TREAT YOURSELF WELL WHERE YOUR WELLBEING IS FIRST AND FOREMOST.Byline: BARBARA CORREA LA.COM (1) (Computer Output Microfilm) Creating microfilm or microfiche from the computer. A COM machine receives print-image output from the computer either online or via tape or disk and creates a film image of each page. With its sprawling 20-acre Asian-themed campus, the Four Seasons Westlake Village is not just a hotel with a first-class spa. It's a luxury wellness resort, a new concept in the lodging industry that combines traditional spa indulgence with health and wellness packages all under one extravagant roof. Opened in November, the property houses the Four Seasons hotel chain's largest spa and the California WellBeing Institute, a sister facility that offers medical consultations and holistic life workshops ranging from a $3,400 executive physical to high-end lessons in how to eat nutritiously. In coupling the wellness clinic with an opulent spa and oversize o·ver·size n. 1. A size that is larger than usual. 2. An oversize article or object. adj. o·ver·size also o·ver·sized Larger in size than usual or necessary. Adj. 1. hotel, the Four Seasons hopes to capture a well-heeled leisure clientele along with its bread-and-butter corporate business travelers, said Shelby Taylor, a spokeswoman for Four Seasons. The resort is set up for corporate groups and also attracts lots of individual businesspeople because it's located within a mile or so of Countrywide Financial Countrywide Financial Corporation (NYSE: CFC) is a diversified financial marketing and service holding company engaged primarily in residential mortgage banking and related businesses. and sits right across the street from the headquarters of Dole Food Co. Dole chief executive David Murdock owns the property, and he created the idea for the WellBeing Institute after losing his third wife to cancer in the 1980s. Murdock also owns Hawaii's tiniest island, Lanai Lanai (lənī`), island, 141 sq mi (365 sq km), central Hawaii, W of Maui island across the Auau Channel; Mt. Lanaihale (3,370 ft/1,027 m) is the island's highest point. For many years the island was used for sugarcane raising and cattle grazing. , the site of the next WellBeing Institute, which should open at either the Four Seasons at Manele Bay, or the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele in 2010, said David Miller, director of sales and marketing at the Institute. The synergy of spa and medical clinic has produced some interesting services. On the spa side, the hotel is throwing summer parties in the poolside cabanas where guests who pay an extra $75 can get feng shui Feng shui Traditional Chinese method of arranging the human and social world in auspicious alignment with the forces of the cosmos, including qi and yin-yang. It was devised during the Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 220). hair consultations, reflexology Reflexology Definition Reflexology is a therapeutic method of relieving pain by stimulating predefined pressure points on the feet and hands. This controlled pressure alleviates the source of the discomfort. instruction, a nutrition session with a dietitian dietitian /di·e·ti·tian/ (di?e-tish´in) one skilled in the use of diet in health and disease. di·e·ti·tian or di·e·ti·cian n. A person specializing in dietetics. from the WellBeing Institute, and Botox mini-treatments at an "attractive" additional price. "We're transforming the pool into an evening spa lounge," said Taylor. The first Summer Spa Soiree soi·ree also soi·rée n. An evening party or reception. [French soirée, from Old French seree, from seir, evening, from Latin last month sold out with about 100 guests. Additional parties are planned for Aug. 15 and Sept. 19. For its part, the WellBeing Institute is looking to expand its popular "life kitchen" workshops, where groups listen to a dietitian discussing how to eat healthfully health·ful adj. 1. Conducive to good health; salutary. 2. Healthy. See Usage Note at healthy. health , then they cook and eat a meal together in a special kitchen. The Institute has been doing a brisk business selling life kitchen experiences as a team-building exercise for companies doing off-site meetings at the resort, but it would like to appeal to more individuals as well. "We're not getting a lot of people who are staying at the hotel, like a business traveler coming to a meeting at Countrywide," said Miller. "What we're trying to capture more is the business traveler." Starting in July, guests checking in will get a daily sheet promoting activities at the Institute, such as free yoga classes. The medical packages, which feature cutting-edge technologies such as a next-generation CAT scan CAT scan (kăt) [computerized axial tomography], X-ray technique that allows relatively safe, painless, and rapid diagnosis in previously inaccessible areas of the body; also called CT scan. machine that has yet to debut in hospitals, appeal more to day users who can afford to spend $4,000 on a preventive physical. Miller claims there really is no direct competition with the Four Seasons Westlake Village, which he describes as a Mayo Clinic meets upscale Canyon Ranch -- able to do full diagnostic testing Diagnostic testing Testing performed to determine if someone is affected with a particular disease. Mentioned in: Von Willebrand Disease of a patient and then finish them off with a Caviar Facial. "We consider ourselves high medical, high luxury, but with the spa," said Miller. Barbara Correa, (818) 713-3662, barbara.correa@dailynews.com >first person Luxuriating in tranquility at the Four Seasons I've been to Four Seasons spas before, with mixed results. My memory of the facility at the Four Seasons in Scottsdale, Ariz., is closer to a dentist's office than a calm haven. But the Four Seasons in Westlake Village lives up to its promise as an oasis of serenity. My personal bed was heated and dressed with the fine linens and firm mattress Four Seasons is famous for. The gently lit treatment room faced a garden scene outside, and soft ambient music set the scene for relaxation. The spa treatment I chose, the Reveal Facial with the wrinkle-fighting antioxidant antioxidant, substance that prevents or slows the breakdown of another substance by oxygen. Synthetic and natural antioxidants are used to slow the deterioration of gasoline and rubber, and such antioxidants as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), butylated hydroxytoluene Idebenone, was as luxurious as the setting. After a series of cleansing and masking, my therapist Bridget gave me an extended hand massage and a thorough scalp and shoulder massage. She answered lots of specific questions I had about my skin and gave me helpful recommendations without pushing me to purchase anything from the spa's expensive line of facial products, called True. When I told her I usually "cleansed" my face with soap and water, she gave a little gasp, and said never to use soap, because it clogs pores and creates bumps. After my treatment, Bridget took my elbow and guided me to the post-treatment lounge, where several other women were stretched out on rattan rattan (rătăn`), name for a number of plants of the genera Calamus, Daemonorops, and Korthalsia climbing palms of tropical Asia, belonging to the family Palmae (palm family). recliners. There was freshly squeezed passion fruit and grapefruit juice, dried apricots and nuts. The only sound was water dripping down the glass partition that separates the his and hers lounge areas. I sat there for a very long time, watching the water fall down the glass, almost forgetting the heat and traffic of the 101 just half a mile away. >BARBARA CORREA >indulge Medical spas are popping up faster than new abs on Matthew McConaughey. According to the International Medical Spa Association, the number of med-spas in the U.S. jumped from about 50 in 2002 to an estimated 2,000 this year. Oversight is sometimes lax since national standards are vague, so The American Society of Plastic Surgeons The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world. Founded in 1931, the society is composed of surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is an organization devoted to the advancement of cosmetic surgery. It has approximately 2,400 members. U.S. members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. recommend you ask if your med-spa employs licensed aestheticians List of aestheticians, aesthetes, or aestheticists, alphabetically:
Here are some popular local med-spas happy to be in the spotlight: WEST HOLLYWOOD Ona Spa 7373 Beverly Blvd. (323) 931-4442 >What: Jennifer Aniston and Eva Mendes have been spotted at this full-service medical day spa operating under the direction of famed plastic surgeon plastic surgeon A surgeon specialized in reconstruction or cosmetic enhancement of various body regions, most commonly the face–nose, chin, and cheeks, breasts and buttocks; PSs remove fat deposits through liposuction; PSs reduce scarring or disfigurement Dr. Stanley Frileck. >Services: A classic pedicure is $45. Botox starts at $205, Juvederm (wrinkle) fillers start at $550, and photo facials are $450. STUDIO CITY Belle Visage Day Spa 13207 Ventura Blvd. (818) 907-0502 >What: Co-owner Inez Dunst is the mother of actress Kirsten Dunst. She and partner Tina K offer manicures and massages as well as medical spa services performed by a registered nurse. >Services: Botox treatments start at $225. Wrinkle fillers like Restylane ($270 and up) and Juvederm (starts at $525) are offered here. A new 30-minute Ultrasound peel ($75) combines micro-current, ultrasound, and light and vacuum therapies. EL SEGUNDO Murad Medical Spa and Inclusive Health Center 2141 Rosecrans Ave., first-floor courtyard (310) 726-0600, Ext. 5226 >What: Dermatologist Howard Murad opened his 2,600-square-foot facility in March to help clients create and maintain "whole-body health." >Services: An Essential Inclusive Health consultation is $225, including body composition analysis, sun-damage analysis and a blood-pressure check. Photo facials with laser resurfacing laser resurfacing Cosmetic dermatology The use of CO2 lasers and, more recently, lower temperature erbium lasers, to bloodlessly eliminate wrinkles and sun damage by vaporizing the epidermis, stimulating the dermis to produce collagen and rejuvenate the are $400. Initial sessions for weight management and nutrition are $150. PASADENA Z Med Spa 1167 S. Fair Oaks Ave. (626) 441-4906 >What: Opened in 2003, the spa offers everything from pumpkin facials to Botox to laser hair removal Epilation performed by laser was performed experimentally for about 20 years before it became commercially available in the mid 1990s. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) epilators, though technically not a laser, use xenon flash lamps that emit full spectrum light. and regeneration. >Services: Microdermabrasion Microdermabrasion (often referred to as Microderm) is a cosmetic procedure popular in day spas, doctors' practices, and medical spas, in which the stratum corneum (dead outermost surface of the skin) is partially or completely removed by light abrasion. starts at $126. Thermage, which uses heat to tighten collagen around your eyes and face, is $1,995. On the less expensive side, visitors can get a single shot of vitamins B6 and B12 for $25. >NANCY DILLON CAPTION(S): 7 photos, 2 boxes Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) MED SPAS More than a place for massages, they're wellness clinics for your whole body (2 -- color) Reporter Barbara Correa relaxes in the Tranquility Lounge at the California WellBeing Institute spa in Westlake Village at the Four Seasons Hotel. (3 -- color) Private cabanas at California WellBeing Institute. (4 -- color) Dr. Philip Barr with the CT scan CT scan: see CAT scan. See CAT scan. at the Institute. (5 -- color) The couples room at Ona Spa in West Hollywood. (6 -- color) A treatment room at Murad Medical Spa in El Segundo. TINA BURCH>STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER (7 -- color) no caption (woman) Box: (1) > first person (see text) (2) > indulge (see text) |
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