However, when offered the chance to have a 24 carat-gold facial, which will involve my face and neck being covered in gold leaf, I can't resist. Who could?

This 90-minute luxurious facial comes from the Japanese brand Umo and is offered at the Village Beauty Salon in Cornelscourt, Dublin. Upon arrival, all I really know is that I'm going to be covered in gold soon . . .

rather a nice prospect for a Tuesday afternoon. But I quickly learn that there is much more to this facial than that.

Gold, explains therapist Deirdre Kane, has long been known for its lifting and firming qualities, its ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and in particular its power to brighten the skin's complexion. However, in the past it hasn't been possible to get the best out of gold treatments because it doesn't absorb into the skin.

Until now, that is. Umo's unique facial spa machine means the solid gold leaf that is put on my skin will be gently massaged into my face, giving it all the benefits of 24-carat gold.

After a cleanse, tone and moisturise, my face is infused with Gamma Polyglumatic Acid (that's just Gamma to you and me), which acts as a carrier for the gold and is 10 times more filling than collagen. I am then given a 10-minute blast of the facial spa machine. This sprays my face with light steam and includes red-light therapy which penetrates deep into my skin to stimulate my circulation.

All this feels very pleasant. As I lie back and close my eyes, the steam feels like dry ice and my face is soon lightly sprinkled with tiny water drops. After that, it's time for the major event . . . the gold leaf.

This is the tricky part for the therapist, explains Deirdre. The gold leaf is so thin that it's in danger of cracking at any minute and I stay perfectly still as sheet after sheet is placed on every part of my face and neck.

When it's all on and I look in the mirror, I nearly ruin the effect by laughing. I look exactly like the unfortunate Bond girl. The leaf is then kept on for a few minutes before I am given another blast of the facial spa machine.

How quickly it begins to melt into the face is a measure of how dry the skin is, but I must be doing okay, because when it's over, there's still quite a lot on my face to be massaged in. "Some people are a bit sceptical as to whether it is really going into the skin or whether it's just falling off on to the towel behind them, " says Deirdre. "But every bit of this is going into your skin."

After the massage, my skin feels incredibly fresh and invigorated, and when I look in the mirror, I see a different person. My skin is plumper and glowing. As Deirdre triumphantly shows me the minuscule amount of gold leaf on the towel that didn't make it into my face, she assures me I will continue to feel the effects of the facial throughout the week. And I do. The fine lines around my eyes are lessened and my skin continues to glow.

I'll definitely be back.