IT SEEMS the French hold the world rights to beauty treatments, having been at the forefront of the industry for centuries.
Fortunately for the rest of the world, the French are more than happy to share these secrets.
Ms Frederique Deleage makes a career out of it. At her salon, Frederiques, in Wyndham Street, she works to transform women of all ages. While not promising miracles, perhaps there is something to be said for looking as young as you feel.
Which mother wouldn't like to forget her usual routine and spend half a day doing nothing and looking great at the end of it? A half-day spa at Frederiques begins with the beautician applying a lotion before going over the body with a loofah to exfoliate dead skin.
Next, comes a Phytomer seaweed body wrap and detoxifying mud treatment. This is not just some gimmicky way of selling mud.
The term ''thalassotherapy'' dates back to mid-19th century France. But sea and water cures are classic forms of therapy for myriad human ailments. The Greeks and Romans were conscious of the fact that, in the beginning, life existed only in the sea. So,they returned to the sea for a solution to physical and medical problems.
Sea water has long been recognised as having antibiotic properties. It is particularly effective in the treatment of skin disorders, from acne to psoriasis.