HEALTH, BEAUTY + WELLNESS

COVER STORY

The aim at Cryoplus, NSW, is to achieve optimisation through science, to maximise the body’s ability to heal and recover. Offering pain relief, fat loss, anti-ageing and general health & wellbeing, the innovative and unique treatments available are designed to help supercharge the body.

Directors, Suzanne & Tony Chiha opened the first franchise of Cryoplus in Umina Beach, NSW, 3 years after the first clinic opened in Erina Heights. Motivated by their own personal experience with the powerful pain-relieving effects of Cryotherapy, combined with a passionate interest in holistic health treatment modalities and beauty/ wellness, the Umina Beach location was built.

Cryoplus sourced the best scientifically-proven technologies, so they can offer specialised custom treatments to a wide range of clients, all with the same goal of optimising the bodies natural ability to Relax, Recover & Rejuvenate. Catering for clients ranging from athletes wanting to maximise performance to someone seeking natural pain management, to those wanting to help shape their summer body, increase health and wellbeing or just recharge and unplug, Cryoplus specialise in ensuring each client receives the best possible treatment, or combination of treatments, in a welcoming, state of the art facility.

The clinics have been custom designed and built for each therapy from the ground up using industry-leading Cryotherapy equipment from Cryo Science, DreamPods (Float pods), Normatec Recovery Compression, Celluma LED light therapy and top of the line Infrared Sauna from Sunstream Saunas.

Shauna Sharples (r) with therapist Melissa Boardman

Recently we spoke to Shauna Sharples, Beauty Therapist at Cryoplus Umina, to find out more about these innovative and scientific services.

Can you tell us a little about how Cryoplus came about?

The founder and creator, Renaldo Robberste has a degree in Sports Science and recovery and a passion for natural therapies. His centre at Erina Heights was established in 2018. Suzanne and Tony Chiha sought pain relief treatments for a debilitating back injury, at the Erina Heights Centre. The healing response proved to be so profound that they opened the first cryoplus franchise of their own in Umina Beach in February 2021.

Why the specialisation in Cryotherapy and why do you believe it to be an optimum health service?

Cryotherapy uniquely triggers a natural healing reaction in the body, via the cold shock response. The natural chemicals that are released, combined with the suppression of inflammation and pain signaling, create a powerful change throughout the body in just 3 minutes. The cascade of natural events created by this cold shock response in the body can address anything from beauty/ageing concerns, to all over general pain relief. Not to mention the improvement of athletic performance, athletic recovery, injury recovery, weight loss and immune system strengthening and mental health. There are literally hundreds of natural benefits that can be optimized with regular sessions taken weekly.

Can you tell us about the individual services you offer?

Full Body Cryotherapy treatment is our leading service, creating the most curiosity and “buzz.” In addition, we have Magnesium Float Pod therapy, Far Infrared Sauna, Cryotherapy Spot Treatment, and a very unique Beauty Services menu offering “Frotox” cold therapy facials,combined with Celluma LED light therapy. Each of these modalities work through different cellular pathways to reduce inflammation throughout the body. We are also the first clinic in Australia to offer WAVE Body Contouring/Slimming/Facial sessions. This machine uses a combination of cold and hot therapy, plus vibration to shape and contour the face/ body, eliminating excess body fat via the lymphatic system. We are achieving impressive results with our WAVE contouring facials, which are non-invasive and work with the bodies natural response system. We can strengthen the structural integrity of the chin and lower face, jowel and eye area, creating a smoother, tighter and lifted appearance. All of this, without ablating or creating a wound healing response within the skin, with the exception of the adipocyte cells!

Can you tell us a little about your clientele?

The clientele are incredibly diverse. In a single day, we can treat a young horse jockey with hip concerns, to our local Club league athletes and massage therapists that need immediate pain relief support to do their job. There are many physical injuries like broken legs and ankles that need post-surgery healing support, new mothers recovering from childbirth, and others that are just after the mental clarity and anxiety reducing benefits our treatments offer. Some come to lower their toxic load and stress levels in the Sauna, and others come to enhance their creative thinking pathways in the Float Pod. Most surprisingly, and what brings me so much pleasure, is the growing number of clients with skin/ageing concerns. These clients range from 17-80 yrs old and are unique, in that they want holistic, cellular directed skin treatments, without the flare or time investment. They are well researched and come with the intention to strengthen and support their skin utilizing non-invasive methods. We can accomplish so much on a cellular level in just a 45 minute session, making it richly rewarding for everyone!

Being so specialised, has this come with any challenges and if so, how have you overcome them?

I feel the main challenge we face is communicating the scientific explanation of our treatments in a way that is fun and easy to understand. To remedy this, we try to use analogies and visual imagery to communicate in a story like fashion. We are constantly educating ourselves to stay strong in our own understanding, so that we can stay creative in our scientific explanations. The second challenge we can face is attempting to describe how a treatment might feel for a first time client. This can vary so dramatically, that we have learned to speak from our own authentic experiences! This can be a very powerful tool when managing expectations and outcomes. The solution is, of course, to experience all of our treatments first-hand, and share our own stories with our clients. Nothing is more powerful than speaking from a place of truth. All the therapists at Cryoplus are encourages and championed to look after ourselves and our loved ones, along with our amazing clients. This alone has been the catalyst to very quickly creating a warm and supportive wellness community vibe in our clinic.

How are you coping with lockdown and still engaging with clients?

We have been lucky to be able to remain open to provide pain relieving sessions with Full Body Cryotherapy. We have made adjustments to our hours of operation and procedures to stay within Covid guidelines, and it has proven to be the right decision. Our clients are grateful to have access to the many health benefits Cryotherapy has to offer, especially now, as they are experiencing more than average amounts of concern for their health and wellbeing. It is also our normal practice to call and check in on clients post treatment. That has been a wonderful way to offer support and stay connected.

What made you choose to partner with PROLOGIC when it comes to a skin care range?

My connection to PROLOGIC began 11 years ago, when I graduated my first ASA Course with Florence Barret-Hill. The most powerful piece of knowledge I gained was the importance of correcting Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency first and foremost. Florence highly recommended PROLOGIC as a tool to make these corrections in the skin. Omega 3 oil’s ability to put the fire out in the skin and quench the inflammatory cascade was what I was after in a product to bring into our clinic. It’s perfectly synergistic with the way we view and treat inflammation first and foremost, with all of our modalities.

How does PROLOGIC work well with the services you offer?

Our facial treatments are machine based, with Celluma LED, Frotox Cryo Facials, or our WAVE hot and cold treatments. I was after a product that could basically do it all, and help our clients respond quickly and positively to all of our treatments. We know that when you repair the Bilayer of the Stratum Corneum first and foremost, with the addition of correcting EFAD...the positive response to treatment increases dramatically. We can have it all with PROLOGIC, along with a pure, naturally derived, ethical and responsible brand to partner with. The straightforward, scientifically supported products are simple to recommend for homecare, as they mirror the facial treatment goals, which are to reduce inflammation, promote cellular calm, and strengthen the structure and function of the skin.

CryoPlus Umina Beach is situated at 6/204 West Street, Umina Beach NSW 2257 www.cryoplus.com.au

For more information on PROLOGIC Please go to www.prologicskincare.com.au