8 Offbeat Spa Treatments
For most spa goers, indulging in a treatment incorporating
exotic mineral essential ingredients or visiting a spa in a unique location is
about as exotic as things get. But for those in search of something truly
unique, consider these 8 bizarre spa treatments, according to Forbes Traveler:
1. Snake Massage
In
therapist Ada Barak is a snake handler extraordinaire who performs a service
for those knotted with stress and who are not faint of heart. According to
Barak, knotted muscles find relief with her $70 treatment using six
non-venomous serpents. Clients lie face down as Barak places the snakes on
clients' aching muscles. The slip and sliding motion down the spine supposedly
relieves tension. For the remaining 98 percent who find snakes anything but
relaxing, perhaps a good old Swedish massage is in order.
2. Perscentoelogy (or your toes are the window to your soul)
Phoenix-area spa goers who have "been there and done
that" should seek out the services of Marie Bernat, toe reading expert.
Plying her trade at various
spas, Bernat invites clients to kick off their shoes for a life analysis with
perscentoelogy. Apparently, toes tell secrets, and Bernat is happy to read and
share them. In fact, "…people laugh because they are surprised that I can
tell more about themselves in 10 minutes than people who have known them their
whole life," said Bernat.
3. Nightingale Dropping Facial
For skin as beautiful
as the geisha, Diamond Hawaii Resort & Spa in
has the secret to flawless skin – nightingale excrement. It's the tried and
true beauty regime for Kabuki actors and geisha in
excrement on their faces to keep complexions clear, white and smooth. The
Diamond Spa begins all of their facial treatments with a layer of dehydrated
and scent-free nightingale excrement, providing clients with flawless skin.
4. Cupping
A fave detox treatment for the A-crowd, cupping is a
preferred treatment at JW Marriot Starr Pass Resort & Spa in
Who can forget Gwyneth Paltrow's arrival at a movie premiere in a backless
gown, a series of circular welts along her spine? Paparazzi images caught the
unusual markings, creating a media buzz and sending spa-goers in search of this
treatment whose powerful suction is created by glass cups lit with a flame. The
ancient Asian practice helps boost circulation and promotes healing. Clients
report feeling more energized and relaxed for several days following the
service.
5. Beer Therapy
Relaxation is as close as the tap – but preferably at the
spa rather than the local pub. Beer therapy indulges clients with a soak in
heavenly hops at places such as the Chodovar Family brewery in
offers guests a dip in the dark beer bath while enjoying a pint. The bath is
reputed to increase circulation and aid in detoxification (not to be confused
with
favorite form of detox).
6. Cactus Massage
For a distinctly Mexican flair spa treatment, try a cactus
massage at Apuane Spa at the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in
Clients enjoy a blend of nopal, a prickly pear cactus, and pulque, an alcohol
made from the agave plant (predecessor to modern-day tequila) massaged into
their skin using spine-free cactus paddles.
7. Booty Facial
For those seeking some real pampering, the Fanny Facial
focuses the indulgence purely on the derriere at Smooth Synergy Cosmedical Spa
in
The treatment includes a three-step session of exfoliation, microcurrent and
sunless tanning treatment created to better the backside. In fact, the service
has become one of Smooth Synergy's most popular, and bootylicious, treatments.
8. Caviar Facial & Body Treatment
A-listers (and those who like to live like they are) can now
be coated from head to toe in a high-priced delicacy at Rome Cavalieri Hilton's
Grand Spa. The Caviar Facial and Caviar Body Treatment incorporate the
beneficial and skin-firming properties of caviar extract. These edible eggs
create younger-looking skin and make clients feel like a million bucks.
