Indiba Ultimate Retreat Body Treatment Review

WE’RE used to some pretty big claims from the beauty industry, but I was particularly intrigued to hear about a new non-invasive treatment that ‘actually defies gravity’.

Something tells me Newton might have a thing or two to say about that but, ever the optimistic, I booked in at Urban Retreat at Harvey Nichols Manchester for the Indiba Ultimate Retreat Body Treatment.

Since the treatment I’ve been paid compliments by strangers, chased by a 21-year-old and asked out on a date by a nice man with dimples. FYI the date with dimples is on Sunday.

The treatment is part of the cutting-edge Indiba range, which uses high frequency currents emitted through a metal massage head to firm skin and lift contours. Apparently the proionic effect mobilises ions and raises the temperature of internal tissues. Weirdly, this temperature increase is supposedly just like a physiological fever in that it results in cell regeneration. It’s said to break up fat cells, speed up the metabolism and drain out toxins.

Not having quite grasped all this prior to the appointment, I was surprised when asked to lie down on a metal conductivity plate next to a machine that wouldn’t look out of place in Manchester Royal Infirmary.

It’s not that I hate my body, but I informed  Kelly, my beauty therapist, about the main areas of concern by reeling off most parts of my anatomy anyway.

“Well, I’ve got saggy boobs, cellulite-ridden thighs and bum, a flabby stomach and bingo wings.”

Kelly looked momentarily ruffled before explaining how long she’d spend on each area during my hour and a half appointment. We ditched the bingo wings in favour of my face; something I wasn’t entirely convinced about since I was, ahem, ID’d buying wine at Tesco last week. But, if at 29 I can already pass for 25, I may as well go for broke and try to recapture my teenage years.

 Before starting the treatment, Kelly warned me that the metal head would feel warm and could get too hot. First up, I laid on my front and Kelly massaged cream into the backs of my legs and buttocks before using the metal head, which quickly warmed up and felt so relaxing that I almost drifted off to the land of nod.

Then it was over on to my back for Kelly to concentrate on my stomach and then… oh dear. It dawned on me there was nowhere to hide my saggy boobs as shortly she’d be rubbing cream into them and using the metal head to supposedly lift and firm. I apologised, closed my eyes and pretended I wasn’t there.

As I did so, I began to contemplate the fact that really I was in need of a lift in more ways than one. I split up with my husband a few months ago and, as well as feeling pretty let down and sad about everything, I am starting to reel in horror at the prospect of another man seeing me naked. That’s not what I signed up for.

So now the body parts I’m not 100 per cent happy with, but felt were loved by my ex, along with the rest of me… well, now I’m wondering who will ever suffer them, let alone love them, again. Plus the good old heartbreak diet, which has left me half a stone lighter, has also brought with it a delightful feeling of looser skin. Damn you cruel nature.

But enough of the self-loathing. Snapping myself out of it, I remembered I’d read that Indiba can give results after just one session. Here’s to hoping.

Once she was done with my breasts, Kelly finished off by using a smaller metal massage head on my face along with Murad’s Intensive Wrinkle Reducer Peel. Miraculously, when the treatment was finished and I looked in the mirror, my usual response to no makeup – ‘ugh’ – was replaced with the realisation that I was actually glowing.

The tired looking skin of recent months had been traded in for an altogether fresher appearance and I didn’t balk at walking out into the salon without makeup on. By Jove, I’m a natural beauty.

Apparently I’m in good company too. Madonna, Claire Cooper AKA Jacqui McQueen and Arlene Phillips (who, come on people, doesn’t look a day over 68) are all fans of the treatment. Meanwhile, independent trials on 20 women in Argentina showed that skin elasticity improved by a fifth and fat tissue was reduced in thickness by 14.5 per cent after eight weeks.

The following day the skin on the backs of my thighs felt lovely and soft and overall I do think I’m feeling firmer too. Perhaps the results are also visible on my face, as since the treatment I’ve been paid compliments by strangers, chased by a 21-year-old and asked out on a date by a nice man with dimples.

FYI the date with dimples is on Sunday and the 21-year-old’s number is in my phone. I'd best get booked in for another treatment...