When one needs to be pampered, spa skin treatments are an ideal choice. From anti aging  treatments to hydrating facials, today’s spas offer a wide variety of luxurious services.

Traditional skin treatment

  • Facials: A facial is a deep cleansing of the skin. A good facial should leave the skin soft, clean, hydrated and free of blackheads and other impurities.
  • Facial mask: The facial treatment involves placing some type of concoction on the algae, seaweed, mud, or any number of materials. After the mask is removed, the skin should feel tighter and smoother. Depending on the ski type and mask chosen, a facial mask may also exfoliate, hydrated or treat acne.
  • Body scrub: The body scrub is an exfoliating treatment formulated to remove dead skin. There are many different types of body scrubs, all using different oils, vitamins and salts but the basic goal is the same soft, smooth, hydrated skin.
  • Body mask: A body mask is exactly like a facial mask, except it Is used on the entire body. Body masks are usually used for exfoliation.
  • Body wrap: There are different types of body wraps that achieve different goals. Some wraps are intended to detox the body, others promise to quickly remove pounds and inches. Either way, the procedure is the same. Your body will be covered in a liquid, cream or mud and then tightly wrapped. Be aware that any weight loss from a body wrap will be water weight, so theresult are short-lived. Still if you have the money to spare and you need to fit in a special outfit, a body wrap can help.

Medical Spa Skin Treatment

Since medical spas employ on-site doctors, they are able to offer much more intensive procedures. Keep in mind that some of these procedure are painful and require recovery times. Make sure that your chosen facility is actually licensed to offer the service. In addition, make sure the person performing the procedure is qualified. Med spa procedure include:

  • Dermabrasion: In dermabrasion, the surface of the kin is sanded away to reveal new skin underneath. The procedure requires general anesthesia, and recovery time lasts several months.
  • Chemical peels: a chemical peel uses a chemical based solution to burn away the top layers of the skin, revealing youthful new skin. Chemical peel can be light, medium or deep depending on the physician’s credentials, the chemicals used, and the treatment selected. Deep chemical peels are very painful, require anesthesia, and require a lengthy recovery time.
  • Botox : Botox is an injectable from of the bacteria, clostridium botulinum. When injected into the face, it temporarily make the muscles unable to contract, thus smoothing wrinkles.
  • Photo Rejuvenation: For photo rejuvenation the practitioner uses lasers to smooth away wrinkles, fine lines, age spots and other skin conditions.

Spa Treatment for You

Besides spa skin treatments, many med spas also perform tattoo removal and laser hair removal. With continuing advancements in skin technology, you will find the variety of expending services available at local skin spas.

Seaweed Facial

When your client’s sin is stressed, look no further then a seaweed facial. This purifying enriching facial treatment is the stuff of your client’s skin dreams. Ideal for all types, but especially for thus with dry, dehydrated skin, the French born seaweed facial is a healing, detoxifying and nourishing treatment that gently tones ad firms at the same time.

Seaweed Facial Benefits

Seaweed is rich in beneficial minerals, vitamins, amino acids and trace elements. In fact, seaweed contains virtually every mineral found in the ocean a concentration nearly identical to the minerals found in human blood.

The positive effect of seaweed on other health conditions- including menopause relief and prevention of birth defects- has inspired a legion of skin care products and spa treatments, including the seaweed facial.

Through a calming process that often consists of several steps, the facial works quickly to reveal smooth, refreshed, glowing skin. It infuses the skin with a diet of minerals and vitamins, which eliminate impurities and toxins and leave the skin soft and hydrated.

If the promise of vibrant skin isn’t enough, consider this: greek mythology suggests that Aphrodiet, the goodness of love who rose from the water, owed her beauty to the plants of the sea. Her dewy skin may just be advertisement enough for this nurturing, pampering treatment.

Types of Seaweed facials

You’re likely to find an abundance of spas, clinics and retreats that offer the seaweed facial treatment. Each facility will likely only offer one type, although there are many different varieties available. Your individual needs may vary based on your skin schedule. Here is a list of various types of seaweed treatments:

  • Enriched seaweed mask: This rich mask application does not include a full seaweed facial, but provides similar benefits in a shorter span of time. Designed for all types of skin, the enriched seaweed mask softens, hydrated and repairs damaged skin cells. The face is left revitalized, glowing and refreshed. This quick treatment takes about 15 minutes to complete. An added glycolic peel will add time to the process.
  • Four layer seaweed facial: layer upon layer of fresh European seaweed is applied to the face.as it infuses the skin, it works to revive , tone, hydrate, purify and firm. The four layer treatment includes a deep cleansing and massage, a cooling seaweed mask and a mineral-rich thermal mask. This facial typically takes under an hour to complete.
  • European seaweed facial: the title doesn’t do justice to this pampering treatment. There are several different types of European treatment “models” each encompassing a variety of different masks, cleansers and massage techniques. A common European version found in spas around the world is the recharge treatment. The skin is deeply cleansed, steamed and exfoliated with a gentle honey almond mask. The almond granules release dead skin, preparing the face for the seaweed facial. After exfoliation a vitamin c-rich seaweed serum is massaged into the skin, followed by a seaweed mask. The skin is left rejuvenated and refreshe. Thi facial usually takes anywhere from an hour to an hour and 15 minutes to complete.

Mud Bath

You might never have thought you’d thank mother nature for dirt, but immersing yourself in  mud bath may just change your mind. A therapeutic, healing treatment, mud baths are taken for a variety of reasons. Not only do they offer relaxation, they also promote radiant complexions, detoxify the skin, ease muscle tension, alleviate inflammation and smooth arthritis – related joint pains.

A Brief History

While the exact year of its inception is unknown, mud baths date back to the dawn of time. The ancient romans incorporated the treatment into their culture, using it not only as a preventative and curative measure, but also as a socializing tool. The villas where the mud naturally rose were the popular meeting spots of the day. Members of the entire population male & female, young and old, ill & healthy- would congregate, share lively conversation and immerse themselves in the mud.

The baths gained relative popularity in the United States in the 194s and 5s, when the treatment experienced a revival. It was most popular amongst the elderly, who sought to relieve their arthritic and rheumatoid pains. In the 70s the baths once again became a social convention of sorts. It was an age that saw a great interest in the concept of natural healing, and the treatment was looked upon as the ultimate stress-reliever.

The late 20th century again saw resurgence in the treatment’s popularity. Considered ideal for a  wide variety of skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, athlete’s foot and dermatitis the mud bath gave rise to treatment spas all over the United States. Today it is one of the most common alternative remedies in the world.

In the Mud

Though the idea of lying in a tub full of mud sounds unappealing at best, the contents of the substance are as natural and kind to the skin as anything can be. The mud bath consist of volcanic ash, peat moss and boiling spring water. Occasionally, essential oils are stirred into the bath, adding to the relaxing ambiance and providing the benefits of aromatherapy.

The mud bath experience

The traditional mud treatment is typically divided into several parts:

    • 1st Shower: The self-explanatory first step of the treatment is quick. It prepares the body for imformation.Mud Immersion: At a temperature of around 110 degrees, the rich mud mixture is extremely warm and thick. Immersion involves stepping into the tub and maneuvering the body into such a position that it is entirely covered in the substance. Remaining spots left untouched are covered by an attendant. This step typically lasts for 12 minutes. It is important to note the following points:
      • The body will literally suspend itself in the mud; thus, you will not experience the sensation of settling at the bottom of the tub. Instead, bathers usually describe a weightless sensation settling over their bodies as their muscles relax.
      • It is normal for first-timers to experience drowsiness and even drift off to sleep for a few moments during immersion. The combination of the steamy environment and the mud’s soothing properties accounts for the sensation.
      • It is equally normal then to experience mild difficulty getting out of the tub. The body is enrobed in a thick coating of mud, and it is often sticky and heavy. Alighting from the tub is akin to very light weightlifting.
        • 2nd Shower: it usually takes several minutes to completely remove the viscous mud from the body. Due to its clingy property, it is usually necessary to manually “scrap” the mud off.
        • Mineral Bath: This 15 minute bath subjects the body to the bubbling vigour of hot air jets. Exceptionally soothing, the jets massage and energize the body, continuing the mud’s therapeutic work.
        • Steam Bath: A few minutes in a quiet, natural steam room warmed with moist heat is an optional part of the process. The steam room is often scented with aromatherapy oils further enhance the experience.
        • Blanket Wrap: During the final stage of the treatment, the body is swathed in clean, dry blankets in a private room. A nap is customary during this cooling down process.

The mud bath is often a prelude to an invigorating massage. Post bath the muscles are relaxed and loose from the heat, and the body is optimum condition to reap the benefits of a massage select from several types of massages.