Tried and Tested: Genie Complete

Created on 22nd May 2009

In this issue, beauty editor Sarah Hedley find out if the Genie treatment can make our wishes come true

Genie Complete is one of a growing breed of electricity-powered beauty treatments. It can be used just about anywhere from the face (to lift sagging facial muscles) to the back of the hands (to tighten loose skin).We opted for the Genie LBD (Little Black Dress) treatment, which aims to tone up customers' thighs and tums and make them look like they've been going to the gym.

What's involved

Over four weeks and ten visits, I underwent three separate treatment modules: ten Slimtone modules, three Lymph modules and three Micro-Tech modules.

For the 20-minute Slimtone sessions, I laid on a massage table in my underwear and several electrodes were strategically placed on my stomach and thighs, then a current was passed through them to my muscles, making them contract. Each session is apparently equivalent to doing 360 sit-ups, and though the feeling takes a little getting used to, it isn't as painful as actually doing ab crunches.

In the 40-minute Lymph module, the electrodes were repositioned and the current was reduced to gently stimulate lymph drainage. This helps the body flush the toxins that some experts believe are responsible for the appearance of cellulite.

The Micro-Tech module involved a relaxing 40-minute massage by a therapist using two electrically charged metal prongs, which passed microcurrents through my skin to further smooth out the orange peel effect.

The results

According to the tape measure, my waist toned up by 2cm, my hips dropped 5cm, my lower thighs lost 3cm and my upper thighs didn't budge.

The results were subtle. I didn't drop a dress size, but my usual size 12s felt a little looser; stomach cellulite faded but my legs looked the same. To maintain the results I would need to continue with treatments, or take my doctor's advice and start using my gym membership, which would work out to be a more cost effective option. This really is the lazy girl's way to tone up.