Ultimate Luxury Spa Treatments and Facials

Imagine wearing diamonds, pearls and gold not as a ring, necklace or other sparkling jeweled beauties, but rather you’re wearing these precious gems and metals as part of the ultimate luxury spa experience. Honestly, I think even the elegant and bejeweled Liz Taylor would look upon gold leaf facials, $1,000,000 diamond massages and pearl mud masques with just a twinge of envy and desire. Liz may be able to open up her designer wallet for the jeweled luxury spa treatments but as for us, non-trust fund skincare and beauty junkies, is there even a remote possibility that we too can indulge in such decadent (and allegedly effective anti-aging) spa treatments? And even if we had the discretionary money laying about, are these bling spa treats really effective?

Umo, a Japanese skincare company, touts its precious 24 Karat Gold facial treatment as “the ultimate skin rejuvenating experience”. The benefits according to the UMOamerica.com website:

• Lift and Firm Gold slows down collagen depletion and the breakdown of elastin to prevent sagging skin. It stimulates cellular growth of the basal layer to regenerate healthy, firm skin cells and provide a tightening effect.
• Reduce the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles Gold is delivered with the Gamma PGA, whose superior hydrating formula locks in moisture and plumps up the skin for softer, more supple skin.
• Lighten and Brighten Since 1929 Gold has been successfully used to treat rheumatoid arthritis by reducing inflammation. Gold’s anti-inflammatory properties also decrease skin inflammation, thereby slowing down melanin secretion and reducing age spots, while lightening and brightening the skin.
• Eradicate Free Radicals Gold fights off damaging free radicals to help prevent premature aging of the skin.
• Provides a Golden Glow Gold creates luminous, radiant skin.

The 24 Karat Gold Facial can be reserved at top spas and will set you back about $300 to $400 (90 minute facial). You may want to schedule your appointment soon before gold prices rise again…

The $1,000,000 back-rub is offered by Spa On Location(spaonlocation.com), a mobile spa that comes to you – that’s a dream in itself! “The Dream Girl Diamond Massage” experience is a partnership with the creators of Hearts on Fire diamonds ( just writing those words makes me want it bad) and the aforementioned mobile spa, Spa on Location. I wasn’t able to track down pricing on the diamond massage but I can report to you that it will cost you about $1500 for a 4-hour (the minimum) mobile spa treatment.

Edamame the Maternity Spa (edamamespa.com) serves up a Pearl Facial treatment specifically targeted to address the needs of moms-to-be such as skin discoloration caused by hormonal imbalance. Here’s a sampling of the pearl based treatments offered:

Absolute Pearl Facial, 50 minutes – $130
A skin perfecting treatment using real crushed pearl powder. Botanicals such as mulberry, licorice and lemon revive radiance and fight the effects of hormonal imbalance to render skin fresh, luminous and restored. Helps reduce hyper pigmentation and melasma. Ideal for all skin types.

Mini Absolute Pearl Facial, 30 minutes – $90
Featured Products:
Absolute Pearl Cream,
Absolute Pearl Concentrate
Absolute Pearl Mask

Edamame’s flagship spa is in New York but they do have spas in Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina and a spa opening in Spring/Summer 2008 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

What do dermatologist think about the sparkling jewels and metals spa treatments?

“Gold, pearls, [and] diamonds are not the best way to make you skin look better, but it sure sounds good,” said Jeffery Dover, M.D., Skincare Physicians of Chestnut Hill. “Frankly, I would save up and buy a ring, but that’s up to you.” [source: NBC News Ch7-WHDH Boston ]

It does sound good, doesn’t it! I know that I really want a 24 karat gold facial ($400) but realistically I can only afford the Absolute Pearl Facial ($90 to $130) – I’m going to find out if any of the spas around here offer the pearl facial. If I get the pearl facial treatment I’ll write up a review and share it with you.

ms. distressedDERMA