The Sanctuary spa in London's Covent Garden offers an array of treatments to smooth and soften the skin from top to toe. Ronita Dutta gives their Hot Sugar Body Polish and Body Soother treatment a whirl to see if it really reaps rewards...

The treatment: Hot Sugar Body Polish and Body Soother
Duration: 55 minutes
Price: £49

Stage 1 My skin needed to be wet for this treatment so, after stripping down to my disposable undies, I was asked to lie down on my front while my therapist showered me down with warm water. Not a terribly dignifying experience, but needs must and all that.

Stage 2 A handful of the self-heating sugar polish was then applied to my legs and rubbed around using a firm but gentle circular motion. The initial sensation of the polish takes a little getting used to as it heats up on contact with the skin, but after a few seconds if feels quite pleasant. The heating element reminded me of one of those sauna face masks and gave me the impression that the process was drawing impurities out of the skin as well as removing dead skin on the surface of my body through exfoliation.

Stage 3 After applying the polish to my entire body in this way, I was showered down once again and covered in towels to prevent me from getting too cold.

Stage 4 While my skin was still damp, Eastern Massage and Body Oil (£6.95 for 200ml) was applied to my limbs, feet and torso using long sweeping strokes. Special attention was paid to my feet, too, which was absolutely divine. The treatment was rounded off with a relaxing scalp massage during which I nearly fell asleep. I was advised to let the oil soak into the skin for about half an hour before showering again.

Could the treatment be improved in anyway?
I did end up with a mild case of pins and needles in my arms for a short while afterwards as a result of leaning my head on my arms during the back massage. So perhaps the Sanctuary could come up with more comfortable head rests for these hour-long treatments.

Results Not only did the treatment feel like a complete treat for my whole body, but there was a marked difference in my skin's appearance afterwards which seemed to last for quite a few days.

Verdict This is the perfect treatment to buff up skin that's been swaddled in fabric since the winter. It was also great that I was able to purchase the products used at an affordable price, and recreate the experience - albeit not quite as luxuriously - at home.

The Sanctuary Hot Sugar Body Polish, £9.95 and Eastern Body Oil £5.95 are both available at selected Boots stores and The Sanctuary, Floral Street, London W1. For more information and reservations call 0870 770 3350.