My Fab 50...Mint Spa
What is my Fab 50? It’s a series of People, Places and Things that have inspired or enabled me to thrive in this life I am navigating.
Shirley Dillamon - Mint Spa Owner & My Aesthetician
What do types of service do they offer in a spa and why go?
I’ll tell you.
I heard about Shirley from a neighborhood friend and client of our shop. I had just been told that massage and facials were good things for grief, stress and trauma. I also heard that she did micro-current facials at her place - Mint Spa - which I was very interested in. In my mid 50’s I felt like my skin was getting saggy and dull. And the sun damage I had allowed to my skin was really taking its’ toll.
So I went to Mint and met Shirley. She had just relocated nearby and was setting up her space. She knew her stuff, was an empathetic soul and a listening ear, when most were tired of listening and had stopped asking how I was doing. We became fast friends and I would consider her one a good one at this point. We are roughly the same age and are going through these stages of life at the same time.
Over the years I have had a variety of services and usually visit once a month (twice if it’s time for a massage). She does an excellent job on everything. Here’s a rundown on the services I have had there and why they're great…
Rezenerate Facials - service done with a small pen, similar to Micro-Needling, but without the pain and no need for numbing. It stimulates your skin’s natural healing. Your skin has good color, the oxygen is returned and a nice youthful sheen.
MicroCurrent Facials - this is a special facial massage done with gloves, which work much better than metal nodule devices that you see in at-home kits. They deliver low-level current to tighten, lift and tone the facial muscles and it does work. For best results you go for 10 sessions or so to get your face lifted, and then once every 3-4 weeks afterward to keep it that way. It is non-invasive and can help with sagging skin and give your face good color, and a bright overall appearance. I like it because it helps with the skin around my mouth and jaw, and helps smooth out any “parentheses” and life up my BRF…..😉
Dermaplaning - this is done with a small blade and removes the top layer of dead skin, as well as the “peach fuzz”! Gets rid of that fine facial hair on your face. You do look and feel somewhat younger and “cleaner” - your face feels great. It’s a great alternative to a chemical peel.
Microphototherapy - this is done with pulses of light and heat, and results in a lessoning of pigment spots and a more uniform look. It feels like a rubberband snapping on your skin. It gives a slight thermal injury to the skin and promotes healing and new collagen formation. I like it because it helps lesson the roughness and discoloration from years of sun damage.
Endermologie - I have had this done on and off ever since I started there. For best results, this is also done in a series of 12 treatments to get your skin where you want it, and then once every 3-4 weeks after that to keep it there. I really noticed a difference with this - it helped with the “dimples” on my thighs, arms and bum, which I learned were not necessarily cellulite, but where my connective tissue had broken down somewhat. It is done with large rollers that grip the skin and sort of “knead” it. It is not as effective after 60 - 65, but I still get it here and there, to help with lymph drainage and stimulate collagen. It’s all about the collagen baby.
LED Lights - red LED’s are a great way to stimulate collagen formation, lessen pigment and even help with acne. They are great for skin rejuvenation, but are also helpful with joint pain and inflammation. Years ago I did this on a torn meniscus and they really helped the inflammation.
Massage - I started getting massage as a treat to myself, two or three times a year. After a bad year of back, hip and leg pain, I started going every 6 weeks and I view it more as therapy than a treat. I get a 90 minute deep tissue massage and it is very regenerative and helps greatly with pain and inflammation. It soothes the brain and I have often fallen asleep on the table. Studies show that it promotes better immunity, drains the lymphatic system, and improves skin appearance.
Peels - on occasion, I have gotten peels, but I feel like, for me, they are not needed with all the other procedures I’ve had, and all the products I use at home.
I have not had these services but am interested in the following that they have just added… Microneedling, IV Vitamin Therapy, Vishy Shower, and several others.
They’ve also just added Hair follicle treatments, Ozone Detox Sauna, Botox and fillers, Lash services….and EMSCULPT!!
And they have just moved out to my area of town - Midlothian. Woo Hoo!
If you don’t live in RVA, I am sure there is a local spa near you that has these services - maybe you should investigate to see if any of these can make your life better! It’s all non-invasive and you never know…🤔
I have always been really happy with the outcome of whatever I’ve had done at the spa. But as much as any service they perform, I have a true, caring friend in Shirley and hopefully will stay in touch with her, even after she retires one day. ❤️
