Spa treatments 101

In anticipation of the Camelot Spa, which is due to open soon at Tsogo Sun’s Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel, located on Durban’s amazing Golden Mile, let’s look at what you can expect from spa treatments. If you’ve never been to a spa before and are planning on making this your first time, you have a lot to look forward to.

What to expect at a spa

Most spas embrace the philosophy of calm, relaxation, pampering, quiet, and rejuvenation. You can expect white and light-coloured décor, receptionists in pristine condition, soft music, and candles. Spas offer all sorts of treatments, from basic massages and facials, to cellulite treatments, body wraps, waxing, manicures and pedicures, and a whole host of dips, rubs, steams, and packs. The whole objective of visiting a spa is to feel pampered, refreshed, and taken care of. Couples can also experience a spa retreat to give themselves a romantic timeout.

The benefits of a massage

There are different types of massages, which offer an overall benefit of relaxation and release. Aromatherapy massage is a pampering and calming massage administered with aromatherapy oils and a light massage pressure. Swedish massage, Thai massage, sports massage, hot stone massage, and reflexology all have their own techniques and their own benefits, but they all provide restorative benefits and have you feeling like your normal self again, especially after a tough time at work or after strenuous physical activity. Not only will tight muscles be relaxed, blood circulation stimulated, and the lymphatic system be activated, but massage also relieves tension and anxiety.

The benefits of a facial

There are as many different types of facials as there are massages – it depends on how you want to benefit from them, what skin type you have, and what products you want the aesthetician to use. In general, facials consist of a skin analysis so that the aesthetician can make a recommendation on treatments. This will be followed by the appropriate cleansing and exfoliation (to clear away dirt and dead skin cells), then hydration, steaming, and moisturisation with a variety of products that will plump up your skin and restore a youthful glow. There are a number of add-on products like gentle laser light treatments or microdermabrasion, which chemically removes the top layer of skin to promote rejuvenation and youthfulness. Some spas will also do Botox and other anti-ageing treatments, depending on the available specialists.

You will be pampered to your heart’s delight at a spa, so we hope this has whet your appetite for some spa treatments.