From light waves to diamond wands, it s a new day at local spas

From light waves to diamond wands, it s a new day at local spas

HIGH-TECH COMES TO THE s p a By CATE LECUYER Photos by KEN YUSZKUS Mary Engstrom demonstrates the use of intense pulsed light technology at Radiant Touch, a spa on Pleasant Street. The system uses different wavelengths of color to reverse the effects of sun damage on the skin.

Brittany Batchelder, who works at Radiant Touch Spa, gets a light rejuvenation treatment to demonstrate how the process works. It s most commonly used for facials, but can be applied to any part of the body to reduce pigmentation and broken capillaries. Ready to chase away winter at your favorite spa? Think beyond aromatherapy and deep tissue massage. What was once considered a day of relaxation and rejuvenation, is, well, still a day of relaxation and rejuvenation, but with hot electronic pulsing devices in addition to hot stones. With new advances in skin care, many spas are offering medical aesthetics, a genre that s bridging the gap between the table in the doctor s office and the one in the massage room. There s a big change to the clinical side because of all the technology available, said Kathleen Santora, an esthetician at La Belle Femme spa. People want results. Santora specializes in chemical peels, which can also be done on a stronger scale in a physician s office. Often, dermatologists will have estheticians with them, she said. They re coming together and merging. There s a lot of discussions being had as to who should really be doing what, said Mary Engstrom, a registered nurse at Radiant Touch who uses light therapy for hair removal and skin rejuvenation. There are physicians and plastic surgeons, nurses and estheticians and cosmetologists doing everything from Botox and filler injections to skin resurfacing, cellulite reductions, chemical treatments and laser hair removal. There s a lot of options now that weren t available 20 years ago, Santora said. The only thing that limits you is your pocketbook. Here s a look at some of the new treatments available right down the street. Light Rejuvenation Yes, we all look better with a tan, but those sunny days on the beach have finally caught up with you in the form of discolored pigments, brown splotches, and all those other skin problems that result from the combination of sun damage and aging. This new, high-tech treatment uses wavelengths of pure spectrum colors that penetrate cells to remove dark pigments and broken capillaries, even out skin tones, and basically reverse the damaging effects of the sun. Different colored wavelengths target specific areas, like blue for scar removal and purple for acne. Where: Radiant Touch Spa, 165 Pleasant St. Why it works: Women are so interested now in correcting damage and being better to their skin, said Mary Engstrom, who has been working with cosmetic lasers for 11 years, and skin rejuvenation technology since it came out six years ago. Everyone 44

Dayle Ciampa, owner of Dayle s European Skin Care & Day Spa, uses a VelaShape device to manipulate cellulite that accumulates around the stomach, to make a client look skinnier. The device uses infrared light and radio frequencies, along with mechanical massaging and vacuum suction. wants a clean slate. This takes the damage away, and then they can move forward. Hopefully, with a bottle of sunscreen on hand. Most of Engstrom s clients are over 30, or middle-aged. I m treating a lot of 60- to 70-year-oldwomen, she said. It takes years off them when you remove brown spots from their hands. She s also treated some teenagers with acne, and health-conscious women in their 20s. There are some younger girls looking at this as preventative, she said. They want to be on top of the aging process. What to expect: Engstrom has a pulsed light machine with different attachments that produce various wavelengths along the color spectrum. It s most commonly used for facials, but can be applied to any part of the body, particularly the neck, chest, arms, and hands. You have a sensation of warmth or heat as the light gets pulsed along your skin, she said. People will know they re having a treatment done. The heat and the light also stimulates collagen, minimizes pores, and reduces fine lines. People love the way their skin feels, Engstrom said. And as a nurse, I like to focus on correcting the problem. After the treatment she applies a soothing gel to cool down the skin. There will be mild redness, and pigment spots will look darker for 24 to 48 hours, but it s minimal. There s no hiding, she said. Makeup can be applied right away, and eventually the spots will fade. At the end of two weeks you really look at your skin and notice a difference, she said. Recommended service: One to four treatments Cost: $250 for one treatment, or $500 for three treatments for a facial. Prices range from $75 to $600, depending on the body part and number of treatments. VelaShape Many women seem to wage a constant war against cellulite, that unsightly buildup of fat that tends to collect around the stomach, thighs and butt. On the cutting edge of body-sculpting technology, VelaShape is the first FDA-cleared device that uses infrared light and radio frequencies, along with mechanical massaging and vacuum suction, to manipulate fatty tissue and help make you look skinnier. Where: Dayle s European Skin Care & Day Spa, 261 Washington St. Why it works: It firms and tightens the skin, smoothing out bumpy fat and taking inches off the body. Not only does it reduce the appearance of cellulite, it contours the body, creating a sexier shape, said spa owner Dayle Ciampa, who has been there for 25 years. Some women want to get rid of their waistline or belly fat or thighs, she said. It s also very popular among women who just had a baby and want to shed the extra fat acquired during pregnancy, she said. Ciampa, who bought the equipment in June, said Dayle s is the only spa on the North Shore that offers the service. I really saw great results with the machine, she said. What to expect: She pulses a handheld device along the body, focusing on areas of concern. It causes a warm sensation that can last a few hours after the treatment, and the skin may appear red for several hours. But there s no down time, as Ciampa puts it. You can just go back to your normal routine, she said. Results will be visible after the first session, with skin feeling smoother and firmer, and circumference reduction appearing in the first to second session. Cellulite improvement is noticed after about four sessions. 45

Recommended service: Four to six treatments Cost: $2,000 and up. Prices vary depending on body part. Chemical Peel Exfoliating Treatment You don t have to be a scientist to see the results. Alpha hydroxy acids break the chemical bond that holds dead skin cells together, while trichloroacetic acids penetrate the skin more deeply to reduce fine wrinkling, treat dryness, smooth out and improve skin texture, and even out pigmentation. Where: La Belle Femme, 8 Spring St. Why it works: The chemicals are essentially burning away your surface layer of skin; the results occur during the healing process. You re making your skin exfoliate quicker than on its own, said Kathleen Santora, a licensed esthetician at La Belle Femme spa. The rejuvenation of new cells occurs faster than they would normally, and you get this baby-like skin. The intensity of the treatment Santora uses depends on your ethnic background. The more northern, whiter European you are, the stronger peel you can take, she said. It s typically an anti-aging treatment, she Kathleen Santora demonstrates the chemical peel exfoliating treatment on her daughter, Liza, at La Belle Femme spa. The process is used to reduce fine wrinkles, treat dryness, improve skin texture and even out pigmentation. said. Most of her clients are ages 30 or older, and looking to reverse sun damage and signs of aging. They want to see their skin refreshed, she said. It also restores a lot of oxygen to the skin, so if you ve decided to kick the cigarette habit, it could be an ideal way to treat yourself. If you re a smoker, you could use it, she said. It s very good for smoker s skin. What to expect: The chemicals are applied in layers using a cotton swab or brush. There are a number of products you layer on throughout the treatment, Santora said. She usually does between one to four, and in between each one she uses a handheld fan to cool you down and make sure the product dries and penetrates to the correct depth. It starts out as a tingling, burning sensation that gets more intense with each application. Every once in a while people are very uncomfortable, Santora said. But the feeling subsides by the end of the treatment, and she applies a moisturizing cream at the end. After the treatment, don t do anything that would bring heat to your face, like lying in the sun or exercising. You wouldn t work out after a chemical peel because that would activate the chemicals too intensely and your face would burn, she said. Around the third day after the treatment, your face will start to peel. It s almost like a sunburn, where you flake for about five days, she said. After that your skin 46

47

Nury Nina Moguea, who works at Dayle s, receives a HydraFacial. A diamond-encrusted wand is used to peel away dead skin, and a hand-held device administers serums. 48

looks terrific, but you do go through a period where you don t look so good. Recommended service: One to six treatments, spaced about a month apart Cost: $125 per treatment HydraFacial with One Pass Crystal-Free Microdermabrasion Diamonds are a girl s best friend, and can make your entire face -- not just your finger -- sparkle. Used to combat dull skin, fine lines, wrinkles and brown spots, a diamond encrusted wand is used to peel away dead skin for an exfoliating treatment that leaves you glowing and radiant. It s followed by a moisturizing facial. Although each treatment is available separately, they work best when paired together. Where: Dayle s European Skin Care & Day Spa, 261 Washington St. Why it works: The microdermabrasion preps the skin to get the most out of a hydrating facial. It s going to get rid of all the dead skin, so the serums go better into the skin, Ciampa said. Over time, microdermabrasion stimulates the production of a new layer of cells, which brings an increased level of collagen and elastin to improve the skin s appearance. It s often done with crystals, but the diamond encrusted wand makes the treatment more comfortable. It peels away the dead skin for a more even abrasion, without the gritty residue of crystals, and the serums from the facial better penetrate the surface. It s going to be a deeper peel, she said. The serums are different liquids administered through a machine with a handheld device. They can be targeted to different skin types and can address skin problems like fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tones. Because of all the moisturizing ingredients, the treatment is very popular around this time of year. Especially in the winter, the heat and the cold weather dehydrates you, Ciampa said. What to expect: The microdermabrasion feels like a soft tingling, Ciampa said, and the HydraFacial is soothing, refreshing, and non-irritating. It almost feels like a cool paint brush being spread on your skin, she said. Results are immediate, leaving your skin smoother and more radiant by the time you leave. It may take more than one treatment to see a reduction of fine lines and brown spots. Make-up can be applied immediately afterward, but it s important to avoid the sun for three to four days because you re more likely to burn. The skin is sensitive, Ciampa said. You ve taken off the top layer. While the treatment is targeted toward the anti-aging crowd, she has a wide range of clients. I ve done teenagers, she said. I do men and women. I just did a man for his wedding, and he loved it. Recommended service: A series of six treatments Cost: $225 per treatment 49