Spa Like A Celebrity

While you may never cruise down Sunset Boulevard, convertible top down and a small purse dog at your side, or shop the exclusive shops along Rodeo Drive, maybe you can spa like a celebrity. In Tinsel Town where the median age is 23 and there are more plastic surgeons than you can shake a stick at, looking beautiful and being pampered is a serious business. Check out these top L.A. day spas:

The "Pink Lady," or the Beverly Hills Hotel, is a Hollywood icon. Imagine pampering yourself like a star from yesteryear. The luxurious spa is favored by the older Beverly Hills crowd, and treatments include a 60-minute Swedish massage for $145 or really indulge with their "After Shopping Paradise," a 70-minute reflexology treatment for tired feet and a spectacular pedicure for $180.

If life (or vacation) in the fast lane feels stale, put the producer on hold and go ClubMud at the Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa in Corona. Their mud treatments of red clay are beneficial for absorbing impurities, tightening and revitalizing skin. After covering themselves with mud, guests relax in the sun or the special drying chamber, followed by a cleansing shower. Then guests can head to The Grotto for an intense body moisturizing treatment. A day-long getaway may also include a massage Under the Oaks or a dip in the mineral essential baths that made Glen Ivy famous.

For Yugoslavian-born skin expert Olga Lorencin and renowned restaurateur Christine Splichal, a French native, the concept and creation of Kinara, a skin care clinic, day spa, cafe and boutique, came naturally. The two have set new standards for the ideal spa experience. Kinara, meaning "on the edge," opened its doors 2002 in West Hollywood to rave reviews. Here exotic woods mix with warm earth tones. The spa offers a variety of facials, a milk bath, and body scrubs using Hawaiian brown sugar. A 50-minute Swedish massage runs $120.

For a little duo time, consider La Petite Retreat Day Spa, one of few spas in L.A. that offers facials and massage as same-room couple's treatments. Located on Larchmont Boulevard in West Los Angeles near Hollywood's Paramount Studios, La Petite Retreat is 2,000-square-feet of paradise. Their 60-minute Jade Stone Couples Massage is $150 each.

Celebrity skin care specialist Ole Henriksen, whose client list includes Charlize Theron and Renee Zellweger, is famous for his elaborate facials and body treatments. Located on West Sunset Boulevard, Ole's nature-based products are used in conjunction with state-of-the-art equipment. If you can't afford the more expensive treatments, a one-hour Swedish massage runs only $90.

Henriksen's treatments can also be enjoyed at the One Spa at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, a 7,000-square-foot spa right on the beach. Their signature treatments include the Beach Buff, a Swedish massage and scrub and buff with a sea mineral body scrub. The treatment concludes with a Tropical Train Rince, living the skin smooth and silky.

Although it features some beachfront real estate, the Spa at La Meirgot at the La Merigot Beach Hotel also features relatively affordable spa treatments. Aromatherapy essences greet guests as they enter the doors of this lovely spa where both the hour-long Aromatherapy Massage and Classic European Facial run $105.

For the ultimate experience in luxury, call ahead to make your reservation at the Four Seasons Hotel, Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Spa to ensure your treatment at one of the most elegant spas in L.A. Created exclusively for Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles, the Cleopatra milk and honey treatment cocoons guests in a milk and honey wrap that leaves the skin feeling, well, like baby skin. Their 60-minute California cabana massage is performed in a private poolside cabana for $165. The classic Swedish massage is offered for 60 minutes at $155.

Home Spa Treatment

The patient slowly enters your office with noticeable pain, carrying records inches thick. After establishing rapport for fifteen minutes, taking the history for an hour and doing a physical exam for twenty minutes, you find yourself already over time. Treatment time? Next visit perhaps – that is if the patient returns. How many times do you find yourself in this situation? Effective history taking and physical exams take time. That is reality. The other reality is that the patient walks away feeling frustrated. They are tired, sick or in pain, and have to wait until the next office visit for what they came for in the first place - treatment. You are also frustrated because you desired to improve your patient’s condition on the first visit. As a result, both the physician and patient are not completely satisfied. Adding a therapeutic, safe and inexpensive outpatient treatment is an effective solution. Outpatient treatment alleviates time pressure because you now have a tool that patients can do at home. The need to rush through the history and physical is no longer necessary. Take your time; be thorough. Now many of your patients may treat themselves at home. This outpatient treatment is Balneotherapy. Balneotherapy is simply hydrotherapy combined with therapeutic baleno-grade peat. Hydrotherapy treats numerous conditions and has only a few contraindications. Educating the patient for this in-home procedure takes about ten minutes. Training a physician to use the therapeutic product effectively takes about an hour. It can be done over the phone, internet or in-office. What is Balneo-grade peat? Balneo-grade peat is peat suited for therapeutic spa treatments. There are strict standards set by The Czech Ministry of Health which demand safety and quality of health products. The Ministry of Health is the European agency similar to America’s Food and Drug Administration. Samples of peat are sent to The Ministry of Health for testing. The peat must not contain heavy metals, radiation or other toxins. The peat must contain a specific amount of water, sulfur, humic acids, fulvic acids, cellulose and be in an appropriate stage of humification. If any of these conditions are not met, the peat is marked inferior grade, not suitable for hydrotherapy. The Czech Ministry of Health received, tested and approved Torf Krasno peat for hydrotherapy spa use. This peat is now available in the United States and Canada. Torf Krasno Balneo-grade peat is unlike peat most people know. Torf Krasno peat is in a natural state, non-pasteurized and without additives or preservatives. Torf Krasno harvests, stirs and packages the peat into patented packaging which allows safe storage for more than one year. A brief introduction about Torf Krasno is necessary. Torf Krasno is the largest and most famous peat supplier in the Czech Republic. Torf Krasno supplies countless famous spas, clinics and hotels in Europe. One such famous spa area Torf Krasno supplies is Karlovy Vary. Individuals, nobility and travelers come from the world over to receive spa treatments at Karlovy Vary. Each year, in Europe alone, Torf Krasno supplies balneo peat for more than 500,000 therapeutic procedures. Torf Krasno balneo peat is new to the United States market. It is already proving to be an asset for various physicians, clinics and spas. What are the uses of peat? home use by patients, numerous uses and applications are available. The following are some easy applications and uses of peat therapy for home use by patients: Bathing in hot water with peat:

* musculoskeletal pains,
* aches,
* stiffness
* mobility issues
* chronic arthritis
* fibromyalgia
* scoliosis
* detoxification
* post-workout stress
* insomnia
* relaxation
* infertility
* immune system stimulation
* eczema

Bathing in warm water with peat:

* lower blood pressure

Bathing in neutral water with peat:

* heavy metal detoxification [esp lead]
* stress relief
* insomnia
* relaxation

Cold peat pack on localized affected area:

* acute arthritic pain and swelling
* acute sprain
* acute tendonitis
* acute spasm

Hot peat pack on localized affected area:

* frozen shoulder
* chronic sprain
* chronic tendonitis
* mobility issues
* pain
* cellulite reduction

Bath and body products

Bath and body products come in many shapes and styles. Whether you like a light, fruity scent or a heavy, musky fragrance you can be sure that there is a product that will suit your needs. Following are some new classics in bath and body products that you can find in a number of different stores.

Of course, the very first thing that pops into most people’s minds when they think of bath and body products is soap. This versatile product can be found in retail stores and specialty stores. Quality soaps can even be found in you local drugstore or supermarket.

Soap is one of the most valuable bath and body products because it is the foundation of the whole bathing process. Many of us use other items in the bath but we usually do in addition to a good, old-fashioned bar of soap. Today’s items come in a seemingly endless number of fragrances and colors.

Bubble bath is another must-have among bath and body products. Nothing is more relaxing than a nice, hot bubble bath. You can find a plethora of aromas and this product promises to leave you feeling clean and smooth in the process. Even the containers used to hold bubble bathing soaps are really attractive. This is a winner all the way around.

Many of us want the feel of bubble bath but we just don’t have time to soak in the tub. Bath gels are wonderful options that can be used right in the shower. These bath and body product offer the aroma that their bubble counterparts do but you don’t have to spend a long time to get the same effect.

Those of us who do have some time to devote to a spa treatment may want to consider taking a day to exfoliate and moisturize by using some of the newer bath and body products on the market. Not only do these items get rid of dead skin and leave you skin glowing some can even reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Cellulite creams are among the most popular newer bath and body products on the market but many women are afraid that they are a waste of money. You know that your money is well spent by looking at the ingredients. If the product contains seaweed or caffeine, you have a winner.

Bath and body products have come a long way over the years. Today’s options offer many benefits that were not possible years ago. No matter how much has changed, none of the bath and body products stand up to good, old-fashioned soap.

Spa gift basket

There are so many holidays and special occasions. I often wonder if it was always like this. According to my parents, there have been plenty of nuances over the years. The special dates just keep on coming. But, there's no reason to fret. It may seem challenging or difficult to find that ideal gift for friends and loved ones, but it's truly a cinch. Everyone loves spa gift baskets! And please don't give me some spiel about how manly men don't like them. It's a facade or a flat-out lie. The truth is we all love spa gift baskets. You just have to know the right items and/or services to include. There's one to suit us all.

So there I was, debating whether or not I should purchase another piece of jewelry for my wife. After thinking long and hard, I was torn. What is it that I could get her that's unique in some way and exciting to receive? As I strolled past the Aveda salon, it hit me. What about spa treatments or spa gift baskets? I could hand-pick items to build and ideal basket or purchase a gift card including a few different pampering treatments. This was a great idea. I new right of the bat my wife would love this. After entering the salon/spa and speaking with a sales clerk, I decided to go with the treatments. What's better than having a full body massage, relaxing facial, and pedicure done in one day? Any woman would go nuts over this spa gift basket. All I had to do is select the treatments and buy the gift card. It even came in a fancy envelope with lavender sprinkled inside.

Ponder what your special someone likes. It really doesn't matter if they're male or female. Spa gift baskets and salon treatments are where it's at. There's not a man on this planet that wouldn't enjoy a one hour massage. Also, most spas now days offer skin care lines for men as well. So all you women can build spa gift baskets filled with shaving sets and styling products to suit your special guy. He may not talk about grooming products and spa gift baskets, but rest assured he'll indulge once he receives it. It's only human nature to enjoy pampering.