In part two of our health and travel report, we spoke to some leading experts leading new longevity-focused health and wellness spaces in and around London. You can read part one here.
London is becoming a hub for new wellbeing spaces offering more than just facials and massages: The Global Wellness Institute revealed that wellness travel is growing 30.2% annually from 2020 to 2022, and predicts that wellness tourism will grow to 8.3% of all travel by 2027.
Longevity Health & Wellness Hotel.
(Credit: Shawn Fisher Photography 2019)
One area of current interest in London is longevity, which overlaps with trends further afield. For example, the Longevity Health & Wellness Hotel in the Algarve, Portugal, is ahead of the curve, with a focus on longevity and tailored programs, experts, cuisine and state-of-the-art facilities that cater to each guest’s overall health and wellbeing, helping them live longer.
The Rose Bar at Six Senses Ibiza.
(Credit: Rosebar)
Meanwhile, Six Senses Ibiza is a pioneering wellness destination featuring Rose Bar, a unique longevity club that blends the power of science and spiritual wellness to extend human health and longevity. “Rose Bar programming provides guests with the insights, tools and plans to enhance the body’s natural repair systems and rebalance their biological pathways,” Six Senses said. “The Rose Bar leadership team has extensive experience, blending expertise in longevity and functional medicine with years of spiritual wisdom. Under the direction of Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mark Hyman, they represent a progressive force at the forefront of this new science.”
Surrenne is one of London’s newest wellness-focused spaces.
(Credit: L. Sarenne)
Meanwhile, Knightsbridge is home to Surenne, a “next-generation” health and longevity members-only club that has just opened at Emory, an all-suite hotel overlooking Hyde Park. Owned by Mayborn, whose other prestigious hotels include Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley, Surenne bills itself as “high-tech meets modern ritual” across four floors of luxury. Designed by award-winning visionary Rémi Tessier, it will offer nearly 2,000 square metres of health and wellbeing space and a state-of-the-art gym. The brand will partner with top wellbeing experts, including tech pioneers Virtusan and the UK’s first Tracy Anderson Studio.
Inside Dr MediSpa Clinic.
(Credit: Dr Medispa)
Meanwhile, Doctor Medispa Clinic, founded by husband and wife team Dr Munir Somji and Dr Henal Somji, has clinics in Marylebone, Knightsbridge and Loughton, offering innovative beauty and wellness solutions.
Dr. Muneer has over 10 years of experience developing and performing advanced surgical, non-surgical and soft surgery techniques and has seen a renewed interest in regenerative medicine. “Regenerative medicine is a hot topic in the medical community right now – it’s a way to literally regenerate cells, restore function lost to aging or injury and reverse the signs of aging,” he says. Treatments such as PRP and stem cell therapy are part of a new generation of treatments that help the body heal itself.
She adds: “The wellness industry has evolved rapidly over the past few years. Firstly, the aesthetic industry is now much more accepted and accessible, and the way patients are treated has also evolved.”
Dr. Munir Somji.
(Credit: Dr MediSpa)
In addition to his own proactive skincare product line, Dr Somji Skincare, Dr Muneer also offers the latest advanced cosmetic treatments such as the RMS Softwave Face Lift, a needle-free, non-invasive treatment that reverses the effects of ageing. “Personally, I don’t just do skin or body treatments,” he says. “For example, a patient may want a treatment to reduce fat, but the first discussion I have is about lifestyle. If your lifestyle doesn’t change, there’s no point in fixing anything – the fat will come back.”
Dr. Medispa says it’s about overall health.
(Credit: Dr Medispa)
“But for that matter, attitudes towards fat are also changing,” he continues. “Fat is an important part of the body and removing it without proper consideration can affect hormones and lead to other issues. An informed, science-led approach is key when it comes to cosmetic treatments. We want to help patients achieve their goals, but we also advise them on lifestyle changes to help us do so.”
Meanwhile, Dr Prima Vig, owner and medical director of the renowned Dr Prima London Clinic in London’s Park Lane, revealed more about how London has changed since the Covid-19 outbreak.
“There’s now a massive increase in awareness and understanding of the importance of mental health and wellbeing in general. London is seeing a resurgence of new clinics and spa spaces, and people are seriously looking to London for the best in regenerative medicine, biohacking, wellness solutions and beauty treatments that integrate some of these principles,” she says.
Dr. Prima says there is no one size fits all when it comes to health.
(Credit: Dr. Prima)
Renowned in the industry for his non-surgical cosmetic treatments, including Profilo, LED light therapy and custom facials tailored to individual skin concerns, Dr. Prima has transformed his usual clinical environment into something more inviting and boutique.
“My clients are primarily female and range in age from their 30s to their 60s. In addition to the range of treatments offered at the clinic, I also have a significant proportion of male patients who come in attracted to the very natural results of injectables. This includes a range of energy-based devices such as Emsculpt, which tightens core muscles, complementing and often providing additional health benefits.”
Dr Prema shows off her gorgeous look at her London clinic.
(Credit: Dr. Prima)
She continues, “Aesthetics is no longer just about cosmetic treatments; the focus is primarily on health and wellness. Patients and clients are drawn to treatments and protocols that improve their quality of life through improved functionality. Combined treatments that combine beauty and wellness have grown in the last few years. We have experimented with various energy-based techniques and injectables that fall under the regenerative medicine umbrella.”
Whether it’s muscle stimulation or non-surgical treatments utilizing stem cell technology, many of these new generation treatments will ultimately aid in the pursuit of longevity. “Natural results and holistic treatments that fall under the category of regenerative medicine are a big trend,” says Dr. Prima. “Profilo, for example, has been a pioneer in this field and continues to be one of the most requested treatments in the clinic.”
Profhilo, an innovative “under the skin” hyaluronic acid moisturizing and tissue regeneration treatment, works directly on sagging skin, combining bio-remodeling and tightening effects. As one of the purest and most concentrated hyaluronic acids on the market, Profhilo not only strengthens and hydrates the skin, but also remodels aging, sagging tissue.
The focus is on longevity and health, Dr. Prima says.
(Credit: DR Preema)
“Also trending right now are polynucleotides,” says Dr. Prima. “They represent a breakthrough in skin rejuvenation and are an exciting approach in regenerative aesthetic medicine based on DNA and RNA. PhilArt’s injectable polynucleotide biostimulator is made from purified DNA fragments and promotes collagen and elastin production. Injectable polynucleotides have attracted a lot of attention because of their ability to effect changes in the skin at a cellular level. This is exciting for practitioners because polynucleotides have the ability to improve skin quality over time without the need for a procedure.”
With clients coming to her London clinic from as far away as California and Kuwait, Dr. Prima believes they come for trust and results. “The wellness field is rapidly changing and constantly evolving, with new breakthroughs happening all the time,” she comments. “My clients trust me because I listen to them. I want to understand how they feel before I evaluate and assess what they want and why. What they want and what they really need may be different. Rather than dramatically changing their appearance, my goal is to maximize their personal perfection and make them feel better, not just look better. For travelers, London is the place to come right now to find that.”
