Spa Review: The Spa, The Address Dubai Mall

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Spa Review: The Spa, The Address Dubai Mall

Do the much-touted marine algae wraps really help fix cellulite? Karen Ann Monsy takes one for the team to find out

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Published: Fri 5 May 2017, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Fri 5 May 2017, 2:00 AM

The fight against fat is a billion-dollar industry - even if it's the subcutaneous kind we find so adorable on babies: cellulite. Such is the touchy nature women everywhere adopt when it comes to skin that dimples in places we heartily wish wouldn't dimple. And the beauty industry has not failed us, feeding our anxiety and giving us everything from anti-cellulite tea to anti-cellulite underwear (don't ask)... and detox algae wraps.

There are those that promise to take inches of your problem areas (à la Victoria Beckham, who reportedly used seaweed wraps to regain her figure after the birth of her third son) - and others that simply offer to make your cellulite look better. The one-hour Detox Marine Algae Wrap at The Spa, The Address Dubai Mall, promises the latter.

The spa itself is a gorgeous place that makes you breathe a sigh of relief as you enter. My therapist, Leky, is a deceptively thin woman with super strength, as evidenced by her expert administrations. Did I lose any inches? Leky throws in the sensible disclaimer that the inch-reducing treatment is most effective after multiple sessions, diet and exercise. But was my skin smooth? Like a happy baby's.
Therapy time
Prior to heading over, I gave in to curiosity and read up on what to expect with a seaweed wrap treatment - and was pleasantly surprised to find they didn't do it the thick, green, goopy, messy way at The Address spa. Nor did it smell of a fish market, as others had warned. The session begins with a 30-minute scrub to exfoliate the skin and open the pores. A detox cocktail mix is then applied - and you're wrapped in cling film for 30 minutes - followed by a wonderfully hot shower, and a final application of a spa massage cream as moisturiser. Bliss!
What we loved...
There are no clocks anywhere. Everything is designed to encourage you to lose track of time. The soothing music, the soft lighting, the lounge area with its little treats... Makes you want to include a special room in future house plans, where you can recreate the same space away from the world.
What we didn't...
The scrub, I have to say, borders on torturous - but I suppose that would be the case anywhere, even if you chose to scrub yourself at home. Thankfully, it is not an unnecessarily prolonged affair and is over before I can say 'Edvard Munch'. Hey, no pain, no gain!
Detox Marine Algae Wrap
Reservations: 04- 4388025
spa.dubaimall@theaddress.com
Cost: Dh530 for 60 mins
karen@khaleejtimes.com


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