What is it?
A facial therapy system from Japan that uses water, steam and a gentle electric current to stimulate what's said to be the skin's natural healing power, deep cleanse and rejuvenate tired complexions.
What does it involve?
It starts with a facial massage and cleanse, while your face is gently steamed to open the pores so they can discharge sebaceous dirt deposits. The aqua skin therapy (AST) cleansing gel is then removed and a hot towel placed over your face. The therapist sprays a mist of pure water onto your skin, followed by low-level electrically charged pulses delivered by a metal wand with a cotton tip. It's comfortable and the therapist doesn't press hard. The currents are said to bring impurities to the surface of the skin where they're wiped away with wet cotton. If the waste water is milky, it means your skin is dirty, according to the spa. An AST lotion is then applied, followed by an aqua mask soaked in pure water. It stays on for 10-15 minutes - during which the therapist gives a relaxing head massage - and the water mist is sprayed again when it dries. You can also have pure oxygen aimed at your face to enhance the mask. Once the mask is removed, another lotion is applied.
What was it like?
The process takes close to two hours and the therapist's facial-massage technique is impressive. The spa is designed to look pure, with all-white walls and large rooms that are quiet and have low lighting so you can completely switch off. You should get immediate results, with glowing skin, the spa says, achieved through improved blood circulation, hydration and deep cleansing. My skin did feel softer, but perhaps more than one session is needed to see a major improvement in skin texture. It also removes blackheads, but this isn't as effective as other facial methods.