It’s New to Us by Jean Stratton

TENDER TOUCH: “Every facial has a skin analysis, cleansing, exfoliating, and mask. They are all very personalized, depending on the client’s skin condition.” Chrissie Galatro, aesthetician at Spa Amadora, prepares to give a client the special Personal Prescription facial.

Facials and Body Treatments Are Highlights of Spa Amadora

There’s nothing like some special hands-on TLC. It soothes the soul as well as the body. Whether it’s a skin-cleaning facial, detoxifying body wrap, or a healing massage, the treatment can leave the client relaxed and revitalized in addition to its direct benefits to skin and muscles.

The staff at Spa Amadora knows this very well. Newly opened at the Village Shopper in May, the full-service spa focuses on the overall well-being of its clients.

Annmarie Ruzycki, a licensed skin care specialist and co-owner Jill Custard had worked in other spas in the area, and decided they wanted to open their own spa, emphasizing personal attention and individual care.

“Amadora means ‘gift of love’ in Italian,” explains Ms. Ruzycki. “This is what we want to offer people, even if it’s just for an hour. I love the clients. I love to make a difference for them. It’s a really nice feeling when you know you’ve helped make someone look and feel better.

“A facial or massage is a great stress-reliever,” she adds. “Not only is it doing something valuable for the skin, but at the same time, it’s very relaxing. Touch is very therapeutic. Also, by triggering your ‘relaxation response’, therapeutic massage by an experienced therapist takes your body off alert by relaxing your muscles and returning your internal systems to their natural state.”

The full-service spa offers facials, micro-dermabrasion and glycolic peels, massage therapy (including for couples), body treatments and wraps, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and eyelash extensions.

Visible Signs

The variety of facials includes special anti-acne, anti-oxidant stone facial, citrus surge (a multi-vitamin treatment), and MMD facial, which includes the use of micro crystals to remove layers of dead skin cells. “It’s ideal to have a facial once a month,” says Ms. Ruzycki, “but if that isn’t possible, try to have one quarterly, with the change of the seasons. Facials vary because the skin changes seasonally. For example, it tends to be drier in winter. We have green tea facials, among many others, and there’s a lot of customizing. Also there are different kinds of masks, including those with collagen to help aging skin, and some with Vitamin C.

“We are also licensed to perform micro-dermabrasion,” she adds. “It’s very popular for all ages and all skin types. It helps with acne-scarring and also older skin, helping to restore the level of cell renewal. We use diamond tone micro-dermabrasion, a non-surgical technique to reduce visible signs of aging by deep exfoliation of the superficial layers of the skin.”

Emphasis on anti-aging is growing, she points out, as the population ages, and in particular, the Baby Boom generation focuses on restoring a youthful look.

“Over time, there can be a lot of hyperpigmentation from the sun,” explains Ms. Ruzycki. “The diamond tone is especially good for that. And also, a lifting treatment can be part of the procedure. It helps lift and tighten the skin. In addition, we use a micro current device, which helps to restructure muscles in the face. All these treatments are non-invasive.”

Body treatments and wraps are other popular services, and again, they are very individualized, targeting a variety of conditions. “We have a fat-reducing body wrap, which minimizes fat in the body.” says Ms. Ruzycki. “We also have a chocolate wrap, using real chocolate, for detoxifying.”

“There are body treatments depending on the time of the year,” she continues. Now, we have cranberry wraps, using cranberry ingredients. We want to get the skin soft and hydrated.”

New Technology

Full waxing for face and body, including the favorite Brazilian, continues to be popular, and Ms. Ruzycki points out a new treatment offered by Spa Amadora. “It’s a new technology: Epilar, a 2-step treatment following waxing. A serum or gel is inserted directly into the hair follicle, which is open after waxing. In one session, there can be a 20 percent hair growth reduction, and in 12 treatments, body hair is reduced 80 to 100 percent. The gel retards hair growth. We have just started doing this, and it is very effective.”

Pedicures are another specialty, and the “Ice Cream” pedicure is an intriguing new treatment for tired tootsies and exclusive to Spa Amadora in the area. “It’s a flavorful and moisturizing scoop of luxury for your feet,” says Ms. Ruzycki. “We build a ‘sundae’ on your feet. It consists of Vitamins A, C, and E, and shea and cocoa butter for total hydration. The exfoliating part of the pedicure consists of all different flavors, such as strawberry and chocolate. We even put a mask on the client’s feet, with marshmallow, caramel, etc. This is especially fun for mothers and daughters to come in together and enjoy the pedicure.”

A brand new service at the spa is eyelash extension, a specialty of Ms. Ruzycki. “I have had special training, and am certified for this. It’s safe and ophthalmologist-tested, and is the application of micro extensions to each of the natural lashes. It’s long-lasting, and the results are terrific. It really makes the eyes pop!”

Spa Amadora also offers air brush tanning. “It’s a spray-on, with no harmful ingredients or harmful rays.” she adds. “You get a beautiful even tan, and people like to have a tan year-round now.”

In addition, the spa has two skin care lines for sale: Sesderma, which includes glycolic- and collagen-based products, such as anti-aging, wrinkle fillers, cleansers, exfoliants, moisturizers, night creams, bleaching creams, and Keyana, an aromatic line, with aromatherapy and natural ingredients.

Gift certificates are available in any amount, and can also be customized. Discounts are offered if more than one treatment is included. Customized baskets, with products and a gift certificate, are also available.

Tranquil Setting

The staff at Spa Amadora is intent upon offering clients the latest in skin care treatment, says Ms. Ruzycki. “We attend classes and workshops to keep up-to-date with all the advances in techniques and products. You have to be cutting edge.”

The spa’s tranquil setting, relaxed atmosphere, and skilled services are drawing more clients all the time. “More and more people are thinking of skin care, facials, and massages as essential, not as a luxury,” points out Ms. Ruzycki. Customers at the spa range in age from teens to retirees, and include men as well as women.

“We look forward to expanding our knowledge and providing customers with the best care. We are a small group — four of us, including aesthetician Chrissie Galatro and massage therapist Lauren Warmke — and we work really well together. We’re like a little family. We treat each other and our clients the way we want to be treated, and we provide a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. All of our guests are given a complimentary warm paraffin hand treatment either before or after their service, as well as a variety of refreshments. And since you should always have a piece of chocolate with your ice cream, each client is served a chocolate during the Ice Cream pedicure!

“We believe that each client is an individual and deserves the very best personal care. That is our priority.”

Spa Amadora is open Tuesday and Friday 9 to 5, Wednesday and Thursday 9 to 8:30, Saturday 9 to 2. 609-924-1500.

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