KOREAN BEAUTY

Conveying our daily emotions can stress and build tension in our facial muscles over time. Korea Beauty Centre’s kyung-rak massages aim to relax and balance the facial muscles to help you achieve your ideal profile and look.

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Conveying our daily emotions can stress and build tension in our facial muscles over time. Korea Beauty Centre’s kyung-rak massages aim to relax and balance the facial muscles to help you achieve your ideal profile and look.

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For more than 10 years, the Koreans and Japanese have turned to it to maintain their beauty, health and wellness. Traditional Korean massage kyung-rak is a deep-tissue massage that works on the principles of meridian points. According to spa director Si-ra Nam, “meridians are energy streams that control our every function. When these are blocked, our mental and physical health will be affected. Kyung-rak addresses energy imbalances and releases tension while enhancing circulation, detoxification and tonification”.

The massage works for both face and body, and is said to have slimming, lifting and smoothing effects. Here, Korea Beauty Centre shares how its two most popular treatments can help you achieve a radiant complexion and sleek figure.

THE V-FACE

The spa’s Lymph Korea Kyung-rak facial is a favourite with Japanese and Korean customers.

The 80-minute facial includes a cleanse-mask-massage-mask procedure for the face, neck, shoulders and chest. The treatment drains the skin of excess fluids and toxins while addressing wrinkles and hyperpigmentation issues. The treatment may be customised to individual needs. The therapist rounds off the session with a complimentary eyebrow trimming. Once-a-week sessions are recommended, at $130 a session, or $990 for 11 sessions.

THE BODY EXPERIENCE

Those suffering from aching muscles and water retention can look to the spa’s Full Body Treatment. No other treatment makes you feel more like a queen – you get a kyung-rak massage from two masseuses, one working on the top half of your body, the other on the bottom half. Together, they knead every inch of you in the two-hour session.

The masseuses begin by spreading a generous amount of anti-cellulite massage oil all over the body using a warmed handheld plate-like device. The device provides a soothing warm sensation while emitting radio-frequency waves that supposedly help break down fat deep within the skin and prep the body for massage. The masseuses then proceed to use their hands, fists and elbows to soothe aching muscles and stimulate body circulation. The Full Body Treatment is said to enhance the body’s circulatory system, aiding detoxification while relieving fatigue and stress. Customers have reported feeling lighter and more refreshed, with smoother and firmer skin, even after one session.

A note to those who do not enjoy strong massages: Koreans generally prefer hard massages and Korean massages are known for their strong strokes. Slight bruising may occur, so do let your masseuses know your preference early. For best results, start with weekly sessions for a month, followed by treatments once every two weeks. The regularity of sessions recommended varies with the individual.