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Trendy Treatments

The most in-demand spa services and where to try them.

Eco-Friendly Treatments
The greening of America has affected the way many of us grocery shop, commute to work and chug our H20. So it was only a matter of time before it also affected our trips to the spa (notoriously un-eco-friendly with their superfluous use of water, towels and chemical-laden nail polish). Koru Eco Spa (232 Water Street, Block Island, 466-2308, koruecospa.com) favors organic and local treatment ingredients such as soy-based Priti nail polish, lavender and honey harvested right on the island and the Dr. Alkaitis skincare line. Plus, the newish spa’s chairs are made from reclaimed wood, its walls are covered with low-VOC paint and the owner purchases carbon offsets. So just relax already, tree hugger.
Also try: Facials using Dr. Hauschka products (the all-natural skincare line is made from organic and biodynamic ingredients), $75–$135, at All That Matters, 315 Main Street, Wakefield, 782-2126, allthatmatters.com.

Ayurvedic-inspired Treatments
More and more spa menus are reflecting the recent surge in interest in the ancient Indian wellness system of Ayurveda. The philosophy encourages health-promoting practices—based on one’s constitution or dosha—related to everything from diet and exercise to sleep. BlueSky Spaworks’ (80 Lambert Lind Highway, Warwick, 739-0836, blueskyspaworks.com) Himalayan Rejuvenation Treatment ($168) combines several Ayurvedic-inspired services, including a neti facial massage, dry body exfoliation, vigorous massage, swedana (sweat therapy) and shirodhara, (a super relaxing treatment in which a stream of oil is poured on the forehead) into one two-hour-and-fifteen-minute package.
Also try: Abhyanga Massage, $125 (fifty minutes), at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa at the Providence Biltmore Hotel, 11 Dorrance Street, Providence, 490-9741, reddoorspas.com.

Kids’ Services
Whether you think a grade schooler getting her tootsies buffed at a pedicure bar is cute or creepy, there’s no denying that the average age of spa goers is descending. Rapidly. Custom designed for the Crayola set, SpaTerre’s (Hotel Viking, One Bellevue Avenue, Newport, 848-4848, hotelviking.com) Prince and Princess menu features treatments like the Mas-sage Medley, Twinkle Toes (that’s a pedicure) and a kids’ facial. Roll your eyes if you must, but the spa reports the menu’s debut has led to more age disclosure at booking time, which helps ensure that little ones are paired with same-sex therapists and parents sit in on all closed door treatments. Better yet, parents can bond with their tweens by booking side-by-side treatments in the couples massage room.
Also try: Little Princess Day (manicure, pedicure, cut, shampoo and style for kids younger than ten), $70, at Salon Aurora, 500 Main Street, East Greenwich, 886-7355, salonaurora.com.

Anti-aging Treatments
These days more than ever, the pressure’s on to look young. We’re not going to wax poetic about whether we do or do not endorse going under the knife, but will note that topical treatments are worth a shot before a shot (of Botox). Stillwater Spa’s (Hyatt Regency Newport, 1 Goat Island, Newport, 851-3225, newport.hyatt.com) rejuvenation facial ($180) uses ingredients like Excutox (a non-invasive Botox alternative), caviar and pearl extracts to lessen the appearance of wrinkles and improve texture and elasticity. The spa also offers a de-aging creme fraiche body wrap ($125) that uses marine collagen, elastin poly peptides, retinol and shea butter to help counteract aging and sun damage.
Also try: Collagen Facial and Multi-vitamin Power Exfoliation Facial, $85 each, at Kenneth Cote Renewal Center, 333 Main Street, East Greenwich, 884-2810, kennethcote.com.

Teeth Whitening
An aversion to the dentist’s office no longer has to keep you from a teeth whitening treatment more potent than those DIY strips. Many spas, including Tranquil Waters (1479 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, Mass., 508-336-6676, tranquilwatersspacafe.com), now offer dentist-grade bleaching services for a fraction of the price. For $199 to $249, Tranquil Waters’ twenty- to thirty-minute treatments use SpaWhite’s blue light and peroxide system to lighten teeth several shades.
Also try: Teeth Whitening, $149, at Tiffany’s Salon & Spa, 21 West Street, Barrington, 245-3232, tiffanyssalonandspa.com.