Salons & Spas

Few things are more relaxing than a massage, facial or hair style from a fine salon.

Keeping fit and fantastic in southeastern North Carolina should be relatively easy since so many activities are available. However, most of these activities have consequences that need to be addressed since most take place outdoors under strong sunlight or on and in the water. Swimming, golfing, gardening, fishing, boating, surfing and sightseeing are just a few of the pursuits that many of us enjoy. Unfortunately, all of them create the need for special care for our hair, skin and body.

PHOTO BY INDIGO SILVER PHOTOGRAPHY

There is a solution close at hand — after a good workout and time spent outdoors, enjoy a soothing massage, facial or spa treatment. You’ll be wise to give your body, mind and spirit the care they deserve.

We’re lucky that we have wonderful facilities uniquely suited to take care of our needs. And in an area with a host of weddings, pageants, proms, parades, festivals, balls and graduation parties, in addition to outdoor activities, women have excellent excuses for frequent salon visits.

Consider spending a few hours or an entire day being pampered and nurtured. Because spa services are designed to promote relaxation, we recommend you leave your children, tablets and smart phones at home.

Maybe you’d like to have a relaxation massage, body polish, microdermabrasion or steam heat therapy. Why not throw in aromatherapy for good measure?

To maximize your experience, try a facility that is widely recognized as among the best places in the area for all your hair and skin care needs.

COASTAL MASSAGE & SPA

Coastal Massage & Spa is an awardwinning seaside spa that has become a favorite among locals and visitors to the Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach areas. Founded in 2012, their offerings include individuals, couples and groups

massage, facials, bodywork treatments, on-site massage and spa day sessions. Owner Theresa Anne Stevens, a licensed massage and bodywork therapist, offers a high-end and luxurious spa experience in a private and peaceful setting. The treatment rooms are enriched with beautifully appointed treatment tables, soft linens, gentle music and a variety of signature offerings.

All massages are customized to the client’s unique needs and include a choice of aromatherapy, soothing soft eye pillow and a cozy heated table. For some a massage is a guilty pleasure, but the sixmember team of licensed therapists at Coastal Massage & Spa looks at massage from a healthcare perspective. In addition to relaxation, massage can also provide effective pain management and treatment for a range of conditions.

Clients choose from a variety of facials or allow the on-site skin care specialist to conduct a customized facial based on an individual’s skin type and skin care goals. Another signature product from this spa is the Wrightsville Beach Message in a Bottle Gift Certificate — unique, handmade bottles with the gift certificate placed inside and attached to a cork lid.

Coastal Massage & Spa is on Wrightsville Avenue in their new location at Grand View Apartments, just before the causeway that leads to Wrightsville Beach, and is easily reached from downtown and Figure Eight Island.

The new 3,000-square-foot spa opened in May 2018 and features nine treatment rooms, a locker room with showers, a steam room, a sauna, HydraFacial, relaxation space and a bridal suite for private events and bridal parties.

The interior of Coastal Massage & Spa was designed to blend coastal elegance with a calming color palette, soft textures, and luxury finishes such as quartz countertops, glass tile, and frosted glass windows and doors.

TRY FITNESS CENTERS

One of the best things a person can do for their hair and skin is to be physically fit. A good way to do so is to take advantage of the area’s many excellent fitness centers and health clubs.

Don’t necessarily join the club that is closest to you. It is much more important that you feel comfortable and confident in the skills of the facility you join. Stop in for tours and meet the personnel who work in them.

Get the feel for a place before committing to a membership. We recommend taking advantage of free trial periods when they’re available.

Around here you can find a wide variety of facilities, everything from cozy small fitness centers for women only to large, sophisticated, state-ofthe-art, freestanding health clubs, with lots of places in between. If you’re not into serious strengthening or heavyduty workouts, you can find less arduous activities on the menus of most fitness centers, but particularly at the area’s senior centers, YMCA, YWCA or local recreation centers. With a little effort, you’ll find just what you’re looking for; after that, it’s only a matter of time before you’re looking and feeling terrific.

Among the great variety of fitness activities to choose from are the usual and the not-so-usual selections. Depending on your interests and skills, you can exercise in the water, in the gym or in the great outdoors. Want classes in yoga or Pilates? We’ve got them. Looking for total body conditioning systems or a personal trainer? We’ve got lots of them. Need help with prescription exercise or cardiovascular programs? We’ve got these, too.

TAKE ACTION

What keeps skin looking as youthful as possible? Avoiding the sun by wearing sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher at all times, including during this area’s winter months.

If you’re outdoors gardening, enjoying the beach, playing golf, eating at one of our great waterfront restaurants, walking downtown or any of the things that take us outdoors, reapply the sunscreen often.

Another thing that helps keep skin healthy is hydration. During the summer’s hot and humid months, drink plenty of liquids. If you feel thirsty, you’re not drinking enough — thirst is a sign of dehydration. And remember, alcohol is dehydrating. Enjoy your cocktails, but drink plenty of water too. 