Reviving body and spirit with some spa time

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If there’s one thing learned in the past year, it’s that we all need to look after ourselves better. Now that spas and clinics have re-opened, a little professional intervention can give us a leg up in reviving flagging spirits and skin. For those who’ve spent far too much time at home and could use some TLC, here’s a look at on-trend services that Calgary wellness facilities are providing.

A new boutique spa

Cedar & Steam barely had a chance to open before COVID hit. If you’re the sort who feels revitalized after a good sweat session, you’ll want to make a beeline for this boutique spa.

Saunas, saunas, saunas, all three of them, each offering something different. The woodsy Cedar Sauna, set at 80°F, sports floor-to-ceiling windows, while the slightly cooler Himalayan Salt Sauna is touted to release negative ions. There’s also an infrared sauna, which heats you from the inside out, as the infrared light penetrates your tissue.

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Not a fan of dry heat? Hit up the steam room to experience 100 per cent humidity. Cool off by using the plunge bucket or shower at the rinse station to close your pores and release those feel-good endorphins.

Book in for a massage and you’ll receive not only complimentary use of the steam room and saunas but a flight of kombucha, just the pick-me-up needed after having your limbs loosened. Aromatherapy is included in each massage, whether you choose deep tissue, hot stone, lymphatic drainage, myofascial cupping, prenatal or a basic relaxation rubdown. A bonus for those whose healthcare plans cover massage therapy, each practitioner is registered.

The future of fillers

The past year’s increase in video meetings has made us more aware of our appearance than ever. Diminishing the most common signs of aging — wrinkles and loss of volume — dermal fillers aren’t new. They have, however, seen an uptick in demand as disposable income earmarked for travel and entertainment sits unused, and we look at ourselves more frequently (and critically) during COVID restrictions.

Calgary’s Total Skincare Centre Dermapure is one of two clinics in Canada offering a unique approach to facial rejuvenation by incorporating ultrasound technology into dermal filler treatments.

By vascular mapping in advance with handheld ultrasound, practitioners then know where to (and where not to) place dermal filler, resulting in more consistent outcomes. Dr. Arlette, a national consultant on filler-related complications, sees this technique as the future of fillers.

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“Ultrasound started out as a way to treat patients with complications and now we’re using it for all clients to get better results. The ultrasound guides where you’re going for greater safety and accuracy,” he states.

But you don’t want to let just anyone near your face with a syringe.

“With the ultrasound, plus training with other experts, I’ve learned more in the past few years than I had in my previous 20 years of being an injector. There’s quite a variability in the training people receive. It’s very much a matter of being aware of who you’re allowing to do things to you,” cautions Arlette.

Whip skin into shape with the HydraFacial

Alternating between freezing temperatures and sunny skies is typical during a Canadian spring, but it wreaks havoc on our skin. After months of dry, harsh weather, the HydraFacial is an efficient way to slough off dead skin cells, while rejuvenating and rehydrating the skin before bluebird days become our norm.

The HydraFacial’s proprietary handheld wand delivers a boost of hydration by layering the skin with moisturizing serums, plus peptides for antioxidant protection. The key to this multi-step dermabrasion procedure is the use of water instead of sand to remove dead skin cells and extract impurities. Expect clearer, more radiant skin with little to no downtime.

My aesthetician at Preventous Collaborative Health assured me this was a safe procedure to get right before a big event. Having highly sensitive skin, I was skeptical, but my redness died down within an hour. Peering into the mirror the next morning, I was confronted with a brightness I haven’t seen in years. Who would’ve thought this 40-something could possess dewy, glowing skin? What a pity I had nowhere to go and no-one to show it off to. Still, I felt better for it.

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Skincare news

For those not comfortable getting in-person treatments just yet, Marda Loop’s Distilled Beauty Bar is offering curated hair (root touch up), plus nail gloss and tone kits for pick up or delivery.

GOOPGENES All-in-One Super Nutrient Face Oil is now available in Canada. Naturally derived retinol alternative, Bakuchiol is a key ingredient in this daily treatment designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

GNO (girls and guy’s night in) Zoom sessions are elevated with the addition of Seaflora, organic, seaweed-based skincare. Affordable starter sets make it a snap for friends to simultaneously sample the product line developed by Diane Bernard, a.k.a. Canada’s seaweed lady. Seaflora products can be found at Calgary’s Oat + Tonic and Coastal Bliss Day Spa.

Jody Robbins is a Calgary-based lifestyle writer. Follow her wellness adventures on her blog: Travels with Baggage or Instagram: @TravelswBaggage.