Angela Beitz tries the new Aromatherapy Associates machine at Zen the Spa to find out if a facial using electrical current can be more effective than a normal treatment using just skin care products.
The pressure to achieve perfect skin these days means people will go to great lengths for a flawless face. But electrocuting your cheeks sounds like a scene from a horror film and not something you’d find in one of Abu Dhabi’s treatment centres.
The Ultimate Aroma Radiance facial treatment does just that, though: it uses electrical currents to clean your skin seven times deeper than a regular facial while also lifting and smoothing the skin, evening the tone and illuminating the complexion. It’s now on offer at Zen the Spa in the Beach Rotana Hotel.
The facial has been designed by well known skin care brand Aromatherapy Associates, and employs the use of micro and galvanic currents in combination with plant-derived products for three types of facial treament. The Aroma Lift Facial focuses on lifting the skin while the Aroma Clear uses the micro current to draw out impurities on your face, then a high-frequency current with an antibacterial action. The Ultimate Aroma Radiance Facial combines the other two while also employing the current to increase the power of the active ingredients in an enzyme peel to lift and tone the muscles in the face.
Our therapist, Devi, explains this is like a regular facial except once the products are applied, the machine is used to deliver the micro current which helps the products penetrate to the deepest layer of the skin.
The process starts with a deep cleansing of our face before a serum is applied. Devi then fires up the machine and gently rubs the two metal prongs that carry the current over our skin. This is the Aroma Clear stage and essentially it gets the circulation going. ‘It’s like going to the gym, you wouldn’t just walk in and start lifting heavy weights, you need to warm up first. The same goes for this facial,’ says Devi.
Once this stage is finished we move onto the Aroma Lift. Again, products are applied to our face and then Devi uses the metal prongs once more but this time she uses them to ‘lift’ our skin by almost pinching the upper layers in an upward motion. She does this very gently though, so don’t worry, and if at any time you feel uncomfortable you can just let the therapist know. Devi spends quite some time on this pinching process, to ensure we get the best results. We are then left to relax with a very hydrating mask while Devi gives us a blissful head, back and shoulder massage which rocks us into a light sleep.
The last stage of the facial is the Aroma Radiance, which lifts and tones the skin and plumps our fine lines. A light muslin-type cloth is placed over our face and this time the metal prongs are used on a very high frequency. This part of the treatment is a little strange due to the noise and smell resulting from the high frequency of the current. The best way of describing it would be the zinging sensation of rubbing two batteries over your face.
Our skin feels firm and fine lines around our eyes and forehead are not as noticeable. The next morning our skin was silky, smooth and bright and make up was easier to apply. This is definitely a facial we would recommend, and one of the better ones we’ve had in a while.
The Ultimate Aroma Radiance Facial treatment costs Dhs700 for 90 minutes. Zen the Spa, Beach Rotana, Tourist Club Area (02 697 9333).
Deep cleaning facials
Rayana lights facial
Skin-specific cleansing, exfoliation, mask and massage. Balance and restore based on your needs and with pore purifying lactic acid and antibacterial extracts.
Dhs500 for 60 minutes. Rayana Spa, Hyatt Capital Gate (02 596 1100).
Deep pre-cleansing facial
Exfoliating and hydration to get your skin back in tip-top shape.
Dhs380 for 60 minutes. Heavenly Spa, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa (02 616 9999).
Essential face treatment
Brightens your complexion using lymphatic drainage techniques to remove impurities, reduce puffiness and deep clean your skin.
Dhs 550 for 90 minutes. So Spa, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche (02 813 7777).
