HippoPress -- The Hippo -- Guide to Manchester and Nashua NH

From the stylists who will create sculptures of hair at the Patron Tequila Hair Competition and Revue later this month to the spas and salons across southern New Hampshire, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating a look that will turn heads. Whether customer seek a slimmer body or movie-star hair, it seems that anybody can be only a credit card away from the body or the face of their dreams.

The extreme spa treatment
How wine and chocolate can make a better you

Looking for something more than the standard mani, pedi and facial?

Look no further than some of southern New Hampshire?s day spas. Once offering only simple services, today day spas offer services geared towards health and wellness, positively affecting the body and the mind.

? Detox foot bath (Offered at locations including Synergie Day Spa, Hannaford Plaza/ Rte 28, Derry, 425-6813) Poor diet and high stress causes our bodies to store excess quantities of waste. This 30 minute foot bath will detoxify your body, removing toxins via osmosis through your feet. And the evidence will be in the bath water. After the treatment, you may see particles, fat and mucous floating in the tub. A detox session has been said to reduce pain, purify the blood, promote weight loss and stimulate your immune system. The cost is $60 per session.

? Back facial (Offered at locations including Pink Sapphire, 834 Elm St, Manchester, 647-PINK) It is sometimes referred to as ?bacne.? It is breakouts that occur on your back, often in tough to reach places. Summer is coming fast, so it is time to get the skin back there into shape. Pink Sapphire offers a back facial that will melt away tension while clearing your skin.The one hour treatment in one of the spa?s gorgeous rooms includes cleansing, exfoliation, light extraction, massage, mask and warming paraffin. The cost is $55.

? Solar Nails (Offered at locations including Salon Mercede, 28 Railroad Sq., Nashua, 882-3900) The next best thing to your natural nails. Not chunky like acrylic, they are tough, yet very thin. It is a two step process and the final product looks so natural that you can go sans polish. A big plus is that your nails will not turn yellow (like acrylics) when certain lotions and products come in contact with your nails. Also, they will not lift or chip like acrylics. Salon Mercede is one of the only salons in southern New Hampshire that offer solar nails. The cost is $40 for a full set, $25 for a fill.

? The Wine Wrap (Offered at locations including Portfolio Salon & Renewal Spa, 141 Rte 101A, Amherst,
882-8255) This wrap combines all of the antioxidant, hydrating and exfoliating properties of champagne and grape oils. This treatment removes dead skin, hydrates and fades age spots. The wrap is followed by a luxurious vichy shower. The cost is $85.

? Ear Coning (Offered at locations including Innovations Salon & Spa, 228 Naticook Road, Merrimack, 880-7499) Ear coning is an ancient Egyptian technique that removes wax and impurities from the ear, relieving sinus pressure, headaches, sore throat, to name a few. The benefits of coning has been heavily debated and there is no shortage of information on the web. Innovations is one of the only spas in southern New Hampshire to offer this service. The spa offers an initial consultation to anyone considering coning. After the initial treatment, 3 maintenance treatments must be taken within 90 days. The cost is $210 for the initial treatment, then $52 for maintenance.

? Chocolate treatments (Offered at locations including Arcadya Salon & Day Spa, 989 Cilley Road, Manchester, 644-1355) Chocolate is said to life spirits and at Arcadya, you can have is slathered all over your body with their line of chocolate treatments. A chocolate body wrap takes 75 minutes and costs $85 and cocoa is used for a 60 minute body polish, $65.

Step away from the home perm
How to actually improve your hair

Salons and day spas can spruce up your locks, giving you the hair of your dreams.

? Hair repair (Offered at locations including H20 Salon & Spa, 7 Colby Court, Bedford, 641-3050) H20 is one of two salons in New Hampshire to offer the award winning Bb.Treatments. Bumble & Bumble, makers of Bb. Treatments, believe that hair and scalp are one. With these treatments, the scalp is cared for, creating the perfect environment for healthy hair. The treatment doesn?t just treat symptoms such as dryness, dandruff and hair loss, but provides long term repair and protection. Bb treatment has won several beauty industry awards for this line. H2O offers in salon Bb. treatment ranging from $35 to $40. The product is also sold for easy use at home.

? Cold fusion hair extensions (Offered at locations including NikkiLee & Co., 250 Commercial St., Manchester,666-HAIR) NikkiLee uses a new method called cold fusion that is more gentle on your hair and scalp. A keratin based polymer is used (rather than hot glue) to attach the extensions to the root. There is no heat used and it is suitable for fine hair. The end result is a mane that is flexible and natural looking and feeling. Price upon consultation.

? Demineral & shine (Offered at locations including Not So Plain Jane?s 155 Dow St, Manchester 622-5971) Although NSPJ?s offers a multitude of hair treatments, these two can really work wonders. Demineralizing treatment will remove mineral deposits and chlorine found in tap water and residue from styling products. If left to live on your hair, the residue will change your hair, making it unhealthy and dull. This treatment is recommended before any chemical treatments, such as coloring. The cost is $40 and up. NSPJ?s also offers a shine treatment that will add a gloss and a protective layer to the hair cuticle. It works well for dry or frizzy hair. The cost is $50 and up.

? Bioionic hair straightening (Offered at locations including Cassandra?s Salon and Spa, 225 DW Highway, Nashua, 888-3300) Tired of curly hair? Cassandra?s offers a hair straightening system specifically for unruly, curly and frizzy hair. The advanced bio ionic treatment relaxes the hair, permanently straightening your mane while leaving it smooth, silky and healthy. Price upon consultation.

? Dry hair repair (Offered at locations including Soleil Salon &Spa, 22 Haverhill Road, Windham, 434-8233) Return dry hair to its optimal condition with a K-Pak Reconstructor treatment at Soleil. Deep penetrating it will hydrate and protect dry, brittle hair. Call for pricing.

Forget the workout
Losing the fat (or at least the cellulite) without the sit-ups

Loosing weight and loosing inches can be two very different things.

Weight loss involves an overall lifestyle change combined with exercise program. Loosing inches and ugly pockets of cellulite is sometimes as easy as a trip to the doctor. Here?s a look at some of the treatments offered in area salons and clinics.

? Synergie Massage (Offered at locations including Synergie Day Spa, Rte 28, Derry 425-6813) The Synergie Lifestyle System by Dynatronics goes after problem areas around the thighs, hips, and buttocks through a comprehensive, non-invasive treatment program.

The program uses vacuum massage to physically manipulate the collagen fibers and connective tissue and increase metabolism to the treated area through increased blood circulation. This results in a smoother skin texture and a reduction in the appearance of cellulite.

A typical Synergie Massage treatment program consists of a series of twice-weekly sessions, followed by monthly maintenance visits. The number of treatments varies per person and each treatment lasts about 30 minutes. The cost is $65 per treatment or 10 treatments for $599.

? Liposuction (Several area doctors perform liposuction)Liposuction is a procedure in which localized pockets of fat are removed to recontour one or more areas of the body. Through a to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The tube is pushed then pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out. The suction action is provided by a vacuum pump or a large syringe.

Often patients seek liposuction to reduce their weight and general obesity. Unfortunately, liposuction can not treat either of these problems. Liposuction is intended to re-shape isolated bits of body fat that does not generally respond to diet and exercise ? it?s a way to reduce inches not pounds. The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with firm skin and good elasticity who are healthy.

? Abdominoplasty (Several area doctors perform liposuction)Also known as a tummy tuck, it is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and tighten abdominal muscles.

While a tummy tuck can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen, the downside is that it does produce a permanent scar. The scar can extend from hip to hip.

The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men and women who are healthy, and in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose skin that won?t respond to diet or exercise.

The surgery is particularly helpful to women who after multiple pregnancies, have stretched out their abdominal muscles and skin.

A tummy tuck is not for patients who intend to loose a significant amount of weight. Also, women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate again during pregnancy.

? Endermologie (Several area doctors perform liposuction) Cellu M6 Keymodule by Endermologie is a handheld device that sucks up about an inch of skin between rollers and squeezes it to increase blood and lymphatic flow and stretch out the dimple-causing cords.

The procedure hurts, and produces minor surface swelling which opponents say is what disguises cellulite. The Cellu M6 has been cleared by the FDA for ?temporary improvement in local blood circulation and...in the appearance of cellulite.?

? Laser away cellulite (Offered at locations including Smoothskin Cosmetic Laser Center, 213 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 434-5510) If your cellulite is more ripples than small patches, laser maybe for you. A plastic surgeon directs radio frequency and laser light energy beneath your skin?s surface, causing a wound response that lays down new collagen and tightens the skin.

With most of these treatments, pricing is determined by the patients need and only after a consultation with the surgeon. All surgery has a certain amount of risk. The Web site www.perfectyourself.com can direct you to a comprehensive list of board certified plastic surgeons in New Hampshire.

Better than the sun
Get the beach look without the trip

It used to be that the only way to bronze was with a reflector and a lawn chair or a high powered tanning booth.

But last April the state began regulating tanning. Today booths must provide less than 3 percent ultra violet light, safer than being outdoors. Not perfect, but better. Also, eye protection must be worn at all times and no more double sessions. As bed tanning tries to get safer to compete with the popularity of sunless tanning, the consumer wins.

? Sun Fx (Offered at locations including Chill Day Spa, 1224 Hanover St. Manchester ,622-3722) Sun Fx gives you a healthy glow, the healthy way. At Chill, a clinician sprays you so that there is no mess up, no missed spots or gaps. The bronzer camouflages cellulite and stretch marks and has skin firming properties. Price ranges from $15 for your legs, $10 for face and $40 for face and body. The tan, available in light, medium and dark, lasts 7-10 days.

? Mystic Tan (Offered at locations including Available at Supertan in Manchester at 87 Elm St. 623-4407, Nashua at 650 Amherst St 881-7500 and Hooksett at Northside Plaza 627-9517.) Mystic Tan is safe, sunless tanning. At Supertan three nozzles evenly spray bronzer and moisturizer all over your body. The process takes 14 seconds and the results, fans say, are flawless. Mystic Tan is ideal for those fair skinned folks that never tan. It is not one color fits all, but there are three levels of bronze to choose from. The cost ranges from $20-$30 per session. One session per week is required to keep the color. Plus, it is the official tan of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.

? Instant Tan (Offered at locations including Hollywood Tans in Manchester at 379 South Willow St. 626-1010 or in Nashua at 449 Amherst St. 579-2700) Featured on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and a host of other shows, this six second UV free tan is all the rage in Hollywood. To get this super quick tan, you are misted with a blend of bronzer, moisturizer, vitamins and copper. The end result is a tan that lasts five to seven days. The cost is $25 per session.

? Bronzers (Offered at locations including Pink Sapphire, 834 Elm St, Manchester, 647-PINK) Pink Sapphire offers several lines of bronzers. Classified Cosemetics, makers of the popular spray on foundation, make an airbrush bronzer in 2 shades, one for lighter skin and one for darker $40. Too Faced offers two powder bronzers (in a compact). For fair skin try snow bunny and for medium to darker skin, the sun bunny. $25. Lola Cosmetics also offers a bronzer in compact form called Sand and Sun and it can be used for a large range of skin colors, $35 And finally, Bella il Fiore makes a loose powder bronzer with puff with little shimmer, $25.

For after sun care, Guava body butter by Korres, $19.50. It is super rich and dries to a greaseless finish in just a few minutes and it smells delicious.

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