Local Flavor

When traveling to new places and new countries I always prefer to dabble in local delicasies rather than order from chain establishments or say, order a "Philly cheese steak" at a rodeo in Paris, Texas. Same should go for an authentic experience in different spas around the globe. The local culture is progressively influencing the materials used in spas. For example, in a treatment inspired by local American Indian culture the Mii Amo in Sedona, Arizona offers products made from blue corn and stonecrop, while an eagle's feather is waved in a ceremony to cleanse the spirit. The experience is original to its landscape and evokes a connection with the spa goer's surroundings. At Cliff House Resort & Spa spa in Maine, local grown blueberries are used in body wraps which would personally remind me of my summers spent picking berries there. Body wraps are also made honey, lime, and cornmeal in a spa in Mexico. If you're also one to prefer the local cuisine, local spa treatments will suit your palate as well.

@ease Bridal

Getting ready for your big day? @ease Spa can create a regime specifically designed to alleviate bridal stress and common skin issues so you look and feel your best. About a week before the wedding, you should treat yourself to a Signature Spa Facial or Glycolic Facial Peel to brighten and renew your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines. 3 or 4 days before the ceremony you might want to consider a Swedish or Hot Stone Massage, and maybe an energy enhancing Shirodhara Treatment. It's important to get massages and body treatments that involve oil a few days before the wedding so your skin and hair aren't oily when you wear your bridal gown. It is very common for brides to be to experience acne and other skin problems as a result of nerves and stress, so if you are experiencing these symptoms 2-3 days before the wedding, I recommend a Microdermabrasion or Photo Rejuvenation treatment to insure that your photos are spotless.

On your wedding day, come into @ease before the ceremony for a manicure and pedicure, and a light, oil-free massage to alleviate your last-minute jitters. For more information about pricing and services check out our website.

Mobile Spa

Business retreats have been around for decades, and of course the most popular ones take place at resorts with on-site spas. When businesses take an active interest in the health and well-being of their employees, they tend to be happier and more productive. These retreats generally incorporate "spa breaks" into meetings, where employees receive foot rubs and shoulder massages before continuing.

Now, the "spa break" is following employees back to the office. More and more spas are beginning to offer services off-site for businesses. One such group are the Spa Chicks on-the-go, who can be hired for private parties, business meetings and other events. Companies like Google even have massage therapists on staff a few days a week. Who couldn't use a massage during their work day? Do some research and talk to your boss about it.

Fanny Facial

There are a lot of strange new trends happening in spas across the country, but I never heard this one before. You know about back facials, right? It's very common, especially for men, to experience skin problems--acne, ingrown hairs, etc--between their shoulders and a back facial is an excellent treatment option. Well, now we have the "fanny facial." That's a facial for your behind, derriere, or gluteus maximus.

Spas all over the US are now offering this treatment which includes cleansing, exfoliation, moisture replenishment, massage, and even some extractions. Like a regular facial, the treatment is designed to smooth, lift, firm and generally improve the appearance of your skin.

A friend of mine actually got one recently. She had to lay face-down on the table and she was wrapped in sheets with only her rear exposed. This was her only comment: "They squeeze and massage and you leave with lotion on your bum." Sounds...nice..?

This article provides a more comprehensive review and lists a few spas in the city which offer this service, if you're interested.

Monastery-Turned-Spa

I just read about an amazing spa in Galicia, Spain, that I can't wait to visit. The luxurious and state-of-the-art Parador de Santo Estevo was originally a monastery which dates back to the 10th Century. The spa features saunas, a heated indoor poor, a contrast pool, and a plethora of bubble baths and showers including a bucket shower and bithermal Scottish shower. They offer unique massages such as the Celtic hot stone massage, outdoor hydromassage, flotation massage, and children's massage. Services also include a variety of mud and algae wraps. Monasteries and cloisters are designed to be peaceful havens of meditation and reflection, they are naturally calming environments. What better place for a spa?

Detoxifying at the Spa

Everyday were are exposed to all kinds of toxins, from pollutants in the air we breathe to preservatives in the foods we eat. It's no wonder that detoxifying treatments have steadily gained popularity over the last few years. This is definitely one of the biggest trends to watch. @ Ease Spa offers several luxurious detoxifying treatments:

• The Warm Algae Wrap removes toxins from your circulatory system while replacing them with minerals and nutrients as you relax

• The Infrared Sauna uses natural infrared wave lengths to heat and replenish your body with vitamin D, while increasing circulation, burning calories and expelling toxins

• The Vichy shower, which accompanies every spa body treatment, uses 5 horizontal shower heads to stimulate pressure points, detoxify and relax you using water pressure.
  

Airport Spas

Something I've seen more and more with every vacation or business trip I've been on in the past five years is spas in the airport. It's a great idea and a fun solution to killing time when you're stuck in Dallas or NJ or Chicago for a few hours waiting on a connecting flight.

Most of the spa's I've seen in American airports are like smaller, simpler versions of what you'd normally go to out in the real world. The ones I've been to are quick and easy, specializing in manicures and pedicures rather than more complex treatments like hydro-therapy or massage. The next time you're stuck in the airport, waiting on a flight that might end up cancelled anyway, do yourself a favor and opt to get pampered. It will save you a whole lot of stress and anxiety.

Fertility Boosters

There's another trend in spa treatments this year that focuses on natural enhancement of your fertility. If you're trying to get pregnant (or at least thinking about it) there's a good chance that you'll be able to find a spa near you that's offering these specialized fertility boosting days. Many of these specialized day spas offer a variety of treatments. Typical fare includes massage, reflexology, and even a form of yoga that helps fertility

Watsu Massage

I have a friend who recently went on a business trip to Asia, and while she was there she had what's called a "watsu massage." Essentially, you are kept floating in a large tub of warm water with a set of floating devices and the massage therapists hands underneath you. While you're suspended, they stretch and massage your body in ways that aren't normally possible when you're not weightless. It's a cool idea and I can't wait to try it!

Retin-A and Wrinkles

Retinoids, Retin-A, Retin-A Micro, Renova, Tazorac, Tretinoin, …..What is all this stuff? And what is the difference between all of them.

To start: All Vitamin A derivatives for treating skin are called Retinoids. These include topical treatments such as Retin-A (which is a brand name for Tretinoin) and Tazorac (which is the brand name for Tazarotene.) Other brand names for Tretinoin include Avita, Renova, and Differin.

Retinoids are powerful and highly potent skin treatments that have been proven to increase collagen, reduce wrinkles, and reduce acne. But because of their strength people must use caution when using these products. Misused, Retinoids can lead to ugly and dangerous.

Things to Remember:

1) Start out with your dermatologists recommended dose. Usually your doctor will recommend you not put the treatment on more than twice a week at first.

2) Even so, you may experience redness, itching, and overly dry skin. To combat this, a daytime moisturizer or low-dose corticosteroid cream, such as 1% hydrocortisone, may help.

3) Avoid the sun! Avoid the sun all you can and wear sunscreen at all times.

Vino Therapy @ the Spa

There's a growing trend in American Spa's to use the property of grapes, grape seed and yes, even wine in treatments. The process is called vinotherapy, and it includes everything from a simple facial with a cleanser that utilizes a grape mixture to full-blown wine baths. Some of the cooler treatments I've seen from my research include a full-body, two masseuse rub down and massage that uses a red wine, antioxidant body scrub.

I've also seen a growing amount of white-wine infused hair products, including shampoo's conditioners and moisturizing mixes. Hope everyone has a great week!

Spas and Food

There's a growing trend in the spa business of incorporating healthy meals or cooking lessons into the overall spa experience. According to the ISPA, now almost 20 percent of all American day spas are offering some sort of cooking or gourmet food related treatments and activities. I think the coolest things I've seen are classes and tutorials on cooking. Some spas are now offering week-long cooking classes with celebrity chefs or private lessons that teach you how to cook and eat more healthy when you're at home. What a great idea!

Dental Spas

So here's something I came across today that I'd never heard of - dental spas. Basically, it's a spa where a licensed dentist offers you specialized oral treatment in addition to more traditional spa pampering. It's actually kind of a cool idea, and now that they're become more common . . . regular dentist offices are catching on and converting their offices into more spa-like atmospheres. Apparently drilling is a lot easier to take when you're also getting a foot massage, I can buy that.

What's a Mud Bath, Anyway?

If you've ever had a mud bath before, you know that it's fantastic. At first it's a little strange, but when you settle in and really give yourself over it's very relaxing. I did a little research today to see what a mud bath actually does for your skin.

Honestly, I enjoy them so much that even if I'd found out that they don't do a thing to improve your skin, I'd keep getting them anyway. But, thankfully it turns out they are good for you. Apparently mud and clay are great for absorbing oil, sweat and grime. Also, laying around in a mud bath will help to exfoliate!

Spa-ifying Rehab Centers

I've been seeing more and more articles about drug rehabilitation centers being designed more like spas. It seemed a little strange at first, but after thinking about it . . . there are some similarities. Signing up to take time out of everyday life, trying to bring focus and find your center, etc. I think that if you're in a position where you need to go to rehab, making it more like an intense spa isn't such a bad idea. After all, isn't spa-ing about letting go of all the pressures in your life and purifying your body?

Adventure Spas

We've all seen City Slickers, right? Well there's a growing trend in the American spa world that isn't far off from the concept of the beloved Billy Crystal film - something called "adventure spas." Basically, these are destination spas that instead of settling you in and relaxing you, encourage you to go out, be active and hit the road.

Focusing on action packed activities ranging from hiking trips to horseback riding, these adventure spa trips offer a mixture of physical workouts, fresh air and holistic treatments. I've read a handful of interviews in testimonials jam packed with statements like "the ultimate detox," which is great . . . as long as you're willing to put in the work. I think these trips are definitely not my thing (especially since they tend to cost thousands of dollars), but I can see why some people might be into them.

Spa Naps

In the past few years, studies have consistently popped up stressing how important getting enough sleep is on your overall health. Well it looks like the idea is finally catching on at the day spa. An increasing amount of spas in NY and NJ are providing what they're calling "sleep rooms" to encourage patrons to nap. Nothing beats being pampered and massaged all day quite like being pampered and massaged all day with nap time thrown into the mix!

Facial Yoga

The New York Magazine beauty page has an article up on the pros and cons of facial yoga. I'd never heard of this phenomenon before, but apparently it involves making a lot of silly poses with your face! They interviewed a number of top spa professionals to see their opinion on whether it helps or hurts the wrinkling process. Apparently, most people (4 out of 5) think it won't help or actually make wrinkling worse. On the plus side though, one of them mentions it's a great way to improve your complexion and flush out toxins.

Crystal Singing Bowl Treatment

One of the newer treatments in energy work uses large crystal "singing bowls" and a mallet to create an unbelievably soothing sound. Believers in the completely hands off treatment say that it can cure disease, calm your nervous system and ease pain and suggest it for people who can't do hands-on treatments because they're pregnant, recovery from surgery or physically ill.

Basically, the way it works is that the therapist rubs the mallet around the edge of the bowl(s) to create a sound that's pretty similar to when you wet your finger and rub it around the edge of a wine glass. The theory, is that all of the molecules in your body vibrate at a specific rate. When your sick, or something is off, the affected molecules vibrate slower than normal. The crystal singing bowl treatment syncs up these molecules to a more harmonious level. Regardless of whether you believe this sort of treatment works or not, it's remarkably relaxing to just lay face down, close your eyes and listen to the mellow tones of the vibrations.

Creating a Spa at Home

Sadly, we don't always have the time (or the money) for a day-trip at our favorite spas. For those weekend days when you just need to relax without spending the money, I put together a quick list of ways to pamper yourself without ever leaving the house.

1. Draw yourself a bath.

There's a ton of different bath salts and bubbly mixtures that can turn any bathtub into a little piece of heaven.

2. Give yourself a body scrub.

This is key to keeping your skin healthy. Use a nice brush to exfoliate and remember that a nice round motion promotes good circulation and eliminates toxins.

3. Essential oils, essential oils, essential oils.

They smell wonderful and they're great for your skin. Find the one that best fits the mood or atmosphere you're trying to achieve and run with it.

4. Add some zest to your shampoo.

You'll be amazed by the wonders of mixing a little lavender into your some of your daily shampoo.

5. Give yourself a facial.

Use your favorite cleanser and avoid using water that's too hot.