Deeper conditioning

Alicia Robinson

In Southern California, the land of smog and skin-damaging sunshine,

people will do just about anything to get younger-looking skin.

The Spa of Newport is hoping to cater to youth seekers with new

services such as the “facial rejuvenation system,” a new three-step

treatment that combines microdermabrasion, oxygen therapy and

vitamins and amino acids.

“We’re bringing high-tech services into the spa arena,” spa

proprietor Lisa Nelson said. “Some of the stuff we do, no one else in

the area does.”

Since Nelson opened the spa two months ago, the facial

rejuvenation has become its most popular offering. It takes about

half an hour to perform, spa aesthetician Karen Giles said.

First, the client’s skin is cleansed with amino acids. Then, a

microdermabrasion treatment using oxygen is given. Finally, an

infusion of vitamins A, C and E is sprayed on the face.

“It exfoliates really nicely, to a point where it’s much better

than a regular facial,” said Barbara DiMercurio, who was having the

treatment done Wednesday.

DiMercurio owns Essential Skin Care on Westcliff Drive, which

rents space to the Spa of Newport. She gets the facial rejuvenation

treatment once a month, and she notices the difference immediately,

she said.

“Your makeup goes on better [after the treatment],” she said. “You

have a radiant, really smooth complexion.”

Chiropractor Jack Giangiulio, a partner in Spa of Newport, who

helped research its treatments, said the spa is looking to fill the

gap between medical skin treatments, which can be painful, and

traditional spa therapies, which feel good but may not be effective.

For example, laser skin treatment is “not a comfortable process,”

he said. “You can’t go out in the sun afterward ... and there’s too

many people that are doing it that are not skilled.”

Spa of Newport employees researched different procedures and even

tried them to see which worked best, Giangiulio said.

The goal is to offer holistic treatments using the latest

technology, he said.

The spa also offers more traditional services, such as facial

peels and waxing.

Nelson said the spa will expand and move to a new location in

February. A site has not been finalized, but it will be in Newport

Beach, she said.

The new location will have five to seven treatment rooms and offer

expanded services, including massage, she said.