The Skinny on Colonics

December 7, 2011 | By

Eggnog, gingerbread men, Hanukkah gelt, seven-course meals… regardless of holiday parties and vacations and pictures for which you’d prefer to not be at your most bloated state, it’s a naughty season. Yes, and this is why Holiday Season is also the season when curious spa-goers call up their local holistic health centers and wonder:

“‘Tis this season for a colonic?”

Such is the case at Fabylous Living in Chelsea, NYC (which you may remember from my ear candling experience) – owner Fabiola Turner’s phone has been ringing off the hook about colonics. What’s it like? Should I be afraid? Will it help me not gain 400 pounds this December? So she picked up the phone and called me - to come in and film so we can show people once and for all what this colonic biz-nass is all about. At Faby’s spa, it’s not just a colonic, but a full pampering experience. It includes massages, hot towels, vibrational therapy, aromatherapy… and – the kicker! – it even includes a coffee and a chlorphyll enema.

The idea behind a colonic is that food enters the intestine and a lot of it doesn’t get flushed out, causing toxins to accumulate, which can result in illness. Especially in today’s world, where we’re breathing polluted air and consuming pesticides, our bodies are overwhelmed trying to get rid of it all. So a little “push” now and then really helps the digestive system do its job better.

 

 

Although some believe a colonic is not necessary or even risky, I’ve done three with great results… so call me a believer! But before you bare your butt, you probably want to know:

First, how does one prepare? Here’s how to prepare for a colonic.

Then, what exactly are those benefits?

THE BENEFITS OF A COLONIC:

First and foremost… the reason I personally love it… That SKINNY FEELING! It’s like, the greatest bowel movement ever X 100, and sometimes it’s exactly what a girl needs. I once did a colonic specifically to de-puff before an event in a tight dress, and it really does wonders as an immediate de-bloater. Also, cleaning your colon can help your body modify its appetite, aiding in long term weight management.

A boost of energy. Colonics allow the nutrients and vitamins to be properly absorbed into the body again. Although sometimes immediately after I’ve heard that many people feel a bit fatigued, all three times I’ve done it I’ve felt energized. Ready to run a mile! Well, maybe a half mile.

Your colon could use some exercise. As Fabiola puts it, if you have a sluggish colon (AKA are constipated often), a colonic gets the muscles moving, making your colon stronger and more effective.

Boosting your immune system. It is believed that a clean colon helps your body fight disease, because instead of focusing on expelling built up toxins in the colon, it fights toxins elsewhere.

Now… you may be wondering about those other liquids that were flushed up into my intestine:

COFFEE AND CHLOROPHYLL ENEMAS

WHY A COFFEE ENEMA? Coffee is known for its many antioxidants, which helps benefit the health of your liver. Caffeine also stimulates your gallbladder to release toxic bile. Here’s a good medical explanation, if you’re looking for more detail.

 

 

WHY A CHLOROPHYLL ENEMA? The green stuff in plants is great for rehydrating the body and soothing the intestinal lining. It removes toxins and is effective in alkalizing your system when it’s too acidic.

 

 

 

So, there you have it. So, after watching the video, do you think you’ll try a colonic to help you feel slimmer this season?

And if you have any questions, don’t be shy to ask me anything! Either in the comments below or you can email me at michelle(at)spaweekmedia(dot)com – I know it’s a touchy subject and I’d love to help you out. Oh, and also, if 4.5 minutes wasn’t enough, check out this Live Spa TV session I did of  my very first colonic.

Fabylous Living – Chelsea
145 West 28th Street, Suite 900
New York, NY 10001
212.279.0558

DECEMBER SPA DEAL: Colonic Therapy and Hot Stone Massage with Organic Oils for new clients for $160, normally $250

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Helpful Video for Spa Newbies From LaVida Massage

September 20, 2011 | By

Not sure what to expect when getting your first massage? Want to know what happens after you put the robe on? Well, although we’ve given you our singing rendition of spa etiquette, LaVida spa – with participating locations in Detroit, Chicago and Charlotte, is here to ease your anxieties with this short, straightforward video. We hope it will provide all our spa newbies with some insight into what your first experience will be like. Let’s dim the lights, put on some relaxing music and watch the video:

Don’t you feel better now? Spas are there to make the customer relaxed. Massages can be customized to fit your needs so be sure to communicate with your therapist what you are looking to gain from your experience. Don’t be afraid to tell them if they are applying too little or too much pressure. Also, if you find a therapist who you enjoyed, be sure to book them for your next appointment to continue that relationship.

LaVida‘s $50 Spa Week treatments (varying from location to location) include:

  • 60 Min Spa Week Special, includes Hot Stone Massage with Soothing Aromatherapy Session
  • 60 Min Custom Facial with Glymed Plus Peel, choice of 5-Berry Pigment Control Peel or Chocolate Power Skin Rescue Peel, includes Cleansing, Masque, Moisturizer and Massage
  • 60 Min LaVida Signature Sea Salt Glow Exfoliation with Mineral Rich and Therapeutic Salts from the Dead Sea
  • 90 Min LaVida Treat, includes 30 Min Custom Facial with 60 Min Relaxation Massage with Hot Towels and Aromatherapy Body Creme
  • 75 Min Ease into Fall Package, includes Eyebrow Shaping, 60 Min Signature Facial with Decollete and Arm Massage

Check the $50 Directory on Spaweek.com for LaVida Massage spas near you (and other massages to suit your fancy too!)

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Girl’s Night Out Bronzing Facial Glow at SKINNY MedSpa, NYC

April 2, 2010 | By

skinny-medspaThe hair, the outfit, the shoes, the game plan… getting ready for a big night out takes no small amount of thought or work! While you may have a makeup routine you stick to, have you ever considered prepping for a night out by hitting the spa for a medical facial?

I hadn’t either, until I tried out one of the Spa Week treatments being offered at the newly opened SKINNY Medspa in New York City: The Girl’s Night Out Bronzing Facial Glow. It’s a medical facial that gets down to business with a Clarisonic cleansing session and a glycolic chemical peel, but unlike many medical facials that send you home with sensitive looking and feeling skin, this facial preps you for a night on the town with a sexy, dewy, bronzing, glowing finish.

I didn’t even have plans to go out that night… but once I got this facial, you bet I made some! It was a great night too… everything’s better when you’re bronze. Here’s the video inside the spa:

SKIN|NY MedSpa
112 East 61st Street, First Floor
New York, NY 10065
212.371.1200
http://www.skinnymedspa.com
See all their $50 Spa Week treatment offerings in our New York Spa Directory

Filed Under: Beauty & Style, Skin Care, Spa Week Event, Spa Week Event Press, Spas Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Spa Madness! Microderm Sister Act

March 18, 2010 | By

microdermabrasion

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

Filed Under: Beauty & Style, Spa Madness, Spa Week Event, Spas Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,