Shanghai spa treatments for office hot shots -- and those who'd like to be

In the corporate world -- or any other -- appearances matter. Normally, there aren’t enough hours in the day for proper primping and preening. But if you have a lunch break to spare, these five treatments can make it all better.

1. Delicate Back Treatment

Before that late-night cocktail party, er, business meeting, stop by Evian Spa for a Delicate Back Treatment and reap the benefits of mineral-rich mud and brine all the way from the Dead Sea.

This Shanghai beauty treatment involves a back scrub using Dead Sea salt oil, a quick shower and a Dead Sea mud pack applied to your back and left to set for 15 minutes. Not only will your skin be ready to show off to associates and colleagues, but the scrub's ingredients reputedly give the body a good internal cleansing, leaving you feeling radiant inside and out. Cost: RMB 780 for 45 minutes

Evian Spa, Three on the Bund, 2/F, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu 中山东一路3号二楼, 近广东路, tel. +86 21 6329 0701

2. Age Smart Dramatic Hand Rejuvenation

You know never to ask a woman’s age, but if you’re truly curious, look at her hands. They’ll be a dead giveaway -- unless she’s cheated time with the Age Smart Dramatic Hand Rejuvenation at Shui Urban Spa.

This anti-aging Shanghai beauty treatment cleanses, exfoliates and then soaks your hands in a hydrating mask filled with antioxidants, peptides and collagen.

Add a manicure and you'll be ready to shake hands with everyone from your CEO to your competitor's HR director. Cost: RMB 350 for 30 minutes

Shui Urban Spa, 5/F, Ferguson Lane, 376 Wukang Lu, near Tai'an Lu 武康路376号5楼, 近泰安路, tel. +86 21 6126 7800

3. Crystal Clear Microdermabrasion Express Facial

One blast of Crystal Clear technology and you’ll look like you mean business. A celeb favorite, this British invention is part of Skin City 5.5’s Crystal Clear Microdermabrasion Express Facial.

In this Shanghai beauty treatment, a pen-like applicator passes over your face and neck shooting aluminum-oxide crystals onto your skin. The crystals are then vacuumed up, taking with them the uppermost layer of skin.

Sound painful? “It feels like a rough object lightly scratching your skin,” reassures Skin City 5.5's American founder Connie Kim.

Cost: RMB 500 for 40 minutes

Skin City 5.5, 476 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu 大沽路476号, 近石门一路, tel. +86 21 6340 1235

4. Chinese Herbal BathGet a quick pick-me-up between meetings by immersing yourself in a Lotos Spa bath filled with 24 medicinal herbs that have been boiling for 48 hours.

This Shanghai beauty treament's therapeutic herbal mix includes lemongrass, Angelica root and tamarind, ingredients that stimulate circulation, rejuvenate the body and restore the skin's natural luster -- all in the space of half an hour. You’ll leave smelling pretty good, too. Cost: RMB 380 for 30 minutes

Lotos Spa, 2/F, West Tower, 8 Jinan Lu, near Taicang Lu 济南路8号西座2楼, 近太仓路, tel. +86 21 3308 0088

5. Firming Aloe Eye Treatment

Cover up the telltale signs of a late night and restore your natural twinkle (You do twinkle naturally, don't you?) with a Firming Aloe Eye Treatment at the Mandara Spa.

A Shanghai beauty treatment designed for mature, dehydrated skin, this intensive treatment uses natural elastin and aloe vera to reduce dark circles and puffiness. A collagen fleece mask deals with crow’s feet. And the massage around the peepers just feels good.

Cost: RMB 330 for 30 minutes

Mandara Spa at JW Marriott Hotel, 6/F, JW Marriott Hotel Tomorrow Square, 399 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huangpi Bei Lu 南京西路399号明天广场JW万豪酒店6搂, 近黄陂北路 tel. +86 21 5359 4969, www.mandaraspa.com