By Rita Ma (That's Shanghai)
Updated: 2007-08-14 10:43

You've probably never come quite so close to licking the dust as you will at Shanghai's new Jiaosu Spa.

 

Their bizarre signature therapy involves sweating in a dust bath for 15 minutes, after which your skin feels totally refreshed and smooth, and your muscles relaxed. Sure, this is no common 'dust'. It's a mixed compound of rare Taiwan cypress wood chips plus enzymes, live bacteria and rice husks called kouso (from Japan). When cypress and kouso combine, they produce heat-the Spa regulates the temperature at around 60 degrees Celsius so that the ingredients warm the body from inside, accelerating blood circulation, improving metabolism and expelling toxins. Taiwan cypress wood is said to aid skin deficiencies, ease the mind, counter fatigue and kill harmful bacteria. Kouso strengthens the body's immune system and is said to relieve symptoms of more than 90 different diseases.

 

Despite the high temperature, dust bathing produces no steam and allows the skin to breathe making it quite safe for those with high blood pressure. The treatment costs RMB 298 per session, RMB 550 for three sessions, RMB 2,500 for 10 sessions and RMB 3,180 for 12 sessions, which includes 'free' gifts such as facial masks.

 

Jiaosu Spa
Location: Xinyuan Hotel, 1900 Hongqiao Lu, by Hongxu Lu

Tel: 021-6242 6688