A machine that helps you lose weight by releasing 'electrical micro-currents' to break down toxins that cause unsightly cellulite and stubborn fat deposits is bound to be greeted with a certain amount of scepticism.
Still, spurred by new technology, these machines have a growing fan base among spa-goers and celebrities around town. Spa industry veterans say there is no substitute for exercise and a healthy diet in the battle against the bulge, but many accept that these machines do appear to work as a supplement to that weight-loss regime and may make you appear slimmer.
The machines are '500 times more effective than manual massage designed for lymphatic drainage', says Sense of Touch spa owner Anna Orvay. 'This is because manual massage is more time-consuming, whereas machines are very fast - in 45 minutes you have immediate results.
'The manual technique of lymphatic drainage can also be very painful because the therapist has to pinch and squeeze the skin, so if you're prone to bruising it's best to use a machine.'
Popular with celebrities, earning it the nickname of a 'non-surgical facelift', the CACI Quantum is used at Sense of Touch. About 12 electrode wires that transmit micro-currents are attached to the body, depending on the area being targeted.
Orvay says it's possible to lose up to 1kg after one treatment, as long as you follow a healthy diet 24 hours before the procedure. 'Normally people who are bloated will really notice the difference,' she says.