Cheat your way to a better body
Take years off... without breaking a sweat!
AS YOU finish off the last of the foil-wrapped chocolates and clear up the mess from presents and parties, it might feel like the post-Christmas slump will last for ever.
But, in fact, it’s almost time to come out of your winter hibernation — making this the perfect time to book that treatment you’ve been wondering about, deal with any health problems, and give yourself a fabulous, rejuvenating head-to-toe tune up.
But which little indulgences will produce real results? Here’s our all-over guide to a new you in the new year . . .
SOOTHING FACIAL FOR YOUR SCALP
What: Botanical Hair and Scalp Therapy, Aveda
Why: We exfoliate and pamper dry skin in winter, but rarely care for our scalps. Yet doing so can prevent damage from central heating and cold weather, stimulate growth, and perk up frazzled hair. Cost: €100 for a 60-minute treatment.
The process: This is like a facial for the scalp, and also provides a diagnosis of any problems.
It’s aimed at dry, over-processed, limp or simply unmanageable hair.
A specialist will first examine your scalp, teaching you about your hair type and condition, whether the products you use are really suited to you, and what you can do to help keep your hair healthy.
Next, a tonic is applied to the scalp. Your scalp and hair are steamed for 15 minutes to allow the product to sink in, then you’ll relax with a ten-minute head massage.
After shampooing and conditioning, a selection of scalp toners and styling aids are applied before a blow-dry, leaving you with ultra-glossy hair.
Where: Moyo, Charlotte Quay, Dublin 2, moyo.ie.
THE DARK CIRCLE AND EYE BAG BANISHER
What: PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) treatment, in which plasma from your own blood is injected under your eyes to encourage cell growth and renewal.
Why: The skin around our eyes is ten times thinner than elsewhere, meaning the area ages 36 times faster than the rest of the face.
Then there are the dark circles caused by tiny capillaries leaking blood beneath the skin’s surface, often as the result of stress.
As this blood starts to oxidise, it turns a dark blue colour, resembling a bruise. These dark circles are often hard to cover with concealer.
Cost: From €550. You’ll need two treatments, one month apart, and then repeat this every three to six months to maintain the results.
The process: It might sound gruesome, but this is an effective way to tackle persistent under-eye bags, which are notoriously hard to cure.
A small amount of blood is taken — just as in a blood test — and popped in a centrifuge to separate out the nutrient-rich plasma.
This is then injected back into the under-eye area, a process that can cause swelling for up to 48 hours.
After a few weeks it will boost the production of collagen (the protein that makes skin springy and firm) and your skin will appear smoother and more radiant.
Where: Clinics nationwide.
LIFT LOBES AND FIX DISTORTED PIERCINGS
What: Dermal filler, such as Juvederm Volift or Voluma, injected into the earlobes.
Why: Age and heavy earrings can distend and misshape piercings and lobes. This quick fix has a big anti-ageing impact. Cost: From €750.
The process: As we age, our earlobes lose fat and volume, just like the rest of our bodies — and it’s surprising how noticeable this can be. You may also develop horizontal or vertical creases as a result of repeatedly sleeping in the same position.
Piercings can stretch, too, whether as a result of your penchant for heavy chandelier earrings, or simply the day-to-day wearing of studs.
Hyaluronic acid, a molecule that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, is responsible for binding moisture into the skin and keeping it plump and hydrated.
Injections of it can plump out any creases in the lobe and tighten up a distorted piercing, ensuring that earrings sit nicely. Results should last up to two years.
Where: Clinics nationwide.
THE ULTIMATE SMILE MAKEOVER
What: Cosmetic dentistry including veneers, crowns and teeth whitening, with the option to go abroad for affordable further treatment.
Why: There’s nothing as ageing as yellow teeth, and constantly trying to hide them is miserable.
Thankfully, these days it’s much easier to get that perfect smile.
Cost: From €68 for an ultrasonic hygiene session, €240 per tooth for a porcelain veneer, and €338 per tooth for a metal-free zirconium crown.
The process: Many dentists offer a a quick smile makeover — try seapoint clinic, ie or mydental.ie. London-based maxillofacial surgeon Dr Attila Kaman, offers veneers, crowns and teeth cleaning but for a more serious overhaul, he can arrange treatment at the sister clinic in Budapest, Hungary, where prices for cosmetic work are far lower and there’s an in-house operating theatre.
The clinic will book your appointments, hotels and even a driver to help you get around. This is an option an increasing number of Irish people are choosing.
Where: Smile Savers clinics, smilesavers.tv
GIVE CREPEY CLEAVAGE A BOOST
What: Profhilo, an injection to boost radiance and treat areas of annoying sagging skin such as on the chest, decolletage, cheeks and neck.
Why: Do you hate wearing low-cut tops because they show off your wrinkles?
With this treatment, you could be cleavage confident by the time the weather warms up.
Cost: €800 for the recommended two treatments, one month apart.
The process: The Profhilo injection contains 64mg of stabilised hyaluronic acid.
The treatment stimulates the production of collagen, fights free radicals and helps improve skin elasticity.
It’s quite painful — think mild wasp stings — but mercifully is over in about 15 minutes, and there’s no required downtime.
Possible side-effects include slight bruising, pain and lumps, which may take 48 hours to dissipate.
The true effects can take up to a month to show, but will last for up to six months so they will see you through the summer.
Where: Laser and Skin Clinic, laserandskin.ie
ABS OF STEEL — WITHOUT SIT-UPS
What: EMSculpt, a machine that contracts your muscles to build them up.
Why: It’s the first treatment that promises to simultaneously build muscle and burn fat.
Cost: From €850 to €1,100 per session — you’ll need four halfhour treatments over a two-week period, so up to €4,400 in all.
The process: Using electromagnetic energy delivered via a paddle that can be used over clothes, this machine forces your muscles to contract in a way that exercise alone could never achieve.
This increases the number of muscle fibres and makes them thicker, increasing muscle mass. As a pleasing side-effect, it also causes fat cells in the area to die.
The result is highly toned core muscles, and less abdominal fat. No wonder it’s been hailed as the new Botox for the body.
Where: Beacon Face and Dermatology, beaconfaceand dermatology.ie
THE STRETCH MARK ELIMINATOR
What: Biodermogenesi from Fusion GT, a new stretch mark treatment with impressive results. Studies at Pisa University in Italy found it could get rid of white marks present for more than 35 years.
Why: Until now, it’s been nearly impossible to effectively banish stretch marks. But new technology could be a game-changer. Cost: €2,450 for six treatments.
The process: A hand-held treatment head delivers a combination of electromagnetic energy and vacuum technology to skin affected by stretch marks.
The two methods work together to increase the amount of oxygen in the area and boost production of collagen, helping to restructure the damaged cells in the skin.
The company says this approach also fills in the hollow area of skin that is typically found in stretch marks, so the skin on top can tan normally.
This greatly reduces the appearance of the marks, which usually look much lighter than the surrounding skin.
Where: This is not yet available in Ireland. Bader Medical is the first clinic in Britain to offer the treatment. Call 0044 208 144 0336 or visit badermedical.com.
SAY GOODBYE TO CELLULITE
What: VelaShape II targets fat cells in the thighs and buttocks by using thermal energy to destroy fat cells.
Why: Orange peel is every woman’s pet hate — and hard to shift through diet and exercise alone.
Cost: Currently on special offer at six sessions for €540 (a saving of €180). The process: It uses safe levels of Infrared light and Bi-Polar Radio Frequency to direct heat to fat cells under the skin which causes an increase in their metabolism.
This thermal energy effect results in fat being removed more efficiently from the cells so that they can shrink back to their original size and are no longer visible on the skin’s surface.
The treatment also aids the natural removal of toxins under the skin with stimulating massage, and pllus works to boost lymphatic drainage and overall circulation.
Where: Edvard and Pink, Dundrum Town Centre, see edvard andpink.ie.
THE FOOT AND ANKLE REVIVER
What: A pedicure that includes a drainage massage for swollen ankles, not just a pretty polish for your toes.
Why: Ever wondered why wearing heels gets increasingly painful as
you age? It’s because the fatty layer cushioning your soles and heels is thinning.
Then there’s the issue of the gradual depletion of collagen. This causes dry skin, cracked heels and calluses.
Ageing can also lead to poor circulation, resulting in a build-up of fluid in the ankles and feet.
In short, we need to look after our feet.
Cost: €70.
The process: Try a seriously souped up pedi to leave you with smooth, moisturised soles and beautiful polished toes.
Something like Mink’s Milk and Honey Pedicure is ideal for tired, puffy legs.
It starts with a luxury exfoliation, followed by a lengthy foot and leg massage with organic oil to stimulate drainage. You’ll walk out with lighter-feeling legs and polished toes.
Where: Mink Hand and Foot Spas, see mink.ie