Winter is a dreary time. Post-Christmas many complexions are dulled by lack of sleep and overindulgence while waistlines are indicating a short spell of detox and sensible eating might well be a good idea. For many people, spa treatments are the favourite luxury; to lie and be pampered in warm, fragrant surroundings, to be cosseted with rich unguents and indulgent massage.
I’ve never really signed up to this sybaritic experience; for me massage need to be done by someone who knows what lies below the skin, while oils and potions need to be derived from totally natural products, not some petrochemical by product. It’s surprising how many luxury toiletry brands still use old-fashioned preservatives and harmful ingredients.
Very impressive, was my first thought on visiting the Waterside Spa in Mandria, Paphos. As well as excellent exercise classes and gym, the facility offers a wide variety of beauty treatments including massage and Eurowave. Having explained my difficulties with ingredients to Lieba, a therapist with a number of different disciplines at her fingertips, I accepted her offer of an all-natural bodywrap session.
What is it supposed to do
Dating back to ancient Egypt and Rome, body wraps were traditionally used to detoxify and heal the body, reduce weight by promoting fluid loss and soothe the spirit. In addition to detoxifying the body, they help remove excess fat/fluid from tissues, reduce joint pain, tighten/tone/soften the skin.
A variety of body wraps are available; every geographic region uses indigenous plants or local mineral deposits. Asian philosophies favour green tea or lemongrass; French spas frequently rely on thalassotherapy, harnessing the curative powers of sea water and seaweeds to restore the skin’s natural mineral balance.
So why choose seaweed? I’ve long known that the vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes in seaweeds are potent antioxidants with great skin healing and rejuvenating properties. Seaweed does wonders for ageing skin by working to promote tissue regeneration and elasticity; perhaps the Japanese have such youthful looking skin because much of their diet and skin care ingredients are dominated by seaweed and in particular Wakame.
Is there any science behind it?
The skin is the body’s largest organ. Functioning at its best, our skin absorbs oxygen and other vital nutrients including minerals and vitamin D that travel on to the circulatory system and nurture other organs. Our skin also releases toxins, wastes and impurities through perspiration and cellular debris.
Herbal body wraps were originally introduced in Baden Baden, Germany, to remove toxins from the body. Investigating the benefits of herbal wraps, researchers discovered that the herbal wrap also removed fatty material from the body, which resulted in a reduction in inches. The active herbal ingredients are reported to break down cellulite and reduce the size of fat cells by drawing fat from cells into the interstitial fluid.
What benefits does it give?
In my experience just one session really did work wonders on my flagging mature body. I felt revitalised, relaxed – the very act of lying prone for a daytime hour is new to me – with my skin feeling cleansed, buffed and softened. I also passed a lot of fluid that night and felt noticeably slimmer. The total experience is a benefit in itself and one I shall be repeating.
What is it like?
Allow two hours for the treatment. First the skin is exfoliated with a mineral/salt scrub to remove dead skin cells and cellular debris, which feels a little like being meticulously licked by an enthusiastic spaniel! After a shower, a colourful blend of seaweed powders and other nutrients is applied and the whole coated body is sealed within a layer of cellophane so the ingredients can penetrate the skin. On top of that, big fluffy beige towels – I felt I resembled a mummified teddy-bear! A warm teddy bear, with toxins just oozing from my pores.
Finally you shower off the seaweed and then lie down again to be massaged with oils that help seal in the benefits derived from the wrap. Lieba makes her own massage blends from organic sources and had steeped seaweed in olive oil specifically for my treatment to continue the detoxifying effect. I could have spent further time just chilling out and enjoying the bliss but, with a new spring in my step, I felt keen to get on with the day.
Where and how much?
The Waterside at Aphrodite Sands Resort, Ayia Vrioni, Mandria. Tel: 26 422786, Fax: 26 811489, www.watersidecyprus.com.8am to 7pm daily except Sundays in winter. Body wrap therapy costs €60; book and ask for the natural ‘Lieba special’; better still mention you read about it in the Cyprus Mail!
