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3 offbeat spa treatments taking the world by storm

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Infrared saunas

Keen for a natural high? Lauren Berlingeri and Katie Kaps, owners of Higher Dose infrared sauna in New York City, believe the key to the “high life” is found through next level health therapies that up your dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins.

Instagram has gone wild for Infrared selfies, because, you know, good lighting...

Infrared heart vibes ? #HigherDose #GetHighNaturally

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Detox ?? #higherdose

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But after I read a piece written by one of my favourite writers, Leandra Medine of ManRepeller.com, I longed for a similar offering in South Africa (it's not available here. Yet). 

She explained the experience as very relaxing, saying she entered feeling hyper and stressed and “within ten minutes, I was a complacent slug”.

Read: I was bathed by someone I didn't know - twice

The infrared light suppresses cortisol levels – released when we are stressed - and ups serotonin, dopamine and endorphins which make us happy.

HigherDose says “We’re starting a movement to get you beautiful and buzzed all at once. We don’t hold back when it comes to offering experiences to heighten the senses. House music mixed with saunas mixed with healing chakra light therapy is what you’ll find when you hang with us.”

Apparently it’s also good for weight loss too as you tend to sweat a lot during and after a 30 minute session.

Must try. Come to SA please!

Salt Rooms

Also known as halotherapy, this is now a full-blown spa trend that you can try for yourself at Amani Spa, situated at the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, South Africa.

I tried it.

Similar to spending a day at the ocean in the salty air, this treatment promises relaxation and many benefits.

Image: Marisa Crous

OrganicSpaMagazine.com says that salt affects our cell activity, energy and blood sugar levels. It is not only a natural disinfectant, but also antimicrobial and antibacterial.

So, because dry salt air is much more beneficial that moist air, you sit in a room where salty air discretely fills the room (you can barely smell or taste any salt). The air is purified by the salt which may increase lung capacity. Upon entering a Salt Room one can expect to find solace, and healing treatments for the following ailments: inflammation, headaches, colds and flu and disrupted sleep patterns.

I tried one session and it left me feeling rejuvenated, yet a series of sessions is ideal to treat respiratory and dermatological conditions. 

FaceGym

Keep skipping ‘face day’? FaceGym is the UK’s only gym studio for the face.

Kind of like a natural facelift, the spa promises the following, “Our face trainers perform a range of lifting and sculpting workouts designed to train the 40+ muscles in the face. Results are amplified with high performance skincare products and non-invasive technology."

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As they say, there are 600 muscles in the body and 40+ in the face with the exact same physiology. “Our customers already understand working out the body muscles in the gym so we have recreated the same familiar routine for the face."

FaceGym has been hailed as the ultimate natural face lift achieved by means of vigorous knuckling movements and high energy whipping strokes. This is done to stimulate blood circulation, collagen production and cell renewal to lift, tone and tighten the face.


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