Next Level Self Care Services
February used to be my most dreaded month until I decided to turn this dark and cold month into 28 (this year 29) days focused on just self care. Then my feelings about February quickly did a 180. So let’s start this month strong with next level beauty and self care services. Sure a traditional massage and facial are really nice, but if you want to try something different with insane results, this is what I recommend in our area, and beyond (because some things are just worth traveling for!).
ON THE MAIN LINE:
BODY TREATMENT at DAY SPA BY ZSUZANNA. I’m always telling you about the lymphatic drainage massage by Adrienn Karsai at The Day Spa in Wayne. But if you want to take it up a notch to promote fat loss, improve circulation, eliminate cellulite and of course, rid the body of toxins, you need to try one of the innovative body sculpting techniques Adrienn created for her clients. I got the “Body Masque with Detox Treatment”, which includes the lymph massage after two other detoxifying treatments. My body treatment began with a full body scrub from my ankles to my neck. This exfoliating scrub primes the skin for the next step, but also stimulates blood flow to start the detoxification process. After the scrub, comes a full body dead sea mud mask to clean and rejuvenate the skin tissue. I was then wrapped up quite reminiscently of a burrito in a thermal blanket for the heat to speed up the detoxification process. I got an abbreviated reflexology treatment on my feet while I was wrapped up. (And I need to come back for a separate reflexology session with Adrienn because this is her real passion). After about twenty minutes, it was time to shower it off.
I got back in the heated bed for a more targeted lymphatic drainage massage. This specialized type of massage stimulates fat cells to release their contents as waste through the lymph system, resulting in body shaping, increased muscle tone and less fluid retention. Lymph massage uses pumping and stretching motions in an upward direction, the direction of the lymph circulatory system. Usually there is less pressure with this type of massage than your typical Swedish massage. But as part of this body sculpting treatment, Adrienn applies more pressure than with her stand alone lymph massage in order to target the more stubborn fat cells.
You can expect to have to pee a lot after (and maybe even during) this service. That’s your body eliminating the toxins in the form of waste. You also may be sleepy immediately following the treatment. That’s your body working overtime to clean the lymph system. But your energy level should noticeably increase once the detoxification process is done. And your skin will be buttery soft for days. This service takes about an hour and forty-five minutes. I knew there was a shower involved (and I’d be filming) so I brought a bathing suit but paper undergarments can be provided if you don’t feel comfortable in your birthday suit. For real body sculpting results, Adrienn recommends six to ten treatments (i.e., once a month). The cost of the service I received is $299, but there are several body shaping treatments offered by Adrienn. Get 10% off your first body shaping treatment when you mention “fitness finds” or me!
MEDICAL FACIAL at CROSS MEDICAL. Up your facial game a few times a year with a medical facial at Cross Medical in Villanova (or Philly). You may recall that I had Broadband Light (BBL) and Moxi treatments in the fall. In order to prolong my amazing results, my aesthetician, Ledia Leka, recommended I come see her for a medical grade facial. This ain’t your mama’s facial. All the bells and whistles are brought out for beautiful, long lasting results. Ledia taylors her treatments based on the client’s needs. My facial started with Dermaplaning to remove the dead surface layers of my facial skin, immediately leaving it smooth, soft and looking younger. Next Ledia used a Dermasweep with a Stem Cell Infusion. The Dermasweep lifts away the top layer of skin to more effectively deliver whatever treatment the aesthetician uses. Ledia used Stem Cell Infusion on me, which is yet another tool in her toolbox to slow the skin’s natural aging process. I got a chemical peel to exfoliate followed by a brightening solution to give me the glowing results I always ask Ledia for. And last, she had me sit under the LED Red Light to stimulate collagen production.
After all of these fancy treatments, Ledia applied the serums and moisturizers of a typical facial. And you can imagine the results. The cost of this medical facial is $350 and is recommended 2-4 times a year. Just a little tidbit about tipping at Cross. Because it’s a medical facility, tips are not accepted but little tokens of gratitude (such as a bottle of wine, etc.) are welcome once you establish a relationship with your aesthetician and want to show your appreciation.
PRIVATE SALT CAVE EXPERIENCE at SALT WORKS. Who knew there was a 22 foot wide Himalayan salt cave located inside a storefront of your typical strip center in Malvern? I didn’t and neither did my friends who I invited to experience a private group session with me at Salt Works. While it might be completely unexpected, the moment you step foot inside the beautiful pink Himalayan salt cave, the healing benefits start to happen. The salt gives off negative ions which clean the air. The health benefits of 45 minutes inside the salt cave include relieving respiratory conditions, remedying skin ailments, improving sleeping, detoxifying your body, reducing anxiety, improving concentration, acting as a natural antihistamine, reducing inflammation, balancing hormones and enhancing libido. Himalayan salt is the healthiest, purest and highest grade salt in existence. There are 84 trace minerals in it. While you sit inside the cave, completely surrounded by 6 “walls” of salt and salt particles released into the air, your body absorbs the minerals, replenishing your deficits.
So what can you expect when you book a session at Salt Works Cave? First off, expect to be relaxed and maybe even doze off. It’s a meditative and calming experience so dress comfortably. The room is kept at around 70 degrees. Your socks or bare feet are covered by paper booties to keep the salt on the floor clean. A sleep mask is recommended so you can totally zen out. There are zero gravity chairs and blankets inside the cave for the ultimate relaxation experience. You can really do anything in the cave. Some people meditate. Some sleep. Some check email. Calming music plays inside the cave. After you leave the cave, you’ll want to drink lots of water to flush the toxins out. You may immediately notice a post nasal drip or a productive cough that acts to clear your body. You’ll leave feeling restored, relaxed and you’ll be sure to sleep like a baby that night. The cost of a private group salt cave session is $250 for up to ten people (with $50/half hour for private use of the shop before or after the cave). Regular single sessions are $35. And Salt Works is currently running a special Valentines Day Sweetheart session for $50 for two people. Mention my name and get 20% off your first salt cave session.
BEYOND THE MAIN LINE BUT WORTH THE SHORT TRIP:
SCULPTING FACIAL at FACE GYM. Face Gym offers facials unlike anything I’ve had before. These facials use various techniques and tools to manipulate, strengthen and relax the facial muscles. It’s a workout but for your face, and you know I love that! I got the “Signature Sculpt”. After the skin was cleansed, I got a facial massage with strong pressure applied to various pressure points and spots of tension on the face. The hand procedures the “trainers” use at Face Gym called knuckling and whipping detoxify, improve blood flow and circulation around the face, and leave your face looking more sculpted, defined and “snatched” as the kids say. This “workout” included Gua Sha and my favorite, the EMS face sculpting tool. Using electrical muscle stimulation, the EMS tool gives you a “non invasive” face lift. Powerful electrical impulses are delivered to the facial muscles resulting in “twitching” when the tool passes over them. These twitches are like a sit-up for your facial muscles. The results are wild and can be seen immediately when one side of the face is done first. Long term use of the EMS tool they use at Face Gym (other products on the market aren’t strong enough) prevents sagging of the face that naturally happens as you age. So I guess I need to invest in this tool once it becomes available in the US.
I added two services onto my main workout because you know I love to stack my workouts. The first was FacePhysio, which is a buccal massage performed on the inside of the mouth (you have to check out my Instagram to see this). This unique technique relieves tension and boosts elasticity and firmness of the jaw and lower face lines. I also tried Radio Frequency around the neck and jawline to tighten the skin and boost collagen production. I didn’t see the results I was expecting with this one so I’d skip it next time. I left the NOHO studio feeling glowy and firm, a perfect combination. There are four Face Gym locations in New York, or you’d have to go a lot further to Los Angeles, London, France or Australia to get this unique facial. I’m on the hunt for someone a little closer to home who does facials like this because I need this kind of workout in my life more regularly. The cost of the Signature Sculpt is $125.
BATH EXPERIENCE and MASSAGE at AIRE ANCIENT BATH HOUSE. I wasn't allowed to bring my phone into the bathhouse and I respect that rule (kind of, I did try to sneak it in, but I had no pockets in my bathing suit!) so you are just going to have to pay a visit to this stunning bathhouse in Tribeca to witness it firsthand. I promise it’s worth the trip to NYC. Pack a bathing suit, but Aire provides the rest (towels, robes, products, water shoes. They even have Dyson dryers and Chi flat irons in the locker room). After we changed into our swimsuits, me and my friend were led down the stairs into the candlelit bathhouse. You can opt for a quick tour of the baths to learn how to maximize your time in there. You are limited to a set time so that the bathhouse is always sparsely occupied. We had 45 minutes, which was plenty of time to get very wrinkly fingers. There are 6 baths total, set at different temperatures. The hottest is 103 degrees and the coolest (one of the two cold plunges) is 50 degrees. It’s recommended to start in the back long bath that is set in the mid 90’s. Then proceed to the hottest tub and move directly into the cold plunge (pick from 57 degrees or 50 degrees, and trust me, they are both cold). Next, relax in the whirlpool for a bit and finish floating in the salt bath. Don’t forget to wash off in the open shower and use salt from the large pile next to the shower to exfoliate.
After our bath experience, we opted for a massage. Heads up, when you book a double bath experience and massage, like we did, your massage will be together in the same room. Some of the massage rooms are actually downstairs in private rooms amongst the baths. It’s so cool, sexy and stunning in this place. There is even a separate wine-filled bath that is part of an upgrade couples experience. Talk about indulgent! The cost for just the bath experience is $182.88 for ninety minutes (which is a little long). I’d recommend adding a massage to your bath tour for $266.48 (45 minute massage and 60 minutes in the bathhouse), $287.38 (60 minute massage after 60 minutes in the bathhouse) or $240.35 (30 minute massage with 90 minutes in the bathhouse). Visiting Aire in New York (or any of the other global locations) isn’t something you need to do regularly, but I’d definitely put it on your bucket list.
And actually, I’d put every single one of these services on your bucket list! Because self care is self love, and self love is the key to it all!