For weeks I was going crazy trying to figure out what my boyfriend was getting me for my birthday. I thought for sure a new printer or perhaps a nice piece of jewelry. When he told me to wear “loose clothing” and “little or no makeup” on the big day, I was confused. To my surprise, my birthday present was a trip to a spa!

I had heard about spas on movies and television, but I had never been to one. What were they going to do to me, I thought? I was a spa virgin and I was scared.

1:15 p.m. The lady at the front desk whisked me off to the women’s locker room without giving me the chance to say good-bye to my boyfriend. She handed me a robe, some slippers, a key to my locker, some instructions and went away. I stood there, robe in hand, staring at my locker, not knowing what to do next. I couldn’t help being reminded of high school P.E., only with a ready supply of Evian water and thick, plush towels within my reach. Finally, I asked someone, “Excuse me, am I supposed to leave my clothes on or off inside my robe?” She was very polite and didn’t seem taken back at the question. She asked me what I was having done. I looked at my itinerary and told her I was having a facial, a salt glow and a Swedish massage. She smiled warmly and proceeded to tell me that I could leave my underwear on for the facial and the massage, but I would need to wear paper panties for the salt glow. Paper panties? I had never been more afraid in my life.

I was taken to the waiting room where I was told I had to sit until they called my name. I couldn’t help feeling like I was the only neophyte in the room. The women around me relaxed their feet on chairs, munched on fruit, and enjoyed bottle water and glasses of iced tea. I, however, sat stiffly on my chair, clutching my itinerary. Finally they called my name. I took a deep breath and followed the woman.

1:30 p.m. The Express Facial. She took me to a dark room where she was to give me an express facial. I reclined on the table while she got her equipment ready. A bright lamp and some sort of steam machine were to my left. She applied a makeup remover, even though I swore I wasn’t wearing any. She applied an herbal-smelling cleanser on my face, which was later removed with a warm, damp washcloth. She said the cleansing treatment, coupled with the steam was excellent for releasing skin irritants caused by pollution, sunrays and makeup. She then applied a vitamin-enriched moisturizer. The whole thing was very quick, lasting about 25 minutes…probably why they call it an express facial. This type of facial is perfect for first-timers because it was simple, quick and relaxing. The best part wasn’t the creams and gels she was applying to my face but the techniques she used in applying them. She used upward strokes constantly, resulting in a nice face massage.

2:00 p.m. The Salt Glow. After the facial, a different woman was waiting for me outside the door. She took me to the salt glow room — a room complete with a table and a shower. She handed me the dreaded paper panties and told me to remove my jewelry as well. Uncomfortably, I did as I was told. I got on the table, with a towel draped over my paper panties and me. She then showed me the salt mixture she was going to rub on me. In the bowl was a blend of mineral sea salts, natural kelp, aromatic essential oils and herbs, and what she calls skin-smoothing enzymes. She started applying the salt mixture to my shoulders and arms at first, using circular motions, then to the rest of my body. I felt a little painful tingle when she rubbed the blend on my legs. I mentioned this to her. She said it was probably because I had shaved my legs earlier that morning. The spa doesn’t recommend shaving prior to the salt glow, she said. Now she tells me, I thought. Now I was completely drenched in salt…and I liked it! The salt gently rubbed on my skin, softly exfoliating dry skin and dead skin cells. My next step was to get up and rinse off in the shower. She gave me a washcloth unlike anything I have ever used before. It had creases that worked well in rinsing off the salt and exfoliated at the same time. I wish I had asked her what kind of washcloth it was. After the rinse, I felt great. Just when I thought I was done, she applied a rich hydrating cream all over my body. This lavender scented cream was applied after the salt glow to nourish the skin. When it was all over, I felt energized and invigorated. As corny as it sounds, I felt like a new woman. My skin felt smooth and silky, and I felt wonderfully relaxed.

2:30 p.m. The Swedish Massage. After the fabulous facial and salt glow, it was time for my last treatment: the Swedish massage. I walked to the room with a new confidence. The masseuse told me lay on my front while she worked on my neck and back, then on my back for a shoulder massage. She told me that I was super tense. She asked if I ever relaxed. Not really, I replied. How is it possible to relax when I am in front of a computer working on projects and articles all day? She said she would try her best to loosen me up. I have to say now that it’s over and done with; she did a pretty good job. The back massage was a little painful. Fingers kneading intensely up and down my spine is not my idea of relaxation. First-timers might want to tell their masseuse what they like and don’t like. The whole thing probably would have been much more enjoyable had I told her I don’t like deep, hard rubs on my spinal area. The neck and shoulder massages were excellent. I felt calm and tranquil for the first time in a long time. I knew going into this that the whole thing would last about 25 minutes, but I was in such a state of relaxation that I had lost sense of time.

3:00 p.m. Going Home. I got dressed and met my boyfriend back at the lobby. It felt as though my tension had melted away, at least for that day. It was a great experience. I was so relaxed that the minute we got home, I went right to sleep.

Other Spa Treatments

The treatments I had in this particular spa included a facial, a salt glow and a Swedish massage. There are other treatments you could choose depending on your needs.

Facials. There are different kinds of facials including a European facial. This consists of deep pore cleansing, a stress reducing facial massage, a purifying mask, a toner application, as well as a nutrient-rich cream. Another facial is the multivitamin facial that will usually consist of pure vitamin A, C, E and F treatments designed to help repair the skin.

Body Treatments. The salt glow I explained above is an example of a body treatment. Other examples are the body polish, mud treatments, seaweed wrap, and the herbal linen wrap. The body polish starts off with a dry brush exfoliation, then a soothing pumice of essential oils and aloe vera are applied. It is followed with an aromatic body cream. Mud treatments use earth mud to detoxify and purify the skin. A seaweed wrap uses fresh marine seaweed to help eliminate the body of excess fluids and toxins. An herbal linen warp uses steamed herbal-infused linens to wrap around your body. Designed to get rid of debris and toxins, it also aids in the immune system.

Massages. The most popular massage is the Swedish massage, which is basically a neck, shoulders and back massage. Full body massages are also available at most spas. A sports or deep tissue massage is another type of massage. It is intended to stimulate circulation and reduce muscle soreness caused by exercise.

Other services. Almost all spas will have fitness, hair and nail services. Some will have packages that will combine different treatments.

Keep in mind that treatments above will vary depending on the spa. Call or visit your nearest spa to find out about their services.

I highly recommend the spa experience to men and women who have never been to one or who have high-stress jobs, or both. I also suggest doing what my boyfriend did and surprising loved ones with a trip to a spa. It’s a great way to show them that you care about their well being, plus you score cool points.