Top 10 Places in Britain For a Spa Day

1. Best for spa days in Scotland

Glasgow: Spa in the City

Guaranteed to find a spa treatment to suit you, this day spa will cater for your every need. If you are unsure of what spa treatment to have let your beauty therapist recommend the perfect spa treatment for your lifestyle. Using only the finest ESPA products, the team of expert therapists offer luxurious spa treatments in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Edinburgh: Norton House Hotel

Part of Hand Picked Hotels, Norton House is a sanctuary of tranquillity and harmony. The day spa, which has been carefully designed to create a sense of warmth and blissful relaxation, boosts a luxurious pool, therapeutic hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam rooms innovative fitness suite and studio, and Rasul mud room, as well as a range of holistic spa treatments.

Aberdeen: Saks Hair and Beauty

The award winning salon offers every spa treatment that you would expect from the Nationwide Salon Group of the Year. Whether it's cut, colour, hair-cut, extensions or a spa treatment, Saks offers it all.

2. Best for spa days in the South East

London: Six Senses Spa at Pan Peninsula

An ideal base to escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital, Six Senses Spa at Pan Peninsula offers every spa treatment you can imagine for a relaxing spa day. Featuring eight luxurious treatment rooms, two couple's treatment rooms, bio-thermal circuit with chromotherapy steam cabin, crystal laconium, and traditional dry sauna, this day spa is the perfect place to relax for hours.

Kent: Brandshatch Place

Set in twelve and a half acres of lush country side, this hotel spa is the perfect retreat for a spa day. It features everything you could possibly need, including a swimming pool, squash court, state of the art gym, tennis courts, as well as treatments rooms where you can enjoy a variety of spa therapies. What more could you want?

Surrey: Nutfield Priory

Situated high on a thickly wooded ridge next to the extravagant architecture of Nutfield Priory Hotel, this hotel spa provides the perfect tranquil setting for a relaxing pamper day. Using Espa, Clarins and Essie it offers a range of spa treatments, all carried out by experienced therapists.

3. Best for spa days in the North West

Manchester: The Spa Co Urban Oasis at Debenhams City Centre

With a warm and welcoming atmosphere this spa provides the perfect setting for a spa day. Boasting private treatment rooms and an open plan area where individuals and groups can enjoy a range of spa treatments together, it's a great spot for city pampering.

Cheshire: Rookery Hall Hotel

At this hotel spa you can enjoy a relaxing spa day amid acres of parkland and woodland. Offering eight treatment rooms, a relaxation room, glass roofed indoor pool, fully-equipped gym and brassiere, there really is something for everyone.

Lancashire: Dove Spa at re-aqua Ormskirk

Dove Spa at re-aqua Ormskirk offers a range of spa treatments to cater for your every beauty need. So whether it be a manicures, facial or massage this day spa makes the perfect place to get groomed and gorgeous.

4. Best for spa days in the South West

Somerset: Green Street House

Nestled in the heart of Bath, this day spa is makes for a luxurious pamper day. It's peaceful and tranquil surroundings and range of holistic spa treatments will help to encourage relaxation. The perfect antidote to nourish the mind, body and soul.

Devon: Neal's Yard Therapy Rooms - Exeter

Offering a variety of spa treatments from acupuncture to shiatsu, Neal's Yard Therapy Rooms is the ideal place to relax and unwind with some much needed me-time.

Bristol: Pure Face Works

Focusing on the health and vitality of your skin, Pure Face Works aims to help your skin look and feel it's best whatever your age. Offering a variety of relaxing spa treatments from facials to massages, it's a great retreat where your face is under focus.

5. Best for spa days in North East

West Yorkshire: Waterfall Spa

A ladies-only day spa offering luxury spa facilities and spa treatments in the heart of the city centre. It's the perfect place for busy ladies with little time on their hands to unwind and catch up over a little pampering.

North Yorkshire: The Devonshire Health Spa

Housed in a converted barn, the Health Spa is a haven for relaxation and rejuvenation. With experienced and friendly staff to attend to your every need, this day spa will make you leave as a fresh and happy new you.

County Durham: Broom Mill Day Spa

With views over tranquil meadows it's hard to find a better setting for a relaxing day out. Its purpose built treatment suite, thermal suite, swimming pool and relaxation area provides the all you need to sit back and put your spa-slippered feet up.

6. Best for spa days in East of England

Hertfordshire: Dove Spa Chorleywood

Offering an array of spa treatments including customised facials, massages, manicures and pedicures to name just a few, this well known spa aims to make women feel more beautiful every day by inspiring them to take great care of themselves. Sounds good to us!

Essex: You Spa at The Radisson SAS Hotel

You Spa brings together the perfect combination of integrated spa treatments and signature therapies for you to enjoy - a great choice for any avid spa-goer

Cambridgeshire: Amanda Allport in Huntingdon

Armed with years of spa experience, this spa offers exclusive spa treatments for you to enjoy. Catering not just for the skin, but also for the mind, body and soul, this day spa is the place to be for bespoke pampering

7. Best for spa days in East Midlands

Nottinghamshire: Eden Day Spa

This beautifully designed haven is the perfect retreat for a spa day to melt away all your cases and stresses of modern life. Their friendly professionals are ready and waiting to energize your mind and body with a range of pampering spa treatments.

Leicestershire: Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa

Combining state-of-the-art facilities with the charm of traditional Victorian architecture, Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa is the perfect place for a pamper day. Providing traditional spa treatments, and extensive spa facilities it is an ideal base for you to relax.

Northamptonshire: Rushton Hall Stableyard at Rushton Hall

Feel refreshed and rejuvenated with a relaxing spa day at this hotel spa. Surrounded by tranquil countryside, awaken your senses with fresh air and top treatments.

8. Best for spa days in the West Midlands

West Midlands: New Hall Hotel and Spa

Hidden away in the grounds of a hotel this spa offers the ultimate pamper day in a welcoming environment. Make the most of your spa day and treat yourself to one of its many spa treatments or relax in its extensive facilities.

Staffordshire: Eden Day Spa at Hoar Cross Hall

Unwind and relax in this impressive hotel spa with a luxurious treatment. And if that's not enough, this hotel spa has a salt water pool, steam, sauna and saunarium, Jacuzzi, and gym to keep you occupied.

Warwickshire: Pure Bliss

This day spa lets you choose where you would like to enjoy your spa treatments. So whether you want your spa treatments in the comfort of you own home or in the tranquil settings of the day spa there is something for everyone.

9. Best for day spas in Wales

Cardiff: Derma Skin Clinic

This specialist non-surgical day spa offers all the latest spa treatments, including Botox and fillers to leave you feeling great about yourself and looking ten years younger. What's not to love?

Clyd: Glow

It's not just the name that will bring sunshine into your life, at this day spa you're guaranteed to leave feeling happy and refreshed. The spa's comfortable surroundings and luxurious spa treatments make for a great spa day.

Dyfed: St Brides Spa Hotel

At St Brides Spa Hotel, you will feel like you have just stepped onto the beach. This day spa has been specifically designed to reflect its seaside location, with spectacular views from its cliff top setting.

10. Best for day spas in Northern Ireland

Dublin: French Beauty Day Spa

You've guessed it. This French day spa offers every French spa treatment you could imagine. Trained to the highest standards, in France, this day spa's therapists will leave you feel invigorated and de-stressed after a much needed pamper day. Parfait!

County Carlow: AromaSpa at Kilgraney House

Situated in a restored apple storehouse this aromatherapy centre offers a variety of spa treatments for both men and women. As well as enjoying a relaxing spa treatment why not make the most of your spa day and indulge in their aromatherapy inspired experiences?

Cork: Beauty Regain Clinic

An award winning day spa, for the last 7 years, this day spa sets itself apart by offering new types of spa treatments. Through constant research and investigation, it is able to invite customers to try out the very latest pampering spa treatments.

All the above venues can be found on Wahanda.com which offers a huge selection of spas, health and beauty locations in destinations across the UK and around the world. If you're looking to buy a spa voucher or send someone on a luxurious spa day, then you'll find everything you need on Wahanda.

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Spa And Hot Tub Heat Conservation

It is a known fact that hot tubs and spas heat water. This is why it is always better to aim to conserve as much of this heat as possible with these tips.

Covering your spa saves energy:

As heat rises, keeping your spa covered helps in retaining the heat that is generated in the spa. This is why most of the modern spas have well-insulated shells. With a cover that is in good condition, ensuring that the tie straps are snugly fit and latched when the spa is not in use helps in reducing leakage of heat.

However with deteriorated spa covers, heat leaks at the hinge-fold and spa shell rim with improper seating of the edges of the cover. If you find your spa cover to be heavy, it means that the foam core insulation is water logged. However as water logged covers have no R-value, it only leads to wastage of heating dollars. Instead, opt for a high quality replacement spa cover that saves energy, lasts longer, is more resistant to water absorption and helps in improving the beauty of the spa.

The benefits of Creating Windbreaks:

Windbreaks have to be created around the spa not only for privacy sakes, but also for reducing wind exposure that can lead to heat loss. Privacy panels, fencing, spa enclosures, coveralls and shrubs also work as effective windbreaks.

Tips for thermostat settings:

Factory spas have a high temperature limit of 104 degrees F. however by reducing the temperature to 102 degrees F; overall energy consumption is reduced considerably as you need more energy to heat additional degrees of your spa water.

What to do when going for a vacation:

When on a vacation, the thermostat has to be reduced. If you will not be around for a week or more during the warmer months, the heater can either be switched off or set at lowest levels. However in freezing weather, heating has to be maintained to prevent damage to pipes and plumbing during to freezing. Heating can be avoided if the spa is winterized, and its water removed from plumbing system.

Tips for off-peak heating:

Check with your power company to see if they offer reduced rates on power utilities during off peak hours, because of lowest demands. If your spa has a timer circuit, you could program your thermostat to heat the spa during off-peak heating. With a well insulated spa and a good cover, it is possible to maintain heat for a few hours, even when heater is switched off.

Blowers, lights and air jets used in spas:

The air induction jets in the spa offers soothing massage when in the spa. However by inducing air into the spa, it lowers the water temperature that has to be replaced with the spa heater. Do switch off air and water lights when the spa is not used.

Though powered air blowers were once popular, they are not favored. In fact, when buying new spas today, it is recommended not to buy one that has an air blower motor. These spas are not only loud; they consume lots of energy and lowers the water temperature rapidly.

Better and more expensive spas have adjustable hydro jets in them that induces warmed air from the equipment cabinet into the water. This is a better option for your spa than a motor driven blower.

About plumbing system and filter cartridge in spas:

The filters in the spa have to be cleaned with every water change and with non-foaming filter cleaning compound every 3 to 4 months. This is because a clogged spa filter reduces the circulation of the spa water, and strains the pump. Clogged filters also makes your heater element perform less efficiently. Filters have to be replaced annually for the peak performance of the spa, cleaner water and savings in energy.

Use a spa system flush for flushing the plumbing system and heater element when changing the water in the spa. This helps maintain uninterrupted water flow the efficient working of your heater element.

The floating thermal blanket reduces loss of heat with insulation and reduction of evaporation. Though a small investment is required for this blanket, it brings with itself Hugh returns with the added advantage of maintaining the build up of moisture in the spa to a minimum. This helps increase the life of the spa cover.

How to conserve water:

Water should not be wasted. So repair leaks if required, and adjust jets to ensure the streams of hot water are not sent to the deck.

Tips To Follow When Shopping for a New Spa:

When buying a new spa to replace an obsolete and energy wasting spa, shop wisely. Never overbuy horsepower as some manufacturers play the jet and horsepower numbers game. Remember that the more jets they offer, the more horsepower that is required for feeding the jets.
More than the number of jets, the design and engineering of the spa is important. With a well designed spa, you don't need numerous jets for a soothing and vigorous hydro massage. Remember that the larger is the pump motor, the more power it consumes for its running. This in turn leads to huge power bills.

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Big Apple Spa: Experience the Best Day Spas in New York City

Planning a visit to NYC? In the midst of deciding what Broadway show to see, where to shop, sleep, and eat, don't forget a little pampering. A visit to a day spa is a perfect way to unwind and indulge during your stay. But there are countless day spas in the city. How do you tell which day spas are the best? Following are a sampling, including spas for the budget-minded and extravagant luxury spas.

One of the true originals, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa on Fifth Avenue still commands a loyal following. The Red Door's celebrity colorist brad johns defines color from around the world. Botox, Restylane and Juverderm services have recently been added and are performed by plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryan G. Forley, voted one of the "Best Doctors of 2005" in New York Magazine. Guests may enjoy their classic 50-minute massage for $105.

An exquisite day spa tucked away on the sixth floor of Takashimaya, the luxury Japanese department store on 5th Avenue, Barbo at Takashimaya is an intimate spa, featuring only two treatments rooms, and no plans to expand. While the products in the spa are from the German line, Barbor, the treatments themselves have an Asian influence. The Sea Creation facial ($250) is one of the spa's most popular treatments - designed to regenerate the skin and boost cell energy. Make sure to order tea service after your service at the Teabox Cafe where more than 48 different types of tea are available.

Located on Broadway, Bliss Soho has been voted Conde Nast Traveler's "Best Urban Day Spa." The flagship spa was created by Marcia Kilgore in the 1990s. The atmosphere mixes a modern, tongue-in-chic approach to grooming with a vast menu of facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, body treatments, and more. There are two other locations at East 57th Street and Bliss 4 in W Hotel.

Hailing from the Peninsula Hotel, Cornelia Zicu is a star esthetician who now owns her own spa. Cornelia Day Resort is located in midtown and is the first in NYC to have a watsu pool massage treatment. The watsu takes place in warm-waist-deep water. The spa's specialized watsu pool is heated to the exact temperature as the body. Because of the pool, the treatment is relatively unusual to the city.

Boasting a "wet lounge solarium," Great Jones Spa, located in Manhattan, features hot tubs, cold plunge pools, and saunas, which are available to guests up to two hours prior and one hour following spa treatments. Their 60-minute Swedish massage is offered for $130.

Offering affordable serenity in Manhattan, Haven, located on Mercer Street, is a cozy neighborhood day spa with a hospitable environment. Services include body therapy, facials, hand and foot therapies, waxing, and massage packages. One-hour Swedish massages run $115, while the "80 minutes in Haven" facial treatment ($150) leaves guests glowing.

For those who are seeking more than just a pampering treatment, Juva on 56th Street is a medical spa offering therapies which tackle issues such as sun spots and acne. Under the medical supervision of Bruce Katz, M.D., the Juva products used during treatments provide long-lasting benefits with mineral essentials and surpass normal spa techniques.

Designed to impress the most jaded spa goer, Juvenex combines Asian, European, and American spa remedies which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Walking through its doors, guests are transported into another place with unusual saunas, plunge pools, and the Jade Igloo - made from 20 tons of semi-precious stones. The spa is open to women only, daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and for couples during the evening from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Go for something truly unforgettable with a visit to the Spa at Mandarian Oriental, affording great views of Central Park and featuring amenities such as the "Heat Expereince" rooms. Considered one of the best hotel spas in New York, services are pricey, but luxurious. Bamboo, natural stone and gold leaf set the tone for an amazing Manhattan spa experience that focuses on rebalance and an enhanced sense of well-being. The spa's latest addition is the Thai Yaga room, designed especially for their exclusive Thai Yoga Massage.

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Spas - 7 Ways to Enhance Your Spa Experience

Have you ever imagined being pampered in one of the world's top spas? Or have you been thinking about having that rejuvenating facial or relaxing massage at your local day spa? Whether you are going for a single treatment, a spa resort vacation or a complete body overhaul, you need to know how to get the best from your visit.

1. What do you want?

Don't choose a spa before first thinking about exactly what it is you want to take away from your experience. If your idea of heaven is a facial, manicure and pedicure, followed by some relaxation by the swimming pool, then you don't want to go for a spa that focuses on health and fitness regimes. Alternatively, if you are after that leaner, fitter physique, then be realistic about what you might have to do to achieve it. Work out what balance of relaxation, rejuvenation and complete overhaul would really suit you. For that truly unique and exotic experience, the location and the theme of its treatments may be more important to you than the health aspects.

2. Booking your treatments

If you are going for a spa mini-break, always book your treatments well in advance to make sure that the therapists will be available during your stay. For a half day or day spa ask if they have extended treatment times or a package of treatments to get more out of your visit. If you want the flexibility to choose what you want based on how you feel when you arrive, enquire whether you can reserve a block of time instead of a treatment. But be aware that the treatment you want may not be available at short notice.

3. Know what to expect

Before booking a treatment, make sure you get it properly explained to you - as descriptions may not always lead what you expect. Always ask for an experienced therapist and tell him/her exactly what you want from your treatment. If anything makes you uncomfortable, such as having a particular area of your body massaged, say so before the start of the treatment. You may also want to make enquiries about hygiene. Ask what measures the spa takes to avoid infection, for example for pedicures.

4. Anti-ageing and rejuvenation

Although high-quality pampering is a big factor in spas, get the most out of your experience by looking for rejuvenating health and anti-ageing treatments that really deliver results. Some spas offer a one-stop shop for your body maintenance. You'll find specialist advice from dermatologists offering skincare and cellulite treatments to nutritionists advising on weight loss programmes. Spas are also increasingly including medical and dental checks. If you lead a busy life, this is an ideal way to get a complete wellness check for men and women all under one roof.

5. Your own personal spa

You can also get the spa to come to your hotel or resort room. Resorts and hotels now offer spa suites with massage facilities adjoining your bedroom. After treatment from your personal therapist, you can relax in your own personal spa- bathroom.

6. Go in a group

If you're uncomfortable with going on you own, spa suites are a popular way to accommodate several people at the same time for treatments. Go with a group of girlfriends or book some treatments for your business associates. Something special to celebrate perhaps? You can purchase a spa gift certificate for someone and go in a group. Where family groups are welcomed, you can get your kids to learn healthy- eating habits, grooming skills and the importance of living a balanced life, while you are someplace else being pampered.

7. Take it home with you

To really benefit from your spa experience, look for ways in which you can take it home with you. From lessons on lifestyle, healthy eating and stress management to products that extend the experience long after your treatments have ended. Spa decor for the home is also very popular now. Recreate the spa experience in your own bathroom, shower or hot tub, with spa products such as bathrobes, towels and candles.

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Spa Party A Growing Trend

Spa party has now become one of the leading trends. The spa party is a private party, which can be either bridal shower, birthday etc. The first and the foremost thing for a spa party is to find a professional company that has a credible background and are known for specializing in the spa services. The company who is organizing the spa party designs a truly comfortable atmosphere, which includes scented candles that will give an excellent fragrance to the environment. They also set the spa music, robes as well as slippers for the guests.

The professionals who organize spa party also decorate the spa according to the theme of the host and for that they gather an extensive detail from them. The other things that are the part of a spa party include the manicures, pedicures as well as massages. These treatments are for about a 20 minute period or so. All of these services just make the spa party really successful and all the guests just have a wonderful time and enjoy it at best.

The charge of a spa party varies according to the services that are included in the package, as well as the time duration for which the party is going to last. Generally the home spa parties costs in the range of $100 to $150 per person and includes either two or three treatments and sometimes includes a gift. There are some spa companies that can arrange catering as well as elaborate goodie bags. Spa parties can also range from four people to large gatherings.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for spa party supplies and fun free educational party games. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Shop has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

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How to Close (Winterize) Your Hot Tub Spa

Be careful closing down your spa yourself. If any water is left in your hot tub it can freeze and cause cracking and that can be very costly to fix. If you are not comfortable with closing down your spa yourself, please contact your local pool and spa company and schedule an appointment for them to come out and close down your spa.

1. TURN OFF THE POWER. Make sure there is absolutely no power getting to your spa. Now remove your thermal cover (if you have one) and by using a sump pump or the spa's own drain plug, begin draining your spa completely. If you decide to use a sump pump make sure when your finished to remove the drain plug from your spa anyway.

2. Open your spa panel where your heater is and turn it off. Next put your spa cover back on and turn your spa back on to activate the air blower. Let your air blower run for 30 seconds to blow all the remaining water out of the pipes. If you don't have an air blower then you don't need to do this step.

3. Remove the cover and suck out the water that was blown out of the pipes from the air blower. Make sure you get all the water out, the foot well and the area where your filters are located can be tricky getting the water out. If need be use a towel to soak up all the remaining water.

4. Go to the spa control pack and trip the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Now turn off your spa completely again.

5. Remove any drain plugs from your spa pump(s) that look like they are drain plugs and can be unscrewed and taken out. Also look on the heater for any quick disconnect drain plugs. Now replace the panel to the spa securely

6. The last thing you need to do is blow out water from the pipes. Take a shop vac on the blow setting or an air compressor and hold it up against each jet in your hot tub spa. This should help get out any water remaining in your jet hoses. Once this is done, suck up all the water that was blown out and replace the hot tub cover securely so it does not blow away. Now You're done. Just remember, if you do not feel comfortable closing your tub, please contact a pool and spa professional in your area to help you with this.

Swim University http://www.swimuniversity.com The Ultimate Guide To Caring For Your Pool or Spa Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Gio

Spa Cover Broken?

We get a lot of inquiries from spa owners that are replacing their cover due to hail damage. Traditional rigid foam covers get hammered by hail because they do not absorb impact very well. The foam inside the cover is rigid enough to form a bridge over the spa, however it does not allow for impacts.

Branches, falling debris and large hail will pound the foam with enough force to damage or break the cover. As people who live in areas of heavy hail storms know, anything rigid is going to take a pounding. If you have been replacing covers because of this type of damage you have to ask yourself if there is some better way of covering your spa.

Let’s look at a few options. First you could opt for an Aluminum cover. This would be stronger than a foam filled spa cover, but it could be a little unwieldy because a one piece cover that size would need significant storage space. Not to mention even the slightest wind would make it a very large destructive frisbee.

Another option would be to go with a roll cover. These are very strong and essentially work like a portion of deck that you roll over the spa. The down side is they tend to collect small debris and allow it to get into the spa. Though strong they also offer little in the way of insulation.

Then you could choose to go for a reinforced rigid foam cover. One of the latest developments in this area is to have the foam glued to a board for strength. This would of course handle all but the most devastating hail storm. Only two caveats on this type of spa cover, it still will fly in a wind storm and with the added mass it will do serious damage to anything it lands on and it will still eventually become saturated. Once it is saturated a cover like this will be a four person job to open the spa.

The solution to this would be something that is able to give or absorb impacts. In Hollywood when a stunt man falls from a great height, he wants to land on something that will absorb his impact like an air bag. The air bag principle would work as a spa cover to guard against impact damage. Just like the stunt man landing on a cushion of air the same would be true of debris, branches and even severe hail.

Now the stunt air bag is designed to open and release air when it catches the stunt person so please do not use your air filled hot tub cover this way. However if your house is on fire and you have to jump out of the window aiming for the large air bag would probably save your life. I should note here that jumping on any spa cover would not be covered by the warranty.

No matter how fierce the storm or the hail stone an air filled spa cover will give or catch it without damage. We have tested them by driving golf balls into them at close range, dropping bowling balls on them and just having them in use around the country in areas that get severe hail storms. Before you replace another rigid foam spa cover because it broke shop online for a spa cover that will not end up the same way.

About the Author

The Author is a business owner with more than twenty years experience. A former Police Sgt, Pilot, Heavy Equipment Operator, Trained Mechanic, and accomplished motorcycle rider he enjoys riding the back roads of Washington on his Harley Davidson, Police Edition. Please visit his website SpaCap.com Spa Covers.

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Enjoy a Spa Day For Less Than $25

Who says you have to pay top dollar to receive the benefits of a spa? From body scrubs to facials, it's easier than ever to set up your own home spa and enjoy a little pampering. Great spa experiences can be created at home through homemade remedies, exercise, music, and delicious food for under $25.

A bit of preparation goes a long way in making the most of your spa day. Choose a day that will provide maximum quiet and peace. Turn the cell phone off. Let friends and family know you're going to be taking some time out just for yourself. A good night's rest will ensure a rested body and mind. Plan ahead by having everything you'll need within easy reach. The day of the spa is not the time to be running to the store for bottled water or lunch ingredients, so make sure to shop ahead.

A leisurely morning begins with waking up slowly, doing quiet stretches, and awakening the body. Put on some comfortable sweats, grab the iPod and head out the door for a brisk morning walk. Walk at least 20 minutes and not more than 1 hour, maintaining steady breathing throughout. Following the walk, do some additional stretching to loosen muscles. Incorporate some strength training with either home exercise equipment or soup cans for resistance. There are also plenty of exercise DVDs on the market today which can be incorporated into your regimen.

Facials are a fun part of the home spa. A variety of recipes are available on the Web, as well as in books. Items such as banana and sunflower oil are great for dry skin. Egg whites are an effective treatment for oily skin, and a mixture of mashed apricots applied to the face is a refreshing treatment for normal skin types. A simple steam can be accomplished with a bowl of boiling water. With a large towel placed over the head, steam your face for 5 to 10 minutes, followed by rinse with tepid water.

Nothing is more relaxing than a bubble bath. Whether you purchase a luxurious bubble bath or make your own, bathing is a prime time to rest your body and mind. Choose soothing music to accompany your bath time and you're sure to emerge refreshed. Or, consider an herbal bath to stimulate and rejuvenate. A simple herbal bath recipe includes items such as vinegar, dried rosemary, dried lavender, and dried mint. Prior to bathing, consider creating a homemade salt scrub. One of the easiest home spa products to make, it's also a great spa gift. With a combination of essential oils, sea salt, and grapeseed or sweet almond oil, you can create an effective exfoliate for your body instead of paying $90 for a treatment at the local spa.

Foot and hand treatments can be other pricey spas services. At home, you can achieve the same kinds of results for much less. Foot baths comprised of dried thyme and olive or peanut oil, combined with hot water, provides a wonderful soak. Follow up with a penetrating moisturizer massaged into the feet. Protect them with clean cotton socks as the moisturizer soothes your feet. Oatmeal, lemon juice, and olive oil combined together and placed on the hands for several minutes sloughs off dead skin cells, while hydrating the skin. Follow as well with a deep moisturizer.

Nothing makes a great home day spa quite like delicious food. Now more than ever, shoppers have a wide range of healthy choices to choose from at their local supermarket. Today is the day to keep it fresh with leafy greens, vitamin-rich fruit, complex carbs, and energy-producing proteins.

Eggs with vegetables such as green pepper, scallions, and tomato make a great start to the day. Add in a whole wheat bagel for a complex carbohydrate. Skip the coffee and soda today and enjoy bottled water or fruit juice.

Stuff a pita pocket full of chopped vegetables and deli turkey for a satisfying lunch. A fruit smoothie in the mid-day is a great way to take advantage of super foods such as blueberries, strawberries, mangoes, and pineapple. A cup of green tea is also another winning choice.

For dinner, three ounces of salmon contain omega-3 oils to fight heart disease and B-vitamins and magnesium to enhance mood. These foods and more provide the mineral essentials the body needs to operate at its optimum best.

A great spa day can be achieved at home for much less than its counterpart at the local day or resort spa. All it takes is some easy preparation and planning. Most of all, the success of the home spa relies on an individual's desire to leave the busy world behind for a day. You deserve it.

Geologix Inc. manufactures products using a proprietary formula featuring 34 natural minerals contained in the ancient sea water from the famous Michigan Basin -- a concentration of minerals higher than that found in any known body of water in the world. Mineral Essentials focuses on spa, skin care, and massage products to moisturize and provide anti-aging protection for great skin. Mineral Essentials

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Places To Go For Spa Treatments After Moving To New York

Moving to New York can be so tiring that after you have settled in, it is not unusual to find yourself wanting for a body pampering session at a spa to take care of tired muscles and feet. Looking for the right spa in New York can be easy since this is one of the cities that focus on fashion and body pampering. There are a number of spas scattered in almost every district, each offering a specialized treatment under a specific price range. And one of the best places to look for a spa in New York is the Upper Eastern Side.

The Third Avenue is where Ajune Spa is located and is a great place for young mothers. The wood accents and ambience provides a relaxing venue for their aroma rich treatments such as grape-infused massage, banana-soy hydrating, kiwi-pineapple exfoliating and strawberry treatments. They also offer their famous floral massage and several new age packages which include dermabrassion with salt, laser wrinkle reduction, beta peels and collaged treatment.

If you are looking for hair removal treatments, then the elegantly appointed Completely Bare spa on Madison Avenue is a must visit place for you. They offer an advanced permanent hair removal system for unwanted hair on the upper lip, back, chest, neck, bikini areas and legs. This system is offered to both men and women. What they use is an epilite intense-pulsed-light machine which also doubles to reduce large pores. Other treatments offered include the Epi-Polish Facial. The treatment takes less than thirty minutes and promises an even skin complexion result.

Also located on the Upper East Side, Elizabeth Arden Red Door and Spa on Fifth Avenue is yet one of the spas you have to visit. They offer a unique foot spa treatment featuring an olive-citrus infused soak, scrub, massage and nail polish. This Olive Oil Procedure takes a total of fifty relaxing minutes and perfect for your feet which may have gotten sore from moving into your new home. Aside from this treatment, this spa also offers their Desert Stone Massage which is great for removing tension in the back.

Avalon Salon and Spa occupies three floors on a building on Fifth Avenue. Aside from the usual spa treatments, they also offer eyebrow treatments. The salon of a famous eyebrow sculptress Lisa Petrescu occupies the second floor of this shop and offers waxing and plucking. They promise to shape your brows into perfect arches which will match your overall facial features. On the upper floor, Avalon Spa offers a variety of treatments which include paraffin pedicures, hot stone massages and pre or post-natal massages for mothers.

After settling into your new home in the Big Apple, there is just no better way to unwind than spending a body rejuvenating session at a spa. Although the Upper Eastern Side is a good place to find spas, this is not the only place to find one. Fortunately for you, moving to New York gives you more choices in terms of fashion and body pampering establishments.

By: Eddie Frank

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The Evolving Faces of Diagnostic Centers and Medical Spas

A visit to the doctor is a scary occasion for many people. Hospitals and clinics are almost always painted in white to convey cleanliness and efficiency. Add to that the prospect of being subjected to diagnostic tests using machines and needles. Truly, medical facilities are the most unwelcoming of places.

This is probably the reason why diagnostic centers and clinics are reinventing themselves to make them more appealing to the patients. On the other hand, traditionally non-medical institutions like wellness centers and spas are also trying to gain credibility in an era where consumers are more health savvy and demand more scientific-based health services.

Many diagnostic centers have coined their facilities' official name to include the term "wellness." Wellness is a word associated by many with alternative medicine whereas spas conjures pictures of well-being and relaxation. The Diagnostic & Wellness Center for Women of Pacific Medical Center (PacMed), the Diagnostic and Wellness Center at Harbor-UCLA, and the Women's Diagnostic and Wellness Center of Coral Springs Medical Center in Florida are examples of this trend. Even the renowned Cleveland Clinic has its Florida Health and Wellness Center.

Many clinics are redesigning their facilities to make them less sterile and more relaxing. PacMed's Diagnostic & Wellness Center for Women in Seattle describes its setting as "spa-like", with interior decor in warm, soothing colors and furniture and fixtures one wouldn't normally find in a normal clinic setting. However, despite the spa-like atmosphere, this unique wellness center has all the state-of-the-art medical and diagnostic equipment as well as top notch medical staff necessary to perform diagnostic tests. "Our goal is to change the healthcare experience for the better and encourage people to take a proactive approach to wellness", according to a PacMed Center spokesperson. The Women's Diagnostic & Wellness Center at Coral Springs Medical Center in Coral Springs Florida calls its setting "home-like" to do away with the impersonal atmosphere that is associated with many diagnostic centers.

Spas on the other hand, have adopted the term "medical spas" or medispas" to emphasize the medical and health benefits of their services. In the same way, alternative medicine is trying to keep up with technology. Whereas traditional acupuncture uses manual stimulation, acupuncture centers use new technology for stimulation, from electrical impulses and lasers to moxibustion and heat.

While many clinics are generalists, that is, they offer diagnostics, screening and check ups for just about almost all health conditions, many of the modern, "wellness"-oriented clinics are specialized in certain types of disorders. Following are some examples of these so-called boutique diagnostic facilities and their services.

PacMed's Diagnostic & Wellness Center offers diagnostic services specifically for women's health. These tests, which are usually part of annual medical check ups, can include any of the following:

(1) Digital mammography which is especially helpful in screening patients with dense breast tissue.

(2) Diagnostic ultrasound which is useful as an adjunct for further evaluation of an abnormal mammogram.

(3) Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), again to check for breast cancer, especially in women who are at high risk.

(4) Biopsies to confirm suspicious-looking structures detected by the above imaging systems.

(5) DEXA bone scanning checks for bone health. As women age, they are at higher risk for developing osteopenia and osteoporosis.

(6) Therapeutic massages either as part of postsurgical rehabilitation programs or simply a relaxing massage to recover from the stress of the tests.

The Women's Diagnostic & Wellness Center at Coral Springs Medical Center in Coral Springs, Florida offers similar services from breast cancer detection to bone densitometry tests. In addition, it offers education and fitness programs which include lectures, fitness classes, support groups, nutrition, massage therapy, maternal classes, cholesterol & diabetes screenings, weight management and healing arts classes.

The Diagnostic and Wellness Center at Harbor-UCLA specializes in cardiovascular health screening. The center uses state-of-art computer tomography (CT) scanning and imaging technology to perform the following "wellness scans" including heart scan, lung scan, body scan, abdominal aorta scan, virtual colonoscopy, QCT bone density and carotid artery scans.

The Winmar Diagnostics Sleep Wellness Center in Fargo, North Dakota specializes in sleep diagnostics. It basically provides services to hospitals, clinics, and private practices to test for and diagnose sleep disturbances. Its facilities include a free-standing sleep center, a complete sleep laboratory, and state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained staff in the field of sleep medicine.

Wellness scans are the specialty of many centers, including the Medical City Dallas Hospital in North Texas. But what is a wellness scan? A Wellness Scan is a non-invasive CT test from the collarbone to the pelvis and covers the heart, lungs and abdomen. The specific areas scanned in the abdomen are the kidneys, liver, gall bladder, aorta, adrenal glands, lymph nodes, spleen and other certain pelvic organs.

Now, a medical procedure that scares many people is a dental check up. As the name suggests, dental spas cater specifically to the dental needs of patients. The Austin Dental Spa offers general as well as cosmetic dentistry. The center utilizes "only the highest quality materials and the latest technology available in a world-class spa setting." By using a "combination of spa amenities and personalized care," the Austin Dental Spa makes a visit to the dentist a stress-free, fear-free experience.

Day spas are centers which provide cosmetic treatment to women and men, ranging from hair removal to botox injections. They are cosmetic centers and usually do not have anything to do with medical check ups and screenings although their services may be medical-based procedures. There are also spas whose services are more inclined towards complementary medicine such as yoga, Pilates, and aromatherapeutic massages.

The newly opened Women's Health Center of the Bond Clinic in Winter Haven, Florida has combined the features of a diagnostic center and a day spa to form a real "medical spa", a wellness center which caters to the medical and cosmetic needs of the patients. The center considers itself as a "one-stop shop for women's health includes obstetrics and gynecology, women's diagnostic services and a medical spa." The spa includes a licensed massage therapist and facial specialist who offers a wide range of services from a relaxing hot stone massage to variety of facial treatments. The board-certified physicians perform cosmetic laser treatments for facial rejuvenation, hair removal, spider veins and broken capillaries, acne, Rosacea and age spot removal. Botox and other cosmetic injections for the treatment of facial lines and wrinkles are also available.

According Gwen Mayes at Medscape Today , "Until a few years ago, day spas limited their "medical" procedures to an occasional light chemical peel, Botox injection by a visiting dermatologist, or a postsurgical medical massage by a licensed physical therapist. Today, instead of contracting with physicians in the community to stop by 1 or 2 days a week to offer updated laser treatments and advanced aesthetic procedures, physicians are expanding their outpatient facilities or partnering with existing day spas to create a medical spa. Both sides have found a more formal merger to be a lucrative and well-received union. According to ISPA, the industry generated $234 million in revenues in 2003."

The Women's Health Center at the Bond Clinic has achieved the ultimate hybridization of a cosmetic and a diagnostic center whose goal is "to give women a place they can go for both their medical and cosmetic needs in a relaxing, comforting and state-of-the-art atmosphere."

The borderline between alternative and scientific-based medicine has gradually blurred in recent years as a more holistic approach to medicine has become popular. Thus, massages and acupuncture have become part of postsurgical therapy of breast cancer patients while those who practice yoga and Reike may also go for botox and liposuction. Spas also have become mainstream and not just pastimes of the rich and famous. The average person can now have access to a spa anytime, without being subjected to membership or member recommendation rules.

The term "medical spa", however, is a subject of controversy because many facilities call themselves medical spas or medical day spas although the services they offer actually resemble those of a normal day spa. In many of these centers, a medical doctor may be in attendance or may act as a consultant. However, no diagnostic and screening procedures are being offered. We can expect more facilities to follow the Bond Clinic's model resulting in the need to protect the interests of patient-consumers who can be confused by the names of the facilities as well as the wide range of services they have to offer. To this end, the Medical Spa Society was formed, a national non-profit organization that aims to look at the guidelines and standards of care of medical spas.

Indeed, diagnostic centers and medical spas have evolved and are continuously evolving. One word of caution, check with your health insurance about their scope of coverage!

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