Philadelphia Spa Week October 10-17th

As the economy stands still most Philadelphians can only dream about a day at the spa, enter Philly Spa week, an event held twice yearly in the fall and again in the spring, offering full services at participating spas for a deeply discounted $50. As a preview for the up coming spa week, which takes place October 10-16, I took on the daunting task of testing two very different services at two completely different spas to give you a variation on the kinds of Spas and services featured for this years spa week.

 

LUX SPA and FITNESS

Located in the opulent Omni Hotel, Lux certainly lives up to its name. I was greeted with a smile, given a plush robe to change into and asked to sit and relax in the serenely lit waiting area that over looks a warm and inviting pool, both the pool and sauna are available for the use of spa clients. The waiting area has complementary tea, water and fruit and for an additional charge a spa menu is available with light but substantial fare.

On the way to the dimly lit aromatic treatment room Rebecca, the massage therapist, asked me if I had any physical issues and explained to me the treatment I would be receiving. The Aveda Chakra massage is a treatment that combines different types of massage techniques focusing on the back, spine, feet, hands face and scalp while using a combination of Aveda products.  This massage which normally costs between $100-$145 is one of the featured services available for a deeply discounted $50 during spa week.

Rebecca began my session with a series of coached breaths designed to bring about relaxation.  Warm and fragrant oil was drizzled lightly on my back as the massage began. Firm yet gentle; her hands got into my muscle tissue focusing heavily on my shoulders and lower back, the scalp massage was so relaxing I had to fight back the urge to drool. While working on my legs she was able to ascertain that I favored one over the other and concentrated on evening out the tension. Turning around my feet, hands, chest were focused on before the 50 minutes concluded gently on my face.

I had become so comfortable in the soft bed like massage table it was as though my body had completely melted into it. The time I spent at Lux was an oasis from the everyday stress, not a single worry crept into my head as I received my Aveda Chakra massage and that is worth so much more the spa week price.

Lux Spa and Fitness is located at 401 Chestnut St. in Philadelphia on the lower level of the Omni Hotel. In celebration of spa week they are offering the 50 minute Aveda Chakra massage along with the 50 minute Aveda Custom facial and the 50 minute full body Lux combination custom massage at $50 each for Spa week. Call (215) 931-4248 or visit their website http://luxspaandfitness.com for more information or to book your appointment at this truly luxurious spa.

DERMACENTER MEDICAL SPA

The DermaCenter Medical Spa, is not the typical spa, located inside Rittenhouse Woman’s medical center it is part of a network that focuses on the over all health of women.  Upon entering the Rittenhouse brownstone medical waiting room, I was given a medical questionnaire to gage health concerns and treatments that I would be interested in receiving.  A few minutes later, I was assured no one waits longer then 10 minutes for an appointment, I was introduced to Monica Hernandez, the Derma Center’s Aesthetic Director, whose enthusiasm and good will was matched with her knowledge of skin care

Monica led me upstairs, where we enter a peaceful spa setting on our way to the room where my treatment would take place. The passion she has for her work became evident as she explained the difference between a Medical and a relaxation spa. A medical spa focuses on corrections and uses medial grade products such as Glytone, a product used by the Dermacenter, which is unavailable to non-physicians.

DermaCenters spa week specials include, a full face Chemical peel which I was too afraid to try but Monica assuaged those fears as explained to me how expertly trained she is in the procedure, Full Face Microdermabrasion and the 45 minute Dermacenter Custom Facial. I received a combination of the Microdermabrasion and Custom Facial the combination, which normally costs $150, is discounted to $100 as a spa week special.

Microdermabrasion is a procedure that uses tiny crystals and then a light suction through a tiny wand to deeply clean, clear and rejuvenate skin. The light suction was not at all unnerving as I imagined it would be, in fact at first it tickled a little but that after a few moments I hardly noticed it at all. While performing the treatment Monica talked to me about specific skin care treatments that worked best for my skin type and color, consultations are recommended and always free.

After the microdermabrasion a clay, gel mask combo was applied to my face, and cool fragrant orange eye pads were placed on my eyes, while the mask set Monica gave me an unexpectedly fantastic hand, arm and shoulder massage. When the mask was washed off she applied a lightweight moisturizer and sunscreen. The immediate results left my skin feeling smooth, refreshed and taut. A few days later and the results have become even more evident my skin is clear and luminous it looks better then it has in years.

The DermaCenter Medical Spa is located at 1632 Pine St inside the Rittenhouse Woman’s wellness center, although the center is geared towards women however; Men are welcome in the Spa. To make an appointment or more information please call 215-735-7990 or visit there website www.DermaCenter.com

Although prices may have been drastically reduced for spa week the treatments have not been. Please visit www.spaweek.com for information on area spas offering discounts for this countrywide event. Remember to book your appointments now so that you won’t miss out on this great opportunity to receive spa services at such low prices.

~Monica Johnson

 

Tags: spa week

Category: PHW BLOG