Body Beautiful

By: Ruth Kerrison
Created on 25th March 2010

The arrival of spring means it is time to start thinking about getting our bodies ready to be seen, but deciding whether to start with our love handles, rough, dry skin or orange peel thighs is enough to have most of us reaching for another slice of cake. Luckily, the experts at Ericson Laboratoire have come up with an in-salon treatment that promises to treat all three problems at once. Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetics Guide investigates...

Does the prospect of baring your body make you shudder? Or do you just need to lose a couple of lumps and bumps to achieve sheer physical perfection? Either way, NOVASLIM+ from Ericson Laboratoire might just be the answer to your prayers.

A salon-only procedure (although a home-use product range is coming to the UK soon), NOVASLIM+ combines three treatments in one to leave you smoother, slimmer and cellulite-free. The science is based on that used in aesthetic medicine, but the treatment can be performed by a beautician, making it easily accessible to all.

Step One: Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is more commonly thought of as a facial treatment, but when you think of the benefits it brings to your complexion, just imagine what it could do for the skin on your body.

NOVASLIM+ uses mechanical microdermabrasion with aluminium oxide crystals to exfoliate the skin, ridding it of dead cells in order to reactivate cell renewal. This process facilitates the skin's absorption of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids, preparing it for the next stage...

Step Two: Chemical Peel
Again, we think of this as a procedure for the face, but a chemical peel can be a very effective body treatment, renewing the cells and ridding the skin of its surface flaws.

The NOVACID+ skincare line used in the NOVASLIM+ peel treatment uses a unique combination of five different acids that work in synergy to reactivate skin renewal. Glycolic, salicylic, lactic, mucic and citric acids act in turn to reveal firmer, more radiant skin, tighter pores and an even skin tone.

Once applied, the peel solution will be left on your body for three minutes, then removed using a neutralising solution to restore the pH balance of the skin. This is followed by a spritz of enzymatic spray, which offers a smoothing action to the skin with a deeply rehydrating and gentle peel. This prepares it for the final stage of the treatment...

Step Three: Slimming Wrap
By now we should all be familiar with the slimming body wrap - available in salons and spas across the country, this hourlong beauty treatment is known for its amazing ability to slim you down for a special occasion.

The problem is that just one glass of bubbly can bring back those bulges! This is not the case with the NOVASLIM+ wrap, which claims to work directly on the expression of DNA genes to prevent the body from producing fat.

First, the therapist will apply Body Slimming Serum to parts of the body in need of contouring, then any cellulite-prone areas will be massaged with the Cellulite Drainer Gel. A thick layer of Super Regenerating Body Cream is applied to the whole body, which is then wrapped in foil. After twenty minutes, the foil is removed and your body is massaged all over with the Super Regenerating Body Cream, which is rapidly absorbed.

The big reveal
Treatment over, your body should be slimmer and your skin firmer, smoother and more radiant. The whole procedure should take around one hour and fifteen minutes, with a course of six sessions spaced one week apart recommended for maximum effect. So by our calculations that means you can be bikini-ready in just six weeks, with minimal effort on your part - although a healthy eating plan and regular exercise can only help to improve on the results.

Benefits of this body beautiful treatment:
■ Brightens the skin and lightens dark spots caused by sun damage
■ Cleanses the skin of dead skin cells
■ Purifies the skin of whiteheads and acne
■ Smoothes the appearance of small wrinkles
■ Prepares the skin for tanning
■ Prepares the skin for more intense body contouring treatments