As Aphrodite mentioned earlier, we took ourselves off to Sanas yesterday for fabulous pampering goodness. Aphrodite and Remington will be reporting in due course about their experiences, and I'm going to share mine with you now.
We entered their calm and serene premises and were immediately made to feel extremely welcome and at ease. Scented oil filled the air, there was a candle burning in a gorgeous amethyst holder, and a comfy couch to wait on. We filled out some forms to enable our treatments to proceed as effectively as possible, and I was introduced to my therapist, Victoria, who took me to the treatment room I was to have my facial in.
The treatment room was fantastic - calming and warm, it was large and lit with candles and dim lights. Soothing music was playing quietly, and in short it was perfect for relaxation. And relax was what I did. I lay back and Victoria explained what she'd be doing - a Dermalogica facial using Chinese face mapping techniques to diagnose my particular skin issues and address solutions for them. She noted from my form that I have sinus problems so she said she'd do a bit of acupressure to release tension as well.
Victoria began by cleansing my skin and getting me to inhale gorgeously scented lavender oil from her warmed hands. Bliss. I was asked to take three deep breaths from my abdomen to begin that relaxation process.
Once my skin was cleansed, she moved onto the face mapping. Dermalogica use this process to effectively assess your skin condition and address what may be causing specific problems. The face is broken up into zones - there are 14 in all (left). Each corresponds to a part of the body - for example, zone 2 is to do with liver function, and problems here are indicators of something amiss with it; zone 11 corresponds to the ovaries, and this is spot on because this is the very area I'd get breakouts in around the time of my period.
Each zone was carefully assessed and notes made. In general I think my skin scored pretty well. I possibly have some digestive toxicity as indicated by congestion in zone 12, and I have congestion around my nose and chin - but these have always been my problem areas. My skin has good elasticity and isn't showing the signs of ageing too much as of yet, so I was delighted with that. I have some pigmentation around my hairline and forehead and some dilated capillaries on my cheeks and nose. I was told how to properly extract blackheads to prevent capillary damage, and advised to up my intake of raspberries and berries which will help to reduce existing damage.
Victoria told me some really interesting stuff too - most sun damage occurs before the age of 18 and she stressed the importance of using a good SPF. She told me I should be applying it to ears as well, as ears are often neglected yet are just as prone to damage as the rest of our faces.
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Once my diagnosis was done, the facial proper began. Dermalogica products were identified for use on my problem areas and I was treated to a variety of gorgeously scented lotions and potions during the experience. Victoria was a fantastic therapist - her hands were extremely skilled and strong and the whole facial was great. She did some wondrous things with her fingers in and around my sinuses and got to all the pressure points that can help relieve sinus pain. As if all that wasn't enough, I was also treated to a hand and arm massage which was excellent for relieving tension.
She also identified pressure points in my feet and told me some interesting things which she couldn't have known - that I find it hard to switch off and I retain stress - very true. She advised me to learn to breathe from my abdomen also, as this aids relaxation.
I was then left to relax and unwind for a few minutes before Victoria came back into the room and gave me my copy of the face mapping sheet so I could see exactly what her diagnosis had been. This is a great resource for me - she's identified all my problem areas, and she has also indicated what products I should be using, how often, and on which zones. Perfect!
This facial isn't just for women - Sanas also do a men's Dermalogica facial, and I cannot recommend it enough for men or women. If you have skin problems that you just haven't been able to solve, then this is the facial for you. It will identify through the face mapping process other areas in which you can make improvements, for example in your diet and hydration levels, and these will have a positive impact on your skin. You'll also be told what you need to do to keep your skin in tip top condition and what products are right for you. Dermalogica facials at Sanas start at €40 for a 30-Minute Miracle and go up to €80 for various 75 minute treatments. Well worth it!
I now have a list of gorgeous products to buy, and judging on how fab my skin looks, I will be certainly making those purchases. My skin is glowing, my complexion is refreshed, plump and hydrated, and in short I am thrilled with the results.
The owner of Sanas, Betty Cosgrave - a lovely woman who made us so welcome, is also an expert in Life Coaching, Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and many other complimentary therapies. Sanas is not a salon - it's a sanctuary for the mind, body and spirit and this is certainly reflected in their range of treatments and therapies at their Churchtown premises - I am dying to try out their Elemis facials and I also very much like the look of the Hot Stone Massage. In addition, you can have kinesology treatments, Swedish massage, colon hydrotherapy, ionic foot detox, Indian head massage and a lot more besides.
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For more information on their huge range of treatments and therapies, visit their website at www.sanas.ie, or call them on 01 2960368 for an appointment - you will be very glad you did!
