BEST MANUAL MASSAGE TO RELIEVE BODY ACHES, RELAX AND RE-ENERGISE.
BEST MANUAL MASSAGE TO RELIEVE BODY ACHES, RELAX AND RE-ENERGISE.
Heavenly Spa by Westin, Level 35 The Westin Singapore, Asia Square Tower 2 (tel: 6922-6977)
The plush and tranquil space makes you feel like you’ve pressed “pause” on your super-busy life. You’ll feel relaxed and super pampered, from the welcome drink (a crisp, refreshing apple and cinnamon concoction) and cold towel infused with white tea, to an indulgent soak in the whirlpool with a view and, of course, the slow and gentle Swedish massage. Long, sweeping strokes relieve tension, loosening knots all over your body. The tester was lulled to sleep but woke up feeling refreshed, knot-free and happy.
($58.85 FOR 60MIN; $88.28 FOR 90MIN; $117.70 FOR 120MIN) Healing Touch. Visit www.healingtouchspa.com/locations for outlets.
Don’t expect the works – there’s no private shower, steam room or jacuzzi. What you do get, however, will be a good, solid massage that gets rid of stubborn knots in typical problem spots (such as the neck, shoulders and back), while relieving tension all over the body. If you’re the sort who likes to snooze during your treatment, this one might not be for you because the therapist uses deep pressure, which can get slightly uncomfortable. Still, our tester found this extremely effective for pain relief, and the effects lasted a few days.
BEST CRYOTHERAPY CONTOURING TREATMENT (MACHINE-BASED)
Estheclinic. Visit www.estheclinic.com.sg/contact-us for outlets.
The clinic claims this is the world’s only pain-free nonsurgical fat-freezing treatment. Choose the body area you want to target, such as your back, hips, thighs, buttocks or lower back; our tester opted for the abdominals. A desensitising gel is applied before the suction pad is mounted. A word of caution: Avoid core exercises at least a day before as your abdominal area may be sore from your workout, and the suction pads could heighten the cramping sensation. Do this treatment no more than once in two months. In the days that followed, our tester felt a subtle ache in the abs which felt oddly satisfying, as though the stubborn fats were finally succumbing and breaking down. The effects should be visible in a month, and the clinic promises a 20-30 per cent fat reduction in the treated area.
Cambridge Therapeutics, #08-05A2 Ngee Ann City Tower B (tel: 6733-6729)
The non-invasive fat-freezing treatment aims to break down fat cells. The machine is designed to freeze and then eliminate your existing fat deposits in the treated area. It’s suitable for tummy, thighs, love handles and arms – you can choose which area you’d like to focus on.
BEST CONTOURING TREATMENT (MACHINE-BASED)
Dorra Slimming. Visit www.dorraslim.com.sg/find-us for outlets.
This tackles specific parts of the lower body, like a thick waist, tummy bulge or chunky thighs. A fat-burning and firming ampoule is applied on the area, and infrared energy is passed over it to boost its absorption and break down fats. The infrared heat may be mildly uncomfortable at first, but it settles into a warm sensation once your skin adjusts. Expect skin that looks tighter and more toned after one treatment. The tester also noticed less lumpiness on the thighs as small, stubborn fat pockets seemed smoother.
Senses Spa & Beauty, #03-19 The Cathay (tel: 6909-2559)
Radio-frequency waves and electro-magnetic energy are paired with Chinese massage. Your skin may feel quite warm as heat from the radiofrequency waves is delivered deep into fat layers, but it’s tolerable. (Keep in mind that the heat is meant to encourage fat breakdown, smooth cellulite and tighten saggy skin). After that, the treated area is given a vigorous massage to boost circulation and further soften the fats – this is thought to make it easier for them to be flushed from the body.
BEST ANTI-CELLULITE TREATMENT
Estheclinic. Visit www.estheclinic.com.sg/contact-us for outlets.
The treatment combines two therapies: lipocavitation ultrasound that targets embedded fat cells, and thermo-controlled radiofrequency which stimulates collagen production to firm skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Both these are near-painless; the soft but high-pitched buzz of the ultrasound device is a more likely source of mild discomfort than the therapies themselves. Immediately after, the skin on the tester’s thighs looked tighter and their orange-peel appearance was slightly less obvious.
Prive Aesthetics, #03-02 Palais Renaissance (tel: 6737-6639)
The technology this treatment uses – high energy radial shockwaves – may sound intense, but it feels more like a gentle massage. You’ll experience a mild squeezing sensation as shockwaves are delivered (via a tube-like handpiece) to areas with cellulite to break up the fats, but there’s virtually no pain. Other effects include boosting the formation of collagen and connective skin tissue, and enhancing blood circulation. After a few treatments, expect firmer, more supple skin and less obvious cellulite.
BEST MANUAL DESTRESS AND DETOX MASSAGE
The Fullerton Spa, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore (tel: 6877-8182/8183)
You’ll feel you’ve escaped the frenzied world outside. After a foot soak, the treatment begins with a scalp massage. Then, drawing on soothing Oriental techniques, your limbs are gently stretched and pressure applied to meridian points to improve circulation and the flow of energy or “qi”. The deep-tissue massage sent our tester into a blissful snooze as, using a blend of warmed (and body-warming) rosemary, ginger, lavender and black pepper oils, the therapist worked through the stiff muscles and achy areas with slow, gliding strokes and firm pressure.
BEST MANUAL SLIMMING AND CONTOURING TREATMENT
Healing Touch. Visit www.healingtouchspa.com/locations for outlets.
The treatment focuses on one area of the body, usually the stomach (although the tester opted for the thighs). The therapist uses gua sha – a massage using a tool to scrape the skin – to improve circulation. Our tester felt a satisfying sensation when pressure was applied, causing the skin to warm up – it wasn’t painful. The treatment ends with a neck-to-toe oxygenated bubbling seaweed wrap on a heated mattress. Sweat this out for about 15min, then head to the shower for a rinse-off. Overall, it’s a pleasant experience to help reduce water retention.
8 THINGS YOUR MASSAGE THERAPIST WANTS YOU TO KNOW
