Review: Cellular Anti-Aging Facial, Dahlia Spa at Four Seasons Abu Dhabi

One of the eight treatment rooms at Dahlia Spa, Four Seasons Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Four Seasons Abu Dhabi

The treatment:

I’ve never been one to have a lot of facials, in fact I usually opt for a massage over a facial. Lately though, I’ve been noticing how popular non-surgical facial treatments have become, both locally and abroad. It seems just about every spa around has added some form of ‘natural lifting’ treatment to its menu.

The Dahlia Spa at Four Seasons Abu Dhabi has gone down that path too, and since it’s new, I’m trying the 60-minute Cellular Exclusive Lift Concept — Cellular Anti-Aging Facial, which I’m told will lift and brighten the skin.

First up is a foot scrub, and then it's treatment time. The spa has an exclusive relationship with skincare brand Swiss Perfection, which has a range of products that are proven to regenerate the skin's structure and rejuvenates the tissue.

When my therapist asks what I am most interested in achieving from this session, I tell her it’s all about reducing the lines and wrinkles around my eyes. She says she can manage that, and while I’ll see immediate results, one treatment won’t be enough to keep the lines at bay and my skin bright.

The Cellular Anti-Aging Facial uses traditional facial methods and the use of a machine — the Anti-Aging Trans Dermal Skin System — which was developed by world renowned skincare specialist Philippe Simonin. It has three different gold wands that are used on the skin in rolling and lifting motions to electronically stimulate and smooth.

The process doesn’t hurt, it just feels like you’re getting a slight constant electric shock. The levels can be changed to suit the client — but you must understand the higher the zap you can tolerate, the better the outcome.

The gold wands are rotated on and around your face in an upwards motion, they’re job is to help the Swiss Perfection serums selected specifically for you remove the dead skin and stimulate the underlayer of the skin.

I can tolerate the zapping and actually insist she turn it up a notch or two so I get a better result. My therapist is friendly and informative during the process, and after 60 minutes of having my skin attended to, I am sat up and can see that I do in fact appear to have brighter, smoother skin than an hour before.

To ensure the result lasts at least a week, I’m told I should apply a particular serum to my face each night before bed for the following three days.

When I get home and have more time to study my skin further I am impressed, but I’m not sure I’ll be signing up for a series of treatments as recommended, the asking rate per session is just too high a price to pay to look younger. But, in saying that, cosmetic surgery is far more expensive, so for those looking for younger looking skin faster and without the knife or needle, go for it, it’s a non-invasive, non-surgical alternative.

The spa itself:

The Dahlia Spa has eight treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy area complete with small hydro pool, steam room, sauna, hammam, ice fountain and heated lounge beds, showering facilities, and a variety of products from Swiss Perfection and Sodashi. The newly-opened spa will soon have a beauty arm as well.

What we loved:

Apart from my skin’s obvious glow afterward, I’m impressed I’m able to use the hotel’s hydrotherapy area pre-treatment. It’s worth noting that it’s free for all paying guests.

What we hated:

That the lights had to be on for the duration of the treatment, which is necessary for the therapist to accurately work on my skin, but being a massage-junkie I’m used to relaxation, and this was more stimulating than relaxing.

The duration, price:

A 60-minute Cellular Exclusive Lift Concept — Cellular Anti-Aging Facial at Dahlia Spa, Four Seasons Abu Dhabi costs Dh3,240 per session. A 90-minute session will set you back Dh3,960. For bookings email [e-mail] or call 02 333 222, www.fourseasons.com/abudhabi/spa

This review was done at the invitation of the hotel.