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Going for gold
In a city well-known for its obsession with jewels and precious metals it was surely only a matter of time before 24 carat gold found its way into luxury beauty treatments. But can being rubbed with gold really improve your health? Georgie McCourt investigates.
From the loud, lavish interior of the Burj Al Arab to the shining gold souk, there’s no shortage of the precious metal in Dubai. And now even spas and salons are dropping gold flecks into the treatments they offer. Dubai’s first ever gold facial, the ‘UMO 24 carat gold facial’,was launched at Sisters Beauty Salon, the Ritz-Carlton Dubai Spa created a 24 carat gold massage and Harvey Nichols unveiled La Prairie ‘Cellular Radiance Concentrate Pure Gold’, for Dhs2,500, a serum containing 24 carat gold. They all contain flecks of the mineral-rich metal, which apparently work to plump fine lines, fade spots and adds an instant golden glow.
Gold has been associated with younger looking skin throughout the ages. Historians maintain Cleopatra slept in a gold mask every night, and in India gold has been an essential part of Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, used to shift impurities and rejuvenate the skin in cream form. And gold was also regarded as the key to youth in ancient Chinese medicine, as the queen of the Ch’ing dynasty used a gold massage roller on her face everyday.
‘Gold slows down collagen depletion and the breakdown of elastin to prevent sagging skin. It stimulates cellular growth of the basal layer to regenerate healthy, firm skin cells and provide a tightening effect,’ says Sisters Beauty Lounge therapist Prameela Kanna. It’ll also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage and age spots. ‘Since 1929, gold has been successfully used to treat rheumatoid arthritis by reducing inflammation. Gold’s anti-inflammatory properties also decrease skin inflammation, thereby slowing down melanin secretion and reducing age spots,’ she adds.
The ‘UMO 24 carat gold facial’ at Sisters Beauty Lounge begins with a deep cleanse and light exfoliation followed by a lymphatic drainage massage using Gamma PGA, a super-potent hydrating compound, derived from natto gum, a Japanese soy-bean based health food. Next comes a cool steam (otherwise known as Nano Mist) and finally the gold is gently and thoroughly massaged into the skin. While the gold is working its magic, you’re given a foot and hand massage.
Time Out walked away glittering – literally. At the time, we hardly felt as glamorous as Cleopatra, more like we’d attempted this season’s metallic make-up look and it’d all gone very wrong. But the next day our skin felt fantastic and two weeks later, it was still hydrated and plump.
At the super luxurious Ritz-Carlton Dubai Spa every single part of your body is massaged with Carita Fluid 14 Baillede (Dhs200 for 100ml), which contains real gold particles. The gold is supposed to reduce the signs of ageing and tone tired skin.
‘We created this treatment ourselves using a Carita product,’ says spa manager Nicola Bush. ‘Aside from the shimmering effect, it’s also incredibly healing. Gold is good for balancing the energy of the body, especially if you have a hyperactive nature. So along with glamour there’s a holistic side to the treatment.’
So if you want to try something different, book in for a golden treatment. If it’s a clear complexion you’re after, the gold facial will make your skin glow; or if you’d prefer to hit the town stress-free and sparkling, try a gold massage. One thing’s for sure; beauty treatments have never been so glamorous.
The ‘UMO 24 carat gold facial’ costs Dhs900 and lasts for 90 minutes. To book, call Sisters Beauty Lounge on 04 342 0787 or for more information, visit www.umoamerica.com.
The 24 Carat gold massage at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai Spa costs Dhs695 and lasts for 80minutes. To book, call 04 318 6184. Bring this copy of Time Out to get a 25 per cent discount off the gold massage.
By Georgie McCourt, Wednesday August 01 2007