Now that summer is over, your skin may be crying out for rejuvenation. A day at the spa may be just what your face, not to mention your body and soul, is clamoring for.

Fortunately, in the Bay Area, there’s a plentitude of day spas offering a variety of services that can revitalize every inch of you.

Day spas are no longer exclusively for the wealthy or self-indulgent, but for those who are conscious of their health and well-being.

“Spa treatments help you slow down and achieve inner peace,” said Pat Jolly, co-owner of Studio Twenty-8 Salon and Day Spa. “A facial is more than pampering yourself. It rejuvenates the skin, strengthens and hydrates it. In Florida, we have so many things that work against the skin.”

After a summer in the sun, you may find your skin looking sallow or tired, flaking and discolored in spots. A “face lift” massage from Studio Twenty 8’s reflexologist Laurie Azzarella can invigorate and tone your sun-damaged skin. Azzarella has a master’s degree in education and is a seminar director for the International Institute of reflexology, a therapy that involves the stimulation of points on the feet, hands, or ears, with the goals of reducing stress, improving circulation and alleviating pain.

“We have two aestheticians here, Robin Laitman and Sheryl Schwartz,” said Rodney Kehl, co-owner of Studio Twenty-8.

“Aestheticians are licensed skin-care professionals,” Laitman said. “One of the treatments we use is Energy Light Rejuvenation, or what we call “The Instant Face Lift.” This treatment is designed to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, to minimize puffiness and to diminish blemishes and breakouts.

“I’ve had nearly every treatment that Robin offers,” said long-time Studio Twenty-8 client Linda Claeboe, 55. “Robin did a micro-dermabrasion about two years ago, and I still can see the results.”

Aestheticians also offer makeup application instructions, waxing and an array of treatments that improve and refine the skin.

“The biggest bang for your buck would be our Half-Day Beauty Bliss for $125,” Kehl said. “That includes a half-hour massage, a half-hour facial, hair style and makeup application.”

Kehl said that male clients are growing in number at Studio Twenty-8 Day Spa, especially for massages, but many get facials and waxings as well.

For women, bikini waxing remains a popular spa treatment year-round.
According to Jennifer Hausner, salon manager at Experience Salon and Spa, aesthetician Lindsy Fennell is well known around town for her expertise in Brazilian waxing, an extremely thorough form of Bikini waxing.

“That’s one of our most popular treatments,” Hausner said. “Our spa section has three treatment rooms for facials, waxing and massage, two manicure stations and two pedicure stations.

A CLINICAL APPROACH
Some day spas, such as Mark Lees Skin Care, Inc., use a clinical approach in both treatment and products. Lees holds a Ph.D. in health sciences and takes a comprehensive client history before planning a treatment.

For many first-time clients he prescribes “The Right Start Skin Care” package, which includes a complete skin analysis and consultation, a clinical facial and Mark Lees brand skin care products that are prescribed especially for each individual.

“What the client does to her skin at home contributes about 90 percent to the results of the condition of her skin,” said Lees, who developed his own line of cosmetics and distributes them worldwide.

“We offer a combination of ‘cosmeceutical’/pharmaceutical products that actually do things to change the appearance of your skin.” Lees said a good at-home skin-care program should take no longer than four minutes.

In addition to spa services, Mark Lees offers age-management specialty services, which address problems of the aging skin, improving elasticity, texture and the appearance of lines, wrinkles and discolorations.

Caryl Jewell, 59, has been going to Mark Lees since he opened his salon more than 20 years ago.

“His products are the best,” Jewell said. “The skin-care procedures they use are fantastic.”

Jewell said she regularly gets an Alpha-hydroxy facial and peel and an LED treatment, a light-based skin therapy that is said to rejuvenate collagen.

“Outside of a medical clinic, I think we have the most experience in dealing with skin-care problems,” Lees said. Although the salon offers microdermabrasion, Lees said he prefers alpha hydroxy glycolic acid exfoliation treatments and recommends the series of six treatments for $325.

Lees’s “Half Day in Heaven” spa package is custom designed for each client, but usually will include a skin-care consultation, a facial, Swedish massage, hand, leg and foot treatments and a wax.

“We use a less clinical approach (in the half day package),” Lees said. “But we still screen clients to make sure there are no medical contraindications.”

A SPA PARTY
Each day spa has its own personality and, if you shop around, you’re sure to find the one that satisfies your needs.

If you want to surprise a friend with a birthday celebration, talk to Monique LeClair owner of A Cut Above about the garden room. It’s a great place to throw a party, and no one has to go shopping for a gift. Guests can chip in and present the birthday girl or guy with The Birthday Surprise spa package, which includes a customized gift for the celebrant.

A Cut Above Salon and Day Spa offers many spa packages all of which can be customized to suit your needs. Particularly romantic is the Anniversary Special, for two of course, that includes massages with aroma therapy, facials, manicures and pedicures and lunch in the garden room.

“We rent this room out for private parties,” said LeClair. “We’ve had bridal showers here and bachelorette parties. We’ll even cater if it’s a party of more than 12 people.”

A Bridal Package includes a facial, hair styling and makeup application.

Along with her own line of skin-care products, LeClair carries a full line of Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup. A Cut Above also offers permanent makeup such as lip liner, brow enhancement and eyelid liner. The cost of an upper lid permanent liner is $250.

Kathy Hubbard, 49, has been a client at A Cut Above for over a year and enjoys the massages.

“I’ve done the Swedish massage and the deep-tissue, which is a stronger massage,” Hubbard said. “The atmosphere is very relaxing and calming. You just feel wonderful afterward.”

ESSENTIAL ROUTINES
A quality spa, such as those above, will ensure that the spa area is private and removed from the salon space. Most offer gift certificates and a snack or lunch with their half-day or longer packages.

Mary Anne Annestad, R.N., co-owner with her husband, Jeff, has brought to Still Waters Medical and Day Spa her long experience in the medical arena. Like many day spa owners, the Annestads work closely with a cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon.

“I’ve spoken with several plastic surgeons around town and across the country, and they’ve said that, lately, fewer patients are requesting high-end surgical procedures,” said Mary Anne Annestad. “At Still Waters, requests for Botox treatments is definitely increasing.”

She said that Botox is a simple injection that’s used to correct expression lines. Two nurse practitioners at Still Waters are licensed to give Botox injections and perform it under the direction of Jack P. Kotlarz, M.D., a board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, as of 2007, Botox injection was the most common cosmetic operation, with 4.6 million procedures in the United States.

Before you go spa shopping, decide on the outcome you wish to achieve. Ask for a tour, a list of treatments and costs.

There are dozens of spas in the Bay Area offering everything from skin treatments to massages, manicures, makeovers, on-location services and more.

“When I travel, I try to stay at a hotel that offers spa services,” said DeeDee Ritchie, commercial real estate broker and TV personality. “I feel that our spas (in Pensacola) rate right up there with any of them.”

Ritchie said she regularly gets facials and massages at Still Waters.