As we send bloggers off for Spa Madness to check out and report back on some of the Spa Week treatments, realize– this is not being done at random! We’ve been doing our best to pair our bloggerati up with spa treatments that suit their mind-body-wellness needs and fit their personalities.
Which is why when Hagan Blount, the Wandering Foodie, gained 12 pounds after his latest blogging stunt “93 plates” (dining at 93 of NYC’s best restaurants… breakfast, lunch and dinner… throughout the entire month of January), we sent him STRAIGHT to the spa for a slimming body wrap. We also sent him to Queens with a purpose; this is the borough where he found his favorite restaurants during his grotesquely indulgent (yet pretty awesome) 31-day adventure.
Watch what happens when this “I’m-not-a-spa-guy” foodie experiences seaweed and wraps in their non-edible forms… and read his full account at Wanderingfoodie.com.
Early this year, I applied for the opportunity to work with Spa Week to investigate one of the $50 treatments available during this year’s Spring Spa Week® event (April 12-18). Many bloggers applied, few were selected. I consider myself very fortunate to be one of the lucky few!
I received a Tweet from Spa Week asking if I was interested in receiving Botox.
Botox.
You know, where they inject you with botulism in the name of erasing fine lines and wrinkles.
My initial thought was “uh, no.” I’m not a fan of plastic surgery, breast implants, liposuction, or really anything that modifies your body. I do realize all of these aforementioned procedures have their place and time, but not for me.
But then I thought, well, will you ever get an opportunity like this again? Probably not. So I said yes. It’s not so much that I was compromising my beliefs as it was the fact that I felt it might be good to hear from an “average” girl who has a not-so-average procedure done.
Spa Week hooked me up with Vitahl Medical Aesthetics located in the upscale area of Denver called Cherry Creek North. I see a lot of patients in this area for my job as a home health occupational therapist and to give you an idea of this neighborhood, most all the homes I have been in have elevators. In their house. And many of my patients have had paid staff. But I digress.
Vitahl is owned by Dr. Tahl Humes and has been in business since 2005. They provide many medical spa procedures in addition to Botox, including laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, dermal fills, and skin rejuvenation. Vitahl has received many honors, including the following:
* Top 1% of Botox Injectors in the Country
* Voted Top Facialist by the Rocky Mountain News Top of the Rocky
* Best of City Search – Top 10 in Best Spa, Best Facial, and Best Hair Removal 2007
* Named 5-Star Beauty Destination by New Beauty Magazine
* Dr. Humes is a National Laser Trainer and Speaker for Cutera Lasers
I arrived for my appointment on Thursday, March 4th and filled out the customary paperwork. I was even offered a glass of wine! Too bad my diet doesn’t allow alcohol – I can imagine for people wary of needles that a nice glass of wine would help to relax them.
I then met Christin Helander, a nurse injector, and she explained the procedure to me and asked my concerns and where I’d like the injections done. I explained that prior to being offered this opportunity, I never thought I would have something like this done, but since the time I agreed to it, my frown lines seemed to be standing out like flashing neon! She took some before pictures of me as well.
Dr. Humes stepped in to speak with me briefly and left me in Christin’s very capable hands. The following video takes you through the whole procedure from beginning to end.
As you can tell, it was a relatively quick procedure. It was also almost painless. For those of you who have needle concerns, the injections are not deep. Christin warned that some of the injections might feel crampy, but none actually did. As I mentioned in my video, I do have 9 tattoos, and I also used to receive allergy shots weekly as a child. I was diabetic when I was pregnant with my daughter, so I’m pretty familiar with needles. They don’t really bother me.
Now, I will say that the recovery is NOT painless. It’s not painful, but my forehead is very tender to the touch. I am writing this post two days after the procedure, and it still feels tender. I haven’t had any headaches or pressure pain. It doesn’t interfere with daily living or with my sleeping.
Now what you’re waiting for – the results. Well, results can take up to a week before they are fully visible, however I am definitely seeing some already. My forehead definitely feels more tight and firm, and my frown lines are far less visible.
Are you thinking about Botox for yourself? Hopefully my post has given you some insight into the procedure. If you have any questions that I didn’t answer, don’t hesitate to ask. For more technical information, this comes from the Vitahl website:
“BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It is a non-surgical treatment that can temporarily reduce moderate to severe wrinkles. During treatment, very low doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the muscles that cause those stubborn lines. The treatment is usually done in about 10 minutes, and no recovery time is needed. Within days, you may see an improvement that can last up to 4 months. Results may vary.
Those moderate to severe wrinkles form over time as the result of muscle activity. BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected directly into the muscles needing treatment. It works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles; this reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those persistent lines to form.
Results from treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic can last 3 to 4 months. If you discontinue treatment, the wrinkles gradually will look like they did before treatment.
BOTOX® Cosmetic should not be used in the presence of infection at the injection site(s) and in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation. Patients with neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.
The most common side effects following injection include localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, bleeding/bruising, temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.”
Again, I want to thank Spa Week and Vitahl for the opportunity to not only receive Botox injections, but to be able to provide you an actual “look” at what the procedure entails!
It’s hard to believe it, but it’s almost here!!! We’re talking about APRIL SPA WEEK®, of course!
If you’re wondering how to get your spa involved in Spa Week, it’s not too late! But don’t take it from me – take it from the hundreds of spas who have experienced the Spa Week® revolution.
“Spa Week® was amazing, we took care of 150 clients and they are still sending their friends and family to get the services we offered. Thanks a million for your hard work and the great marketing you do.” – Vida Emanuel European Day Spa in Los Angeles
“We couldn’t have asked for more! mySpa had just opened 2 months prior to Spa Week® and coming off a hard winter in Chicago this was just the boost we needed to get our name out there. Furthermore, Spa Week provided us with a boost in our Mothers Day bookings and gift certificate sales as we were able to promote great gift ideas.” – mySpa at the Fairmont in Chicago
“All I can say is WOW! La Residencia Spa was the lucky spa to be featured in the Boston Globe advertising Spa Week, 2007. We were overwhelmed by phone calls, over 500…plus emails!” – La Residencia in Boston
“Thank you Spa Week® for giving us the opportunity to touch more peoples’ lives in our region.” – reVamp! Salonspa in Minneapolis
Read more on our testimonials page…and give us a call at (212) 352-8098 to get involved!
It is officiallySpa Madness. It all started with Bryce Gruber’s Vajazzling, which went viral around the world from Gawker to Croatia… now there’s no turning back.
Spa Week Dailyis sending bloggers to the spa as our little agents all across North America to capture a sneak peek of the delicious massages, facials, wraps, eyelash extensions and other treatments that’ll be just $50 during Spa Week®. Videos, photos, highly personal accounts, Tweetments™ (the act of Tweeting the play-by-play of your spa treatment), perhaps some live video streaming… no holds barred… this is madness we’re talking!
And it’s all leading up to the main event… Spring 2010 Spa Week®, April 12-18. We’ve got the official SPA MADNESS page linked on the right hand side of the page, which will keep track of all the appointments as they get confirmed, and will be your source for links to all the insider spa coverage as it comes in.
Vajazzling – the spa treatment heard round the world, the trend that just won’t die and one that most are curious to try. Now you can consult this ever growing list of spas around the country that specialize in the vajazzle.
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