Tried and tested: The healthy way to anti-ageing

A spa treatment that is more than skin deep.

Talise Spa's treatment room in Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.
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WHAT I TRIED

The Talise Spa Anti-Ageing Programme, consisting of a wellness body scan, blood analysis, lifestyle consultation, yoga class and anti-ageing facial.

WHAT I WANTED

The youth and vitality of a teenager, obviously. Thanks to the drying-out effects of AC, hectic work weeks and some not-so-healthy holiday indulgences, my sluggish body was feeling the need for a spring clean. Plus, this anti-ageing programme promises to work holistically to help slow down the ageing process and try to minimise any damage.

WHAT HAPPENED

I must confess I had a slight pang of anxiety before this treatment. Wellness scan? Blood analysis? This didn't sound like your usual pampering spa treatment. However, I'm greeted at the reception - which is elegant and impressive, smelling of fragrant scented oils - by warm smiles and assurances.

The beautiful labyrinthine walkways lead me to the changing rooms and I don my white fluffy dressing gown to enter the spa facilities. The saunas, Jacuzzis, steam room and monsoon showers appear first-rate, and I immediately relax.

My first appointment is with the Australian naturopath Jaclyn Harris, who after asking questions about my physical, physiological and psychological well-being, carries out a series of tests: a wellness body scan (a hand-held electrode device to determine the health of my vital organs); a blood analysis to check for vitamin and mineral deficiencies (it's only a small pinprick); and an iris diagnosis to check for long-term health imbalances.

Jaclyn explains the health and anti-ageing benefits of reducing stress levels, correcting any hormone imbalances and maintaining a diet rich in antioxidants. As we wait for the test results, I head downstairs for my hour-long yoga class, where I feel pulled and stretched. I can feel my muscles relaxing and my tight "short as a hamster's" hamstrings begin to loosen and lengthen.

After a quiet sit and a refreshing drink of honey and ginger tea in the glorious Arabesque relaxation room, I walk to the treatment rooms for my facial. The Talise Rejuvenating Serum contains powerful antioxidants and my therapist, Rosarin, says many benefits can be reaped from the massage when it's applied. After cleansing, toning and exfoliating my skin, she applies the serum with skilful strokes. A collagen mask is next, which hardens after it has dried. The treatment is gentle and soothing, and the neck and head massage is bliss. Also, the best thing is that my skin is more radiant for more than a week afterwards.

THE VERDICT

"You are an eight out of 10," Jaclyn tells me when my blood analysis comes back, meaning that I scored highly on overall wellness but I was deficient in some essential fatty acids. My iris scan also highlighted that I was slightly dehydrated and needed to eliminate toxins more efficiently. I am told that this can all be corrected by diet and lifestyle.

If you are stressed, overworked or concerned about your well-being then this programme could be just the tonic. I learnt a lot, not only about anti-ageing but also about my own body make-up. And the best thing is, I've continued to practise what I was taught.

Starting from Dh 1,495, Talise offers anti-ageing programmes for three, five and seven days and also tailors programmes to your availability.

Talise, Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah, 04 366 6818