Spa treatments for the Parseltongued

In the now-I've-seen-it-all category: snake massages. Take a little trip to Ada Barak's Carnivorous Plant Farm in Northern Israel, and you'll get to press the flesh with some snakes: big, small, slithery. For about $80 you can have a mass of snakes (corn snakes, milk snakes, Florida and California king snakes) plopped onto your back or tummy and have them squirm your cares away. Apparently the undulating movement of the snakes is supposed to be soothing -- assuming you have no fear of snakes, that is.

The Time reporter who underwent the massage deserves a medal. Or to be put into an asylum. Whichever. Rather than run away in my skivvies screaming, I prefer a nice Swedish massage -- which now seems like the old-lady version of contact, but I don't care a bit....

Spa Swindled

Spa dermatology is on the rise, and while I generally think it's a great concept, I found out the hard way this week that it can have its drawbacks. I went in to a new dermatologist, who practices in a med-spa-like facility, to see what I could do about a pesky rash I have on my arms. He suggested a glycolic peel. I assumed that it--like my visit that day--was covered by insurance, and the dermatologist never mentioned otherwise, so I agreed. Well, when I went to pay my co-pay after the visit, I was informed that I owed several hundred dollars for the glycolic peel!! Needless to say, I was furious--if not illegal, it seems extremely unethical to not disclose fees up front. I won't be going back to that dermatologist again ... lesson learned.

Friday Fantasy

I got a press release yesterday for a tropical getaway spa package at Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego. This over-the-top treat includes a "tropical essence massage”, (coco-mango body polish and a rub-down with Ylang Ylang oil), followed by the "signature spa terre facial”, and last but not least, a manicure and "passionflower pedicure," complete with a rose-petal milk bath. At over $500 for the whole package, I won't be indulging myself in it anytime soon. But it sounds nice, doesn't it?

In any case, have a beautiful weekend.

A Spa for What??!

I'm filing this one under "now I've heard it all": the first pelvic fitness spa is opening in Manhattan this month. The spa, called Phit (pelvic health integrated techniques) will offer below-the-belt beauty services that center primarily on Kegels, as well as surgery and laser treatments to help women look and feel better where, um, the sun don't shine. Interestingly enough, the spa will also offer regular spa services like micro-dermabrasion and velasmooth (a laser treatment for cellulite). Honestly, I'm not sure what to make of it all. Would you visit a pelvic fitness spa?