Columbia Spas

Established: 2013 Reservations/Appointments: Required Handicap Accessible: Yes Staff Size: 2–10 people Parking: Parking lot Most popular service: Ultrasonic Cavitation treatments Q&A with Melissa, Owner When and how did you first develop a passion for your work? I started doing research over a year ago after a back injury. I discovered microcurrent as an alternative to surgery. I began to learn about microcurrent for healing sports injuries among many other medical uses, then learned of its skin-rejuvenation benefits. As I continued to learn about microcurrent, it lead me to ultrasonic cavitation, which I also spent months researching. After proving to myself the treatments worked and were permanent, I decided this was something I wanted to bring to people at an affordable price. As a woman in my late 40s who has tried almost everything out there only to be disappointed, I am very excited about these treatments. Also being unable to physically workout because of potential future back issues the ultrasonic cavitation was the perfect answer for me to get back to a size and shape I am happy about. I'm sure there are many women out there in the same situation and I can help them with either the microcurrent or ultrasonic cavitation. What is the best reaction you’ve ever gotten from a client? Hugs, big smiles, and many thank yous. Out of your entire repertoire, which is your favorite service to perform and why? It's hard to say, but I guess the cavitation because people are so excited with their results. I think they come in hopeful but are unsure. We measure before and after a treatment. When I take those after measurements and tell them the inch loss after only one 30- to 40-minute session, they are thrilled.

What services does your business offer and what makes your business stand out from the competition? My mission at M. Salon and Spa is to provide a warm, inviting, and comfortable environment to each and every guest who walks through my door. I am constantly striving to give exceptional service while using the latest techniques in every aspect of my creation! Call today to book your experience at M What was the inspiration to start or run this business? I have 21 years of experience, training, and education, in the cosmetology field. I am very passionate about my work. I attend hair shows and educational trainings so I can provide the latest techniques in hair fashion to every guest who walks through my door. What do you love most about your job? I love learning the latest trends so that I am able to keep my guests updated on all of the latest techniques in hair and fashion. I also love being able to recommend different styles and colors that will look the best with their facial shapes and lifestyles. What is the best reaction you've ever gotten from a customer? The best feedback I have ever received from some of my clients is I am not replaceable and I do amazing work. I have also been told that this just isn't any haircut service, it is an experience.

What services does your business offer and what makes your business stand out from the competition? We are the only Salt Spa in Columbia, SC and one of two SC. Salt has been used for hundreds of years as a natural healing aid. So we are here to help those who have respiratory problems, stress, asthma, bronchitis, eczema,psoriasis, allergies, sinusitis fatigue and many other ailments. What was the inspiration to start or run this business? I started this business because I was sick for years with asthma and bronchitis. Traditional medicine was making me worse not better. I had to find a alternative natural way to get well. I still have those things but I feel great now and I am not wheezing and coughing every breath I take. Amazing What do you love most about your job? Seeing people come in and get the same results I got when I went to another spa in another state because there wasn't one here. You watch them take a deep breath they couldn't before coming. You get to watch people who are totally stressed leave calm and serene. I know it was worth all the trouble. What is the best reaction you've ever gotten from a customer? I took a deep breath today for the first time in years!

A Chat with Serenity Begins Within What services does your business offer and what makes your business stand out from the competition? A holistic and natural approach to skincare. We believe that healthy skin starts within, and by blending ancient rituals, the finest natural ingredients, and cutting-age technologies, we can help you achieve glowing radiant healthy skin. What was the inspiration to start or run this business? I was inspired by the Parisian approach to skincare. Facials are a regular habit, and, using the finest skincare products, women maintain a healthy, youthful, and natural appearance by doing little. I want to bring that philosophy to Columbia. What do you love most about your job? I love the interaction with my clients: giving them an hour to relax on my treatment table while I customize their service for what their skin needs. I love when a client sees and feels their soft, refreshed, glowing skin. What is the best reaction you've ever gotten from a customer? "I am self-conscious about myself as I am overweight. Ceecee made me feel so comfortable and I was finally able to enjoy getting a facial."

The meteoric growth of Massage Envy has led to more than 800 spa locations and a healthy share of limelight from printed media buzz to promotions on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Doctors . Its experts have kneaded more than 50 million backs using modalities that range from the gliding strokes of Swedish massage to the targeted pressure of deep-tissue massage. Although the spa treats a wealth of clients, each Massage Envy session is personalized to individual needs. While indulging in prenatal, hot-stone, or trigger-point-therapy massages, clients can also request the soothing mint and rosemary essential oils of aromatherapy or the addition of warming and cooling products that help decrease inflammation and ease pain. In addition to staffing massage therapists, the spas employ skincare experts who wield Murad products for four kinds of facials. Clients can treat sensitive skin to mild exfoliation or opt for anti-aging facials with glycolic acid before attempting to order off the kids’ menu at a diner.

Aquarium maintenance might seem like a strange background for an expert in neuromuscular therapy and deep-tissue massage, but that's exactly how massage therapist Lynne Luckow got her start. She decided to change careers after reading about the health benefits of massage and went on to study anatomy, physiology, and medical massage at Aesthetics University. She opened Healing Hands Therapy Center in 1993 and continued her training with renowned professionals in the field of alternative medicine. Eventually, she grew her practice to the point where she was working 12 hours a day, six days a week, roughly the amount of time it takes to give a full-body massage to a really big whale. Luckow knew it was time to expand: the center is now home to eight highly trained massage therapists, who earned it nominations in CityVoter's Best Massage category in 2011. In addition to performing massages, Luckow promotes physical and emotional healing with Ayurvedic counseling and meditation. She has further rounded out her team with licensed acupuncturist Brenda Sherman, who holds a Master of Science in acupuncture and oriental medicine.