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When it comes to beating
back the effects of time on your face, taking measures in your
30’s and 40’s can slow the visible signs of age. An ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure. Of course, the very fact that I
can quote that old maxim means I’d better get with the prevention
program. So I turned to
the facial and clinical treatment experts at De
Novo European Day Spa on 57th Street.
I met with Galina, who
evaluated my skin and recommended De
Novo’s Sea
"C" Spa treatment, which is particularly beneficial in combating
the early signs of aging.
A three part process of vitamin C, seaweed, and organic mud
mask, the
Sea "C"Spa
is designed to stimulate cell regeneration, combat free radicals,
encourage collagen and elastin production, and help restore
elasticity and moisture to the skin.
This treatment can be begun as early as 30 –35 years old,
to ward off the early signs of aging and be continued with more
mature skin, to restore and rejuvenate.
“But I also like this
treatment because it is so relaxing,” Galina confided, as she
showed me to one of the private treatment rooms and gave me a moment
to get undressed. “Undressed
for a facial?” I thought as I wrapped myself in a towel and lay
down, but in time it became clear that this was more that just a
facial.
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Galina began by
gently cleansing my face and neck and then using a very mild
exfoliant. Right away I noticed the feathery lightness of
Galina’s fingers as she gave my face and neck a thorough
cleaning.
Once my skin was
clean, Galina began the “C” phase of the treatment,
applying a vitamin C solution.
Vitamin C is very unstable and loses its effectiveness
for the skin very rapidly, she explained.
What makes this treatment unique is that the 100%
ascorbic acid (the “C”) is kept in the dry state and mixed
into solution only the moment before it is applied, ensuring
maximum effectiveness at combating those free radicals that
age the skin. Again,
Galina gently worked the solution into my face and neck with
light, quick strokes of her fingers, a gently pulsing effect
that, combined with the fresh smell of citrus, began to
fulfill Galina’s promise that this would be a very relaxing
experience. |
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Next was the “Sea”
phase of the treatment. Galina
applied five seaweed patches to my forehead, undereye/cheeks, chin
and neck. Once applied,
these patches dissolve into a gel of moisturizing sea mineral
extracts which she worked into my skin, particularly concentrating
on areas where lines have begun to show.
The briny, herbaceous seaweed aroma and those skillful
fingers dancing across the skin sent me deeper and deeper into a
completely relaxed place. I heard a voice coming from very far away
and realized it was Galina, telling me we were moving on to step
three. I was so relaxed I’d almost drifted off!
In step three, an organic
mud mask is applied with a brush.
Among the benefits of this mask is the stimulation of the
skin’s collagen and elastin production.
A mask usually involve some waiting time while the process
dries and works its magic, but at De Novo, the time is not spent idly waiting and the mud mask is
not the only thing working magic!
Galina used that time to sooth and massage my neck,
shoulders, arms and hands with intoxicating aromatherapy oils, and
then applied gentle pressure with moist, warm, lavender-infused
towels. That’s why you get undressed for this facial! She finished
by wrapping me in blankets and left me in a state of nirvana. I
barely made it back to earth when she returned to gently remove the
mask and give my face a final cleansing.
And the results?
Not only did I feel like a new woman, I looked like one too.
My skin was glowing and dewy, with a noticeable lessening of the
lines around my mouth and eyes.
As Galina pointed out, the
Sea "C"
Spa
produces instantly visible results. My skin looks and feels so soft and moist that I don’t even
want to wear more than dusting of sheer powder so I can show it off!
And as if the vitamin “C” and seaweed aren’t enough to ward
off the signs of time, De
Novo’s secret ingredient--thorough relaxation--will take years
off the way you look and feel.
Karin
Bowersock
spa-nyc.com
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