The kind receptionist tells you to look at the online menu. When you take a peek, you’re greeted by surprise. In truth, the list of options is endless.
The usual pedicures and massage are on the list. But there are other things you’ve never heard of. One option is a process that claims to kill fat. And the other involves soaking in seaweed.
Sure, these sound great. But what is this all about?
Day spas are no longer the run of the mill experience. They offer options that many of us have never heard of. This can make selecting a treatment seem absolutely overwhelming.
Following are five treatments you might find in a spa. Some you will have heard of, and others may be news to you.
1. Massage
The oldie but goodie…massage. Who doesn’t love a good rub down? Not only is massage relaxing, it can change the state of your health. Massage can help relieve depression, high blood pressure, and even improve cardiac health.
But on a menu full of multiple options, which type of massage do you choose?
If you’re looking for a basic, relaxing massage, Swedish massage is the best choice. “Swedish massage is your basic stuff,” says massage therapist Jenny Shimon. “It’s what you think of when it comes to the traditional massage experience.” To add to the relaxation, consider choosing an add-on aromatherapy oil. The soothing scent will be unforgettable.
And if you’re looking for a different take on massage, consider a hot stone massage. “Hot stone massage is simply using the concept of heat and a smooth rock in the process,” says Shimon. “It involves using a rock rather than a gentle glide with the hand. It’s essentially Swedish massage with heated rocks added.”
During a hot stone massage session, a massage therapist will place heated rocks on certain energy points of the body. He or she will then massage these areas with the rocks. The combination of heat and massage can only be described as pure bliss.
2. Facials
For lack of a better way to say it, facials are the bomb ditty bomb. (That means they rock!) And they’re good for you too.
A facial begins with a cleansing process. Your aesthetician will remove your makeup and wrap your head so that skincare products don’t get in your hair. She will then talk to you about problem areas in your skin in order to determine what treatment will be best for you.
The process, which can take from 30 minutes to more than an hour, will involve a number of lotions and masks designed to invigorate your skin. A mask using a hot steamer may also be involved. (Note-if you feel trapped by machinery, you may want to opt out of this portion of the treatment.) In addition, your aesthetician might extract blackheads from your nose and other areas where dirt is trapped.
The best part of a facial is the soothing massage. During one or a number of portions of the treatment, your skincare professional will massage any stress you’ve accumulated away. You’re sure to say “aaaaah.”
Just remember that skincare professionals may try to sell you at-home products. When you’re caught up in the relaxation bliss of a facial, you may buy things that you might not otherwise want. So don’t be afraid to say no to any options that come your way.
3. Cool Sculpting
Looking to beat that frustrating bulge? If you have just over two thousand dollars to burn, we’ve got a chilly little option for you.
Cool sculpting is a popular fat reducing procedure that has taken the nation by storm. According to Real Self, this hour long, non-surgical option actually freezes and eliminates fat. This is done when fatty areas are targeted and pinched through a special applicator. As a result, fat cells literally crystallize and then die.
The bad news is that this option won’t completely reshape your body. In other words, if you’ve got a lot of fat to lose, you can’t get it all frozen off. That said, it can help with stubborn tummy issues that sit ups won’t fix. But on a lighter note, this option is FDA-approved.
4. Pedicure
There’s nothing more relaxing than a perfectly performed pedicure. From soothing, scented hot water to a foot massage that makes you want to melt, pedicures make for one heck of a satisfying spa treatment.
Just be careful where you get that pedicure. Robert Spalding, a Tennessee podiatrist and author of “Death by Pedicure,” told U.S. News & World Report that about three quarters of nail salons don’t follow proper protocol when it comes to sanitation.
U.S. News & World Report says that the method of sanitation recommended for instruments is an autoclave. But many salon owners skip this step and opt for liquid disinfectants. However, experts say that liquid disinfectants aren’t given enough time to kill bacterial predators.
And there are other risks. Cuts can come as a result of both manis and pedis, which can lead to infection. Spalding says these cuts can cause health problems like Hepatitis B and MRSA.
The moral of the story is this: don’t be afraid to ask questions about the sanitation of the salon you choose. There’s no harm done in finding out the truth. If you get a short and shady answer, move on to the next salon. And if a salon owner does follow protocol, he or she will be happy to share information with you.
5. Seaweed Wrap
Seaweed wraps have become a popular option offered at many spas around the world. And while this may seem rather strange, it can be very beneficial to your body.
According to Livestrong, vitamin-rich seaweed wraps can detoxify the body. This is done by using both seaweed and warm water. In this process, a paste is applied to the body and the body is then wrapped in a blanket.
Please note that this will make you sweat bullets. However, this helps to remove toxins from the body by bringing them to the surface. That said, if you don’t like heat or the feeling of being closed in, this option may not be for you.
At the end of the process, the wrap is removed and the paste is washed off. At some spas, you are even given the option to soak in a soothing mineral bath.