Spa Days
 

I've only been to a spa once, a completely fantastic experience while on vacation. It was the full package, and I didn't have to pay for anything extra, except tips.

The Boy has given me a Spa Day as a gift, no price limit, although I don't plan to kill his credit. Which procedures would YOU recommend? Can any of the 'burgh people suggest a local place that's really good? I'm torn between a few ideas (one being getting my feet ready for the summer, another a massage, another a really super facial), and I wanted to know if spas will send you a "menu" of selections. Oh, if I'm going to get a spa, I'd want it to be close enough that the traffic won't ruin the experience (Serendipity Spa, in Mt. Lebanon?).

Suggestions, please?

I don't know where you are, so I can't suggest a place, but I have been to my share of spas and I would vote for a pedicure -it is that time of year. Plus, I am partial to massages. I don't really like facials but some people do.

Enjoy!!

Any spa should be happy to send you a menu, and if the spa has any kind of decent web site, the menu will be there.

I would suggest a massage. If they offer an 80 or 90 minute massage, go for it.

You may or may not enjoy a facial. I find them to be a cross between a relaxing spa treatment and a visit to the dermatologist. But my skin always looks much better after a facial. At my last facial, the therapist recommended a couple of products that I ended up buying, and they really have improved my complexion (although they weren't cheap).

I once had a body wrap. I felt like a baked potato. :p It just felt... strange.

A pedicure is a great idea, especially with sandal weather approaching.

Whatever you decide, relax and enjoy!

I agree with the pedicure and massage suggestions....

Wrap baby!!! And a microdermabrasion--that did WONDERS for me. Have hot stones and a seaweed facial. Pedicure with paraffin wax, makes your feet much softer because of the wax.

Can't tell you where to go because I wouldn't know. But I do love the Spa vacation!!!

Tell me more about the microdermabrasion! I've been considering that for a while - ever since I was bit by a dog in the face. Most people don't see the scars, but I do and they bother me. My dermatologist told me that it won't hurt me (I've had skin cancer).

The fun thing I'm noticing about the ones which do have menus is that it's actually less expensive to have quite a few treatments than just one or two. I like that idea! :D

you can do a 1/2 day or a full day with lunch at most places if you really want to go for it! My personal favorites are a hot stone massage, a body massage with exfoliation, and a pedicure with a parafin wrap. If you are concerned about over doing it I would leave the pedicure and manicure for a different time. I have not found that high end spas have much better service than some of your better walk in mani/pedi places, but they frequently have twice the price.

Have fun! Spa days are the bestest!

I very rarely get spa treatments, but for the rare times when I do, I go to Capretti & Co. in Crafton. I 've had my hair cut there since I had hair to cut, and they did nails and etc for my SIL's wedding and my wedding. Very nice people, very nice service.

http://www.caprettiandco.com/

(full disclosure, my husband is their webmaster)

Another suggestion - if you have a good girlfriend who can go with you, it is a fun thing to do with a friend. You can schedule your pedis together and have a glass of wine while you relax.

Also, take advantage of the complimentary services that may (or may not) be available at your spa (plunge pool, steam room, etc) Spend the day and relax!

Note that most spas will tell you to lay off the alcohol prior to your visit. It increases blood flow, which may make you more prone to inflammation and irritation.

I absolutely love facials and try to get one every couple of months. I also only get pedicures at my spa because I like pedicures to be relaxing; the ones at the small nail parlours make me nervous, and I don't enjoy the rushed, rough treatment. I'm also pretty sure I got an infection the last time I went to one of those places. I don't tend to enjoy spa massages as much as other people, but I think that's because I like certain areas focused on, and I like hard massages. I do better with a massage therapist.

So my recommendations are facial and pedicure with the works. :D

ETA: lots of facials include neck/shoulder, arm, hand/foot massages, too.

Ooh, I love spa days. Do this several times a year.

The best spa that I have been to was The Spa at The Crescent in Dallas. I know that you are not in that part of the country, but aim for a place that would have comparable services. You will pay a little more, but you won't be disapointed.

I always enjoy going for the full day. Some spas allow you use of a sauna, jacuzzi, pool, etc before and/or after your treatments, and then they offer you a lunch. Wonderful.

I personally like the places that have an area to relax between treatments, such as a nice part of the women's locker room. You can just hang out in your fluffy bathrobe and drink fruit tea or cucumber water. Sometimes I socialize with others who are there, other times I just want to read a magazine and "escape."

As for services:
Facial- It took me getting about 3 facials before I really started enjoying them. I don't know if that was an age thing, I got used to it, or what. But people are right- it can hurt when they are plucking all that crap out of your pores, but now I feel so much better having had one.

Mani/pedi are good, especailly the paraffin kind. However, these areas are usualy busier with many other people getting services. If you are going for a relaxing day, don't plan on it with these services. However, if you are going to get prettied up... then definitely yes. Only one spa that i have been to had a private room for mani/pedi. The pedi was great... they put me in a chair that leaned so far back that my back was practically on the floor and my feet were at the appropriate level for the person giving the pedicure. Sounds awkward, but it was so comfortable.

I have actually enjoyed some of the fancy baths that are offered, and I am not generally a bath person. However, I have had some with amazing scented flowers and oil in the bath, and with their mood lighting and music it can be a little slice of heaven. Definitely worth considering.

I did a mud type thing once. It was nice- very exfoliating, but very messy! I would definitely do it again, but now I have to wait for vacation as there is nothing anything offered like that in my current town.

A few things to keep in mind:
--Fridays (wedding preps) and Saturdays (people on vacation or off work) are the busiest. I typically go on a Tuesday as that is the least crowded. But I like the peace and quiet. Others may not. Also, for back when I was working, it felt so fun to "skip work" and go to the spa!
-- leave ALL your jewelry at home. Everything.
-- there is no need to show up cute. The massage is often one of the earlier treatments in the day, and your hair gets oily and messed up. If you plan to go out that evening, you will certainly have to shower and wash your hair beforehand. Build that into your schedule.
-- My husband always gives these days to me as gifts. We have learned that most- but not all- places include the gratuity when he purchases the gift package. You will want to know beforehand if this is the case. If it is inlcuded, it is often at 18%.. you are welcome to give more on the day of service.
-- I sometimes add in waxing (not relaxing I know, but while I am there it is just easy to go ahead and get the brows done..). If you do this, schedule it first, or at least before the facial. Most places are smart enough to know this, but I went to one that was not.

Enjoy it! I am so jealous! Now that I have two tiny kids at home (one still nursing) it is hard to get away for an entire day and truly escape. I have very few indulgent habits, but spa days are definitely one of them. I know that you will have a great time.

I agree with the Doctor above. Wrap treatments are the best. Often they involve a water treatment or mini massage... you can get a lot of bang for your buck depending on the spa and their choices.

enjoy yourself!

So, I had the chemical peel, with the suction. The chemical peel is rough and is rubbed on your face, then the aesthetician allows it to sit, then takes it off with either a rub the "abrasion" and the suction. I thought I had no dirt, but looking at the fallout, my pores were dirty... And the aesthetician said that my stuff wasn't that bad! :eek:

If you have had major facial difficulties, I am unsure if the microdermabraision will affect anything like that, it is likened too a deep pore vacuum cleaning--which does allow for "skin regeneration" to occur. YOU SHOULD NOT BE COMPLETELY RED WITH MAJOR BUMPS!!! So, if you do choose this course, say you are allergic to EVERYTHING, and the abrasion materials won't be too harsh on your skin.

And interact with your aesthetician, he or she will appreciate sharing how to bring out your best facial health.

YEAH, The Crescent is EXTRAORDINARY!!!! BEEN THERE!!! Got the Seaweed Wrap and make sure you sit in the steam and/or sauna rooms. Their water drinks are like, WOW!!!

I love hot stone massages. Massages are a great way to go to relax - no matter how good your man is at backrubs, there's nothing like a professional massage!