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WELLNESS FUTURES

Wellbeing

Wellness and beauty science may be advancing, but equally experts agree that spa treatments focused on natural healing and mind-body balance offer profound benefits that align perfectly with the growing global shift toward preventive self-care. Award-winning wellness writer KATE O’BRIEN chooses six of the best examples across the Raffles spa portfolio, where ancient wisdom is meeting modern science for future wellbeing 

BEST FOR: RADIANCE

111Skin Massage with Nooance LED mask at Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris

As befits Parisian culture, this beauty-forward wellness destination combines innovative science-led skincare brands 111Skin, Dr Barbara Sturm and Nooance, makers of the latest skin enhancing LED masks – to supercharge skin health and redefine how a beauty treatment is delivered. Using clinically-validated red and near-infrared wavelengths, these medical-grade LED masks are designed to penetrate skin to stimulate collagen and elastin protein production and enhance cell renewal and overall skin radiance. Used in conjunction with 111Skin’s patented NAC Y2™ complex which lies at the heart of the brand’s skin regenerating treatments (try the Cryo Revitalising Facial or Black Diamond Firming Facial) or Dr Barbara Sturm’s renowned Exosome Facial enriched with highly concentrated active ingredients, this is state-of-the-art skin science at its best to future proof even the most sensitive skin types.

BEST FOR: SLEEP

Shirodhara Royal Care at Raffles The Palm Dubai

With stress and lack of sleep being top of the health concern list in most parts of the world this age-old back-to-the-future Ayurvedic therapy is more relevant than ever before. Targeting the pineal gland and hypothalamus in the brain – those areas that help regulate sleep, mood and hormonal balance – Shirodhara remains one of the most powerful and effective healing tools in my personal wellness arsenal! The treatment typically involves lying on a massage table while warm medicated herbal oil flows continuously onto the ‘third eye’ area of the forehead. For many, the results are instantaneous as the warm, soothing oil flow calms the nervous system, reduces our main stress hormone cortisol and enhances the production of melatonin for more restful sleep. (The added bonus is that your hair also feels shiny and cared for.)

BEST FOR: CELL RENEWAL

Dr Burgener Brightening Facial with Pearls of Vitamin C at Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant widely used in concentrated form in facial therapies to brighten and smooth overall skin tone and reduce pigmentation. When combined with glycolic acid and fruit acids, Vitamin C further enhances skin exfoliation by removing dead cells and accelerating cell turnover to reveal a brighter, more radiant complexion. Further, being one of the body’s most potent antioxidants when eaten (think citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes) or used on the skin, Vitamin C protects against free radical damage from UV rays and pollution which continues to cause havoc throughout the environment and studies have shown that regular use of Vitamin C-enriched facials and products will revitalise dull skin, improve elasticity and support collagen production for firmer, brighter skin over time. 

BEST FOR: ENERGY FLOW

7-Chakra Balancing Massage at Raffles Bali

In traditional medicine, chakras are energy centres located at seven key areas along the spine, each holding specific physical, emotional and spiritual responsibilities in the body. Using hands-on techniques, Raffles Bali’s 7-Chakra Balancing Massage uses gentle Balinese acupressure to open and align these energy centres. When combined with the healing vibration of Tibetan singing bowls, enhanced energy flow through the body helps restore natural rhythms and heighten vitality. A numerology reading (based on the study of numbers’ spiritual and symbolic meanings which are generally linked to birth dates and names) is an added bonus of this back-to-basics therapy offering further insight and guidance for healing, personal growth and future decision-making. In 2021, Raffles Seychelles embarked on a restoration programme at Anse Takamaka Bay on Praslin, where close to 5,000 corals have been planted with technical support from Nature Seychelles. Visitors to the hotel can see and take part in this endeavour.

BEST FOR: DETOX 

Anatolian Grace Hammam Journey  at Raffles Istanbul

Turkish hammams are a traditional cleansing and relaxation ritual rooted in Ottoman and Roman bathing culture. Set in a heated marble room, the experience typically includes a steam bath, full-body exfoliation with a kese or scrub glove and rinse designed to deep-cleanse pores, improve circulation and enhance overall wellbeing. The Anatolian Grace Hammam Journey capitalises on this ancient tradition with a modern twist, using essential oils, aromatic herbs, a hydrating honey body mask and body massage to further enhance detoxification and lymphatic drainage, while leaving the skin smoother, softer and gloriously radiant. With our world in flux, we need all the help available to heal and nourish from within so we can better cope with the fractured outer environment. 

BEST FOR: ANTI-STRESS

Vigora at Raffles Sentosa Singapore

With our sedentary, stress-driven lifestyles, Vigora, one of the five bespoke programmes at Raffles Spa Sentosa, is a timely respite designed to enhance strength and resilience in body and mind. It’s an empowering blend of deep tissue massage targeting chronic muscle tension and pain by reducing inflammation, realigning deeper muscle layers and improving recovery times; Thai fusion massage with assisted yoga stretches; and deeper energy work to further relieve muscle tension and enhance energy flow. Introducing a modern scientific aspect, a lifting and firming collagen facial by Dr Burgener uses dynamic ultrasound waves to strengthen the skin’s collagen and elastin building blocks. 