Age-old Remedy to Golden Skin

THE AGE-OLD REMEDY TO GOLDEN SKIN

I was playing “I Spy” with my 10 year old son when he stared at me and with a naughty grin on his face said, “I spy the Philippine Islands!”.  I looked around to check if there’s a map lying around the room. But he started giggling and pointed to my left cheek. Puzzled, I looked in the mirror and I realized what he was pointing to - tiny sun spots on my cheeks forming shapes of various “islands”. I had to laugh, he does have a sense of humor, but deep inside I knew it was no laughing matter.  

Sun spots, wrinkles and sagging skin are all signs of aging. I’m in my 40’s so I knew that this was part of the normal “wear-and-tear” of a life well-lived.  But it is also a sign that I need to take better care of my skin. Sun spots mean that I fail to regularly apply sun block on my face leaving brown pigmentation or melanin deposits. Wrinkles mean that I have to religiously put on moisturizer as part of my morning and nightly ritual. Sagging skin is another matter altogether. Gravity is at work here but, fortunately, we live in an age where nothing is impossible.

Surviving the test of time

The skincare industry have flaunted their gravity-defying techniques to counter aging, in countless ways, some through surgery. But, I am not that hardcore. I’m okay with the conservative approach to beautifying myself.  So conservative in fact, that I opted to try an age-old technique that dates back to the time of Cleopatra. 

Through my research I learned that gold masks have been used since ancient times.  Cleopatra used to cover her face with gold powder every night to retain her youthful looking skin. The queen during the Ch’ing dynasty used a gold massage roller on her face every day. In Ancient Rome, gold salves were commonly used to treat skin problems. The benefits of gold facials have even been recognized by the ancient healing art of Ayurveda. The use of gold masks has been practiced throughout history because of its curative and anti-aging properties.

The fact that this method has been around for centuries means that it works. So, off I went to our Megamall branch to try this ancient remedy to flawless skin.  Our derma clinic offers a modern twist to this age-old remedy called the 24K Gold Facial.

The Preparation

I had to start with a clean face.  The derma assistant, Minnie, rubbed a mild liquid soap on my face. She gently massaged every part of my face using the soap to remove the sticky combination of make-up, sweat and pollution. The facial massage was surprisingly relaxing. Had she done that longer I would have dozed off but, after a few precious minutes, I felt a slightly rough implement on my cheek. It’s a small brush used to loosen excess dirt that might be clogging my pores.  She brushed my forehead, nose, cheeks and chin to make sure that she gets all the stubborn dirt out.

 Next is the steamer. Steam relaxes the pores – opening it and exposing the stubborn dirt and other skin impurities hiding between the crevices of the skin. Then I heard the sound of a small motor. A pencil thin tool with a suction cup at the end was used to vacuum off the loosened dirt including the exposed blackheads and whiteheads. Afterwards, she wiped my face with warm water using a soft facial sponge.  

Next step was scrubbing.  A facial scrub was applied to my face. Once again, Minnie massaged it across my face to exfoliate it by sloughing off dead skin cells. She kneaded my face exactly the same way she did with the soap. Then she repeated the whole process once again – brushing, vacuuming and cleansing.

Then came the tricky part – pricking. She beamed a strong white light on my face to help her see clearly.   I had to brace myself for this. The last time I had a facial was years ago so I was not used to this procedure. True enough, a few seconds into the pricking, I felt a stinging sensation on my nose. A blackhead or whitehead is stuck too deep into the pores that a slight pinch of the tool is not enough. It seems that there was a concentration of impurities in my nose and chin. Thankfully, she didn’t take long. Either I only had few blackheads/ whiteheads or she felt sorry for me every time she saw me wincing. I think it’s the latter. 

Beneath the Golden Mask

Then came the part I was looking forward to – the gold mask. The assistant mixed gold powder with water in a small bowl. Using a fine brush, she mixed the two until it became a golden white paste. Then she applied the cold, sticky solution to my face using the brush, avoiding my eyes and lips. The assistant left the room for a few minutes to allow the solution to harden while I was lying in the clinic bed.   The paste was cool and slightly runny at first.  But I felt my skin tightening as the minutes passed. Then it became so firm that I could hardly move my face. In fact, my phone rang and I couldn’t even answer it because my face was so stiff. I felt like Cleopatra beneath her golden mask.

So what does it do exactly? Masks offer a deeper kind of cleansing because our skin is in close contact with the mask for at least 10- 15 minutes. That length of time gives our skin the added benefit of absorbing all the revitalizing and healing properties of the mask. Gold masks in particular are known to increase cell renewal and is effective in fighting off damaging free radicals, preventing premature skin aging.

Gold masks also reduce the appearance of sun-damaged skin and age spots.  It also has anti-inflammatory properties. The properties of gold help to slow down collagen depletion and the breakdown of elastin. This firms the skin by tightening it thereby reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

After about 15 minutes, the assistant arrived to remove the taut solution. I thought she was going to peel it off but instead she used cold water and soft sponge to gently remove it. Then she applied moisturizer while briefly massaging my face. Next she used a small hammer-like contraption with a flat rounded base aptly named the “Cold Hammer”. She rubbed the cold metal all over the face to help close the pores. 

 Natural Glow

Minnie told me to avoid using make-up for a few hours to allow the skin to breath. I was hesitant to do this at first because I had errands to do in the mall and I had a date with my husband. But, I reminded myself that he has seen me at my worst so it really doesn’t matter. So I left the spa ‘au naturel’ without a hint of make-up! But the look on my husband’s face when he saw me was priceless. He said that there was a certain glow to my skin. I looked radiant and rested. Maybe I should schedule another visit soon.  The assistant told me that the effects of a gold mask lasts longer (up to 2 weeks) compared to other facial masks.  If I do this often enough, the tiny islands on my face will slowly fade till there will be nothing left for my son to spy.

Body Tune derma clinics are located at the following braches - SM Megamall, Mall of Asia, Market Market, SM City The Block and Annex North Edsa, SM City Fairview and SM City Pampanga.

Salty and Sweet Solution to Glowing Skin

THE SALTY AND SWEET SOLUTION TO GLOWING SKIN

I was sorting my drawer recently and I chanced upon a few of my old photos. There was a picture of me wearing shorts while on a family vacation, me wearing a sleeveless top with my college friends and another half-body shot of me in a tube blouse smiling and looking radiant.

I looked at myself in the mirror and saw someone entirely different. What happened to the girl in the picture? She gained a few pounds, added a few lines to her face and her skin lost its luster. I ran a nail on my arm and it left a white line. I did the same to my leg and the telltale sign of dry skin was evident. The glow I had before was gone. Age, motherhood and added responsibilities made me focus on other things except taking care of myself. My skin was no longer as supple and flawless as it used to be. I realized I don’t even wear clothes that show-off my legs and arms anymore.

I researched online and found that the best solution to dull, dry skin was exfoliation. There are a lot of options but, according to the website I was browsing, Dead Sea Salt is the best alternative because it is coarser due to bigger granules. It has a much lower sodium content compared to regular sea salt and it contains minerals that nourish the skin. It is known to renew the skin by removing dead skin cells. As a result, it smoothens and softens the skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles since salt helps the skin retain water keeping it moisturized. It was time to head back to Body Tune Spa.

Scrubbing Off the Grime

It was a welcome relief to step inside the spa once again. The massage therapist recommended that I have a steam bath first to open my pores. I was asked to remove my clothes in the massage room and to wear loose shorts and a towel instead. Once inside the steam room, I was given a refreshing glass of iced tea and water to sip while being steamed for 15 minutes. Soon, I saw tiny beads of sweat escaping my pores that gradually became large enough to start dripping until I was soaked in sweat. After a few minutes, I was ushered inside the massage room to start the treatment.   

I put on a shower cap and was asked to lie face down on the massage bed. I noticed that the salt was mixed with oil for easier application. The therapist applied the solution in a circular movement kneading my skin from my nape down to the soles of my foot. Later, I was asked to turn around so she can do the same to the other side. She asked me if I was comfortable with the pressure of the rough salt against my skin. I told her to lessen the pressure while she was applying the treatment. It felt good in some areas but for some, like my lower legs, it felt a little too coarse. We soon realized that, given my skin type (I have thin, sensitive skin), a relaxing scrub with smaller granules like the Granular 2-in-1 Scrub, Seaweed European Body Polish or the Oatmeal Nourishing Buff would have been more suitable. Nevertheless, it felt wonderful when my arms, back and belly were scrubbed. There’s nothing like a thorough exfoliation!

Wrapped in Golden Syrup

I took a refreshing bath afterwards then I went back to the room to be soaked in honey. Honey is a natural moisturizer. It has the ability to absorb and retain moisture keeping the skin hydrated and fresh. It is also an ideal cleansing agent because it absorbs impurities from the pores of the skin. The warm honey was a welcome treat after the coarse scrubbing. The therapist poured the liquid on my body while spreading it to cover all the areas. Next, she used the plastic cover, draped on top of the massage bed, as a wrap to cover my body from the neck down. The wrap was done to open my pores and to allow my body to totally absorb the lubricating properties of honey. Then she left me to soak in the moisture, giving me time to take a quick yet restful nap.

Smooth as Silk

The therapist woke me after 15 minutes and removed the body wrap. I didn’t realize that I was sweating underneath it and the intense moisture made my skin slippery. After that relaxing wrap, I went back to the shower room. I was given a liquid soap and face towel to help me scrub-off the excess honey. I felt the difference in my skin right away! It was so much smoother and softer. After toweling off, I lightly scraped my nail on my skin and was satisfied when it didn’t leave any lines. Stepping out of the shower, I felt so clean and moisturized!

Once I entered the massage room and wore my clothes, my attending therapist handed me a small wooden tray with two hot face towels and a cup of tea. It was a fitting end to a totally relaxing and rejuvenating treatment.

All that pampering made me sleepy but when I got home I had to do one last thing before I call it a day. I looked at myself in the mirror and I smiled because the person looking back at me resembled the radiant looking girl in the photos. I got my glow and my groove back! Tomorrow I will remember to look for my short skirt and sleeveless top. For now, I’m off to Neverland…

Reclaiming the Years through Cavi and RF

RECLAIMING THE YEARS

Ten years ago I gave birth to a healthy baby boy. However, the effects of carrying my precious son for nine months and the physical demands of giving birth and breastfeeding took its toll on my body. The “battle scars” are still present – loose, saggy skin, stubborn stretch marks and the caterpillar-like scar of my caesarian operation. Despite the unsightly outcome, I carried these like a girls scout badge as a proud testament to my role as a mother.

But ten years was a long time to revel in the “excess baggage” I carried in my tummy, buttocks and thighs. It was time for me to feel and look a couple of years younger. I decided to try Body Tune’s Cavitation and RF Thermo Contouring. These are slimming and toning services that eradicate fat and shape the body.  

Taking the Plunge

I visited our branch in Megamall to experience and to learn more about this growing “fad” which I soon learned is far from being just a trend. Cavitation and RF Thermo Contouring have been in the market for years, proof of its efficacy and impressive track record.

Upon entering the premises I was warmly welcomed by the receptionist. When I told her what services I wanted done, she asked me a couple of questions to safeguard against the possible negative effects of both treatments. It turns out that there are certain health restrictions. Those who are discouraged from undergoing both treatments are women who are pregnant and have their menstrual period aside from people who had a recent operation (less than a year), have a metal object lodged in their body and those who have diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and hypertension.

Cavitation: Zapping the Fat

I was ushered inside a dimly lit room and the therapist asked what part of my body I wanted her to treat – is it my belly, back, thighs, arms or face? I chose belly. It turns out you can only have 2 areas treated at a time with one week interval per session. Then I was given baggy shorts to wear and a towel to cover myself since I had to remove my blouse. Then she measured and marked 3 points in my abdomen as a means of comparison after the treatment. I was asked to lie down afterwards.

Then the fun started. She brought in a portable machine with a flat rounded head attached to a long cord. The therapist spread a generous amount of cold gel on my tummy to make it easier for her to glide the rounded head of the Cavitation device. As soon as the device touched my skin, I heard a high-pitched sound (that surprisingly only I can hear) and the therapist explained that Cavitation uses ultrasonic (sound) waves to vibrate and break up the fat cells. The broken or liquified lypocites (fat cells) are then eliminated through the lymphatic drainage and urinary system. This is the reason why before and after the session, there is a need to drink plenty of lukewarm water to facilitate the easy removal of the fat remnants. After that she started massaging my tummy using the device that was soothingly warm. 

First, she moved it in a circular fashion to help loosen the fat. After a few minutes, she pressed a few buttons on the machine, and shifted to “pulsing” by pressing and allowing the device to linger for a few seconds in certain areas of my tummy. This process is responsible for eradicating the fat globules. I knew it was working because I felt a slight stinging as though tiny needles were poking my loose skin. Then she switched to sliding the device in my body from the side to the center of the belly in order to concentrate the fat in one area. After 30 minutes, the therapist wiped the gel off my abdomen and asked me to stand so she can measure me again. Lo and behold, I lost a few centimeters within a very short amount of time!

RF Thermo Contouring: Kneading the body into shape

Next in line was the toning phase of the whole process. It is advisable to follow Cavitation with RF because the former breaks down the fat thus loosening the skin while the latter helps in firming it. Like Cavitation, this process relies on heat application and continuous massage using a smaller rounded device attached to a machine.

I was asked to remove all metal objects from my body like my earrings, ring and watch. Then she placed a metal plate behind my back while I was lying down to avoid grounding. She also applied cream on my abdomen for easy gliding. The therapist gradually increased the heat during the course of the therapy, depending on my level of tolerance, to hasten the firming process. The constant kneading using circular action (15 minutes on each side of my abdomen) is necessary to bind the muscles together to lessen the sagging. After the session, I was asked to stand so I can be measured. Again, I was surprised to see that I had lost a few centimeters*.

Self-discipline is key

I was so happy with the instant result of both treatments but the therapist reminded me that this was only temporary because I had to make a conscious effort to change my lifestyle. Aside from drinking warm (effective in breaking down fats) or lukewarm water throughout the treatment session (which can stretch anywhere from 6-12 sessions), I have to observe my diet and support my slimming regimen with regular exercise.

There really is no shortcut to slimming. I had waited a decade to actually do something about my condition. So what is another two to three months when the result will help me look and feel 10 years younger!

* Results differ depending on the condition and reaction of the individual’s body to the treatment. Some see immediate results while others don’t see any change at all on their first visit. Significant decrease in measurement happens as early as the second session if other factors are considered (i.e. diet and exercise).

Coping with Everyday Stressors

How We Can Help You Cope with Everyday Stress 

Has stress taken its toll on you? Are you feeling irritable, suffering from unusual headaches or having trouble sleeping?

We have everyday stressors. No one is immune from it and it can affect you in ways you may not realize. It is normal for our bodies to react to any situation that affects us mentally and physically such as hectic work schedules, traffic gridlock, everyday pollutants or a disturbing news.  Everything that requires the body to adjust to change can cause stress.  When stress strikes, the mind and the body suffer.

This daily “endurance test” is what drives people to the nearest spa. But what better way to unwind than to shop and have a full body massage? It’s the perfect solution to a draining day! Body Tune offers a wide-range of spa services to pamper your mind and body.  Known for its traditional Thai Massage, the brand takes pride in its team of high caliber masseurs and masseuses trained by a skilled therapist from the famous Wat Po School of Thailand. Fourteen years of experience speaks for itself. We have a loyal following of customers who want only the best pampering possible.

We offer a full range of services that will address the aches and pains from your head down to your toes.

Body Tune is also equipped with private treatment rooms designed to ensure maximum comfort. With branches located right within your favorite malls, the brand intends to bring relaxation closer to the source of public stress. Body Tune’s quality and affordable spa products and services are sure to bring ultimate body bliss to spa aficionados.

Breathe… Relax.. Get into your body’s rhythm.  Step into an invigorating experience and allow us to lend you a helping hand in kneading, stretching and massaging your stress away.