Homewood, IL Spa and Massage

Upon entering Massages Reduce Stress, guests are asked to remove their shoes. As they skate around the space in their socks or provided slippers, they can choose from 16 different massage modalities, including Swedish and hot-stone treatments as well as ones geared toward pregnant women and cancer patients. Body scrubs and nutrition advice from therapists supplement tissue work, with all treatments striving to lift away anxiety from clients’ bodies and send it into the atmosphere, where it will eventually plug up holes in the ozone layer. Therapists also devote themselves to their community by participating in local fundraisers, grand openings, and employee-appreciation events.

Salon RendezVous Spa's private manicure and pedicure stations reside in a cove that's as stylish as the nails that emerge from it, its deep-blue walls and plush leather chairs partitioned off by attractive drapery. This appreciation of the finer things extends to the lineup of spa and salon products: staffers use popular OPI polishes to paint nails and Goldwell products to add color to hair that's dabbling in the artsy black-and-white phase of its career. Though the spa specializes in bridal hair and makeup services, men shouldn't feel left out, as the slate of male-centric treatments includes beard grooming, gray-hair blending, and even a special men's facial.

Open for more than 22 years, Perry George Salon & Spa stakes its reputation on a team of stylists and aestheticians that wield international training experience and an eye for detail. Armed with Bioelements products, skin experts exact everything from facials to waxing treatments with conscientious aplomb. Stylists likewise tend to hair and nail technicians gussy up accusatory pointing fingers. The salon and spa also bundles its services into special-event packages, pairing mani-pedis with makeup for brides-to-be and Swedish massage with a businessman's facial for gents.

Equipped with a degree from the National University of Health Sciences, a passion for modern science and alternative medicine, and a desire to educate others about leading a wellness-oriented lifestyle, Doctor of Chiropractic Valentino R. Botti began his practice to guide members of his community toward happier, healthier lives. During each of his one-on-one chiropractic sessions, Dr. Botti gives patients a thorough exam, during which he tests their posture, flexibility, and reflexes, especially when it comes to surprise bear hugs. After determining causes of pain, the doctor then walks patients through a range of holistic services that may target their particular issues, such as massage therapy, acupuncture, or cold-laser therapy. Each session takes place in a private treatment room, enabling patients to emit "oohs" and "aahs" at their own discretion.

Part tech-reliant med spa, part peaceful wellness center, Skin Bliss Health & Wellness Spa delivers results without losing sight of the client's experience of each treatment. The vengeful beams of an IPL machine rain down on acne and blemishes during the photofacial, and antioxidants and acids derived from fruits strip faces of dead skin cells during medical-grade chemical peels. The spa's laser hair-reduction technicians ride concentrated wavelengths to the stubble-free promised land, where goatees are considered witchcraft and peach fuzz doesn't even grow on peaches. In addition to cosmetic services, the center also treats clients to aromatherapy massages, sells nutritional supplements, and distributes healthy recipes.

A wildly successful alternative to traditional day spas—its more than 300 locations blanket 36 states and half a dozen countries—Planet Beach is a futuristic relaxation station where state-of-the-art machines administer all the spa and tanning services. These friendly automatons sometimes replace familiar treatments, as in the Luminous facial, a light-based service that delivers blemish-busting results similar to those of a conventional facial. But other equipment maps out new spa territory entirely: the Hydro-Derma Fusion chamber moisturizes the whole body with nutrient-rich steam in order to offset the effects of a dry climate or a rear-end collision with a salt truck. Other machines whiten teeth, spray-tan skin, and massage muscles.

Planet Beach operates on a gym-style membership system, meaning that members purchase packages or pay flat monthly rates. As members spend more time at the spa, they get to know the helpful assistants who are always on hand to demonstrate how to use the equipment without activating its ability to cry.