Spa-goers demand real massage therapy— not just the relaxation of lying on a heated massage bed in a dimly lit treatment room — and can tell how good a therapist's bodywork is by their caring touch.
A soothing rubdown involves both the art and science of touch. Parisian beauty house Clarins has accumulated expertise on manual methods for over six decades, since its establishment in 1954.
"You need to be in capable hands, as the same motion can produce totally different effects depending on the weight and surface of the hand in contact with the skin, the speed of the movement, the number of movements, and their length and amplitude," said Tippawan Prasertadisorn, Clarins Thailand senior training manager.
A hand that strokes the skin with a weight of 20g promotes relaxation, whereas 200g puts on pressure. Light strokes are required for a surface draining action while more pressure is needed for a deeper, energy-releasing effect.
Thus, therapists must first be well-trained in the science of touch, before artistically applying massage techniques customised to each spa client.
The quintessence of Clarins techniques is showcased in the Art of Touch treatment (4,000 baht) created to celebrate the French brand's 60th anniversary. This face and body pampering is available at Clarins Skin Spas internationally, and in Thailand, at Central and Paragon department stores.
The spas were originally named Clarins Institutes, the first of which opened its doors on Paris' Rue Tronchet, where physiotherapists and aestheticians practiced exclusive massage methods created by founder Jacques Courtin-Clarins.
His professional massage techniques and a home massage appliance would later revolutionise the beauty industry.
He studied medicine but his career was halted by World War II. Instead, his knowledge in anatomy and physiology was applied to inventing manual methods for a firmer body, at a time when women began flaunting their figures through revealing swimsuits on the beach.
Opening a school for beauty therapists, he conducted training on performing the exclusive manual massage techniques.
"Without displacing, rubbing or stretching the skin, the massage method is acquired by all Clarins-trained beauty therapists," said Tippawan. "Clarins has also studied traditional techniques worldwide, in particular Oriental ones, and incorporated the very best into our massage protocols."
The Art of Touch (4,000 baht) involves a new treatment protocol along with the use of a massage butter mixed with other skincare products enriched with essential oils and plant extracts.
Clarins has long believed in the power of plants, launching its first beauty products as face and body treatment oils formulated totally from botanical extracts. Currently, it uses more than 250 plant extracts to create its home skincare and professional spa products.
The condition of the skin determines which formulas to use for the tailor-made Art of Touch, which engages techniques such as balancing, stimulating and enveloping touches.
"The first step promotes relaxation and calmness, with the therapist's hands reassuringly placed on key areas of the face and body for the balancing touch," Tippawan explained.
Inspired by rhythmical movement of Zen Shiatsu, the second step involves stimulating touch techniques that encourage energy flow through the body as the therapist applies pressure along energy lines with her palms and thumbs. The energies are then channelled to the centre of the body and harmoniously distributed to the extremities.
The 90-minute session concludes with the therapist's enveloping touches on the face and body, relieving areas of tension and enhancing well-being.
Besides the head-to-toe spa treatment, Clarins 60th anniversary will be marked by January sales of limited editions of Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil and Tonic Body Treatment Oil that represent the brand's beginning in bottling 100% pure plant extracts for natural beauty products.
Clarins Skin Spas are located at Central Chidlom, Central Lardprao, Central Bangna, Central Festival Chiang Mai and Paragon stores.
Jacques Courtin-Clarins demonstrating the application of a face treatment oil.
