The Inquisitive Traveler
Make it a habit
By Patty Burness

A spa vacation nourishes the mind, body and spirit, but can really put a dent in a bank account. Don’t let the expense — or the prospect of traveling somewhere — get you down. Now is the perfect time to stay home and make a plan — a plan for skin and body care that becomes a habit.

Part of getting older (no matter what age you are now) is committing to regular treatments that help your skin retain a healthy glow. It’s true that in conjunction with eating right, exercising and reducing stress, to name a few healthful choices, skin care and flexible bodies are essential, too. Habits are usually meant to be broken, but not in this case. Make it a habit to take a trip to a spa regularly. Both men and women benefit from this strategy. And to make it as easy as possible, Spa Week begins Sept. 15 at some local favorites.
  
If you love Restaurant Week and Heirloom Tomato Week — imagine how great Spa Week is! At more than 15 participating spas in San Francisco (and more than 500 in 22 cities nationwide), it’s time to sign up for beauty and body treatments for just $50 each. Created in 2004 by a spa-savvy New Yorker, Spa Week aims to help make a healthful lifestyle a reality for everyone by making spa treatments accessible to more people. It’s about setting aside the time, having a routine and making sure wellness is part of your life’s agenda.
  
I recently visited several spas for facial and body treatments tailored just for me (skin: rosacea and too much time in the sun when I was younger; body: tight muscles). In the stricter European meaning of the word “spa,” water plays an integral role in the treatment. It wasn’t the case where I went, but that didn’t matter. With or without agua, spas offer everything from beauty treatments to stress and detox opportunities. The four spas I visited have many common features, but most outstanding is the female business owner (either solo or in a partnership). Each of the four women is knowledgeable, committed and skilled with their own beautiful skin and a healthful outlook. A client consultation is the key that enables them to deliver the most appropriate treatment. And these neighborhood businesses provide just the sort of friendly environment that keeps you coming back. Time to get in the habit.

First up was Dimitra’s SkinCare & MediSpa. Located in San Francisco’s West Portal neighborhood for 27 years, Dimitra’s clients return because they see and feel a difference from her many skin and body services.  It was the only spa I visited that featured a medical doctor as part of the team. The popularity of Botox and lasers in the world of beauty today make it a smart choice.

Dimitra Wagner lost no time in suggesting a “FotoFacial” for me (in conjunction with one of her special lymphatic massage facials) because of the rosacea and sun damage. Combining both light energy and radio frequency into a single laser forms the basis of an IPL (intense pulse light) treatment that helps reduce the appearance of sun and brown spots, wrinkles, redness, and more by eliminating old cells. After four treatments by Dr. Andrew Wagner on my face, neck and chest (with before and after photos), I can report a remarkable change in my skin. The after shots clearly show new, hydrated cells that give my skin a rejuvenated look and feel with less redness and fewer brown spots. There is more uniformity in my skin color. And all of this with minimal side effects of some redness and puffiness that lasted a few days. Since four to six treatments are recommended, I’ll give a final assessment in next month’s column — stay tuned.

Located in a chic loft in South Park, Mary Thé Skin Care has been catering to Bay Area women for more than three decades. Thé’s philosophy is simple: beauty with integrity. To her, beauty is reaching a balance between how you feel on the inside and how you look on the outside. This means creating a skin care program (sometimes with several treatments at a time) for each of her clients that meets their needs and gives the skin what it needs.

With that in mind, Thé customized treatments for me that were sensitive to my having the IPL treatment. She began with basic skin care – deep cleaning of the pores followed by a high frequency wand to speed recovery and avoid infection. Because vitamins and antioxidants are an important defense against the environment, she applied vitamins A and C, among others. Next up: The Nano-Perfector, the latest technology. This device delivers a very low current to the skin, helping skin cells rejuvenate. And the final touch was a cream to heal and cool inflamed skin. After all of this, my skin felt renewed and looked great.

Mandy Fung opened La Petite Rose in the Sunset two years ago. Focused on helping clients develop a healthful lifestyle, she offers a variety of skin and body-care services. Fung chose a facial for me, specifically designed to reduce rosiness. That worked, but more impressive was the ear candle treatment. If you have never experienced this, try it.

A candle, the size of a straw and made of a thick, dripless wax paper, was inserted into one ear at a time. With the flame burning, Fung massaged my facial lymph nodes (about fifteen minutes per side while the candle burned safely above my ear). The effect was dramatic. It looked like I had a face-lift! The warmth of the flame increases circulation, drains nodes and flushes toxins. The candle acts as a suction. Even crazier, when the piece of the candle is removed from your ear, you can see how toxins flushed from your face have combined with a powder-like substance in the candle to form a small brown ball that feels like a gummy bear. It’s wild, but wonderful. The results usually last about a week.

With my skin well taken care of, it was time for body treatments. I knew I could find the cure at Pure Envy Spa Bar in Hayes Valley, where Vivien Choi wants her clients to relax, renew and enjoy the difference. The interior feels more like a club than a salon; they even offer complimentary wine and chocolate. Many of their treatments are named after popular cocktails.

A Green Tea-Ni pedicure and manicure were first. My feet and hands were cleansed, exfoliated, massaged, fed anti-oxidants, moisturized and polished – and left soft and smooth all over. Next up was the deep tissue massage designed to ease my tight, aching muscles. After 60 minutes of aggressive pressure on tense muscles rubbed with a warm, sweet almond oil, I was loose and had difficulty getting up. Pure Envy takes health and cleanliness issues seriously and ensures the highest standards are met.

It’s never too late to focus on skin and body care. Your health and wellness depend upon it. Take advantage of Spa Week and find out for yourself. This is one habit you won’t want to kick.

Essentials
Spa Week: Monday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 21, www.spaweek.org.

Mary Thé Skin Care: 188 South Park St. #1, 415-777-4188, 888-MaryThe, www.marythe.com. Spa Week Specials: Fall-sational Skin and Age Management for the Skin (one hour/$50 each)
  
Dimitra’s SkinCare & MediSpa: 324 West Portal Ave., 415-731-8080, www.dimitras.com. Spa Month Specials (it’s not just a week here): Laser Hair Removal, VelaShape Body Contouring, Anti-Aging or Acne Management, Anti-Aging Microdermabrasion, Chocolate Body Massage ($50 each or $50 off if you have previously used the service)
  
La Petite Rose: 2409 25th Ave., 415-681-6889, www.lapetiterose.com. Spa Week Specials: Hydration Facial and Relaxation Massage (50 minutes/$50 each;) Ear/Naval Candle ($50 each)

Pure Envy Spa Bar: 476 Grove St., 415-255-9911, www.pureenvyspabar.com. Spa Week Specials: Alpha Vital Facial, Green Tea-Ni Pedicure & Manicure Combo, Swedish Massage (one hour/$50 each)

Corrections: In the August column, “The Swiss Riviera: Little San Francisco,” please note: The correct spelling for the French translation of Lake Geneva is Lac Leman. The river that flows through Lausanne is the Flon.

Patty Burness is the travel writer for Northside San Francisco. E-mail patty@northsidesf.com