Relaxation

Are you getting enough sun protection?

Published

12 years ago

October 29, 2013

While soaking up a little Vitamin D might have its benefits, the harsh rays of the hot sun in Maldives can pose a danger. From premature ageing to sun spots, through to the serious danger of skin-cancer, protecting your skin when you’re out and about is key. But while we all know daily SPF use is sensible, what do we really know about sun protection?

Protect Yourself
When you’re choosing a sunscreen, read the labels carefully and be sure to find a product which promises broad spectrum protection. While we’re well trained to seek out a protectant with a high SPF, many of us fail to realise that rating applies only to UVB protection, while a broad specrtum sunscreen will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA penetrates into the lower dermis of the skin, causes most of the ageing affects seen from sun damage and is a consistent threat throughout the year, while UVB levels differ between summer and winter months, so protecting your skin from both is imperative. Always apply sun cream 30 minutes prior to exposure to ensure absorption, and remember to reapply regularly, as swimming or outdoor exercise will reduce the effectiveness of your protection.
In addition to your product regime, antioxidants play a significant role in the protection and repair of the skin, helping to reverse some of the damage caused by sunlight, including discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles. Unlike sunscreens and SPF moisturisers, antioxidants protect the skin from the inside, guarding your cells from external aggressors including the sun. Natural antioxidants, which carry the added benefit of slowing down the skin ageing process, can be found in raspberries, blueberries, red kidney beans, soy and green tea, so go gourmet and protect yourself from the inside out.

Feed Your Skin
Vitamins A, C and E are also crucial in boosting the natural self protection of the skin and can be found in foods such as sweet potato, dark leafy greens, paprika, almonds and oranges. Combining these enriched foods with a good SPF sunscreen takes you one step closer to helping your skin rejuvenate, protecting against carcinogens and long term damage.

Care and Repair
Caring for your skin after sun exposure is as important as protecting it beforehand, not least as overexposure causes water to evaporate from the skin, leaving it dry and dehydrated. With the use of emollients, you can boost your skin’s ability to retain its natural moisture, replacing lost fluids to ensure the complexion regains a soft and supple appearance. A few simple steps can go a long way to preventing long lasting skin damage, so take care to consume more water and to moisturise after sun exposure. Use a deeply nourishing and hydrating product to quench your skin after you’ve been out in our harsh climate to help target dryness and its ageing effects.

Calm The Burn
When skin burns, the fine layers at the top of the dermis are damaged, causing discomfort. Aloe vera gels are great for cooling and soothing hot patches – for an even better effect, refrigerate before application – while raw, organic plant-based oils, such as rosehip, coconut and argan, contain nourishing vitamins, minerals and nutrients to help relieve the feeling of dry tight skin. Apply just before you go to sleep so they can penetrate the skin and nourish it overnight.

Most of the resorts in Maldives are equipped with world-class spas. They provide tailored sun care and tanning programmes for guests.

This unique service which will identify each guest’s individual skin sun potential and advise them on the best skin care to maximise their full tanning potential. These programmes which allow all skin types to get the benefits of the sun safely. They also allow users to get the desired results under any kind of sunlight intensity.

Featured

W Maldives to host ‘The Joy Rituals’ wellness programme in September 2025

Published

3 days ago

August 29, 2025

m@ldives

W Maldives will introduce The Joy Rituals, a two-week wellbeing programme in collaboration with Happy Hormones Yoga founders Rajendra Kumar and Katrin Berger. Scheduled from 15 to 27 September 2025, the initiative will feature yoga, meditation, laughter, and sound healing sessions designed to encourage guests to reconnect with their inner energy while experiencing the natural surroundings of the Maldives.

The programme includes sunrise and sunset yoga, breathwork and meditation, laughter yoga, immersive sound healing, and lectures on health and happiness. Aqua Yoga in the lagoon and evening meditations under the stars will provide distinctive experiences. The schedule coincides with World Wellness Weekend, held from 19 to 21 September 2025, aligning the resort’s programme with global wellbeing initiatives.

Rajendra Kumar, a two-time world record holder and gold medallist in yoga, is recognised for his focus on laughter and presence in practice. His record for continuous laughter lasting three hours and 47 minutes reflects his approach to joy as a form of self-discovery. Katrin Berger, a certified yoga teacher, sound healer, and molecular biologist, integrates science and spiritual practice in her sessions, combining sound healing with yoga to encourage balance and connection.

Commenting on the collaboration, Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives, said, “At W Maldives, we are constantly looking for bold and inspiring ways to elevate the guest experience. The Joy Rituals with Happy Hormones Yoga brings a fresh dimension to wellness, blending the playful spirit of W with transformative practices. It is a chance for our guests to find balance, energy, and joy in one of the world’s most breathtaking settings.”

Rajendra Kumar added, “Yoga is not only about physical postures, it is about living fully, freely, and with a smile. Through The Joy Rituals, we want to remind people that laughter and joy are powerful tools for healing and awakening. Bringing this philosophy to W Maldives feels like the perfect match of spirit and setting.”

Katrin Berger also shared, “Our work is about creating harmony in both body and mind. With sound healing and yoga, guests can release tension, restore balance, and feel more present in their lives. At W Maldives, surrounded by nature and beauty, this experience becomes even more profound. We are thrilled to share The Joy Rituals with guests from around the world.”

Guests may book the Stay, Dine, and Fly package, which includes daily breakfast, a three-course dinner, and roundtrip seaplane transfers. The programme offers visitors an opportunity to engage in two weeks of movement, laughter, and wellness in a Maldivian island setting.yog

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Elevated wellbeing: seasonal healing journeys at Amilla Maldives

Published

4 weeks ago

August 5, 2025

m@ldives

Amilla Maldives has announced the arrival of two esteemed Visiting Practitioners—Shyam from the Himalayas and Kattia Mendoza from Ecuador—who will offer distinctive wellness experiences across consecutive seasons in 2025.

From 8 August to 20 September, Shyam will share his profound lineage of Ayurvedic healing from Nepal, seamlessly integrating ancient Eastern practices with contemporary therapies. His holistic approach encompasses Ayurveda, yoga, sound healing, massage therapy, acupuncture, and energy work, all aimed at cultivating balance, clarity, and inner serenity. Guests may experience tailored treatments such as Massage Alchemy—a bespoke therapeutic blend—Ayurvedic Rebalancing with Sound Healing, Cupping Therapy Massage, Reiki Healing, and Himalayan Sound Healing. Complimentary mindful movement sessions, including Classical Hatha Yoga, meditation, and Aerial Yoga, will further support overall wellbeing. Shyam will also lead bespoke retreats focused on Detox and Rejuvenation, Stress Management, or Longevity, beginning with a personalised Ayurvedic wellness consultation.

Following Shyam’s residency, from 20 September to 7 December, Kattia Mendoza will offer restorative sessions rooted in somatic movement, osteo-Thai therapy, breath coaching, and conscious communication. With over a decade of international experience, her one-to-one sessions will include Osteo-Thai Therapy—a distinctive fusion of Thai massage, osteopathy, and acupressure—and The Nervous System Reset, a breath-led session incorporating acupressure and humming. She will also guide individual somatic movement practices such as Back in Shape and Hips Opening, in addition to Somatic Breath Meditation and Unmasking coaching to support emotional release. Group experiences and complimentary taster sessions will further encourage connection and self-awareness.

These residencies reflect Amilla Maldives’ continued dedication to providing meaningful, restorative wellness journeys designed to promote long-term wellbeing.

Featured

Ada Ooi brings integrative wellness to The Island Spa at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa

Published

4 weeks ago

August 3, 2025

m@ldives

This summer, The Island Spa at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is set to welcome globally acclaimed integrative medicine practitioner Ada Ooi for a limited-time residency. From 9 to 20 August 2025, guests will have the rare opportunity to restore their nervous system, address underlying health concerns, and achieve radiant skin from within.

Ada Ooi, founder of the award-winning Harley Street clinic 001 London, will be bringing a bespoke menu of diagnostic-led treatments to the Maldives. Her integrative approach fuses Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), neuropsychology, and holistic skincare, offering transformative results for those seeking genuine and lasting wellbeing. The residency also marks a significant step forward in The Island Spa’s evolution as a hub for deeply personalised and results-focused wellness experiences.

Renowned for her diagnostic precision, Ada works to uncover and address the root causes of various conditions, including male and female fertility issues, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, skin concerns, digestive troubles, and emotional stress. Her method blends acupuncture, herbal pharmacology, tuina massage, and dietary therapy with contemporary neurobiological insights.

Set against the shimmering blues of the Indian Ocean, guests at Kuda Huraa will also have access to Ada’s signature MicroSculpt facial – a technique hailed by Harper’s Bazaar as part of the “Red Carpet League” of skincare. Trusted by celebrities and global wellness leaders alike, Ada’s revolutionary techniques offer a holistic approach to beauty and health.

“The modern traveller no longer seeks surface-level wellness,” says Didier Jardin, General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa. “They want science, soul and substance. Ada delivers all three. Her residency underscores our commitment to establishing The Island Spa as a sanctuary for true transformation.”

Treatment highlights include:

TCM Discovery (15 minutes, complimentary) – An introductory session to Traditional Chinese Medicine, perfect for first-timers.
INTEGRATV Health Consultation (30 minutes, USD 250) – A comprehensive diagnostic session resulting in a personalised roadmap encompassing nutrition, movement, mental health and more.
Express Acu-Facial Sculpt (30 minutes, USD 260) – A rapid lift and glow using scalp acupuncture and MicroSculpt techniques; ideal before an evening event or flight.
Bespoke INTEGRATV Health Recalibration (60/90 minutes, USD 380/480) – A customised session combining acupuncture, meridian massage, gua sha, cupping and infrared therapy to address physical and emotional imbalances.
Bespoke INTEGRATV Facial Resculpt & Nervous System Reset (60 minutes, USD 380) – A full-spectrum facial incorporating contouring, cranial acupressure, vagus nerve stimulation and LED infusion to lift facial contours and calm the nervous system.

Each treatment is informed by in-depth diagnostics and guided by Ada’s core philosophy: that true transformation occurs when mind, body, and skin are treated as an integrated whole. Nestled within the tranquil surroundings of The Island Spa, guests are invited to embark on a healing journey with lasting, resonant benefits.