London Centre of Indian Champissage International

Beauty treatments originating in the Indian subcontinent are a growth industry, but it's an industry that hasn't yet heard of the UK's advertising codes.

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The London Centre of Indian Champissage International - it is apparently their real name - offer three courses in massage. "Champissage" refers to the one done on the skull.

According to the Centre's handout (available here and here):

"Champissage - 'Indian Head Massage' Training Course... It soothes, comforts and rebalances your energy flow and helps in reducing premature hair fall..."

The remaining courses are promoted with separate improbable claims.

"The Natural Face Lift Massage Training Course... it helps to delay the ageing process..."

"Kansa Vatki (KV) Foot Massage Training Course... Improves blood and lymphatic circulation. Enhances lower limb mobility... Relieves eyestrain from prolonged computer use..."

Attending all three courses would set you back a cool £870, so I think it's reasonable to ask whether any of the claims are actually true.

ASA complaint follows!

"I'm writing to complain about a handout for the London Centre of Indian Champissage International, which I picked up from a stall at the 'Mind Body Spirit' exhibition in London on 26th May.

The handout promotes the advertiser's training courses, and contains some health claims which I suspect are misleading.

1. "Champissage - 'Indian Head Massage' Training Course... It soothes, comforts and rebalances your energy flow and helps in reducing premature hair fall"

I'd like to challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate their claim that Indian Head Massage can delay baldness.

2. "The Natural Face Lift Massage Training Course... it helps to delay the ageing process..."

I'd like to challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate their claim that the facelift can "delay the ageing process".

3. "Kansa Vatki (KV) Foot Massage Training Course... Improves blood and lymphatic circulation. Enhances lower limb mobility... Relieves eyestrain from prolonged computer use."

I'd like to challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate their claim that the foot massage can improve the circulation, enhance lower limb mobility and relieve eyestrain from prolonged computer use.

I can confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general."