I’m not necessarily enthused to cite boy band Busted but, I even have been to the 12 months 3000 and it’s somewhat surprisingly buried underneath The Ritz. This just isn’t a spot you’d merely stumble across on a midweek jaunt across town. Discreetly hidden down a spiral staircase is a high-tech wellness lab where a treasure trove of futuristic treatments and machinery awaits. 

Bellecell is a regenerative biohacking clinic which is the place to go for alternative treatments that give attention to prevention somewhat than intervention. We’re all accustomed to the countless beauty hacks that frequent the Web, but biohacking entails doing various tweaks to your mind or body for optimised function and performance. It’s the proverbial crossroads of technology, wellness and science. Quite frankly, I’ll try anything that goals to reverse my social smoking and occasional organic wine binge-drinking sessions. I’m no Gwyneth Paltrow but we’ve all got limits.

As I descend into what was reportedly (and maybe mockingly) Winston Churchill’s wine cellar, I’m greeted by a lab coat-wearing team. Despite their attire, the atmosphere is anything but clinical. I used to be fearful I’d be met by intimidating wellness warriors that may ooze an air of arrogance and judgement of my gluten-indulgent self, but they were warm and knowledgeable.

Don’t expect an off-the-shelf treatment here, the essence of Bellecell is that each treatment and programme is very personalised. Slightly than a consultation, you’ve gotten an in depth bio-analysis to get to the crux of who you’re in additional characters than a Bumble bio could ever manage. Typically, the 1st step is to discover any stressors that cause inflammation which is touted because the primary explanation for skin ageing and in addition distracts the body from specializing in more helpful tasks. It’s a down and dirty exploration with all manner of genetic testing, stool evaluation, blood work and food sensitivity tests – the more they know, the more bespoke the plan. It could possibly be something obvious equivalent to sugar or more vague such a nightshade like tomatoes or aubergines. With results taking a few weeks to return through, I needed to skip this however the resident doctors and nutritionists often prescribe bespoke supplements based on this testing.

Kasia Zajkowska is the mastermind scientist and Cambridge alumni behind Bellecell. With expertise in molecular biotechnology, not beauty, she believes that by specializing in the smallest bodily molecules, the cells, you’re working on the constructing blocks of your entire body. Call me vain, but I need to know what that translates to by way of looking higher. Kasia explains that “having detailed details about how our skin reacts allows for a hyper-personalised treatment and in addition post-procedure aftercare.” It’s the last word way of proving that each one skins behave in another way. Her aim isn’t to offer a short lived beauty quick-fix equivalent to botox and fillers, but to create an actionable approach that adheres to your each day life and genetic predisposition – there are athletes, fitness enthusiasts and global travellers amongst their clientele.

Naively not knowing what I’d been booked in for, I’m taken right into a room to satisfy the performance lab coordinator to do a 3D body scan which I can apparently also get produced right into a mini, but to scale, plastic model of myself. I politely decline. Entering into the rotating device, a plethora of micro-measurements are taken and I begin an internal monologue of excuses to say if my results are “off”. Measuring fat, water content and muscle percentage alongside individual body parts equivalent to calf and bicep circumferences in mere seconds. I could consider more self-esteem boosting starts to the day however the findings weren’t too shattering.

The primary of the space-like machinery I’m introduced to is the Infrashape pod. The horizontal exercise bike combines infrared light, vacuum technology and collagen lamps to assist the body absorb more collagen and improve the lymphatic system by increasing circulation and bringing blood closer to the skin’s surface. Performance Lab Coordinator, Oliver, explains that this mix has each health and aesthetic advantages because it “improves the looks of cellulite by reducing water retention and aids the immune system by boosting lymph flow.” Lying down on the MRI-esque machine, my body is cut in half because the perspex vessel covers me from the waist down like some type of avant-garde centaur. Not only is it much calmer than a spin class, I burned near 1400 calories which is double the quantity I’d expect from a category and without an aggressive trainer shouting over the music. I embrace a smug laziness from the remarkably low-impact 30-minute workout.

“These futuristic, verging on medical treatments are on the rise as we develop into obsessive about results-driven practices somewhat than simply simply lying down, as facial oils are limply massaged with wave music within the background.  There’s something very satisfying knowing that every decision made is predicated on your individual data somewhat than simply someone’s opinion or worse, limited training”

Next up was the hyperbaric oxygen chamber. When you’re claustrophobic, it might not be your cup of tea, as you lie down in a cross between a coffin and a tent, but it surely was undoubtedly my highlight. My ears began popping as I settled into the cosy, pressurised tube whilst 100 per cent oxygen is pumped in. It’s a therapy that originated way back within the seventeenth century for respiratory issues and has the one evolution has been the vessel by which the topic sits in. Truthfully, I just appreciated the lie-down and blissfully fell asleep all of the while respiration in the additional boost of pure oxygen that increases cell rejuvenation and boosts energy levels. Although seemingly latest to consumers, these technologies have been tried and tested for many years, often starting out at NASA where astronauts are oxygen restricted, before moving into sports science to speed up healing and recovery amongst elite athletes. If it’s ok for them, it’s ok for me.

Getting barely nervous on the considered having to re-emerge back onto surface-level London, my session ended with a zero-gravity massage. On a 30 minute setting, I used to be tempted to grab the distant to increase its duration, as by this point I used to be suitably acclimatised to the subterranean utopia. Essentially a massage chair on steroids, it compresses and moulds to the curvature of the body and intuitively searches for tension and tight muscles before pummelling any knots into oblivion. 

If I stayed so long as I’d desired to, I’d have been politely asked to depart. As I floated back up the steps and my eyes readjusted to natural light, I felt an unparalleled sense of calm, preceded to have the perfect night’s sleep I’ve had in months and despite not having any facial treatments, my skin looks noticeably brighter which I believe is from the oxygen-induced nap that boosted my circulation. Like the rest, a course of treatments would offer long-term advantages but even after my three-hour stint, I’m impressed. 

Slightly than the wellness fascists I expected, Bellecell is pioneering the revolution based on hard, scientific facts in probably the most welcoming way. These futuristic, verging on medical treatments are on the rise as we develop into obsessive about results-driven practices somewhat than simply simply lying down, as facial oils are limply massaged with wave music within the background.  There’s something very satisfying knowing that every decision made is predicated on your individual data somewhat than simply someone’s opinion or worse, limited training. Because the saying goes, health is wealth and although you’d need deep pockets to make regular trips (prices start at £2490 for the Peak Performance programme), the depth of detailed information provided could, actually, lead to higher economical decisions by making the proper lifestyle and dietary decisions based on calculations for your individual unique biological makeup. I’m already itching to move back and develop into a bionic version of myself.