Functioning at its best, our skin absorbs oxygen and other vital nutrients including minerals and vitamin D that travel on to the circulatory system and nurture other organs. Our skin also releases toxins, wastes, and impurities through perspiration and cellular debris.
Constantly working to nurture and protect us, our skin’s cells interact with the cells of our immune, endocrine, nervous, and circulatory systems. Changes to these other systems are reflected in our skin’s color and texture. Our skin looks flushed and riddled with red blotches when we’re harried or feverish, and it pales when we’re suffering the effects of shock. And no matter how convincing we might sound when we lie, a telltale blush can unveil our deepest secrets.
Exfoliation
The skin is the body’s largest organ. And whether our skin is exposed to the elements or wrapped in layers, cold, dry winter air and overheated rooms leave our skin parched and dull. Exfoliation is a process that can be performed manually or mechanically with devices that removes the skin’s dead surface layers. Exfoliation also helps remove mineral deposits, particularly metals. Metals act as free radicals when they react with skin cells, causing redness, uneven pigment and rosacea. Metals can also adhere to ski oils and clog pores, causing breakouts.
Skin brushes, textured washcloths, and grainy products such as sugar rubs, oatmeal scrubs, and Dead Sea salts are used to exfoliate and polish the skin. Exfoliating agents and brushes should be used gently with small circulate movements. Applying too much pressure or scrubbing the skin too vigorously with exfoliating agents can rob the skin of natural oils and injure the dermal layer.
Smoothing and Softening
Once the skin is properly exfoliated, it’s ready to be smoothed, softened, and polished with massages, body wraps, mud treatments and a wide array of plant-based therapies.
Specialized Ethnic TreatmentsEastern Influences: Treatments inspired by Asian healing philosophies are often infused with green tea, rice or lemongrass. Spas with an Indonesian influence offer the traditional Javanese Lulur, a pampering ritual initially created for brides-to-be that includes a Balinese massage, scrub, cooling yogurt mask, jasmine-infused bath, and moisturizing treatments rich in jasmine and frangipani blossoms.
The Carneros Inn in Napa, California offers a six-step Red Flower Japan Body Ritual Massage, which involves a yuzu-mimosa sea algae wash, ginger grass and bamboo scrub, wild cherry blossom rice buff, rose camellia plum mist, wild lime silk oil, and plum blossom silk cream. The Red Flower Session leaves winter weary skin smooth and supple.
French Influences: French spas frequently rely on thalassotherapy to revitalize the skin. Thalassotherapy employs the curative powers of sea water, marine plants, and sea weeds to restore the skin’s natural mineral balance and soften the skin. In addition, the minerals in thalassotherapy hydrate and tone the skin, muscles and joints. Procedures typically include a full-body exfoliation, a warm seaweed wrap, followed by massage and facial therapies.
South American Influences: Spa treatments originating in Brazil frequently rely on plants native to the rain forest. Therapies typically include hydrotherapy soaks in botanical baths, exfoliating sugar scrubs, aloe vera or babassu palm tree oil body wraps, and coconut-milk massages.
Spa treatments hailing from Hawaii include awapuh (ginger) sea salt exfoliation, mineral-laden seaweed or spirulina baths, pineapple-papaya body scrubs, and vitamin-infused facials containing lokelalani roses. Skin softening agents include mange butter, kukui nut oil, coconut milk, hibiscus, and passionflower.
Hawaiian Influences:
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