Beauty of the Ages

Face to Face with the Med Spa Evolution

BY KENDRA GILBERT

Elizabeth Taylor's beauty is said to be classic. Timeless, even. The women she portrayed on film were themselves icons of beauty. Like Cleopatra before her, and the beauties who came after, the means by which beauty is maintained and retained have taken many forms over the years. In today's busy world, where the work week extends well beyond 40 hours, it has become harder to find time for beautification in between all those power lunches, board meetings and children's dance recitals. That was before the med spa.

It wasn't until a few years ago that the med spa trend really began to catch on. Since that time, they have become tranquil bastions of health and beauty offering a retreat from the fast pace of everyday life for busy women - and men - everywhere. Like the sands of time, and those used by ancient Egyptians to slough off dead skin, the beauty business is entering and new phase and med spas are its latest evolution.

The key to the recent success of the med spa lies in its multifaceted approach to beauty: cosmetic procedures coupled with calming spa treatments. Not to mention less downtime than more invasive plastic surgeries - think tummy tucks and nose jobs - that require weeks of recuperation.

From Botox to laser hair removal, med spas offer a variety of cosmetic procedures, performed at the hands of well trained doctors and medical professionals. All that minus the harsh lights and cold sterile rooms of more conventional surgery centers. The wallet also gets a break, as most procedures performed at med spas cost significantly less than their slice-and-dice predecessors.

With a more comprehensive approach to beauty that emphasizes total health and well being, med spas are a welcomed change from the plastic surgery boom of the '90s. The process continues outside of the spa as well, with a variety of medical grade beauty products offered to help keep up the new look.

It may not be the face of beauty that's changing, but the regimen behind that beauty. Even Elizabeth Taylor had to adjust her daily routine to keep her features flawless. And while the med spa industry continues to enjoy a healthy growth spurt, it's likely the next evolution of beauty is just around the corner.

	600 B.C. The writing's on the wall. Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs depict primitive rhinoplasty. The Egyptians were also known to exfoliate their skin using handfuls of sand.

2nd Century Renowned Greek physician Galen develops the first cold cream, a mixture of beeswax, olive oil, and rose water.

18th Century Elizabethan beauty meant powdered pale skin and no freckles, which were said to be remedied using elder leaves, birch sap and sulphur. Years later Oliver Wendell Holmes would write, "This little speck, the British Isles? ‘Tis but a freckle, never mind it." 19th Century Bathing in England becomes popular following the lead of George IV, although Cleopatra and Elizabeth I previously praised the benefits of milk baths.

1962 The first silicone breast implants are introduced.	21st Century Reality TV shows featuring cosmetic surgery become fashionable. Fictional dramas also jump on the makeover bandwagon. 2003 The med spa trend first gains popularity.

2006 A new biography of Elizabeth Taylor reveals the actress had a nose job in her 20s at the urging of studio execs at MGM. Other famous faces rumored to have been nipped and tucked by the same doctor: Natalie Wood and Marilyn Monroe.

		LOCAL MED SPA HOTSPOTS
Washington Wizards and Capitals players are clients at Renu		Vibradermabrasion medical facials at WellMedica are especially popular among Washington embassy diplomats and New York Models		Spa and Clinical services, such as the IPL Photofacial, are available at Radiance
MED SPA		DOCTOR	SIGNATURE PROCEDURE	PRODUCT LINES	PHILOSOPHY
WELLMEDICA Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine 1801 Robert Fulton Dr., Suite 540 Reston, Va. 20191 703-787-9866 www.wellmedica.com		Dima Ali, M.D. The George Washington University School of Medicine; Fellow ASMLS; Faculty/Scientific Advisor, American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine	Vibradermabrasion; Prices start at $225	Epiceuticals, prescription and cosmeceutical products, including Dr. Ali's highly sought after anti-aging "miracle" cream; $11-$225	"In restoring your skin and overall health, we are essentially restoring comfort, piece of mind and empowering our patients to lead healthier, happier lives."
RENU 5454 Wisconsin Ave. Chevy Chase, Md. 20815 301-652-7368 www.renudc.com		Philip S. Schoenfeld, M.D., F.A.C.S. M.D. from New York Medical College	SilkPeel Dermal Infusion; $150	NeoStrata, Neova, Obagi, SkinCeuticals, PCA of Arizona; $10-$128	"Provide the highest quality treatments available in a relaxing stress-free environment."
RADIANCE 8201 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, Md. 301-652-4772 www.radiancemd.com		Lynese Lawson, D.O. Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Oklahoma State University	Pumpkin Peel; $125	Zents customizable fragrances, sprays, lotions, soaps, and candles; $9-$50	"Radiance is about combining anti-aging aesthetic medicine with traditional spa services. In essence, beauty starting from the inside out."