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

Elevated wellbeing: seasonal healing journeys at Amilla Maldives

Published

5 hours 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

2 days 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.

Featured

Wellness visionaries unite for SOUL Festival 2025 at Soneva Fushi

Published

6 days ago

July 30, 2025

m@ldives

If the terms ‘peak performance’ and ‘breathwork’ are not yet part of one’s vocabulary, they are likely to be after five days at SOUL Festival 2025. Set to take place from 9th to 13th October at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, this year’s edition marks the highly anticipated return of Jamie Wheal and Julie Webster, co-founders of the Flow Genome Project and two of the most prominent figures in the world of transformational wellness.

Following their captivating sessions at last year’s festival, the pair return with a newly curated programme of immersive experiences designed to enhance movement, mindset and emotional wellbeing. Mornings begin barefoot, awakening the body; days are enriched with science-based insights into the brain’s most powerful states; and evenings are grounded in restorative practices that leave participants centred, clear, and recharged. The Flow Genome Project’s methods, which are followed by elite athletes, creatives, CEOs and even special forces operatives, will once again be brought to life amidst the serene meeting point of jungle, ocean and refined luxury.

Throughout the festival, guests can expect movement practices that reconnect them with their bodies, workshops aimed at fostering greater ease in relationships, and breathwork sessions that promote nervous system recovery and a deep sense of calm. The experience is a journey in learning how to attune, release, and rediscover one’s natural rhythm.

Joining Jamie and Julie this year are Sanctum founders Luuk Melisse and Gabriel Olszewski, Nathalie Schyllert of Bodyism, Peigín Crowley of Ground Wellbeing, and a host of leading names in holistic health and performance, including Tim Gray, Dr Timm Golueke, Roses Gabor, Frida Redknapp, Kirsten King, Adrienne Adhami, Dong Juan, Anika Lefebvre, and Nils Behrens.

SOUL Festival is Soneva’s annual celebration of visionaries, seekers, and innovators from across the globe. This year’s programme is ambitious, the setting is extraordinary, and places are limited. Guests booking before 31st August 2025 will enjoy a 10% saving with the SOUL Festival early bird offer.

Returning home unchanged may not be an option.