monitoring adapting energy delivery according to the tissue. The Sublative applicator uses fractional bipolar RF for resurfacing concerns including fine lines, acne scarring and uneven texture, while the Sublime applicator combines infrared and bipolar RF to heat the tissue non-invasively. The modalities can also be combined within a treatment plan.

The experience: Having tried RF microneedling before, I knew roughly what I was letting myself in for when I visited The Aesthetics Doctor clinic in Mayfair to try Matrix Pro with senior laser and aesthetics therapist Lisandra Lopes. My main concerns were uneven texture and pigmentation left behind by breakouts, alongside some early fine lines.

After a consultation, Lopes applied numbing cream. For my skin, she worked at an RF level of 0.5 and adjusted the needle depth depending on the area being treated.

Despite the combination of needles and RF energy sounding fairly intimidating, this was actually one of the less painful RF microneedling treatments I’ve experienced. There was some discomfort, as you would expect, but Lopes regularly checked how I was feeling, and I found the treatment very manageable with the numbing cream.

Immediately afterwards I didn’t notice a dramatic change to my skin apart from some erythema, but over the following few days it felt rough and I could see the tiny pinprick marks created by the needles. By the end of the week, however, my skin had cleared and I felt comfortable returning to my usual routine.

Lopes was thorough with aftercare, talking me through what to use while my skin recovered – including Skinceuticals C E Ferulic.

The verdict: Three weeks post-treatment, it’s too early to judge the full result. RF microneedling works by stimulating the skin’s natural collagen-remodelling process, meaning improvements develop progressively. That said, I’m impressed by how much brighter and clearer my complexion already looks. The pigmentation and unevenness appear improved and, perhaps the biggest endorsement from me, I’ve recently been going out without foundation – something I rarely do.

Business benefits: Matrix's three RF technologies allow practitioners to tailor treatments to concerns ranging from acne scarring and uneven texture to fine lines and skin laxity, as well as stack modalities. Its ability to adjust parameters according to the individual is useful for clinics with a diverse client base, with protocols for all Fitzpatrick skin types.

Tried by Ellen Cummings

The Aesthetics Doctor charges £1,000 for a full-face Matrix treatment. theaestheticsdoctor.com / candelamedical.com

Tried & tested: Zemits Verstand HD Pro and Cold Plasma

The lowdown: Zemits Verstand HD Pro is an 8-in-1 system with HydroDiamond that allows for personalised treatment protocols depending on the needs of each client. With a range of attachments – from DermeDrop for deep hydration, Ultrasonic Skin Scrubber for deep cleansing, and RF Skin Rejuvenation – practitioners can choose from a combination of modalities to deliver individual treatments.

The experience: I visited Zemits’ showroom in Surrey where senior educator Bronwyn Richardson created a bespoke treatment customised to my skin’s needs.

She asked me to run her through my skin concerns, which included redness, acne scarring and some texture on my forehead. We then discussed my current routine before Richardson used a gentle foaming cleanser then introduced the Zemits Verstand HD Pro into the treatment.

A thin layer of HydraAster, a peeling solution designed for dermabrasion treatments, was applied, before Richardson went in with the Ultrasonic Skin Scrubber attachment. Ultrasonic is a favourite of mine, because the high-frequency sound waves are doing most of the work, making it a painless yet effective way to blast debris out of the pores. Next up was the HydroDiamond technology, which continued the skin exfoliation, while introducing hydration.

At this stage, Richardson stepped away from the Verstand HD Pro to introduce cold plasma to my protocol, to help address my redness and acne scarring. Generated at near-room temperature, it delivers reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS) to the skin surface without causing thermal injury. This stage was slightly “spicy” in that I could feel warmth on my skin, but not painful.

To round-off, Richardson returned to Verstand HD Pro, using the Oxygen Infusion Therapy attachment to deliver a concentrated flow of oxygen to the skin before applying Zemits’ HydroRestore intensive barrier repair moisturiser.

The verdict: I left feeling confident my concerns had truly been addressed. My skin looked radiant, and by the morning, I could see a reduction in acne scar pigmentation, while the sebaceous filaments on my nose were less visible.

Business benefits: Offering a responsive treatment helps salons cater to a wide range of clients, from first-timers to seasoned treatment-goers. The ability to adjust the experience around individual tolerance levels can make clients feel understood.

Tried by Josie Jackson

Zemits recommends charging £105–£130 for a 30-minute treatment using the Verstand HD Pro, and £90–£120 per session using the EvoPlasm. 020 8644 6377 / zemits.co.uk

Tried & tested: Forest Serenity at Aqua Sana Forest Spa

The lowdown: New and exclusive to Aqua Sana Forest Spa at Woburn Forest, Forest Serenity is an immersive sound and sensory treatment to calm the nervous system. Developed with neuroscientists and wellness experts, it combines sound and vibration therapy using Gharieni’s Welnamis lounger, headphones delivering carefully calibrated frequencies, and aromatherapy from Voya. There are four programmes – Stress Relief, Mindfulness, Power Nap and Awareness & Energy. The experience is available in 22- and 60-minute sessions.

The experience: Sound baths and meditation generally leave me thinking about everything on my to-do list, so I was intrigued to see whether Forest Serenity could quiet my brain.

Olivia Egan, spa training coordinator and assistant manager at Center Parcs, talked me through how the tech works and what to expect. I then had a wellbeing consultation and chose my preferred Voya scent blend, before they selected the Stress Relief programme for me.

Once I was settled into the Welnamis lounger, the chair gently tilted backwards into a zero-gravity position. It sounds more dramatic than it feels; rather than being tipped uncomfortably backwards, I felt supported and almost weightless. The vibrations through the lounger were similarly subtle – enough to add another sensory element and encourage the body to relax, without being distracting.

With headphones on, I was immersed in layers of sound and binaural beats, where different frequencies are played into each ear. For someone whose brain rarely goes quiet, I found the layers helpful. There was always something for my mind to focus on, but nothing that required active thinking.

I particularly liked learning that the birdsong I could hear through the headphones had been recorded at Woburn Forest. Combined with the scent and gentle movement of the lounger, it made the experience feel connected to the forest outside rather than like a purely tech-led treatment.

The verdict: I came away feeling calmer, and the 22-minute duration makes it accessible to clients who might be intimidated by the idea of a long meditation session.

I also liked that there is no pressure to be “good” at relaxing. You simply lie down and let the combination of sound, scent, vibration and movement do the work.

Business benefits: Forest Serenity taps into growing client interest in stress management, sleep, recovery and nervous-system-focused wellness while offering a short, accessible experience that requires relatively little active therapist time.

Tried by Ellen Cummings

Aqua Sana charges from £30 per person for the 22-minute session, with prices varying by location and day. The 60-minute option starts from £60. aquasana.co.uk / gharieni.com