Project pampering

The new year has crackled into life but all the teeth-cleaning and face-washing in the world can't rekindle your partyweary body without a good scrub-down on the inside.

Say hello to detoxing and its benefits: a clear head, glowing skin, boundless energy, a healthy liver and a few pounds less on the scales.

While you cut down on caffeine, alcohol and sugar, you may experience what's known as a 'healing crisis', where you feel a whole lot worse before you get better. Expelling toxins can mean crucifying headaches, dog breath and mood swings. To get through it, there's nothing better than letting someone else do the hard work to pummel you back to a cleansed and rejuvenated land of the living.

1. Guam Seaweed Mud Hailed as manna from heaven by women in Italy, this intense anti-cellulite treatment gets those toxins moving, boosts circulation and sloughs away dead skin. The problem area is kneaded with a lymphatic drainage massage and polished with Guam Seasalt Scrub. Cold, then warm mitts remove the scrub before Guam Seaweed Mud (right) heats and stimulates for 45 minutes. The minerals and algae tone and smooth the skin after one session. £75 at The Urban Retreat, Harrods, London, Tel: 020 7893

8333. Or mail order: 020 7237 1007.

2. Foot Spa Detox

After placing your pinkies in a bath of warm water and salt, a bioelectrical current creates an electromagnetic field. In nonscientific language, this means that within 30 minutes the water has changed colour to murky brown as toxins are released from the 2,000 pores in each foot. Recommended as an energy booster every two weeks for an effortless yet unglamorous internal clean-up. £25 at Biodetox, Janet Giddings Salon, London. Tel 020 7499 1904; or £30 Perk Up Detox, Manchester. Tel: 0845 052 0757.

3. Colon Hydrotherapy

'This is not just a wash-out,' says therapist Mary-Chase Hopkins. 'It can lead to a total re-evaluation of what you put into your body when you see what comes out.' Colonics are an invasive detoxer, pumping out the waste products your body has accumulated. Over time, these can lead to constipation, skin problems, irritable bowel syndrome and lethargy. A sophisticated series of tubes carries warm water in and out of the colon for 40 minutes through a rectal hose, after which a hit of acidophilus, a bacteria that helps improve digestion, restores gut flora. 'What many people don't realise,' says Hopkins, 'is that, ideally for the colon, a bowel movement happens after every meal. If not, you have some degree of constipation.' £75 at The Hale Clinic, Tel: 0870 167 6667. For national referrals: www.colonic-association.com

4. Wax Bath Unusual and much imitated, this treatment was pioneered at Champneys Henlow 40 years ago and still stands the test of time. Warm paraffin wax is whisked to a froth. After being thoroughly basted with it (right), the body is wrapped in cling film and covered in blankets to retain heat during a 30-minute roasting. The wax conditions the skin and draws out excess fluid and toxins. It's sweaty - a hot experience but no turkey - and this is the way to silky-soft skin. £42 at Champneys. For your nearest, Tel: 08703 300 300, www.champneys.com

5. Spa Cryotherm Mineral This mineral body mask is a two-tone treatment par excellence, writes Tanis Taylor. After an exfoliation and bodybuff, a caffeine extract is applied to problem cellulite areas (tums, bums and thighs) to increase circulation and invigorate the lymph glands before a warming algae mask envelops the skin. While things are heating up, a Dead Sea mask is applied to the rest of the body to replenish minerals lost. After a scalp massage to the sound of pan pipes, you'll be cellophanewrapped to marinate for 20 minutes. Then you're hosed down and lubed-up with an absurdly rich, mineralising Dead Sea moisturiser. You'll pee for Britain (the body flushes out any excess minerals) but your cellulite will cower and your skin will have a cherubic, post-coital glow. £82 at Cryotherm Mineral Detox at Nirvana Spa, Berkshire, Tel: 0118 989 7500, www.nirvanaspa.co.uk