How to Give Yourself a Facial and a Massage

In late October I participated in a charity golf tournament. One of the door prizes was a $50 gift certificate to Planet Beach. I had never heard of Planet Beach and had no idea what was even offered at Planet Beach. I decided to do some research and find out more about the establishment.

Planet Beach was founded in 1995 by Steve Smith and first operated as a tanning salon. Smith began franchising the business a year later. In 2004 he changed the tanning salons to "contempo" spas. According to the franchising website, a "contempo" spa is "a hybrid of the spa and UV industries." There are a variety of services offered at Planet Beach , which you can view here.

After visiting the spa, I decided that I would try the Luminous Facial. According to the literature I was given, the benefits of the facial were "an overall lifting and hydrating effect, an improvement in skin tone and texture, an evening out of pigmentation, a smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles and a feeling of well being and relaxation." One twenty minute treatment costs $25. It would take three treatments before I would see results.

I reasoned that with my $50 gift certificate I could get two facials and if I really liked the facials and saw results I would pay for a third. After making an appointment for later that week, I thought about how relaxing it was going to be to have someone performing these age-reducing wonders on my face. Imagine my surprise when I arrived for my appointment and was told that, after applying the topical skincare products, which I had to purchase for $13 for 3 trial size portions, I would be going under a lamp. I had missed the section of the literature I was given that says, "self-automated spa treatments."

A staff member instructed me to wash my face with the preparation packet and then apply the treatment portion. I was given eye protectors, not because the light would harm my eyes but because the light was very bright. Next I was told to lie down on the bed as the staff member positioned the lamp so that it completely covered my face. She told me that the lamp would get warm and would automatically turn off in 20 minutes. Then she left the room.

I am not normally claustrophobic but as soon as the door was closed I wanted to yell, "Come back, don't leave me here alone!" The light is extremely bright and, as promised, it does get warm under the lamp. I thought it was going to be the longest 20 minutes of my life and wondered what this bright light was doing to my eyes let alone my skin. I survived the 20 minutes and then applied the aftercare product as instructed.

When I went back to the reception area, the staff member asked me how I liked the facial. After telling her I found it scary and about as relaxing as an MRI, she suggested that I try one of the other services for my next visit. Each service is individually priced at $25 a session.

The next time I went back I chose the hydro-massage. This is described in the literature as "whirlpool massage utilizing heat and water pressure to relieve stress and muscle tension." When I asked if I needed to bring my bathing suit, I was told that you don't take your clothes off and you do not get wet. You lie on top of the water on a mattress, of sorts. The staff member showed me how to control both the speed and pressure of the whirlpool. I found it very relaxing and effective. There is even a video screen that gives you the opportunity to listen to music, play a game, watch a movie or go on the internet.

The staff at Planet Beach is friendly and there was no pressure to purchase a membership. An unlimited, one month membership costs around $100. I noticed that some clients combine two or more services when they visit. One lady, suffering from back pain, told me she uses the hydro massage and gets relief. It is convenient not to have to make appointments and to be able to pamper yourself for an hour or two.

Sources: Personal experience and spa literature.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/planetbeachfranchisingcorp/282701-0.html

http://www.planetbeach.com/