Medical Spas: Take Your Face to an Other-Worldly Place

You’ve looked in the mirror and noticed that your face is lined, your skin is dry and your hair, as they say in the commercials, is brittle and lifeless. Time for a body break! A trip to the spa is what you crave, so you scan the local offerings and—shrivel up a little bit more. Too many choices, all sounding lovely and/or clinical enough to fix what ails you … if only you knew what that was.

All the more reason to get thee to the spa. Now is the time to put your face and your body in the hands of professionals. Yes, these people go to school: facialists, massage therapists, hair artists, estheticians. Most states license their work, to make sure that they follow healthy and safe procedures. Medical spas will have fully credentialed doctors and nurses on staff. A licensing board provides quality control and gives unsatisfied customers someone to complain to. But you probably won’t need to file a grievance. In fact, when it’s over, you’ll be begging for your next appointment.

What Types of Spas Await You

It’s easy to sort out the different types of spas. Choose from:

• Residential health retreats
• Beauty day spas
• Relaxation day spas
• Medical procedure spas
• Theme spas
• Resort spas

First, there are day spas that send you home beautiful at the end of the day. Then, there are residential spas, where you stay for a week or more, so that the healthy stuff sinks in. Some of these bed, body and breakfast establishments are educational, such as the famed Esalen Institute in Northern California and Breitenbush Hot Springs in Oregon. Some are housed at luxury resorts, such as Cal-a-Vie in Southern California, or on luxury cruise liners, such as Aqua Spa on some Celebrity cruises.

Of the day spas, some focus on beauty maintenance, including facial, hair, makeup and nail treatments. Others focus on relaxation, with more body and mind work like massage, hydrotherapy and aromatherapy. Medical spas perform little repairs that don’t require a trip to the plastic surgeon, such as teeth whitening, collagen injections and skin rejuvenation.

Any of these salons might have a theme, usually tending toward the exotic and foreign. Thai, Balinese and Tahitian-themed spas offer unique massage and floral therapies.

So, to choose your spa, ask yourself:

• Can I afford a day or a week away from home?
• Is stress, a new look, or aging my target priority?
• Do I need a Tahitian wrap or an Indian head massage?

Who Winds Up in A Day Spa

This kind of elevated R&R is not just for the rich and famous (read, “spoiled”) anymore. The concept of taking a break to focus on physical well-being and mental attitude is mainstream these days. Of course, you can go as over the top as you like with the luxury. Or you can get an affordable facial and come out smelling like a rose.

That means you’ll see both the ordinary and the high-fallutin’ guys and gals at just about any spa. Yes—guys, too. You can thank the cosmetic companies for inuring the fellas to hair gel and beard softeners; now men flock to beauty services, although they may prefer the term “gentlemen’s grooming enhancements.”

So, you’ll rub elbows with men and women of all ages and body types. Kids are welcome at some salons, usually with an age limit by type of service. Salon days and stays are popular activities and gifts for wedding parties, deserving employees, moms and daughters, and guys who like to have their toenails clipped while sipping a beer or scotch.

What’s Not to Like?

Since the benefits of bodywork and cosmetic treatments are more than skin deep, you really get your money’s worth from a spa visit. Massage, reflexology and hot tub soaks send oxygen to tired muscles and improve circulation. Facials and wraps exfoliate and rehydrate skin, the body’s largest organ. Eucalyptus steam baths and aromatherapy clear the respiratory system and heighten your mood.

Even hair and nail treatments and styling keep you healthy and make you feel great when you look in the mirror. There truly are too many benefits to list. Just about any service you can choose from a reputable spa will add vigor and happiness to your life.