What in the Living Hell Is a Blood Spa?
It seems that some of our favorite celebs will stop at nothing to achieve perfect skin. While Goop maven Gwyneth Paltrow swears by painful bee sting therapy ( how can that be a thing?) in order to minimize inflammation and scarring, other red-carpet regulars are turning to an offbeat, and quite frankly gross-sounding, treatment to stay #flawless. Just in time for Halloween, we bring you the creepiest trend in beauty — vampire facials, or blood spas, as they’re commonly referred to. That’s right — celebs and common folk with cash to spare are spending their hard-earned coin on a new kind of treatment that sounds like the stuff of nightmares. Luckily, these high-end locales are actually not as foul as they sound. Scroll down to get the 411.
WHAT IS A BLOOD SPA?
While the name sounds like a place you’d only visit on Friday the 13th, blood spas aren’t as gory as you’d think. While blood is at the heart of the treatment, your plasma and platelets won’t actually be used in your facial or massage — at least not all the time. Here’s how it works. Medical professionals will draw and analyze your blood before your visit to provide you with personalized treatments that will optimize your results. These tests look for things like intoxination (or the level of toxins in your body) and your blood type to match you with treatments like massages, wraps and ozone therapy in order to fight the effects of aging and reinvigorate your skin. During these procedures, your blood is removed, oxygen is added and the blood is re-injected.
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WHY WOULD I EVEN DO THIS?
While you may have many things in common with the lovely lady getting a pedi next to you, the truth is that your wellness needs are much different than hers. There are many factors that determine what products and procedures should be used to get you in tip-top beauty shape. From your blood type to your medical history and level of toxins in your blood, what might leave her with glowing skin might plague you with major breakouts and dry spots. Personalized beauty treatments ensure that you get the best results for your time and money.
WHERE CAN I GET THIS?
Here are four spas that will personalize your treatment based on blood analysis.
1. Espace Chenot at L’Albereta: You’re going to have to fly to Italy to reap the benefits of this blood spa, but it’s totally worth the flight (ah, the things we do for beauty). L’Albereta offers stays from one day to two weeks to get you properly pampered. Their most popular treatment is ozone therapy, which reoxygenates your blood, followed up with a massage. The results? Absolutely amazing skin.
2. Red Mountain Spa: Located stateside in St. George, Utah, Red Mountain teams up with Intermountain Healthcare’s LiVe Well Center to provide wellness vacations. Packages include an assessment by Intermountain Healthcare, including a comprehensive questionnaire, lab draw of your blood and analysis of your metabolic rate, all to identify and address your individual needs.
3. Plaza Athénée Bangkok: This spa is located in Thailand and provides skin treatments based on your blood type. By understanding your blood, the spa is better able to stimulate your immune system and guard against future illnesses. Treatments include blood type-specific body wraps, body exfoliation and spa retreats.
4. Adler Balance Val Gardena: This Italian spa and health retreat has gorgeous views of the Dolomites, a UNESCO natural heritage site, but that’s only part of the allure. Adler Balance takes a holistic approach to health and beauty through day treatments aimed at addressing weight loss and skin concerns, all under medical supervision.
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(Photo via Getty)
