No Ceiling on Glow

This year in honor or Mother’s Day I treated myself with the Radiance Package at Anara Med Spa, a spot I have been meaning to visit for ages. Slightly off the beaten track in East Brunswick, New Jersey, by the time I found myself walking up to the front door, I already felt my nervous system calming – disarmed by the smell of fresh foliage and the sound of chirping birds. Drawn in by the unpretentious vibe, the welcoming homey interior and the serene music, I checked in for my session, eager to experience my very first Hydrofacial. Billed as the ‘lunch time’ procedure of the spa world – full name Hydroderm Hydrofacial – it’s a non-invasive procedure designed to deliver an immediate glow and refreshed look to the skin without any chemical peels or lasers. Envision miniature water jets and a diamond tip wand gently exfoliating the top layer of dead skin cells. A gentler alternative to microdermabrasion (which uses abrasive crystals) the Hydrofacial encourages circulation, lymphatic drainage and collagen production. According to Anara’s website, it’s an easy and efficient way to reveal your skin’s natural radiance.

After settling into the spotless white sheets, the session began with my esthetician gently deep cleansing and exfoliating, performing a few extractions as needed, followed up with an infusion of specialty serums by Epicutis. The treatment not only felt peaceful and customized, the esthetician was happy to answer my questions and gave me a lot of time to just melt into the space and experience the tranquility and quiet us caretakers often relegate to the back burner of life. When I was younger, I took a much more rogue approach to my skincare routine, but lately the facial experience just feels so right. Not only are facials a simple, effective way to improve the health and appearance of your skin at any age, at Anara Med Spa treatments are tailored directly to your concerns and desired outcomes. Serums are customizable to your skin type, with options for acne-prone skin, sensitive skin, dry skin, sun damage, fine lines, anti-aging and rosacea. Not only did it feel like a relaxing escape from the pressures of urban living, looking in the mirror after just one session I could already see my scars fading.

If you’re new to facials, here’s a few basic benefits to consider:

  1. Deep Cleansing: Facial treatments can help remove dirt, oil, and other impurities from the skin, helping to prevent acne breakouts and leaving your skin feeling fresh and clean.
  2. Exfoliation: By removing dead skin cells, facials can help improve the texture and appearance of your skin, making it look brighter and more youthful.
  3. Hydration: Facials often include a hydrating mask or serum, which can help replenish the skin’s moisture levels and improve its overall texture and tone.
  4. Relaxation: Facials are a great way to relax and de-stress, as they often include a facial massage and other relaxing techniques.

As for the Radiance Package, it’s not listed on the website! If you’re looking for baby-soft, photo-ready skin, I suggest asking for the Hydrofacial paired with Celluma LED therapy. From there you can customize with add-ons. After my Hydrofacial, the next phase of my no ceilings glow involved a science-backed form of LED Light Therapy powered by a device called Celluma. Producing a natural photo biochemical reaction similar to photosynthesis, the wide range of its therapeutic benefits include pain management, targeted anti-aging and acne relief. If you like the treatment, you can even order your own Celluma light for use at home.

Inspired by light, proven by science – the Celluma series boils down to a low-level light therapy originally developed by NASA. It’s a non-toxic, non-invasive form of red and near-infrared light which, having passed through thousands of clinical studies, has been   proven to deliver miraculous wellness benefits such as:

  • Improving the health of your scalp and hair follicle to prevent hair loss, increase follicle size and encourage regrowth.
  • Penetrate deep into muscle and joint tissue to decrease inflammation, increase circulation and alleviate chronic pain.
  • Enhancing cellular metabolism, accelerating the repair and replenishment of damaged cells.
  • Destroying acne-causing bacteria, clearing up blemishes as well as preventing future breakouts while reducing inflammation and redness.
  • Reducing fine lines and wrinkles by enhancing the body’s ability to activate fibroblast cells that produce elastin and collagen –  the key to smooth skin and healthy bodies.

In addition to the Radiance Package, Anara Medspa also offers Oxygen infusion, cryofacial therapy, laser hair removal and more.

Book Your Session HERE

Katie Cercone

Katie Cercone is an interdisciplinary artist, yogi, curator & astro-feminist based in Queens, NYC. Katie teaches GENDER TROUBLE in the Visual & Critical Studies Department at SVA. To learn more about her yoga and astro-oracle offerings, follow @parvati_slice on Instagram