WITH THE intense heat of an Algarvean summer fast approaching, the health and condition of our skin becomes more prevalent in our minds. Senses Skin Care Centre is the first of its kind in Lagos, focusing on advanced skin care, as well as offering an extensive range of salon treatments.
Senior therapist, Suzie Bell, and partner, Tim Melbourne, arrived in Lagos in January of this year and have been working towards the opening of their centre ever since. Suzie was trained at East Midlands College in Derby, UK, and, after gaining experience in small salons and working for Champney’s Spa Resort, decided to bring her skills to the Algarve, to create a specialist centre catering to the health and wellbeing of our skin.
The centre is the first ever Dermalogica stockist in Portugal. As one of the leading skin care companies in the world, Dermalogica only supply to professionals, ensuring that you will always receive a professionally prescribed treatment and knowledgeable advice by a qualified skin care therapist.
Many of Dermalogica treatments include the concept of ‘face mapping’, a skin analysis treatment that divides your face into 14 different areas, providing a very accurate diagnosis of your skin concerns. The technique can detect problems before they surface, enabling your therapist to then prescribe products and suggest lifestyle changes to help improve your skin condition. Every treatment is customised to the requirements of your skin, ensuring that each session is completely individual.
The specialist will analyse what likely problems you will have with your skin from the results of a questionnaire filled in before the treatment begins. You will then receive a customised selection of cleansers, conditioners, moisturisers, masques and boosters, depending on the needs of your skin.
When asked why she chose to set up this kind of business, Suzie spoke of her experience working in ‘profit driven’ spas, where customer interaction can be very impersonal. “It’s a tough environment, where you have to constantly get your customers in and out in half-hour slots. There is very little time to really analyse the problems of the customer and to prescribe them properly,” she said.
Alongside their wide range of Dermalogica treatments and products, Senses Skin Care Centre is offering the PhD waxing system, manicures, pedicures, eye treatments and massage. Suzie’s vision for Senses is to combine the quality of health farm treatments and products, with the friendly and relaxed atmosphere associated with a smaller salon.
• Senses Skin Care Centre’s official opening day is on Friday, June 16. Pop in to experience some free treatments and champagne. The centre can be found on Rua 1 de Maio, Nº 36 (pink corner building), in Lagos. Call 282 762 261 or 913 275 869, or e-mail [email protected]
Ruth Sharpe
