One of the best parts of working for Professional Beauty is that our editorial team get to try out a whole host of skin and body treatments, from facials and massages to advanced treatments and beyond.
As we look back at the treatments we tried in 2023, we wanted to share some of our favourites to give inspiration into the treatment types you might want to add to your offering in 2024.
Eve Oxberry – Head of Editorial
3D HydrO2 facial
The lowdown: The 3D HydrO2 facial is one of 3D aesthetics’ most popular treatments. It uses seven different technologies for exfoliation, hydrating and lifting, including a hydro peel, oxygenation, electro ion lifting and radiofrequency for skin tightening.
The experience: I was lucky enough to be among the first guests at the brand-new 3D Aesthetics Medispa at Champneys Tring on its launch day, where I tried the facial with therapist Jessica Dodson. After consultation and gentle cleanse, Dodson began the hydro peel part of the treatment which uses a combination of three solutions containing AHAs, peptides and BHAs, applied with a vacuum head, for a deep cleanse. Next, the exfoliation step involved a capsule containing active ingredients including kojic acid. This step also triggers the Bohr effect, helping deliver oxygen to the skin.
Step three was a super-cooling oxygen spray, followed by electroporation, to prep the cells for product penetration. Radiofrequency is the next, optional, step and Dodson included it for me as I’d mentioned loss of elasticity was my main skin concern. It was very gently warming but my skin was then immediately cooled with a gel mask, over which application of ultrasound helps the active ingredients to penetrate further. The final step was the “Ice” element, where a cooling tip chilled my skin to decrease blood flow to the surface ad reduce any redness.
The verdict: I love a technology-based facial and the 3D HyrdrO2 packs a lot of them into a short space of time. It was a hot day when I tried the treatment, and the many cooling steps throughout made it a really pleasant experience. My skin felt plumped and firmed afterwards, without being left red or greasy. It left me with a glow that meant I could confidently go for dinner make-up free.
Business benefits: With hydrating, exfoliating facials trending at the moment, the 3D HydrO2 offers a great opportunity to reach a wide client base as it can be tailored to younger clients who want a cleanse and a glow, or for those with more mature skin who want to focus on lifting and tightening. And with so many different technologies it can pack a punch as an express 30-minute treatment or be lengthened for a more luxurious or intense experience.
3D Aesthetics recommends charging £100 per hour 01788 550440 /3d-aesthetics.co.uk
Ashmira Botanica Pure Alchemy treatment
The lowdown: This 90-minute treatment offers far more than a facial, incorporating body massage, sound healing, cupping and more. The concept derives from the Chinese five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water, and the treatment can be personalised to the client based on their biorhythm [year of birth], current skin issues or emotions, as well as being tuned to the season and time of year.
The experience: I tried the treatment at the hands of Ashmira Botanica founder Tracey Smith at Chuan Spa in central London, which has recently taken on the range. Chuan offers Pure Alchemy as a seasonal therapy, meaning I had the Wood treatment, themed for spring and designed to energise the body and reawaken the skin.
It began with a cup of stimulating warm cacao before a back exfoliation using ground rice powder, followed by acupressure head massage then an acupressure and meridian back massage to stimulate circulation and balance emotions.
The facial part then began with facial massage, a deep cleanse with Rose Cleansing Oil and creamy Clay Cleanser then a spritz of Rose Hydrosol. Next came exfoliation then pressure point facial massage.
My favourite part of the treatment was the lymphatic drainage, which involved facial cupping using small silicone suction cups around the nose and cheeks, then larger ones along the jawline and neck. This was done over a mask for a smooth glide.
A second mask was then brushed on – the Elemental Wood mask, which is a gorgeous green colour. While that got to work, it was time for the sound bath element, beginning with a large sound bowl then smaller handheld bell-shaped sound bowls moved over the body. Next was more facial massage with super-cooling rose quartz rollers, followed by sound healing chimes to finish.
The verdict: I really enjoyed the diverse range of techniques used in the treatment. It definitely creates a sense of theatre and discovery. The cupping in particular was a great addition – an on-trend but highly effective element. My skin felt super-hydrated and glowy and I left feeling relaxed but energised.
Business benefits: This is a great one for clients who love the spiritual side of holistic therapies but still want serious skin results. The use of crystals, sound healing, cupping and the cacao drink all make this treatment feel out of the ordinary, but the hardworking products also have the actives needed to get the job done.
The Chuan Spa charges £210 for the 90-minute treatment. 01823 428588 / ashmirabotanica.com
Kezia Parkins – Deputy Editor
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.
CACI recommends treatment prices start from £50. 020 8731 5678 / cacibeauty.com
Body Ballancer Lymphatic Drainage
The lowdown: Body Ballancer is essentially a lymphatic drainage machine. Each garment contains 24 individual air chambers that overlap to apply fluent compression strokes for either gentle or firm massage upwards from the legs to the torso.
This massage motion increases circulation and gently but thoroughly decongests common problem areas including the hips, thighs and bum by accelerating the removal of waste and excess fluid via the lymphatic system. This can help reduce the appearance of cellulite, improve skin tone, and reduce swelling and volume.
The experience: I’ve wanted to try a compression suit for ages so when I was offered the opportunity to try Body Ballancer at Phi Clinic on Harley Street, London, I jumped at the chance. After putting on some rather unflattering disposable trousers I was helped into the suit and zipped up. The treatment lasts 45 minutes, in which time the therapist can go about their day, as all they need to do after getting the client into the suit is turn on the machine. I asked for my phone to be passed so I could listen to a podcast but the therapist gently advised that I enjoy the peace and quiet. I was a bit concerned about spending almost an hour with my own thoughts but agreed to give it a go – after all, we spend too much time on our phones. The machine’s contractions were so rhythmic that it wasn’t long before I was not actively trying to control my thoughts and became very relaxed. While the compression was firm, it was very comfortable. To make sure I was doing OK, the therapist popped in halfway through but otherwise left me to relax.
The verdict: I loved the feel of the garment compressing and releasing, and after I managed to sync my breathing, I almost reached a meditative state. When I got up, I immediately noticed that my legs felt much lighter.
Business benefits: One of the biggest benefits is the possibility to combine and upsell other treatments. For example, the client could wear The Body Ballancer while receiving a facial or upper-body massage. It can also allow therapists to treat multiple clients at once. Plus, lymphatic drainage is said to enhance the results of any aesthetic treatment.
Body Ballancer recommends charging £120 for a 45-minute treatment.
Ellen Cummings – Content Writer
The lowdown: Hydrafacial has expanded its offering to include body treatments, with the six new area protocols promising to recreate the cleansed and glowing skin achieved with the facial. I opted for a back treatment because this is an area I typically neglect in my skincare regime.
The experience: I visited the Hydrafacial flagship in central London for a treatment with Carina Viegas, who began with a consultation to ascertain whether I had any concerns. I mentioned that my back can be quite dry and I occasionally get breakouts there. After a cleanse with water, Viegas carried out lymphatic drainage to detox the skin and prepare it for the next stage – cleansing and exfoliating with Hydrafacial’s Vortex technology. This stage involved a double cleanse with mechanical and chemical exfoliation, with glucosamine, lactic acid and algae extract used.
This was followed by a 7.5% glycolic and salicylic acid peel to exfoliate and unclog pores to prepare skin for extractions – although Viegas said there wasn’t really anything on my back to extract on this occasion. The acid peel was then removed and neutralised before Viegas used the special Hydrabody tips to apply a booster, which acts as a pre-serum and can be personalised to the client. For me, Viegas chose the Murad Clarifying Booster, which contains salicylic acid and green tea extract to tackle breakouts and soothe irritation.
She then used red and blue LED lights to help my skin absorb the booster and help with balancing sebum and promoting collagen production. This was followed by Antiox+ serum, which contains hyaluronic acid, peptides, arnica extract and red algae extract to boost hydration and calm the skin. Viegas ended the treatment by applying moisturiser to lock in the serums.
The verdict: The “gunkie” stage at the end of the treatment showed that it had removed a lot of my dead skin cells and the few clogged pores I had. The treatment itself was enjoyable and although I obviously couldn’t really see the glowing skin on my back, it definitely felt less dry, and I had far fewer back breakouts following the treatment.
Business benefits: Hydrafacials are already a popular treatment at many salons and clinics, so this is a great opportunity to expand your offering with a well-known brand. The back treatment is great for people suffering from the dreaded “bacne”, which can be troubling for some clients, especially when flare-ups are more common and visible during the warmer months.
Hydrafacial recommends charging £250 for the Hydrabody back treatment. 01788 572 007 / hydrafacial.co.uk
Elemental Herbology Five Elements of Nature Bespoke Experience
The lowdown: Elemental Herbology takes a holistic approach based around the five elements of traditional Chinese medicine – fire, water, earth, metal and wood, each of which is said to impact everything in life and can be influenced by factors such as lifestyle, stress and the seasons. By ascertaining which element is most aligned to a client’s needs, therapists can create a bespoke experience.
The experience: I visited the Spa Suite by Elemental Herbology at The Cadogan hotel in Chelsea, London, for a treatment with Renata Elias, which began with a foot soak.
My consultation determined that my dominant element was wood – meaning my skin was normal/combination and my body was prone to aching muscles, with the effects on my personality including stress and frustration. The fire element was also prevalent, suggesting I’m susceptible to burnout and breakouts.
Elias used this information to devise a treatment using products primarily from the wood and fire Elemental Herbology ranges. This started with guided breathing to aid relaxation before a salt scrub to gently exfoliate and boost circulation. Next came a body wrap using the Sweet Orange and Rosemary Body Cream and an acupressure scalp and face massage. Once the wrap was removed, Rejuvenate Bath and Body Oil locked in the hydration.
The treatment was completed with a radiance facial – a double cleanse with Calm and Soothe Cleansing Balm and Vital Cleanse cleanser, followed by Purifying Clay Mask and Perfect Balance Multi-Acid Pads. Vital Eyes Serum and Perfect Balance Probiotic Serum were then applied to hydrate the eye area and balance my skin biome, before Perfect Balance Moisturiser and an SPF were used to finish.
The verdict: The treatment was incredibly personalised and thorough. I’d wanted to feel rejuvenated and energised, and this was achieved through Elias’s stellar technique and in-depth knowledge of the range. The products not only feel and smell amazing, but they also get the job done – often facials can leave my skin feeling overloaded, but this was certainly not the case here.
Business benefits: The opportunities for personalisation in Elemental Herbology’s range mean it’s a great fit for almost any client, and the ability to treat both skin and wellbeing together is beneficial for any beauty or spa business.
Elemental Herbology and The Cadogan charge £245 for the 120-minute treatment. 01604 813011 / elementalherbology.com
Lollie Hancock – Content Writer
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: I 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, as I suffer from upper body tension and discomfort from working at desks.
After this I went in the infrared sauna for 30 minutes, which helped improve circulation, promote cell regeneration and boost relaxation. I 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 I was left to float in the darkness for 45 minutes. During this time, I was able to deeply relax and disconnect. Then, the lights and music started again to gently bring me back into my bodies.
The verdict:
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.
Yue Float charges £60 for a 60-minute float. 07949 804694 / yuefloat.com
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.
Laser Clinics charges £169 per treatment per area. 0330 122 0879/teslaformer.co.uk
