The New MDS Website

You know and love your hairstylist, the corner coffee shop is your morning haven, but what's this?! Your best friend just gave you a gift certificate for an entire day at the spa! Your jump up and down, squeal with delight and give her a hearty hug. Wow! It's your lucky day!

You arrive at the spa about 10 minutes early. The receptionist escorts you into the locker room where she shows you to a locker with a fluffy robe and slippers waiting for you. She also hands you a terry gown which you will be wearing during your facial. You slip out of your clothes and into the warm, soft gown and robe. It's already starting to feel cozy here, you think.

Now, you go into the waiting area of the spa. It is very secluded from the hussle and bustle of the hair and nail area with overstuffed chairs, soft lights and faint music playing in the background. You begin filling out the paperwork and there seems to be a lot of it.

You are led to the facial room and lie on a bed that looks like a massage table. After you are tucked in under a soft blanket the esthetician begins to ask you questions about your skin. What products you use and what kinds of changes you would like to see in your complextion. The facial is great, soothing and virtually painless, except the few extractions of blackheads, but hey, now they're gone and time for the vichi shower and massage!

Next you are shown to a dimly lit room that is warm and the therapist has you lie face down on the massage table. The kind voice overhead assures you that you won't have to be too exposed and a towel be covering your groin area at all times. It is completely up to you about the towels. Your skin all over is being gently massaged with a natural body scrub and it feels great! Next the overhead shower to rinse it all away. Invigorating!

The therapist explains that our skin is the best defense we have against all the nasty bacteria, germs and infection we humans have to deal with everyday. Also, this treatment will be very purifying and detoxifying, so drinking plenty of pure water for the next few days is very important. You feel extra good now! All this pampering is actually great for your body too! Better than the mid-afternoon chocolate break any day!

On to another room that is very serene and calm. The massage room. A warm, soft table and warm body oils massaged into your skin. You feel your muscles relaxing. This is heaven. She even massaged you head and scalp. You could really get used to this. A towel is used again if you prefer to cover up as desired. You realized you had nothing to be worried about. All is well in your world at this moment. You drift off as she finishes with your feet.

That's it for the spa (spa management certificate) part of your service. You are escorted back into the sitting lounge of the spa and given a steamy cup of herbal tea to sip as you watch the fish in the aquarium next to you and think of nothing in particular. You go into the locker room to get dressed and discover that there are lots of products for you to use, just like at home.

Ladies, when was the last time you were treated like a queen? Whether it was in this millenium or the last, spending the day at a Spa guarantees the Star Treatment. Day Spa’s are like hair and nail salons, only better. In addition to hair and nail services, they offer relaxing muscle massages, pedicures, manicures, deep cleansing facials and even body scrubs, all in a comforting, soothing environment. Most offer gift certificates and will combine services into ‘packages’ at a reduced price.

If nothing else, get a massage, especially if you have children. They are great for your body and spirit; they can tone muscles and are ultra relaxing. Massages can be purchased by the hour (full body) or half hour (back only). During a massage, you will be asked to remove all of your clothes. Don’t be shy, but feel free to leave your underwear on. You will be covered by a sheet at all times. So, lay back, enjoy the candlelight and listen to soothing sounds while being massaged with warm oil. Or better yet, learn how to massage each other in a class you can take together