SmoothShapes review - part one

ANYONE who read my ‘Mum on a mission’ dieting column last year, will know that whilst I like the idea of being a lean mean gym machine, applying the practice has never been a strong point of mine.

I have noticed a difference already. Usually when I cross my legs I can see and feel lumps and bumps all down the sides of my legs but this has significantly reduced.

A hectic work schedule and a three and a half year-old are all the excuses I need to dodge the gym and I use both regularly.  The result is a rapidly expanding bottom and thigh dimples the size of moon craters.

With an impending trip to Ibiza this summer, the thought of braving the beach in my denim cut offs without my life saving black opaque tights has had me in cold sweats of late.  Whilst I was in the process of buying a dozen floor length maxis to get me through an email pinged through from the lovely Lynda Moyo asking if I’d like to review a cellulite busting treatment for the Body Confidential website.  I had to pinch myself to check I wasn’t dreaming - a cellulite busting treatment where the only effort required is the ability to lie horizontal? Book me in. Before

The SmoothShapes treatment at DestinationSkin in House of Fraser, involves using lasers and a vacuum to break down the build-up of fatty deposits in problem areas. It’s proving extremely popular with the celebrities and has received brilliant reviews in all the glossies. Clients can choose from thighs, buttocks and stomach - I’d gladly have had a head to toe zapping but I settled on the backs of my thighs as this is the area I notice most. SmoothShapes recommend eight treatments for real results (spread over four weeks). There’s no down time required between treatments either, which means if you want to you can have them one day after the other.  

DestinationSkin are a chain of 11 clinics nationwide, of which seven of their clinics offer the treatment and their Manchester clinic is located on the second floor of House Of Fraser down a sparkly black corridor that I never even knew existed. The girls there are friendly and polite but professional and really make you feel at ease whilst exposing the old satsuma skin. They’re also very informed about the treatment and exactly how it works which always puts me at ease when I’m having any sort of bodywork done.  As well as SmoothShapes they offer a wide range of treatments from botox and fillers, stretch mark reduction and various body and skin improvement packages. 

Assistant manager Louise gave me a consultation prior to the treatment to discuss any concerns and explain exactly how the lasers work and how I can maximise the results by drinking plenty of water and taking a little more exercise. 

My first treatment was done by Rowena and I was pleasantly surprised by how painless it was. Rowena moved a suction pipe along the backs of my legs working upwards. It really does just feel like a sports massage. The skin gets a bit warm by the end of it, but not sore and it feels like your muscles are being kneaded during the process. It’s easy to identify the problem areas as the pull on the skin feels a bit stronger when moving over them. The whole process takes just ten minutes per leg and so it’s easy to fit into the day; you can go straight back to your business afterwards having had the perfect lunchtime treatment.

I had my second treatment the day after and this was a little more painful, probably due to the fact that my previous treatment was just 24 hours prior.  Rowena assured me however that by treatments three and four the pain would be significantly reduced and it was. 

On a couple of occasions I had very minimal bruising which can occur but the bruises weren’t sore to the touch and now half way through my treatments, the results so far have made it more than worth it. I have noticed a difference already. Usually when I cross my legs I can see and feel lumps and bumps all down the sides of my legs but this has significantly reduced.  The skin appears smoother and I’m feeling much more confident about the impending trip.  Perhaps I do need to pack those cut offs after all?

As part of a Body Confidential promotion DestinationSkin are currently offering 50 per cent off courses of SmoothShapes treatments. For more information click here.