What They Say
“Imagine a treatment that doesn’t just refresh your skin but re-awakens it. Inspired by the principles of traditional Chinese Medicine, ‘Bo Jin’ (myofascial release) uses a special tool to glide along the meridian pathways, acupressure points and lymphatics – melting tension, reigniting circulation and revitalising your complexion from within. More than skincare – this is a ritual of harmony where radiant skin and renewed energy meet, unveiling your most luminous self.”
The Consultation
Situated in The Sofitel, London St James, a former bank, the treatment rooms are positioned in the thick-walled basement vaults, making for a cool and quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. From the moment Su-Man welcomes me into the softly lit room, I felt at ease. She’s clearly very knowledgeable, and her skin… a walking billboard for her services.
After six months of breastfeeding and many sleepless nights, my skin feels ‘crepey’ and dehydrated. The fact that my once religious skincare routine has fallen by the wayside doesn’t go unnoticed – she firmly reminds me that a rock-solid cleansing ritual is the bedrock of skin health.
There are no flowery descriptions here; Su-Man is a straight talker – a rare trait in this profession. Because the rhetoric surrounding the beauty sector has gotten rather out of hand, hasn’t it? There’s always an unpronounceable process, a new synthetic ingredient nobody’s heard of and a slew of mind-boggling pseudoscience to accompany it. If, like me, you’ve had enough, then Su-Man might be the practitioner you’re searching for. And she doesn’t try to sell me anything… double win!
The Process
Su-Man combines in-depth technical skill with an almost meditative presence. She gets to work with her signature china instrument and her own products. Her method combines Myofascial release and traditional pressure point massage, producing an effect that feels both gentle and thorough. As her fingers work their magic with the bone-shaped device, it’s as if she’s coaxing the tiny muscles in my cheeks to let go of years of bottled-up stress.
Her techniques, firmly rooted in her Taiwanese heritage, Su-Man is not into injectables. She reminds me that Botox or ‘botulism’ is a disease and not a cure. She doesn’t believe in quick fixes. But assures me that a little every day goes a long way, and we’re not talking ‘filler’, we’re talking rhythmic facial massage. When you wake up, when you go to bed, when you’re watching TV – rhythmic facial massage. As the natural oils seep into my skin, so too does her message.
The Results
I don’t think I’ve ever left a treatment looking and feeling so refreshed. I’ve regained motion in my brow, my jaw… I’ve discovered muscles in my ear that I didn’t know existed! I can smile wider than before… and so I do, all the way home on the tube.
And more than just a sixty-minute treatment, my visit with Su-Man has kick-started something long-term in me. Over the weeks that follow, I find myself obsessed with massaging and releasing tension in my forehead, my eyes, my nose and my neck. Only time will tell, but for now, at least, I’m a convert to this ancient, non-invasive Chinese Bo-Jin method.
The Details
The Myofascial Release Bo-Jin Facial lasts for 60 minutes and costs £270 at Sofitel, St James
6 Waterloo Pl, London SW1Y 4AN
