As the seasons shift and autumn calls for a reset, I’ve been exploring the treatments that bring balance back – from ancient energy work to next-generation skincare and soul-soothing massages. Whether it’s a Five Element acupuncture session with the renowned Johnny Childs, a sensory escape at Lush Spa, or Dr Brendan Khong’s results-driven laser reboot, this edit is all about grounding, renewal, and letting go of summer’s overstimulation. Think of it as your beauty and wellbeing guide for the cooler months, treatments that don’t just transform how you look, but how you feel heading into the new season.
Johnny Childs Five Element Acupuncturist
The scent of smoky moxibustion herbs drifting downstairs to Johnny Childs’ clinic instantly soothes the soul – it’s that kind of grounding scent that makes your shoulders drop before you’ve even sat down. The esteemed Five Element acupuncturist, Johnny Childs, is known for his holistic approach and expertise in everything from fertility and anxiety to hormonal imbalance and mental health. He’s fast becoming one of the most sought-after appointments booked by beauty and wellness insiders whenever we need a seasonal reset.
In Five Element acupuncture, each season is aligned with one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Autumn belongs to Metal – the element of fine-tuning, clarity, and letting go. It’s the season when energy turns inward; nature slows, trees shed, and we, too, are invited to release what no longer serves us.
There’s no endless essay of forms to fill in here. Instead, you begin with a one-to-one consultation. The first appointment is longer, designed to really understand your needs, your symptoms, and most how you want to feel when you walk out the door after being treated. Johnny lets you do the talking. There’s no judgment, no clipboard ticking, a chat like you would with a friend. When he asked me how I wanted to feel, my answer was simple: “Less stressed. More energy.”
You then lie down, and Johnny listens to the rhythm of your pulse. In Five Element acupuncture, diagnosis draws on the core five areas of investigation: colour, sound, odour, emotion, and the pulses. For me, Metal was where the blockage sat. Fine needles are placed into specific points; there’s a small pinch, and in some spots, like fingertips and toes, expect a fiery, bee-like sting – before fading to a dull ache as the energy releases. This is combined with moxibustion, a traditional technique using dried Mugwort. A pinch of the herb is placed on the skin and lit with incense until you feel the heat.
I found the whole experience super interesting and have been researching the ancient history of Five Element acupuncture ever since. Three sessions in, and I can honestly say I feel more connected to my body than I have in months. One of the things I found different and as Johnny explained, is part of the healing journey is the distinctive odour Metal oozes. As Childs explains, “Metal is the element of purification and release, where the body naturally clears what it no longer needs, which is why the skin is often called the ‘third lung,’ reflecting inner detox through the pores and true skincare from within.” Just like that, after a sweaty morning gym session, the scent had completely disappeared.
The timing couldn’t be better. Transitioning from summer to autumn has always been tricky — my energy dips, my to-do list feels endless, and I tend to run on overdrive. This season, though, something’s changed, I feel grounded, connected and realigned – like my body finally got the memo my mind has been ignoring. My new motto? Less is more: choosing quality and letting go of what no longer serves me. I’m learning to pause, to recognise when my body needs rest instead of another gym class, and to be okay with it. The guilt of skipping a daily workout is gone.
You can find Johnny at Kite Clinic on Wimpole Street, and now at Liberty London, offering his results-driven sessions. When not with clients, he trains the next generation of practitioners in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Yellow Path Training.
Initial consultation & treatment, £295 (up to 90 minutes)
Follow-up sessions, £195 (45–60 minutes)
Dr Brendan Khong Aerolase Reverse Treatment
There’s something almost ceremonial about the walk down to Dr Brendan Khong’s clinic along Pall Mall. Unlike the aesthetic hotspots saturated around Harley Street, it’s refreshingly understated – though you’ll often spot patients leaving with the signature “Brendan effect” cooling masks post-laser. We’ve raved about Dr Khong’s coveted glass skin here before, he’s our go-to for those in search of a serious skin revival.
As autumn is officially here and the clocks have finally changed, few treatments are better suited to a seasonal skin reset than laser resurfacing. Post-summer, when skin is often battling sun spots and a faded glow, Dr Khong recommends the Reverse treatment, a powerful combination of Aerolase Neo Elite and Aerolase Era Elite lasers to restore, renew, and revitalise. The treatment begins with the Aerolase Neo Elite, designed to target pigmentation, redness, enlarged pores, and boost collagen production for smoother, more supple skin. If you’ve overdone it in the sunshine this year and have hyperpigmentation as an after-effect, this treatment works wonders for tackling those stubborn marks.
Next comes the Aerolase Era Elite, an advanced resurfacing laser renowned for delivering powerful results with less downtime than traditional resurfacing lasers. This step works to refine texture, even out tone, and soften fine lines, the kind of subtle refresh that makes skin look genuinely renewed.
Finishing with a 30-minute LED session and a super-cooling sheet mask to calm the skin, the treatment leaves your face on the fiery side, nothing unusual, much like the post-microneedling heat. That’s why many patients leave wearing the mask, cooling their skin as they travel home – very Harley Street facelift vibes. A tube of Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm is recommended by Dr Khong, easing tightness and keeping the skin comfortable before the peeling phase begins.
Over the next couple of days, the redness subsides, giving way to that familiar post-laser tightness as your skin prepares to shed. By day three, light flaking begins (nothing too dramatic, despite what you might expect), and by day seven, glowing new skin is revealed. Texture, pores, fine lines, and overall tone have dramatically improved and ready for that selfie reveal.
The result? Skin that looks like you’ve just returned from a week at a Swiss wellness retreat…minus the jet lag and hefty price tag.
The Reverse treatment, £1,250
Murdock Full Service
Murdock London has built its reputation on grooming precision of the highest standard. Whether you’re a long-time regular or simply looking for an autumn refresh, Murdock’s Full Service treatment is an all-rounder for the new season and beyond – the kind of classic gents’ confidence-boosting experience that feels like a reset, both physically and mentally.
With central locations in Soho, Covent Garden and Shoreditch, it’s easy to weave a visit into your day, but do book ahead, as this place gets busy especially midday. Think a pre-lunch trim, a post-meeting treat, or a Saturday ritual after a stroll around the city.
Our reviewer headed to the buzzing Soho space for the full works, and as you’d expect, the vibe is effortlessly cool, a blend of old-school barber shop charm and modern Soho energy. There’s a real sense of pride here; the barbers clearly care about their craft, yet the pace remains calm and unhurried…a world away from your standard barber shop on the high street.
The classic Full Service includes a haircut and your choice of a traditional wet shave or precise beard shaping. Our barber, Ryan, worked with impressive attention to detail — cutting with precision, checking the shape throughout, and most importantly, listening to the brief. It’s not one of those “sit down and hope for the best” experiences; this is about tailoring the cut to your features and style.
But Murdock offers more than expert grooming. The team are all Mental Health First Aid trained, creating a safe and welcoming space that encourages conversation if you need it. Their motto says it best: “If you want to talk, we’ll listen.” It’s this ethos that elevates Murdock beyond great service – it’s grooming with genuine care.
Throughout the treatment, you’ll be introduced to Murdock’s award-winning line-up of grooming products – from their invigorating shampoos and styling pastes to their signature Black Tea Cologne, a dapper blend that lingers subtly long after you leave the chair. It’s a thoughtful touch that ties the experience together perfectly.
And the final touch? A glass of whisky on the rocks (or a G&T, Camden lager, or even a shot of espresso, if you prefer). Because if there’s one thing Murdock does best, it’s blending timeless grooming traditions with a distinctly modern edge – where old-school service meets contemporary style.
Murdock London The Full Service, £120
Lush Synaesthesia 80-minute Full-Body Massage
If there’s ever a treatment calling my name more than anything right now, it’s a warming body treatment. As the temperature drops, there’s nothing more comforting and Lush’s Synaesthesia is exactly that. A first-timer in the Lush Spa, it’s an experience that starts the moment you step downstairs into Lush’s Covent Garden spa, which recently celebrated its first birthday. The warm welcome, complete with a personalised board featuring your name attention to detail? Check.
Unlike most spas, it’s not just about filling in forms here and hoping for the best. You also sit down for a one-to-one consultation with your therapist, choosing the word that resonates most with how you want to feel. “Calm,” for instance, brings a soothing lavender-based oil, while “Revive” (my choice) offers a zingy, uplifting aroma.
From the very start, the experience feels unlike anything I’ve had before and I’ve had a fair few treatments. As you settle in, a signature Lush bath bomb in your chosen scent is placed in a small basin beneath the treatment bed, releasing a gentle, fragrant mist that fills the room. The result feels like a blend of beauty and science – a total sensory experiment in the most relaxing and magical way.
Once the massage begins, every movement is perfectly in sync with the bespoke soundtrack, almost as though your body becomes part of the composition. The warmth of the stones and the rhythm of the massage quickly eased every muscle…so much so that I dozed off halfway through. Every Lush treatment has its own music and lighting, choreographed to deepen the sensory experience.
The small touches continue long after the treatment ends – from the post-massage tea and fruit to the fully stocked bathrooms filled with Lush favourites for you to sample. It’s these thoughtful details that make Synaesthesia feel truly special.
Jody Bailey, Treatment Developer at Lush Spa, explains: “Synaesthesia is an extraordinary way of experiencing life. Once we realised it was possible to create a taste through touch, or a feeling through scent, the possibilities of this treatment really came to life. Everything here is in the details. You leave with a bath bomb in hand, shoulders relaxed, and mind reset.”
A first-timer for me, but definitely not the last. The uniqueness of the treatments, the attention to detail, and the genuine connection with the therapist make this far more than a massage, it’s a full-body, feel-good reset.
Synaesthesia 80-minute Full-Body Massage, £150
Dr. Hauschka Holistic Facial Treatment
You know you’re in for something special the moment you step into a Dr. Hauschka treatment room. Established in 1967, this heritage skincare brand has truly stood the test of time – harnessing the powers of botanicals. Take the iconic Rose Day Cream, for example, which contains an impressive 35 rosebuds per tube; this multi-award-winning favourite remains a staple for good reason.
Set within the chic sanctuary of COMO Shambhala at the Metropolitan Hotel on Old Park Lane, this experience begins as all good ones should…with grounding. You’re welcomed with a cup of ginger, lemon, and honey tea, perfectly balanced with just the right sweetness and a gentle kick of ginger, so utterly moreish that you’ll immediately want the recipe to recreate at home.
This 60-minute holistic facial is focused on lymphatic drainage, renewal, and complete relaxation. There’s no background music, no small talk – just calmness for the next hour. My therapist, Louise, began with an in-depth cleanse. I’d come straight from a reformer class and was makeup-free (which, frankly, meant more pamper time under the masks).
My therapist, Louise, assessed my skin and selected a series of oils, gentle exfoliants, and the Clarifying Clay Mask, which deeply cleanses, invigorates, and clarifies my oily skin. Everything is entirely manual here – no machines, no high-tech gadgets – just the rhythmic touch from your therapist. The treatment’s signature technique centres around manual lymphatic drainage, using the softest bristle brushes to boost circulation and detoxification. The sensation is feather-light, like tiny eyeshadow brushes sweeping across your skin.
The remainder of the treatment became a blur, you know it’s a good treatment when you doze off before the massage even starts. Heated treatment beds, lavender-scented cloths, and the occasional whiff of rose and rosemary make this a sensory escape from the city outside. And, as with all Dr. Hauschka treatments, it’s the attention to detail that counts: the warmth of the towels, the gentle awakening with cold cloths, and the post-treatment energy balls to graze on.
The results? Skin that looks instantly smoother, plumper, and more radiant, but more than that, a feeling of lightness, as if someone has lifted a weight off your shoulders. You don’t just walk out the revolving door with a glow; you float.
Holistic Facial Treatment, £130
