Face & Skin Care in West Raleigh

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.

Stroll the halls of Youthologie Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine and you'll come across walls of reclaimed brick, shelves of salvaged wood, and eco-resin doors. It's fitting that the LEED-certified facility does just as much to preserve the environment as it does to preserve youth, with board-certified surgeon Dr. Lisa Hogan at its helm.

Dr. Hogan has spent more than 13 years practicing anti-aging medicine, and her clinic's services reflect that fact. Her customized facials rely on organic products to combat acne and control pigments, and her peels improve uneven textures and eradicate sun damage. Her other treatments range from laser hair and vein removal to hormonal balancing programs, which consist of nutritional advice and hormone prescriptions based on lab analyses. Dr. Hogan is also a recognized expert in permanent lip enhancement.

With the explosion of new aesthetic devices and products in the last several years, it's often difficult to determine which ones work and which ones don't. That's why Blue Water Spa carefully vets each product they add and service they offer, ensuring that every one is safe, easily reproducible, and based in solid science, without causing undue downtime. Certified by the Joint Commission and named the best medical spa in the country by American Spa Magazine, the 7,000 square-foot facility offers both surgical and noninvasive treatments designed to treat aesthetic concerns, such as fine lines or unwanted fat, and medical conditions such as acne. Three lasers work to remove hair, diminish spider veins, and ease signs of aging, while four light-based machines such as GentleWaves LED photomodulation device noninvasively fight the signs of aging and improve skin's condition from the inside out.

At Elle Hair & Skin Spa, the staff strives for perfection. They want their customers to end each visit feeling refreshed, pampered, and excited to return. This is a lofty goal, but they hope to achieve it by only offering the best, in terms of both products and services. The team relies on products from renowned brands, such as Keratase and gloMinerals, to infuse hair with volume and to brighten complexions. They also use organic Eminence skincare products when performing customized facials and Nufree wax when removing unwanted fuzz from the face, the limbs, or the kiwi you packed for lunch. The salon will also gladly exchange any product or remedy any service to ensure that customers achieve total satisfaction.

The consultants at Jill's Beach want to help patrons achieve a sun-kissed tan without overexposing their skin. So the state-certified consultant recommend tanning booths depending on the person's skin type and tanning goals, whether those are getting more vitamin D or getting a base color before a vacation. They also educate guests about the benefits of tanning lotions, which often include anti-aging and anti-cellulite ingredients. For those who prefer a sprayed-on color, the experts can direct them to Mystic Tan booths or introduce them to a local graffiti artist.

At Pure Medical Spa, certified technicians, nurses, and surgeons combine their skills to treat patients' aesthetic needs with minimally invasive medical services. Like replacing makeup with magic markers, injectable dermal fillers such as Botox and Juvederm help faces look younger. Technicians also wield lasers to maintain bodies with laser hair removal, spider-vein removal, and facial photorejuvenation, and aestheticians perform peels and services such as waxing and microdermabrasion.