Advice from our Spa Expert

After a thorough skin analysis, the facial incorporates steam and a deep brush cleanse, preparing the skin for an application of our revolutionary ESPA Professional Enzyme Peel. Containing the highest levels of completely natural fruit acids and AHA's, the peel dramatically aids the removal of dead skin cells, revealing a more youthful complexion. Using powerful moisture quenching ingredients, a deep facial massage is followed by an application of the ESPA Professional Lifting and Smoothing Mask to leave skin plumped, toned and luminous.

ESPA has also introduced new products for these facials, which are:

• Action packed with natural ingredients made from fruit and organic marine products
• Free from paraben, synthetic colors, fragrances and pure petrochemicals
• Containing optimum concentrations of AHA's, Pumpkin Enzymes and naturally sourced fruit acids

Remember, if you are looking for a great way to start the year, try the Anti-Ageing Active Peel Facial for a new and improved you!

Number one rule of the summer for healthy skin? Sunscreen, sunscreen…sunscreen! Okay, so that is hardly a rule, but you get the point. Of all the skin essentials of the summer, applying sunscreen everyday before you walk out the door is imperative when aspiring for well-nourished, youthful skin.

Many sunscreens offer protection from UVB rays. This is vital to maintaining healthy skin as UVB rays are known as “burning” rays. They are the ones to blame for the ever-so-popular sunburn. UVB rays effect the surface of your skin while UVA rays deeply penetrate and can impact skin through water and even glass. Overexposure to UVA rays can catalyze wrinkles, damage skin elasticity, causes premature aging, brown spots, and hyper-pigmentation. Both types of rays may lead to skin cancer. Nevertheless, be sure to make the wisest choice by purchasing a sunscreen that shields you from both UVB and UVA rays.

For normal skin that does not get easily irritated or has allergic reactions, you may want the longer-lasting effect of a chemical-based SPF with UVA blocking avobenzone or oxybenzone. These are synthetic substances that absorb UV light before it can impact the skin. For sensitive skin, try a chemical-free or mineral-based SPF. Check the ingredients for components such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These minerals have been scientifically proven to be the most gentle and effective way to protect your skin from both types of rays as the skin does not generally absorb these minerals.

To maximize your results for fresh and radiant skin, avoid ingredients like phthalates, fragrance and parabens as they are unnecessary chemicals with zero benefits and some harmful findings.

When purchasing your summer dosage, whether in makeup, moisturizer, or regular sunscreen, don’t just pick a random product off the shelf. Make your efforts in protecting your skin a priority. The skin is the largest living organ of the body and it’s the only skin you have for the rest of your life. It is definitely worth the investment of time to learn more about how to effectively care for yours.

Visit Acqualina’s Facebook Wall for practical tips on how to properly exfoliate and moisturize summer skin. Join in on the conversations as tips will be posted periodically.

Drink lots of water. If you’re getting a massage after spending a portion of the day out in the hot sun, make sure you are well-hydrated before arriving for your massage.

Massage on sunburn hurts! If your skin is red, the best thing to do is cancel your massage appointment. As the therapist increases circulation and blow flow in your body, sunburned skin can be easily irritated, and getting massage on skin that’s burned can itch, burn, sting, or even make you feel nauseas.

If you plan on spending time in the sun after a massage, remember to apply sunscreen but most importantly … Reapply Reapply Reapply!! The key to not burning your skin is to reapply sun block or wear protective clothing.

Have fun in the sun this summer!

Regular facials are not only to enhance the appearance of your skin. The major health benefits of regular facials are the regulation of the immune system, detoxification, reduction in fluid build-up, exfoliation, stress relief. These benefits are achieved in any of our ESPA Facials which incorporate lymphatic drainage, exfoliation, acupressure massage, and aromatherapy. The lymphatic system plays a vital role in the body by regulating the immune system. Exfoliation is a process in which the top layers of the skin are removed, so that the newer, younger cells may reach the surface. Acupressure is effective as a health maintenance system to reduce stress, increase circulation and tune up your energy. Aromatherapy awakens and strengthens our vital energies and self-healing capabilities. Essential oils have the ability to directly affect the brain and the many psychological and physiological processes of the mind and body.

Our Skin Brightening products use super active ingredients to refresh dull an tired skin which is lacking in radiance. ESPA’s Skin Brightening Enzyme Mask will assist with environmental damage, uneven pigmentation, congestion and fine lines. It is made from pumpkin fruit and rich in AHAs, BHAs and anti-oxidants that will give your skin a smooth radiant glow.

We are Extending the Miami Spa Month special price of $99 + 18% Gratuity for 1 hour Relaxation Massage or Facial.

Visit ESPA, an Oasis from everyday living... a restorative and rejuvenating escape.

Additional techniques I recommend

Meditation and Yoga - These techniques are proven ways to reduce stress. It allows you to be quiet, releasing any tension in the mind.

Massage - Helps to reduce / eliminate any stress and tension held in the muscles. Tension often leads to sore stiff muscles, headaches, insomnia and anxiety.

Abdominal Breathing (deep breathing) - Is the single most effective strategy for stress reduction. We absorb more oxygen and release more waste products with each breath. As an added bonus we also add more life energy, Qi, to our system by using abdominal breathing.

Be good to yourself - Take time to do things for yourself that make you happy. Like a day at ESPA, A walk in the park or playing with your children. Personal time is precious and should be truly appreciated and enjoyed.

While Rene was working in his lab studying the properties of aromatic substances, he was in a terrible accident and received 3^rd degree thermal burns on his hands and forearms. Rene, knowing the healing properties of Lavender applied it to his hands and forearms. The lavender stopped the burning and started the healing process. Overtime through continual application the burns healed without trace of scarring.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils in various ways to affect our physical and mental state. Some oils are used to Calm, Sedate and Relax us and others are used to Energize, Invigorate and Revitalize. Aromatherapy is used widely to treat conditions like Insomnia, Anxiety, Stress, Poor circulation and Muscle pain.

Aromatherapy is among the fastest growing fields in alternative and holistic medicine and used in most Spas and even some clinics and hospitals. It mainly involves the use of essential oils from plants which have been historically used to interact with the body's chemistry to effect emotions, certain organs or systems as a whole. It's a way of improving a person's overall well-being through the use of essential oils.

ESPA aromatherapy bath and body oils have been blended using only the highest quality organically or naturally grown ingredients, know for their purity, potency ad therapeutic qualities. The blends have been formulated to work together in harmony to make them more powerful as combinations than they would be on their own.

More.... Did You Know?

• The skin eliminates over one pound of waste acids each day in the average adult, most of it through the sweat glands?
• That the skin is known also as our third kidney?
• That the skin receives one third of all the blood circulated in the body?
• That the skin is the last to receive nutrients in the body, yet the first to show signs of imbalance or deficiency?

Detoxification is performed by a number of organs, glands, and transportation systems, including the skin, gut, kidneys, liver, lungs, lymphatic system, and mucous membranes. The dry brushing technique deals with detoxification of the skin.

Dry brushing is a way to stimulate all the above organs of detoxification because it provides a gentle internal massage.

Dry Brushing was recommended by the Finnish Dr., Paavo Airola for his patients 30 years ago and is still popular in European spas and many cancer treatment centers today. The Russians, Turks and Scandinavians have used this treatment for centuries. Dry brushing is promoted as a preventative for dry skin and a way to exfoliate the skin, thus stimulating skin renewal that is super soft to the touch, but there are many other benefits as well:

Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing Explained:

1. Removes cellulite
2. Cleanses the lymphatic system
3. Removes dead skin layers
4. Strengthens the immune system
5. Stimulates the hormone and oil-producing glands
6. Tightens the skin preventing premature aging
7. Tones the muscles
8. Stimulates circulation
9. Improves the function of the nervous system
10. Helps digestion
11. AND it's easy, inexpensive and invigorating!

What You Need To Do Dry Brushing:

To dry brush, use a soft natural fiber brush with a long handle, so that you are able to reach all areas of your body. One with a removable head with a strap for your hand is a good choice. A loofah sponge or a rough towel can also be used. Most nylon and synthetic fiber brushes are too sharp and may damage skin although I found a softer bath brush with nylon bristles that seems to do the trick. The important thing is to find something that is just right for your skin. Once your skin becomes "seasoned," you can switch to a coarser brush.

Tips and Tricks for Dry Brushing:

• Always dry brush your dry and naked body before you shower or bathe because you will want to wash off the impurities from the skin as a result from the brushing action.
• You can do the brushing head-to-toe or toe-to-head. It really doesn't matter as long as the entire body is brushed. Long sweeping strokes starting from the bottom of your feet upwards, and from the hands towards the shoulders, and on the torso in an upward direction help drain the lymph back to your heart.

Note: Stroking away from your heart puts extra pressure on the valves within the veins and lymph vessels and can cause ruptured vessels and varicose veins.

• Use light pressure in areas where the skin is thin and harder pressure on places like the soles of the feet.
• Skin brushing should be performed once a day, preferably first thing in the morning. A thorough skin brushing takes about 15 minutes, but any time spent brushing prior to bathing will benefit the body. If you are feeling ill, increasing the treatments to twice a day is good. You can also dry brush areas of cellulite five to 10 minutes twice a day to achieve cellulite dissolving but the technique needs to be done consistently for a minimum of five months.
• Avoid sensitive areas and anywhere the skin is broken such as areas of skin rash, wounds, cuts, and infections. Also, never brush an area affected by poison oak or poison ivy.
• Finish up with your regular shower and ending with three hot and cold cycles. That means turning on the water as hot as you can take it for several seconds, then as cold as you can handle it, then hot, then cold for three cycles. End with either hot or cold. This will further invigorate the skin and stimulate blood circulation, bringing more blood to the outer layers of the skin.

1. Take advantage of your day at the spa by making the time to truly enjoy your experience. We encourage guests to come early and stay late. Enjoy all the amenities the spa has to offer. Leave your cell phone and Blackberry at home in order to truly enjoy some much needed time alone. For this day...let someone else take care of you...That's what we are here for.

2. Ensure to visit the steam or sauna and ice fountain before your spa treatment. The idea is to heat the body up, then cool the body down a few times...this begins the detoxification process and prepares the muscles and skin to better accept the treatment.

3. Drink plenty of water after your spa treatment! This aides in the detoxification process by flushing toxins from the body. It also helps to keep you body well hydrated.

4. Be open and communicative with your Spa Therapist in order to get most out of your treatment. Let them know what you like, don't like, want and need. If you are cold, speak up, if you don't like the pressure, ask them to go deeper or lighter. If the music is too loud or soft, ask them to adjust it. If there is anything that we can do to make your treatment more enjoyable, please don't hesitate to ask. Don't be shy! We want to know!