It’s simple. You would come to your massage and pay as normal. Glow Med Spa will print you off an invoice so that you may get reimbursed by your health insurance provider.

A couple of things for you to check out:

1. Contact your provider and make sure they will reimburse you with your prescription for treatment.
2. Find out if your insurance just needs an invoice or a copy of therapist SOAP notes on the session detailing your massage. Most companies will only reimburse for price of service not including your gratuity.
3. Set up your treatment appointments and make sure they are consistent to maximize benefit to body and mind.

Is  your HSA (Health Care Savings Account) eligible for preventative maintenance treatments? If yes, find out the limitations and you may be able to withdraw your money for your wellness massages.

Key health benefits of Rose and Lavender:

• Rose essential oil is mild sedative (read as “relaxing”), antidepressant, mood enhancing agent. It is also very nourishing for skin especially dry, sensitive, or mature skin.
• Rose petals contain the same benefits as the oil, and they are also full of Vitamin A,C, D, E, and some B vitamins…PLUS they have antioxidants!
• Lavender essential oil is relaxing, antiviral, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti fungal, and over all very healing and nourishing for the skin.

For the top of the line in massage treatments that provide deep relaxation and maximum health benefits – look no further. Call Glow Med Spa today at either our Northside or Short Pump location and book your 90 minutes of amazing!

Well, the good news is that EVERYONE who has ever thought about or tried waxing, much less a Brazilian wax, has had the same thoughts and fears. We help first timers every day at Glow Med Spa try something new and feel the freedom of a Brazilian wax. Below we have a basic step by step of what your trip to the spa would be like and hope it helps you take that step and call today to schedule your first appointment.

Picture with me if you will…

Going into Glow Med Spa Northside is like entering a magical forest. Tucked away over near Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, right off I95 and not 10 mins from Downtown, VCU and University of Richmond, we greet you with a smile and cozy little waiting room nook. Not to mention a glass of wine if it’s after noon and you’re over 21 – talk about helps take the edge off!

The Glow Med Spa Short Pump location is our newer med spa and lovely, too. If it’s a sunny day out, it may take your eyes a few seconds to adjust to the calm ambiance, but as soon as you do – you can check in, enjoy the fire and sip your wine (if after 12pm and your 21!).

All our staff is professional, so don’t worry about the front desk hollering out to the other clients waiting that you’re getting ready to bare your flower. We’re very discrete.  You’ll check in, have a seat and wait for your Esthetician to come fetch you. It’s always a good idea to use the ladies room before your appointment, too.

When it’s your time, you’ll walk back to an esthetics room and be given a few minutes to change (your Esthetician will give you some privacy). You can place your shoes, purse, pants/ skirt and undies in a little wicker basket. You leave your shirt on, use the individually wrapped sanitary wipe for a quick once over, and place on the sassiest disposable thong ever – Ha. Well, not that sassy, but super functional. Some spas don’t use them for waxing, but the Glow Girls have a patented technique where they use the thong to help move elements and keep pieces where they need them while they apply the hard wax and remove it.  (This is one of our tricks for making the experience the Most Painless Brazilian Wax – speed helps!)

Place your wipe wrapper and thong rubber band in the trash nearby and have a seat on the table. Your Esthetician will be back in a blink.

Once she comes back in, she’ll talk you through the position she needs you in to begin and will ask you what type of waxing style you would like. You can go bare, get a landing strip, or a triangle. (more waxing style info here on the Waxing FAQ Page) **Remember** you need at least 2 weeks full hair growth to have a bikini wax. If you have shaved recently, we can’t work on you, so it’s just a big waste of time for everyone. With a dash of planning ahead – you’ll be good to go and ready to go bare!

Glow Med Spa NEVER double dips, but we do use both sides of the waxing stick. We believe in a small environmental footprint and each tree counts.  All Estheticians wear fresh sanitary gloves and are good communicators to make sure you are comfortable. Initially we’ll start with a dark purple hard wax for the longer, thicker hairs. Then we move to a thin pale yellow wax for the thinner stragglers.

The first time is always the ouchiest, but we promise it gets better. We start on the front side, then have you flip to your backside. After all the hair has been removed according to your liking, we’ll smear a little antibacterial lotion to help keep you fresh and relieve any sting.

Wa-la! You’re done. Your Esthetician will meet you at the front desk after you have redressed. Then you pay and book your next appointment. Staying consistent with every 4 weeks is key. It helps with ingrown hairs and decreasing the hair growth in all your hair cycles. Whatever you do — don’t shave in between treatments!!!

Hope this article helps you take the Brazilian Wax leap – CALL TODAY for your appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

The ladies of Glow Med Spa pulled together a few of their skin tips to help you beat these wintry months – enjoy!

1. Hydrate - you know we’ve said it a million times, but really — it helps! Drink tons of water.  A big cup you can keep track of mentally is helpful – and use the time to walk to the office water cooler to blink your eyes. You don’t need any more eye strain or squinting wrinkles!
2. Keep an eye cream handy. 4pm comes around, and we all get the sleepies. Doing a little makeup touch-up can help give a mental perk-up, but don’t forget to dab a little fresh eye cream at the outter corners of your eyes to help them plump up and look more awake.
3. Use a tinted moisturizer instead of a powder foundation. Jane Irdale’s tinted mineral moisturizers with SPF are super for the colder months. We even mix them with our daily moisturizer for extra glow factor and pray our skin doesn’t drink up all the goodness too fast.
4. A smidge of apricot cream blush can add a natural pop of color and highlight those cheek bones without looking like you’re trying to hard or powdering up your glowing skin.
5. Beat chapped lips with a sugar exfoliant. Before you tuck into your cozy covers at night, wash your face then mix a little olive oil and sugar in your palm. Rub it into your lips and wipe off. Then apply a soothing lip balm and get some Zzzzz’s. Remember that lip stains can aggravate dryness – so go for tinted lip balms or creamy lip sticks.
6. Try a little facial waxing to snag those crazy hairs. Yes, your eyebrows, chin and nose can start to sprout unthinkable hairs as you get older – ugh.  Glow Med Spa Estheticians have seen it all and help men and women on a daily basis battle these crazy hairs. Stop fretting and come in for their help! It may sound odd or ouchy, but no more so than the ugly, backlit hair you don’t want there.
7. Keep your hands off your face! This one takes no product… just a little mental attention. Whether it’s when you’re talking on your mobile phone or sitting at your desk thinking about how to solve some work issue, keep your hands off your face. This will help keep blemishes at bay and keep you from any extra tugging on your gentle facial skin.

Glow’s highly trained Massage Therapists also offer tailored massages to prepare your body for a successful labor and delivery. Below we’ve gathered information about physical and mental issues that commonly arise in pregnant woman. Luckily we also know that many times these “ailments” can be helped through massage therapy.

Some common problems that arise during pregnancy:

• stretched muscles; joint and muscular pain and tension
• swelling/edema
• blood pressure problems
• trouble sleeping
• depression, anxiety or stress

Massage can help the mother-to-be and her changing body by targeting some of the above issues. Cramping, tension and pain can cause discomfort in areas like legs, hips and low back. Relief can be brought to these areas with long deep attentive strokes. Your body carries such precious cargo, and massage is a safe and natural alternative for pain relief.

Edema (swelling) of the legs and body is very common during pregnancy because more water is retained in the body to support a healthy placenta. Blood is slow to return from areas such as legs and feet, and elevation of blood pressure may cause some concern. With regular massage, you can increase circulation which helps provide oxygen and nutrients needed for mommy and baby. Lymph fluid moves to release toxins and reduce water retention, also helping to regulate blood pressure.

Sleep can be hard to come by, if you’re experiencing fatigue or insomnia. And sleep is very much needed for our bodies to recharge. Massage can be a wonderful way to relax and promote a more restful sleep.  Mood changes may occur throughout your pregnancy, which can be difficult for you and your loved ones, especially your baby. Stress,anxiety and depression have a chemical effect on the body causing headaches and emotional despair. So having a regular massage can cause the release of serotonin and dopamine for a better mood and sleep, reduction of stress levels and emotional ease.

Though massage is innocent by nature, the first three months are usually the most sensitive. It is recommended to wait till after the first trimester before receiving a massage. Always check with your doctor and or receive a written consent to receive regular massages.

Taking time to fit in prenatal massages is a must (and believe us, you’ll be glad you took the time now because once that baby is here…they get ALL your free time!).

Article written by our Massage Therapist, NaKisha A. Johnson, CMT — Schedule your prenatal massage with her today! 

Dear Santa,

• Provides advanced environmental protection against UVA and UVB radiation
• Stimulates collagen synthesis to improve signs of aging
• Diminishes hyperpigmentation and accelerates cellular renewal to retexturize skin
• Once absorbed, this serum can’t be washed or rubbed off. It remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours, making it an excellent addition to sunscreen.

Not sure if Phloretin CF is right for you? Come in and get a facial with a Master Esthetician at Glow Med Spa. We can help set you up with a rocking new skin care plan for the holidays and New Year.

Hope you get everything YOU want for Christmas!

Join Glow Med Spa and Stella & Dot Senior Stylist Claire Patterson this Saturday from noon to 5pm at the Short Pump location for great specials on Glow spa treatments, products and Stella & Dot jewelry.

Specials Include

(1) Get 10% off any Glow Med Spa skin care products you purchase while at the Trunk Show

(2) Book your next appointment, while at the Trunk Show, and save 10% on the booked Glow Med Spa treatment

(3) Bring a friend who’s been meaning to try the Glow Med Spa treatments you rave about, and you’ll both save 15% on your next service when you both book your appointments while shopping

(4) Buy Stella & Dot jewelry or accessories, and get your name entered to win the day’s “Style Rewards” – that’s FREE money to spend on beautiful Stella & Dot jewelry + half off items

(5) Enter the Contessa Jade Necklace raffle (worth $118!!) when you come to shop 

Peppermint is one of the oldest medicinal treatments known. Some common ailments it is known to help include: indigestion, respiratory problems, headache, nausea, fever, stomach and bowel spasms and pain.

Below are some amazing health benefits from peppermint:

1. Indigestion: Place a few drops of peppermint oil in a glass of water after eating to help with digestion. Or consider adding peppermint oil and caraway oil to help naturally relieve heartburn. Plus, because peppermint oil is carminative, it helps relieve gas – and goodness knows with all these holiday parties, eating out and beverage partaking, we can end up feeling a little bloated at the end of an evening.
2. Oral Health: It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know peppermint can help a mouth. Peppermint oil can help with gum care and since it’s a cross between watermint and spearmint, you’ll for sure be minty fresh when you chat with friends and coworkers around town.
3. Headaches: Just in case you drank one too many last night at the company party, try applying peppermint oil, in the diluted form, to your forehead. Oh, and drink another big glass of water – and nap if you can!
4. Hair Care: Peppermint oil can cool your scalp and help remove dandruff and lice. (We know, lice are gross… but for all you mamas with kids in school, you know they can be part of your life after that school play where they all share that one hat – ugh!)
5. Skin Care: Since peppermint oil contains Menthol, it has a natural cooling effect. It helps brighten dull skin and improves oily skin.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your December massage special now! Take advantage of the peppermint season and the masterful hands of the Glow Med Spa Massage Therapists.

1. Drink water! The consumption of water replaces other caloric and otherwise unhelpful fluids in your body. That’s right – by simply drinking a little more water you can flush out more of the bad stuff because goodness knows starting with Halloween the sugar is all around, not to mention the cocktails. A good gauge for needing water is your lips. If your lips feel chapped, you’re body is dehydrated. Grab a glass!
2. Get Sleep. Your weekends may be jam packed with commitments, but try to save a few week night evenings to cozy into bed early and read your favorite seasonal book or magazine. The extra sleep will do wonder for fine lines and dark circles around your eyes, if these give you problems.
3. Use eye cream religiously! Most of us have years of sleep deprivation layered on us. Sigh. Well, a rich eye cream really can help. Ask your Master Esthetician which product Glow Med Spa carries is right for you. It’s true – they can be an investment, but aren’t you worth it? They can really REALLY make a difference in our facial glow.
4. Book a facial & wax. Have you slacked off your waxing routine since the bikini went into the “summer clothes bin”? Don’t stop. Not only does irregular waxing make it more ouchy, you lose the benefit of feeling sexy all the time. And for that facial you keep meaning to schedule… Now is the time. The winter months can be rough on the skin. Come in to adjust your skincare routine and Glow all season long!
5. Try a Hydration Massage. Glow Med Spa’s Massage Therapists are wonderful resources for body hydration. Not only do they have elixirs and special creams to help rebalance your skin’s hydration levels, but they know a ton and often share secret soft skin tips. Snag a 30 min, 60 min, or 90 minute massage and let your to-do list fall to the side for some much needed “me” time.

So, you’re smart and booked an amazing Glow Med Spa massage with one of our awesome Massage Therapists. But it’s your first one and you’re not sure what to expect after this body-loving “me” time of pure relaxation… Read the below for some lingering effects.

What to expect after the massage:

• No matter if you have a 30, 60 or 90 minute massage… Take your time getting off the table. Immediately after the massage you may feel light headed or dizzy.  We have water available after your massage to help you rehydrate. Please feel free to sit for a few minutes to reconnect and ground yourself before leaving.

• Look forward to a feeling of relaxation and rejuvenation.

•You may feel more energy, focus, greater productivity, heightened awareness of your body and self.

•Possible soreness may be there. If it lasts longer than 1-2 days, please let us know at the next appointment so we can adjust the massage accordingly.

•Increase in circulation, range of motion, mobility, and ability to sleep. All wonderful things.

•Decrease in stress, pain, stiffness, and tension, thankfully!

Plus, check out these simple post-massage self care recommendations:

•Ice any areas that are sore or uncomfortable for 15-20 minutes 2 or more hours apart. Ideally use a bag of ice or an ice pack, not frozen vegetables. Make sure there is a barrier between your skin and the ice (a pillow case or kitchen towel work great!).

•Drink 2-3 more glasses of water than you normally drink in a day. Water is key to flush all the toxins out of your body that get loosened up by the massage. A key benefit!

•Go for a calming walk.

•Stretch before you go to bed and when you wake up to get the circulation going and keep muscles loose.

•And always call your massage therapist if you have any questions or concerns.