Beauty & Spas in Langley Park

Dr. Debra A. Coats-Walton—a native Washingtonian, a Georgetown University–trained physician, and a board-certified dermatologist with a tsunami of credentials—balances the candlelit serenity of a spa with medical-grade beautifying techniques. Addressing a wide spectrum of cosmetic issues, the good doctor puts her hours spent studying aesthetic laser technology, liposuction, and dermal fillers to practice, and she has designed a signature line of physician-grade skincare products.

Smartlipo surgeries contour silhouettes by liquefying fat deposits with controlled pulses of laser light energy, an improvement over traditional, less-effective lipo that uses a witch doctor to chant fat away. On the other end of the spectrum, a number of FDA-approved injectable treatments add volume to cheekbones and smooth away fine lines.

Because she splits her time as an attending physician at Washington Hospital Center, she put together a team of health-care professionals and technicians to man Cutera and Fraxel laser systems. The laser treatments can zap away rogue hairs, firm skin tone, or diminish the appearance of blemishes, sun damage, and semipermanent clown makeup. Additionally, the staff mollycoddles frazzled bodies with traditional spa services, including custom facials and massages with warm essential oils.

Dr. Venetta Kalu puts her expertise in naturopathic medicine to use with an arsenal of detoxifying, holistic health remedies. Whether its an energizing massage or package of body-cleansing services, each treatment begins with a one-on-one consultation to determine medical history and treatment goals. In addition to holistic spa services, Dr. Kalu provides nutritional advice, healthy recipes, and multivitamins shaped like Lady Justice to balance bodies from the inside out. During treatments, clients can sip complimentary herbal tea as soothing music lulls their senses to peace.

With one swivel to the left or right, clients in Nival Salon & Spa's styling chairs might catch a glimpse of Miss Sweden, Miss France, or Miss Netherlands. In early 2012, the international beauty queens entrusted their good looks to the salon's celebrity stylists, nationally acclaimed beauty instructors, and award-winning aestheticians. Though the pageant stars only popped in for a day, Nival regularly pampers a high-profile clientele—the cast of Bravo's Real Housewives of DC has a standing alliance with the business.

Regardless of who stops by, Nival's team members harness their talents to create a personalized experience. In addition to all the basic treatments—haircuts, mani-pedis, massages, et cetera—the spa offers technology-driven services and alternative medicine. A third-generation acupuncturist calls upon more than 10 years of experience as he stimulates natural healing and makes clients look like balding porcupines. In contrast, an aesthetician prompts cell renewal with a mechanical wand that buffs the skin's surface.

The stylists at Xtreme Hair Salon firmly believe that a good haircut translates to a good mood. They've been cheering clients for more than 12 years at their respective stations, flanked by warm, sand-colored walls and products from Wella, Sebastian and Kenra. Each of their appointments commences with a consultation, which outlines aesthetic goals before anyone reaches for the scissors. Because the staff constantly adds to their education by attending workshops and physics lectures on the pigtail constant, visitors can trust in their ever-evolving expertise.

Every stylist onsite has different specializations, including razor cuts, updos, and custom coloring. However, the salon's services aren't limited to the scalp; employees can also wax unwanted hair, apply cosmetics for special occasions, and airbrush bodies with sunless spray tans.

Owner Magdalen Lagergren was born in Nairobi, where her Kenyan name is Karugi Karanja, which means "little cook.” This name turned out to be prophetic: as a child, Magdalen made her own facial creams and masks from local fruits and vegetables. As an adult in the United States, she fostered her passion for skincare with formal training at Yvonne de Vilar Scientific Skin Care in Vienna, Virginia, and after graduating in 2004, she earned her aesthetics license and immediately went to work at local spas.

Today, at her own practice, Magdalen takes point guiding a staff of two licensed aestheticians to soothe skin with specialized facials and perform microdermabrasion, waxing, and body services with Dermalogica and Vivant skincare products. Four licensed massage therapists draw on a variety of techniques to ease specific aches and pains or combine them all in an attempt to create Voltron.

For six years, Body Bliss's therapists traveled around Maryland, Virginia, and the District, bringing relaxation to its clients as a mobile massage-therapy company. Now with a permanent location, the massage center quells tension with the gliding strokes of Swedish massage and firmer deep-tissue modalities to treat the specific needs of athletes or statues that can't move until their museum closes. Nationally certified massage therapist Reginald A. Taylor guides the team of experienced massage therapists, who tailor treatments to root out the sources of each client's pain.