The long winter is behind us and summer is upon us, which means it’s time to hit the beach before it gets too hot. But beach time means bikini time and if, like me, you’re too busy, or lazy, to spend hours at the gym, stepping out in swimwear can fill you with dread. However, there is a quick fix: SensAsia Urban Spa is offering body boot camps to tone up and blast away cellulite.
The last-minute de-bloating treatment, Skinni-Mini, promises to tighten, tone and reduce water retention from the thighs and abdomen. Sceptical that a 90-minute treatment would make a visible difference, I headed to the Village Mall branch of SensAsia in Dubai’s Jumeirah.
My therapist warned that it was not an altogether comfortable experience, what with the unpleasant-smelling algae mask and feeling cold and wet. The electrical pulses that would go through my body would not hurt, she promised, but would feel strange. After some light body-brushing of my legs and stomach, it was time for The Machine. With a cold mask applied to my stomach, thighs and buttocks, the machine was placed underneath and on top of me. It felt like a thick rubber mat and soon I could feel a light tingling, like pins and needles.
As the power was upped, it felt like my muscles were being pulled and pushed from the inside, the result of two types of stimuli:galvanic and faradic.
The type of galvanic stimuli the machine uses is called iontophoresis, which is meant to push the mask’s fat and toxin-busting properties deeper into the epidermis. The second type of stimuli is faradic, which contracts and relaxes the muscles, and is used to tone as well as flush toxins out into the lymphatic system.
It was a highly unusual experience, but not painful, although I did feel like the patient in a game of Operation. Although I couldn’t notice an immediate difference, the next day my stomach and thighs felt tighter and more toned – I didn’t need to hold in my tummy in my skinny jeans. The machine is a great quick-fix but, for most of us, I don’t think it can replace time at the gym and a healthy diet. However, for gym-avoiders such as me, it’s always nice to have the option.
• Skinni-Mini is Dh515 for 90 minutes at SensAsia Urban Spa, Village Mall, Dubai. For more information, call 04 349 8850 or go here
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Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
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2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
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An exchange traded fund is a type of investment fund that can be traded quickly and easily, just like stocks and shares. They come with no upfront costs aside from your brokerage's dealing charges and annual fees, which are far lower than on traditional mutual investment funds. Charges are as low as 0.03 per cent on one of the very cheapest (and most popular), Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, with the maximum around 0.75 per cent.
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While the best-known track major indices such as MSCI World, the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, you can also invest in specific countries or regions, large, medium or small companies, government bonds, gold, crude oil, cocoa, water, carbon, cattle, corn futures, currency shifts or even a stock market crash.
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- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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