South Bel Air, MD Spa and Massage

A wildly successful alternative to traditional day spas—its more than 300 locations blanket 36 states and half a dozen countries—Planet Beach Contempo Spa 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 red-light facial, a light-based service that delivers anti-aging and 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, tan with UV-light, and massage muscles. Clients can also make use of the personal oxygen bar.

Planet Beach offers membership packages or 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.

Lynn Leo and his staff of aestheticians and stylists at Leo's on Chocolate Salon & Spa beautify clients with a broad range of relaxing, revitalizing treatments. Hair color specialists accentuate monochrome 'dos with highlights and color, massage therapists ease persistent aches, aestheticians perform pampering facials, and nail technicians smooth cuticles with soothing manicures and pedicures.

The expert aestheticians and skillful stylists at Rapunzel's Salon & Spa make over manes, revamp visages, and coax out tension from sub-dermal tissue inside the spacious earth-toned studio with vaulted ceilings. Ideal for some personal pampering or a sentient mannequin's first night on the town, custom European facials slough away dirt, oil, and environmental impurities, and Dermalogica products add wrinkle-fighting power to the relaxing facial massage that accompanies the service. Patrons disrobe for massages such as the aromatherapy kneading, which plies tense muscles with warm essential oils, and the Hawaiian lomi lomi session, which feels as if gentle waves are rolling across tired backscapes. So.Cap hair extensions lengthen locks with one of 81 different colors, and Brazilian waxes artistically shorten them, leaving bikini areas fuzz-free and ready for poolside flaunts or revealing sumo-wrestling mawashi. The spacious spa also houses 16 private treatment rooms and a complimentary café bar.