London can be a pretty stressful and tiring city to live in, so it’s no surprise we occasionally spoil ourselves with a deep tissue massage, aromatherapy facial, and much-needed pedicure after a week of working, commuting and dodging tourists in the high streets. We recently got in touch with our friends at Secret Escapes who have an entire section dedicated to spa treatments offering the best beauty products to find out what some of the strangest, coolest, and most extravagant spa treatments in London are.
Beauty acupuncture with ice mask (John Tsagaris, Knightsbridge)
This highly specialised treatment combines acupuncture, shiatsu and reflexology, topped off with a frozen gel mask. Developed by Greek beauty expert John Tsagaris, who is worshipped by the Chelsea crowd, the treatment offers an alternative to anti-ageing surgery. The acupuncture method followed by the cooling of the ice mask on the skin acts to stimulates oxygen supply, helping to halt wrinkles and leave skin beautifully glowing and radiant for weeks on end. Prices for this beauty treatment starts at £220.
Caviar & Sheep Placenta Facial (Aesthetics London)
Victoria Beckham and Simon Cowell are just a couple of the A-listers who swear by the powers of sheep placenta (Ewe!). This specific facial also uses caviar which is incredibly rich in essential amino acids and peptides that help regenerate tired and dehydrated skin. Improving the collagen levels in your face, caviar is said to slow down the process of ageing, with the cell structure being weirdly similar to the structure of human skin cells. When it comes to the sheep placenta, luckily you don’t need to worry about an actual organ being lathered on your face. This is because the placenta stem cells are harvested post-sheep-birth, with the serum hygienically packaged into little dainty bottles, making the whole idea slightly less gross. Sheep placenta revitalises skin cells, basically kick-starting them into producing increased levels of collagen, elastin and protein, giving your face a youthful glow. Prices start from £39.
23 Carat Gold Body Ceremony (Dolphin Square Pimlico)
Once thought to be the ‘flesh of the gods’, gold has been used in Ayurvedic medicine and ancient skin care for centuries. The antioxidants in this elusive element are said to alleviate sun damage as well as fight off environmental toxins which we’re all too familiar with here in the Big Smoke. Starting off with the age old ‘Hammam Cleansing Ritual’, this body cleansing session takes place in a tranquil steam chamber where you’ll be doused with water and covered in a natural and exfoliating Savon Noir (black soap), made from crushed olives, olive oil and eucalyptus. Next up, you’ll be treated to an indulgent full body massage, using precious oils and authentic gold minerals which will leave you feeling radiant and quite literally, glowing. After basking in your very own golden cocoon, you’re then spoiled with a luxurious 55-minute gold facial with antioxidants that are ten times stronger than hyaluronic acid and will have you sparkling from within. Keep an eye out on Secret Escapes who offer luxury travel deals for less, including added perks that will make you feel like a proper baller. Prices for this particular treatment start from £179.
Ear Candling with Therapeutic Neck & Head Massage (Bodilosophy, Sport & Holistic Wellbeing)
Ear candling, also known as ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy is an alternative treatment claiming to improve one’s overall well-being and health. Although not scientifically proven, tree-huggers and crystal collectors around the globe swear this unusual procedure alleviates chronic headaches, serious sinus conditions, allergies and even vertigo. This treatment is done by placing a large hollow candle inside your ear canal, and lighting the other end in order to create a suction of sorts, thus pulling excessive ear wax, toxins and obviously, ‘bad energy’ from your ear. Ear candle practitioners themselves do not claim that ear candles can cure these conditions, but say the session will bring balance, peace and harmony into your life. This particular treatment is followed by a calming neck and head massage, leaving you feeling light, wax-free and re-energized. Prices start from £39.
Vampire Facelift (The London Cosmetic Clinic)
Brought into the limelight by Kim Kardashian, Vampire Face Treatments otherwise known as Dracula Therapy is when blood is drawn from your own body (like an arm), spun in a centrifuge to separate out the platelets, and then injected straight back into your face. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), works on the basis that the body’s own natural healing powers can hinder and even reverse the ageing process – a revolutionary and somewhat disturbing therapy that places growth factors in the very place you want your skin repaired and rejuvenated. When the platelet plasma is injected into your face, the growth factors basically stimulate other cells surrounding the area, plumping them up and causing them to increase in volume. The platelet plasma sends out signals to other cells, telling them to rush forward to that spot – thus reducing wrinkles and fine lines in the skin. This weirdly wonderful therapy can be used around the eyes, mouth and nose, back of the hands, and is even used to treat scars. Full face treatments start from £999.
Floatworks Experience (Floatworks Club)
Do you remember being small enough to comfortably float in the bathtub as a kid? That trippy feeling of closing your eyes with the only sound coming from your breath and the gentle gushing of water around your ears?
This is kind of like that… except better. The floatation experience at Floatworks in London is done through a super-saturated Epson-salt solution, 25cm deep and containing 525kg of magnesium rich Epsom-salts. The solution is heated to skin temperate (35.5°C), and once you’re comfy, it’s impossible to tell which parts of your body are submerged in water and which aren’t. A similar feeling to being in the Dead Sea but even more soothing as the Isopod tanks are specially designed to block out every iota of noise, tactile sensations and even gravity. The perfect getaway to escape the hustle and bustle of a busy (and noisy) city life. Prices start at £50 for a single float, or £100 for an intro 3x floats package.
If you enjoyed reading about the most unusual spa treatments in London, click here to read about Beyond Bespoke’s best beauty regime.
Image credit: The Gainsborough Bath Spa
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