Discovering the "Ahh!!" in Spa

by Angela Scott

Well, I did it! I finally treated myself to a spa day. This is both a feat and pleasure for any mom. But, when you’re a single mom living on a budget like me, spending a day at the spa becomes a dream come true. I went with my women’s church ministry group for our “Girls’ Day Out” to Skin Spa in Encino, Calif. With day spas popping up all over major cities, I passed by 10 on one block before reaching my destination. Obviously, somebody likes relaxing with luxurious massages and facials.

Most spa packages range from cheap to steep, so with a little imagination, you can afford to pamper yourself. Get more bang for your buck by calling around for deals offering inexpensive packages (think spa pedicure – my package) and luxurious amenities such as the sauna, whirlpool, Zen room and steam showers.

New to the day spa experience, my group was able to share our robe-clad insecurities and excitement about well-deserved pampering. Picture hearing a bunch of giggling women amidst New Age music and sounds of waterfalls. When I first arrived, I was given a pair of slippers, a robe and told to unclothe in the locker room. Relax, if you do have insecurities about walking around in a robe, spa-designed lingerie are available for you to sport under your robe.

Again, as a mom on a budget, I chose the least expensive package, which was the French Pedicure, a 1-hour treatment that included a pineapple exfoliation, reflexology massage, hydrating collagen mask for feet, paraffin wax and polish application. A brother named Daniel was my therapist. He is also a licensed esthetician and cosmetologist. So, he was taking care of more than my feet. Daniel spoke to me about the importance of black people taking advantage of opportunities to relax in order to live longer, happier and healthier lives.

“Many times our people think that they are unable to afford going to a day spa, but simple packages like facials, manicures and pedicures start at $35,” Daniel says. To unwind and relax from the day’s drama, Daniel recommends putting your feet up when you get home. He also says soaking your feet in warm water or milk does wonders for the feet. At day spas, you won’t find the nail chop shop features such as acrylics and silk wraps for the fingers and toes. Instead, you’ll enjoy natural pomades and exfoliation products that work deep into the skin to rid the body of toxins.

Once Daniel was finished with my feet, I was ready to start all over again. I walked away completely relaxed and informed about what I need to do in order to take better care of my body – starting with decreasing my intake of caffeine and carbohydrate (sodas and chips). Daniel says these foods are worn not just on our hips, but also on our faces with acne and blackheads. “To combat acne, use an acne wash, antiseptic and moisturizer daily,” Daniel says.

Although my package was over, my spa day was just getting started. I sauntered over to the sauna, to detox and mull over Daniel’s 15-plus years of health advice spoken within an hour. By this time, the group had separated with each one now receiving their own spa treatments. According to Ruth, a licensed massage therapist, a lot of women go to spas alone. I understand and will probably do the same in the future. For me, being alone offered a great opportunity for complete respite. In the Zen room, which is an aromatic environment of reclining couches, I enjoyed listening to the sounds of waterfall fountains.

However, I was most satisfied in the Niagara Water Fall Room, where water gently cascaded down my body, taking deposits of stress down the drain. It was sooo relaxing. In that room, you chose the temperature and type of water flow you wanted to receive from mist to shower spews. Every one of my girlfriends couldn’t speak enough praise about their message whether it was a reflexology or Swedish.

Massages generally range from 25 to 115 minutes in length, and Ruth recommends people have a massage at least twice a month. “Working everyday creates a lot of knots and tightens the muscles. You need a Swedish massage to help the lymphatic drainage and overall blood circulation,” says Ruth. Reflexology massages are good for relieving stress in pressure points, while sports massages are recommended for muscle aches and work injuries. I’m an adventurer and plan to try the Indian Stones Massage, where hot and cold rocks, as well as Chockra methods are used for improving circulation and lymphatic drainage. Here’s where you’ll also find a range in prices. And, if you’re looking for a thoughtful gift and have a little change ($75 and up), a spa gift certificate would work.

Facials and mud baths are all the rage and then some. Again, the idea is to detox your body of harsh chemicals and both facials and body baths help to release and relieve the body. Wearing make-up daily does take a toll, despite your cleansing procedures. Facials help rid residue left from make-up, as well as open pores, allowing the skin to breath and release. Honey-mango body shampoos and salt glow baths speak for themselves. Such spa exfoliating treatments are usually followed by a massage that continues the stress-reduction experience.

I truly found the “ah” in spa after my day at Skin Spa. Whether you go alone, with your husband or best friend, make sure that you go. As parents, we often neglect ourselves because we’re so worried about ensuring that others are taken care of. But what happens when you’re too pooped to move? Take time to de-stress from the day-to-day grind and make a dash to a spa center near you.

Visit www.experiencespa.com for the International SPA Association’s Web site, which offers links to local day spas and a host of information on what to expect at a day spa.


Angela D. Scott lives in the Los Angeles area and is the Special Sections Editor, L.A. Parent. This professional writer is a single mother of two daughters, Shani and Samara.



April 2, 2004