Real Beauty 101

Top Spas for 2008

Continuing along the vein of "top lists" for 2008, perhaps one of these great sanctuaries are in a town near you!  More spa time is definitely at the top of my list for 2009.

Spas of America, a spa travel Web site, announced its annual ranking of the Top 30 Spas of 2008, based on consumer traffic on its site.

Spas of America's Top 30 Spas for 2008

1. 1. 100 Fountain Spa at the Pillar & Post, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
2. 2. The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
3. Fitness Ridge Resort & Spa, Ivins, Utah
4. Abhasa Spa, Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
5. Rancho La Puerta, Tecate, Mexico
6. Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, New York
7. The Tides Zihuatanejo, Zihuatanejo, Mexico
8. Living Waters Spa, Desert Hot Springs, California
9. Turtle Cove Spa, Mountain Harbor Resort, Mount Ida, Arkansas
10. The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, Carefree, Arizona
11. Aspira Spa, The Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
12. Willows Lodge & Spa, Woodinville, Washington
13. Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley, California
14. Secret Garden Spa, Prince of Wales, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
15. Red Mountain Spa, St. George, Utah
16. Anara Spa, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort, Hawaii
17. Crystal Springs Resort, Vernon, New Jersey
18. Miraj Hammam Spa, Vancouver, British Columbia
19. Pala Casino Spa & Resort, Pala, California
20. Grotto Spa, Tigh-Na-Mara Spa Resort, Parksville, British Columbia
21. Spa Terra, Meritage Resort at Napa, Napa, California
22. Chrysalis Inn & Spa, Bellingham, Washington
23. Park Hyatt Toronto, Stillwater Spa, Toronto, Ontario
24. Two Bunch Palms Resort & Spa, Desert Hot Springs, California
25. Ancient Cedars Spa, Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, British Columbia
26. The Heartland Spa, Gilman, Illinois
27. Spa Avania, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona
28. Health Spa Napa Valley, Inn at Southbridge, St. Helena, California
29. Temple Gardens Mineral Spa, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
30. Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa, North Bonneville, Washington

Esthetician Secret #1 - Get a Little Closer! 5 Tips to Receiving an Effective Skin Analysis

Ahhh, you've finally disrobed and settled into the esthetician's chair.  You smell the lavender, you hear the soft Muzak playing, you close your eyes, and then.....pop! A bright light interrupts your peaceful state.  This, my friend, is the beginning of the dreaded skin analysis.  The part of the facial where the technician begins to tell you all of the awful things about your skin that you already know but try to forget.

Don't be alarmed.  The truth is that any esthetician worth her salt knows that the key to the most effective facial, is to conduct a very thorough skin analysis.  Skin analysis is so important, the industry offers master classes on the technique.  Here are some tips for you to know whether a spa is on top of their skin care game.

1. They ask you to fill out a consultation card - this provides all information that an esthetician should be aware of prior to you receiving a service.  This may include whether you are currently taking medication, to previous skin conditions, to whether or not you're wearing a pacemaker.
2. The esthetician asks you about your skin concerns - once the esthetician is armed with this information, he/she should be able to customize a treatment to address those concerns  and can explain why the selected treatment will be beneficial. She may also use this information to recommend products as well.
3. Make-up is removed prior to the physical skin analysis - if make-up is left on, the results of the analysis can be distorted (i.e. hyper-pigmentation or dark marks may be covered and lines may not be as visible).
4. A magnifying lamp is utilized, or better a Wood's lamp - mag lamps allow esthetician's to really see the skin close up which can reveal skin congestion or pimples under the skin.  Wood's lamps (or specialized "black lights") show conditions of the skin that are not visible with the naked eye (i.e. oily/dry patches, potential sun damage, etc).
5. The esthetician explains what she sees - for most clients its frustrating for estheticians to conduct a skin analysis without telling the client what she thinks. You should expect the esthetician educate you about the current state of your skin and how the treatment you will be receiving will benefit you.

So, don't fear the lamp!!  It's actually your friend.

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Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.

Monique Eddleton, "The Great Skin Guru", has nearly 10 years of experience in the beauty and wellness industry. Monique is a Licensed Esthetician and make-up artist, wellness coach, and sought-after expert of all things beauty related.  If you want to know the estheticians’ secrets to great, glowing skin, get your free skin care tips are www.realbeauty101.com.

Treatment Review: Oxygen Facials

Over the past few years, oxygen facials have become all of the rage.  Celebrities from Madonna to Heather Locklear attribute their healthy glowed and super-toned skin to the treatment.  It appears that the trend is catching on, as it has been reported that Americans have received 20,000 oxygen facials in the past year alone.

Estheticians perform the treatment by utilizing a specially designed oxygen machine.  The handle on the machine is loaded with a cocktail of ingredients specially mixed for the individual client's specifications.  Often the treatment cocktail contains hylauronic acid - a component of human connective tissue whose main function is to cushion and lubricate.  HA is often used in skin care treatments due to its super-hydrating effects.  The machine blasts pure oxygen through the follicles (pores) on the skin and delivers the treatment cocktail into the layer of the skin directly below the skin's surface.  This delivery method is regarded by some estheticians to be more effective that other machine-induced delivery methods (i.e. galvanic, ultrasound, etc.)

The treatment costs around $500 and is sold is a series of six weekly treatments (estheticians' favorite selling tactic).  Monthly treatments are also recommended as "maintenance".  The treatment is best suited for those with dry/dehydrated skin types as well as those looking to reduce fine lines.

The Skinny: The jury is still out regarding the effectiveness of the treatment.  Manufacturers of the device are not required to conduct clinical trials to evaluate effectiveness.  In addition, some dermatologists believe the "plumping" experienced by some clients is actually follicular swelling, a natural result of the forced oxygen penetrating the pore.

Below is a video explaining the process from Good Day LA:

Good Day LA segment on Oxygen Facials

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Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.

Monique Eddleton, "The Great Skin Guru", has nearly 10 years of experience in the beauty and wellness industry. Monique is a Licensed Esthetician and make-up artist, wellness coach, and sought-after expert of all things beauty related.  If you want to know the estheticians’ secrets to great, glowing skin, get your free skin care tips are www.realbeauty101.com.