Wrinkles! We all love the idea of growing older, becoming more independent and all that comes with it, but if there was a way to get the package sans the sagging skin, frown lines and crows feet, we would surely take it. Anybody would.

Anti-aging as a phenomenon has grown out of this world. Teens are trying Botox and women meet the enemy square in the face with the ritual glance in the mirror each morning. Celebrities are doing anything to prevent them as maintaining a youthful look coincides with success. According to Showbiz Spy, High School Musical alum, Vanessa Hudgens has already started using anti-wrinkle cream. “You might as well start now, put a little lotion on rather than having to get wrinkles. I think it’s smart to start soon, really. It’s a good beauty tip.”

Proper skin care begins at a young age by applying sunscreen on a regular basis, sufficient vitamin-A intake and antioxidants. Even with all these precautions, you still may need to take a more hands-on approach to turning back the hands of time. No worries, we’re not referring to surgery or Botox, because many non-invasive treatments at the spa can do the trick.

Here, a few of the best anti-aging treatments around. Each one of these can be found in our spa deals this month for a bargain, so book yourself a spa visit and give those wrinkles the pink slip.

Anti-Aging Spa Strategy #1 – Bio-Roller Anti-Aging Facial

New FDA approved skin care device, that increases absorption of active ingredients by 400%. Improves skin elasticity and texture by promoting collagen formation. Desert Bloom Skin Care Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Anti-Aging Spa Strategy #2 – Non-Surgical Face Lift

This ultra technology facelift that re-educates the facial muscles and provides dermal nutrition to increase collagen and vital nutrients in the skin. Using ultrasonic microdermabrasion, micro-current, ultrasound, and light therapy, all four technologies combine to improve both the tone and texture of the skin, producing healthier, firmer, more youthful skin. Bella Reina Spa in Delray Beach, Florida.

Anti-Aging Spa Strategy #3 – Anti-Aging Me

Target the aging process with firming peptides, vitamin C and fruity acids. Put time back into your skin with this luscious facial. The Carriage House Spa & Salon in Yardley, Pennsylvania.

Anti-Aging Spa Strategy #4 – Vitamin C Light Therapy

This is an Advanced Anti-Aging Treatment with no down time and helps heal sun-exposed skin. Facial Leaf and Water Holistic Skincare in Seattle, Washington.

Check out more anti-aging spa strategies on our Spa Deals page.

Images Courtesy of InhumaneExperiment.blogspot.com, Recreate Yourself , FirstAntiAging.com, Go Get Healthy Now, and Chivasom.com

Orchid Aesthetics, a medical spa located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, hosted an intimate, celebratory gathering Wednesday evening at The Hudson Hotel in New York City to announce the launch of their tier spa membership. Botox, Dysport and Latisse were raffled off at the end of an evening filled with champagne and an all-you-can-eat buffet of tasty tapas.

Each of the new memberships (below) offers a choice of one facial treatment each month to promote a consistent skin care regiments, and each is also centered around a number of free units of Botox.

Although Botox is nothing new, what IS new about it is that it is becoming more and more accessible as a walk-in treatment, and our Spa Week spas will be offering more $50 Botox treatments than ever this season. Also, membership packages like these encourage Botox to become a natural part of your beauty and upkeep routine as opposed to an occasional refinement.

In fact, the owners of Orchid Aesthetics told Spa Week Daily that they have plans to launch a series of Botox Parties. Stay tuned.

BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments are the number one anti-aging treatment used with a very high prevalence among women, but used in facial rejuvenation by men as well. Botox Cosmetic for men may require increased dosage or concentration. It works by relaxing facial muscles by blocking nerve impulses that trigger wrinkle-causing muscle contractions, creating a smoothed and improved appearance.Results typically last from 3 – 15 months, varying with with each patient.

Check out their new memberships, all based on a one-year agreement:

Starter Membership ($99 per month):
Ten free units of Botox twice per year
Your choice of one Facial, Microdermabrasion or peel per month
Botox at $12 per unit or Dysport at $10 per unit all year long
Juvederm/Restylane $475, Radiesse at $575 per syringe twice/ year
10% savings on Thalgo products

Premiere Membership ($199 per month):
Ten free units of Botox three times per year
Your choice of one Facial, Microdermabrasion or Peel/month
Latisse one free per year, unlimited prescriptions
Botox at $11 per unit all year long or Dysport at $9 per unit
Juvederm/Restylane $450 and Radiesse at $550/syringe all year long
Your choice of any laser treatment 4 times per year
Save 15% on Thalgo Retail products

Elite Membership: ($299 per month):
Ten free units of Botox four times per year
Your choice of one Facial, Microdermabrasion or Peel per month
Botox at $9.99 per unit all year long or Dysport at $8 per unit
ANY injectable $450 per sryinge all year long
Save 20% on Thalgo Retail products
Share your membership – with a guest (share 4 treatments per year)
Invite a special friend for a free facial (one per year)
Your choice of any laser treatment per month

Orchid Aesthetics will be participating in Spa Week Fall 2010, when you’ll be able to sample a handful of these treatments, including Botox, for just $50 a piece.

Orchid Aesthetics
15 West 84th Street
New York, NY 10024
212-595-1958

Follow them on Twitter: @Orchid_Spa

Microdermabrasion is one of those treatments that you hear about and see on TV. The person goes in with their own skin and comes out looking like Halle Berry or Giselle Bunchen at what most believe to be a painful price. We sent Bailey Vincent Clark from the Makeover Momma to test it out and possibly dispel the myth at the Parma Center for Health, Medicine and Wellness in Washington D.C. At the last minute, “out of fear of looking like a cooked lobster” she swapped her sister in instead. Don’t worry sis, she still loves ya! Check out Bailey’s account of how the treatment went below, also watch her video and read about her “Sneaky Spa Moment” on her blog as well.

I’m going to admit it: I used to think that microdermabrasion was some scary treatment that would leave me raw, peeling and running for the nearest wide brimmed hat as fast as Samantha on Sex And The City (shortly after a nasty peel). This is why I was not only pleasantly surprised by my Spa Madness microdermabrasion experience, but pretty much regret having my Senior Editor (and sister) get the treatment. I was so terrified of looking like a cooked lobster, that I missed out on this amazing treatment at Parma Spa! (And yes, I was going to make her take the fall if something went wrong)….

Top 5 Favorite Things About Microdermabrasion

1. It Gives You A Fresh Start: I’m a mom, so let’s face it- I barely have time to bathe on most days (let alone treat my skin to decadent resurfacing treatments at pampering spas). My skin probably has dead skin cells left over from 1992, so the concept of getting a “fresh start” from microdermabrasion is highly appealing.

2. It Prevents Acne: Between the cocktail of late nights, hormone fluctuations and “the terrible two’s”, motherhood is a non-stop excuse for constant breakouts. However, my senior editor Corey gets her own hormonal breakouts (the kind that roll around once a month), and said her skin has been consistently clearer since the treatment.

3. It Lightens Scars: Corey (like most of us) has a small amount of dark spots left over from playing dermatologist with herself in the mirror (i.e. popping pimples), and I was amazed to visibly see her skin (and consequently, her spots) lighten while she was on the table.

4. It Doesn’t Hurt: Although the concept of microdermabrasion (and the sound of the machine) was intimidating at first, Corey swore it just felt like her “cat licking her face.” Since the Parma Spa was a medical spa, the aesthetician watched Corey’s skin with fine precision, and made sure she avoided any areas that seemed sensitive. She did such a gentle job, that Corey was able to skip makeup the rest of the day (without needing that wide brimmed hat), and get all dolled up for a date that night.

5. It Helps You Look Younger: Yes, we all spend tons of money on anti-aging face creams, masks and serums, but doesn’t it make sense to stop fine lines and wrinkles at the “core”, and stop wasting so much money? The proper and consistent amount of microdermabrasion (done only by extreme medical professionals) can help prevent and reduce signs of aging, without the need for weird potions and lotions.

Try dispelling this myth, or any spa myths during Spa Week for just $50! The booking has begun: www.spaweek.com

As you’ve often read here on Spa Week Daily… you learn a lot when you go to the spa.

We sent Jennifer Merritt from iVillage to Spa 23at the Westin Times Square, NYC for SPA MADNESS, and one of the things she learned during her facial was that her “wrinkles” were not quite aging her pre-bridal face as much as she thought:

“That’s when she surprised me by saying that my lines weren’t, in fact, wrinkles at all, but dead skin cell buildup from not exfoliating. What a relief! But also, kind of gross.”

She enlightened her Twitter followers in real time by doing a live Tweetment (below), and then shared her full, fresh-faced experience on iVillage in her post: The Truth About My Wrinkles

To book this facial at Spa 23 for $50 during Spa Week, April 12 – 18, sign onto our Spa Directory and start booking.

And here’s another truth: you can learn a lot from the therapists and estheticians at any of our spas, so take advantage, young spa scholar, and learn as much as possible!

The pretty face you see to the left is Karla Farach, a spa lifestyle industry innovator and the founder and president of KROIA Skincare. KROIA is formulated by using the inherent properties of color wavelengths to bring harmony and balance to the skin, combining  pure bioavailable fruit and plant extracts, essential oils, gemstones and the latest most advanced ingredients.

From growing up in the Dominican Republic to now being a mom in New York City, Karla has studied traditional and alternative medicine including aromatherapy, gemstone therapy, nutrition and chromotherapy – all of which she applies to KROIA and her personal lifestyle.

One thing she’s never studied or applied to her personal lifestyle, however, is social media. After connecting through a mutual friend, Karla expressed to me how eager she is to share her wealth of knowledge and passion for skincare, wellness, science and beauty with the world, and she’s sick and tired of old-fashioned sales and PR.  Without the foggiest idea of how to harness social networking to leverage her business, Karla has made the brave decision that she’s ready to learn.

Today’s giveaway is not only for the purpose of you winning a fantastic KROIA foaming face cream…

TO ENTER: In the comments section below, give Karla one idea or piece of advice to inspire and help jump-start her journey into the complex world of blogging and social media.

THE PRIZE: 3 winners will receive a bottle KROIA Foaming Moisturizer, based upon which pieces of advice Karla finds most inspirational or helpful. Your choice of color!  Contest ends Monday 1/25/10 at 11:59 PM EST.

But before running this giveaway, about a month ago Erin, Meghan and I each took home a bottle and tested out the product. After landing under the trend of 21st Century anti-aging in a top beauty trends of 2010 story, it lands here with 3 glowing reviews:

KROIA Yellow Therapy (energizing)

Illuminate + Revitalize Active Foaming Moisturizer “Yellow, a radiant color that reflects “light,” knowledge, ideas and the intellect. The sun shines with its rays of light to awaken our senses and energize the world.” Meghan’s review: The moisturizer has a great consistency—it’s foamy when it comes out but settles down to a light lotion when applied. I loved the citrus-y smell (apparently due to “mangosteen”, who knew?) It’s supposed to brighten my complexion, and I did notice that the lotion left a nice glowy finish. It didn’t make my already-oily skin greasier, which I loved as well, but it wasn’t quite heavy duty enough to wear at night. I think it’d be an ideal summer moisturizer for oilier-skinned gals.

KROIA Pink Therapy (anti-aging)

Intensive Renewal Active Foaming Moisturizer “Pink is the universal color of love, affection and femininity. It signifies compassion and unconditional love to all humanity.” Erin’s review: LOVE it. It’s a silky-smooth, mousse-like face moisturizer that made my skin feel tighter and glow just a little bit more. In fact, I now look so young that I am getting carded all the time again. No not really, but I feel like I should be.

KROIA Blue Therapy (soothing)

Active Calm + Balance Foaming Moisturizer “Blue, the color of truth, promotes peace of mind by helping us connect with our spiritual side.” Michelle’s review: Applying my first dollop of KROIA was a skincare moment I’ll not soon forget. It’s texture, foamy; its scent, nutty almond; the cool bursting of miniscule foamy air bubbles on my face as I applied it (upward!)—sensational. Champagne toast? Only if the product worked. Good news: I noticed an immediate firmness to my skin, and a smooth, remarkably matte finish unlike some heavier creams I’ve tried.

Read more about Karla, her products and her vision at KROIA.com. Looking forward to seeing your social media tips!

This is not a sponsored post.

January 26th UPDATE:

Karla has chosen the winners! She would like to express tremendous gratitude for ALL the helpful tips and insights, because she is now even more excited to get started– and slightly less nervous. It is no surprise that all 3 winners Karla chose have fabulous blogs of their own:

Jen Mathews, My Beauty Bunny

Melissa Finley, My Mending Hands

Sarah de Thomasis, Through Pink Colored Glasses

Scroll down for their answers – all 3 of these ladies have given fantastic advice that any beginner in blogging and social media should read. Wishing the best of luck to you on your journey, Karla; can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store!