Members Only MedSpa - Honolulu's Newest Medical Spa

 

I was invited to try Hawaii’s newest medical spa, Members Only MedSpa located in the Ward area.  What sets this medical spa apart from the others is their unlimited membership and your absolute no strings attached invitation to experience them for free before deciding to join.  They offer everything.  From botox to facials to cellulite and fat reduction to painless laser hair removal, you will get unlimited access when you become a monthly member.  They stress that at Members Only MedSpa there is no pressure to buy products and that you are in charge of your membership. There is no contract and you can cancel at any time.

 

What I liked about the scheduling of my appointment is that you do it through their online appointment portal that is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week.  That’s a real convenience when you are busy juggling work and your kids’ activities and you just don’t have the time to go back and forth with the receptionist.  I love the ease of seeing what’s available from the start.       

I chose to get the IPL (Intense Pulse Light) Photo Facial which uses light to target a variety of skin concerns ranging from sun damage to acne scars to fine lines and wrinkles.  After the treatment, you can expect brighter skin, but your sun spots may darken before they begin to lighten and eventually flake off.  For best results, treatments every 4 to 6 weeks are recommended until your desired results are achieved.

When I arrived at MO MedSpa, I was greeted by Louis, one of the owners, who took me on a tour of the facilities.  The facilities at MO MedSpa are modern, spacious, and inviting.  There's a beautiful lounge area where you can relax and enjoy the offered amenities while you wait for your treatment.  I was then picked up by Ivy, who took me to my treatment room.  Since it was my first time, I had a quick, but thorough consultation before she began the treatment.  

The treatment took about 30 minutes and was painless.  Although you wear goggles during the treatment, it is important to keep your eyes closed because of the brightness of the light pulses.  This made me a little nervous at first, but Ivy talked me through each step and had me relaxed throughout the process.  I didn't have any redness, but the post instructions said to resume normal skin care including makeup the following day.  So although I didn't wear any makeup to a date night dinner, I was very pleased to see how bright my complexion was that night.  Over the week, the pigment caused by sun exposure in my skin has darkened and hopefully will start to flake off soon.  

I am very happy with the results of my treatment and also the entire experience.  The MO MedSpa team is friendly and professional.  If you are looking to get numerous treatments done including laser hair removal, facials and skin treatments as well as cellulite reduction, then Members Only MedSpa was made for you as it offers so much value in your membership.  Coming in September, they will be starting MO 2.0 which will offer more treatment options covering all body parts, with over 160 combinations!  They are also introducing 6 new treatment types and 4 additional treatment rooms as well as adding more nurses so that treatment slots will be doubled.  Follow their IG @momedspa for the latest!    

Lounge Area

IPL Treatment Room

Thank you to MO MedSpa for the complimentary treatment.  All opinions are honest and entirely my own.

Members Only MedSpa

320 Ward Avenue, Suite 101

Honolulu, HI

(808) 475-6611

Tuesday through Saturday 9am to 6pm

(808) 475.6611

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Moana Lani Spa's Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial

It's not very often that I go to the spa, so I felt spoiled when Nat, Nadia, and Dara gave me a gift card to Moana Lani Spa for my birthday last year.

Of course, making the time to use it would be an issue.

But thanks to the same friends, a girls' spa date was made!

I made an appointment for an Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial. 

During this procedure,Hypberbaric Oxygen is used to apply Intraceuticals serums onto the skin.  When used with oxygen, the serums help to lift and firm the skin, while rehydrating or brightening the skin.

I chose the Opulence Treatment for this facial.  This treatment is for uneven or sun-damaged skin. 

When the oxygen was first applied, it was quite cold, and since I'm quite ticklish on one side, I could feel my body jerk from time to time.   It took a while for me to adjust as the therapist passed the oxygen tool across my skin, but I could really feel the oxygen penetrating the serums into my skin.

The therapist worked really hard on a couple of the tough dark spots on my face, passing the oxygen tool over and over the same spots. 

She did one side of my face first so I could look into the mirror to see the difference between each side.  I could really tell the difference.  The side she worked on was lifted and plump.

She proceeded to work on the remaining side of my face, and the end result was glowing skin (as Nadia pointed out). 

I was very pleased with the experience!

At the end of the treatment, I was given some chocolates to enjoy in the waiting room.

The view from the waiting room is just the prettiest!

Thank you Nat, Nadia, and Dara for the gift card and for getting me to relax!

Moana Lani Spa
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach
 2365 Kalakaua Ave

Honolulu, HI 96815

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HydraFacial now available at LAVISH Nails Wax and Lash

Complimentary treatment was provided by our sponsor. All opinions are entirely my own.

I can count on one hand the number of times I've gotten a facial in my 40+ years of life. It's not that my face doesn't need deep cleansing, because it really does. But, I don't have the patience to lie there for an hour (and now that I'm a mom, I don't have the time either!), and the extraction part of facials is just downright so painful that I would always ask myself why I'm paying all this money just to get tortured to the point where I'm on the verge of tears!

After experiencing a HydraFacial at LAVISH in Kahala Mall, I can honestly say that I am both a believer and fan of this gentle, yet effective treatment for facial skin.

HydraFacial uses patented technology to cleanse, extract, and hydrate your facial skin. The magic is all in this machine you see in the picture below. The machine consists of a handheld device that has different tips and various skin care solutions, all in one machine. During the facial, different tips are used, and different solutions (serums) are applied.  

So here's how my first HydraFacial experience went down .... first the technician Cassie (who I adored!) instructed me to put on a spa wrap towel, since she would be doing some work on my neck and upper shoulder area in addition to my face. 

Then she took some "before pictures" with a camera that was attached to the HydraFacial machine, so that the photos would pop up instantaneously.  

Then I slipped under the covers and so began my 30 minute facial.  

There were essential three steps:

1. Cleanse + Peel: manual cleansing of the skin followed by the first of three VortexFusion treatments (think of it as a gentle vacuum delivering a solution onto the skin while at the same time sucking up the dead skin cells). 
2. Extraction + Hydrate: first a mixture of glycolic and salicylic acids was applied to my skin. Cassie had warned me that there might be a slight itchiness associated with this serum, but for me, it was very faint and definitely tolerable.  Then Automatic vortex suction cleansed the pores of my skin. This is usually the most painful part of a regular facial, but thanks to the vortex-extraction nozzle, this was painless! It's like a little vacuum that sucked the whiteheads and other debris from my skin.
3. Fuse & Protect: Specific skin solutions and a serum of antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid is infused into the skin with the VortexFusion tip to nourish and protect it.

With HydraFacial, at the end you get to see what was extracted from your skin. I'm not sure what it should look like if you have good skin or not-so-good skin, but Cassie said it didn't look that bad, so I'll take that as a good sign! 

There are different "boosts" available for an additional cost, that are designed to do things like reduce wrinkles, minimize the appearance of dark spots, brighten skin tone, etc. Also available for an additional fee is LED light therapy.  These add-ons may extend the time of your treatment.

Would I do this again? Absolutely. The treatment was quick, painless, and my skin felt GREAT afterwards. My skin was definitely smoother post-treatment and felt ultra-clean. While it is a tad more expensive than a traditional facial, I am willing to pay a little bit more money to avoid the painful manual extractions!

If you want to check it out for yourself, head to LAVISH at Kahala Mall.  They are conveniently located inside the mall next to California Pizza Kitchen and across from Macy's.  There's plenty of parking at the mall, the facility is clean, and Cassie is an awesome esthetician!  As of the date of this post, LAVISH does not have the HydraFacial pricing and information on their website yet, but you can call them at (808) 528-4748 to inquire. The 30 minute facial that I received today is currently priced at $150. 

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New in Waikiki: Star Beauty Room

On the recommendation of a trusted friend, I went to see Kiyoko at Star Beauty Room in Waikiki.  I am all about facials and massages and always willing to try a reputable spa.  Kiyoko is trained and licensed in Japan and Hawaii as an esthetician and massage therapist specializing in the newest forms of facial treatments and techniques from Japan.    

Her room is located inside of Aqua Nail on Seaside Avenue across from Ross'.  There is a private lot for the building and she validates parking.  When I arrived, I filled out a couple of forms and she asked me what kind of pressure I preferred for my massage.  I also picked out an aromatherapy oil at this time.  

The massage by Kiyoko exceeded my expectations!  The pressure she used was perfect.  To be honest, I was quite surprised how strong she is.  I also liked that she made sure to check with me how I liked the pressure.  She was discreet the entire time and I felt very comfortable.  I was trying very hard not to fall asleep even as she was working out the terrible knots I have - that's how relaxing it was.

I then flipped over for my one hour Brilliance Facial, which is a basic facial plus the use of microcurrent and LED light therapy.  The microcurrent took a little getting used to, but it's not painful nor does it require any down time.  Usually when I get extractions done, it's not a relaxing experience but Kiyoko uses a machine that suctions the impurities so it doesn't hurt one bit.  The facial was absolutely dreamy and felt wonderful.  My skin felt plump and hydrated and looked visibly improved.  I was truly impressed.

If you are looking for a new massage therapist or esthetician, I highly recommend Kiyoko!  Booking an appointment on her website was super easy and she's currently offering special prices so book soon!

Star Beauty Room

334 Seaside Ave. Suite 304A Aqua Nails

808-388-3576

starbeautyroomhawaii.com

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Reneux Med & Day Spa

Being a mother of twin toddlers is hard work! It's very taxing on the body, both physically, and mentally.  Physically, I do a lot of walking, running, bending, lifting, etc.  Mentally, my mind is constantly trying to outsmart my sons.  You may be thinking "how hard can it be to outsmart two 2 1/2 year old boys?  Trust me, it's not as easy as it sounds!  

That being said, my mind, body, and spirit takes a daily beating (since I work 40 hours per week on top of being a full time mom), and every now and then this mom needs some pampering to heal the body and recharge the soul.  

I'll usually opt for a massage to decompress, but this time around I decided to change it up and try something different - a back facial from Reneux Med & Day Spa.  What drew me to this service were three words in the description on their website: SCRUB, MASSAGE, and MINI-FACIAL.  Three treatments in one session - it sounded like the perfect package for a person like me who does not have a lot of time to spend at a spa.

Booking an appointment is easy - just call or email them. Once your appointment time is set, you can opt in to receive confirmations and reminders via text (I highly recommend this!):

Reneux Med & Day Spa is conveniently located in the heart of Kakaako, near Ward Villages in a building called Nalu Lani Plaza. Spa patrons can park in the building's private parking lot (enterance is on Kamakee Street) in any unreserved stall (pay at the kiosk and place your ticket on your dashboard before proceeding to the spa). 

Entrance to the building that Reneux Med & Day Spa is located in

The spa is located on the second floor.  Its entrance is right as you exit the elevators.

Entrance on the second floor

They have a spacious waiting area where you can enjoy complimentary tea, coffee or water while you wait.

Waiting Area

Here's the treatment room where my back facial treatment took place.

Treatment Room

After getting undressed and crawling under the sheets, I was treated to 75 minutes of pampering.

Ashley, my medical aesthetician for the day, started off with a relaxing, penetrating back massage, using perfect pressure and hitting all of my pressure points. Then she proceeded with the facial treatment for my back, incorporating more massaging as she applied the various scrubs and creams.  After 45 minutes of treatment on my back, I flipped over and received a 30 minute mini-facial that cleaned my pores and hydrated my face, leaving it silky smooth and refreshed. My head, face, neck and shoulders also got massaged during the facial treatment.  

After all was said and done, I walked out of the treatment room feeling very refreshed and relaxed.  And, the skin on my back and face has never felt so soft! 

Facials are just one of the many services offered at Reneux Med & Spa.  Other services include Injectables and Fillers, Laser Hair Removal, Laser Vein Therapy, Skin Rejuvenation, and other laser treatments.  Injectables are performed by medical director, Dr. Irene Ohbe-Arakaki.  Other services are provided by licensed medical estheticians.  

To maintain your skin and appearance in between visits, you can purchase the high quality skin care products that are used during treatments. 

Skin Care Products

Reneux has a Reneux Feel Good (RFG) Club that offers members 10% off all treatments and services plus awards points on all purchases.  Points translate into dollars that can be used towards future purchases at Reneux.  The membership is $35 per year, which will easily pay itself off if you plan on becoming a regular client.

Discounts are also available for Military (active duty personnel).

Contact them today to schedule an appointment for a treatment or free consultation!


Mahalo to the Reneux Med & Day Spa for the complimentary spa treatment. Gratuity was paid on my own.

Reneux Med & Day Spa

401 Kamakee Street, Second Floor

Phone: (808) 593-7844
Website: http://reneuxmeddayspa.com/

E: info@reneuxspahawaii.com

Hours:

Monday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday: Closed

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Naupaka Spa & Wellness Centre at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina

Although I knew our staycation at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina would involve getting spoiled a lot, I made sure to make a spa appointment so I could get even more pampered!

On property is the 35,000 square-foot Naupaka Spa & Wellness Centre, which spans four floors. There are both indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, as well as lockers, a whirlpool, steam room, sauna, and more for use before and after your treatment.

Upon arrival, I was escorted downstairs to tour the facilities. After completing a questionnaire, I got dressed in a robe and slippers, and sipped some water while reading a magazine in the waiting area. There is an outdoor waiting area as well as indoor waiting area, and snacks, tea, and water are offered.

Right at my appointment time, Christine, the Esthetician, greeted me and led me to one of the treatment rooms for the Pure Radiance Classic Facial.

The treatment focused on the use of Sodashi products, which contain essential oils and plant essences, and no chemicals!

During my facial treatment, Christine used warm towel compresses and massages to create a calming experience while my skin was pampered with a Calming Rose Face Mist, Balancing Concentrate, and an Enzyme Face Polish throughout the 50-minute session.

I have experienced amazing spa treatments, many to the point where I almost fell asleep because it was just so relaxing, but I think this was the first time I actually did doze off - not once, but three times (that I could tell)! I was quite embarrassed, but that's just how relaxing the treatment was! Christine was fantastic. She had such a soothing presence, and her years of experience (she spent several years at another Four Seasons Resort spa) was obvious.

I left the Naupaka Spa & Wellness Centre feeling rejuvenated and refreshed, with the glowing skin to prove it!

Click here for the spa menu.

Naupaka Spa & Wellness Centre

Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
92-1001 Olani St

Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 679-0079

Mahalo to the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina for hosting my spa treatment.  Gratuity was paid on my own.

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Honolulu Spa and Wellness (formerly New Esthetics Spa) HydraFacial MD Experience

Disclosure: the treatment was received complimentary for review purposes.  All opinions are entirely my own.

 

If you still haven’t tried the HydraFacial MD, an advanced version of a professional facial and microdermabrasion with no down time, then here’s your opportunity!  Honolulu Spa and Wellness, is one of seven providers on Oahu that offer the HydraFacial MD.  They are conveniently located in the Infinity Life Center at Nauru Tower and also provide other types of facials as well as waxing services.  Grace Stachowski, Master Esthetician and owner, is a pro at her profession and super nice to boot. 

During my 30 minute HydraFacial MD, she took the time to explain each step so I clearly understood what to expect.  Grace began with a thorough skin analysis using a skin scanner.  She then cleansed my skin twice while we discussed my options for a chemical peel upgrade.  The HydraFacial MD can be customized to your specific skin concerns.  We decided for my skin, the best choice would be a lactic acid peel, a very mild chemical peel with little to no downtime.        

What makes the HydraFacial MD different from other procedures is the patented Vortex-Fusion serum delivery system.  In just six steps, the treatment cleanses, exfoliates, and extracts to remove impurities and dead skin cells while hydrating the skin.  The result is rejuvenated skin.  

Grace finished my treatment with a quick LED light therapy, an FDA approved, non-invasive skin care treatement.  She used the red light on me which promotes collagen production and anti-aging.  There is also a blue light available that targets acne. 

Grace was excellent at making me feel comfortable during the treatment and I felt very relaxed and pampered the entire time.  The products she used smelled amazing and I enjoyed every minute of my session.  It had been more than a couple of months since my last HydraFacial so my skin really needed it.  As always, I was amazed by the results.  My skin was glowing and felt so soft and smooth.  Grace was kind of enough to apply a tinted moisturizer for me since I was off to a yoga class and like she promised, there was absolutely no downtime.

Making an appointment is super easy.  Everything is done online and you’ll also receive a confirmation and a reminder through email. 

Honolulu Spa and Wellness

Nauru Tower - 1330 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814

808.593.9032

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Say Goodbye to Dark Spots with Honolulu MedSpa's AFT Treatment

I have always been aware of some hyperpigmentation on the left side of my face, but didn’t think it was that noticeable until the day I opted to wear a tinted moisturizer instead of my usual cc cream.  In the same day, both my Dad and husband asked me, “What happened to your face?!”  Men.  I brushed it off.    

But now that I am making a commitment in taking better care of my skin I decided to look into getting my dark spots removed.  At Honolulu MedSpa, your esthetician will analyze your skin and come up with a customized treatment plan that will be most beneficial for your skincare needs.  My plan included having an Advanced Fluorescence Technology (AFT) treatment, commonly known as a photo facial, to help target sun spots and improve my skin’s texture. 

I was in, but the two things I needed to know was if it would hurt and would there be downtime.  Luckily for me, the AFT from Alma Lasers™ (exclusive to Honolulu MedSpa) is the next generation of intense pulsed light.  It takes formerly unused short-wavelength light and uses a special filtering system to convert it into the usable spectrum, making the treatment safe and effective.  Before the treatment, a numbing cream was applied to my face and it made the treatment virtually painless.  The treatment with the laser lasts approximately 20 minutes.   AFT treatments precisely target the red and browns in the skin that is commonly associated with freckles, sun spots, and rosacea while gently preserving surrounding tissue. 

During the process, the esthetican was surprised how much pigment was appearing out of my skin and stated that I would benefit from a second treatment.  At this point I was a little nervous about going back to work because there could be some redness in the treated areas and generally the pigmented imperfections look worse after AFT before they look better.  You can expect within 24 hours after the treatment, temporary darkening of the pigmented areas that usually sloughs off after 7-10 days.  The amount of darkening varies per patient per treatment.  For best result, Honolulu MedSpa generally recommends a series of 3-6 treatments administered at 4 week intervals. 

After the treatment was over, I looked in the mirror and was happy that it didn’t look as bad as I had expected.  I even went back to work.  Still, I should have given my husband a warning that evening because when he saw me, he got right in my face asking, “What happened to your face?!?!”  

The collage below shows my progress over about 7-10 days with pictures I took with my iphone.  I apologize that the lighting isn't consistent, but I didn't touch up the photos in any way.  I am extremely happy with the results!  The dark spot has definitely lightened and lifted and I also feel my overall complexion is much more radiant.  

Thank you to Honolulu MedSpa for the complimentary AFT treatment.  All gratuities were paid on my own.  All opinions are entirely my own.

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Honolulu MedSpa's HydraJuve Age Prevention Facial Review + January Specials

Disclosure:  Complimentary facial received.  All opinions are my own.  

I had my first HydraFacial, a medical grade facial, from Honolulu MedSpa back in mid-November.  Immediately afterwards, my skin looked hydrated and rejuvenated and felt amazing.  It was a wakeup call to see my skin’s potential.  For my next treatment, Nicole Bradford, Honolulu MedSpa’s lead medical aesthetician, recommended the HydraJuve Age Prevention Facial, which combines the anti-aging and preventative maintenance of a HydraFacial with advance laser technology. 

To be honest, I wasn’t in a hurry to get another facial.  I’ve had facials in the past, but saw them more as an “extra” than a necessity.  But then the holidays (with way too much champagne) happened.  My beloved Clarisonic broke and my exfoliating took a hit.  All this combined with a 24-hour visit to Sin City and logging over 11 hours on an airplane left my skin looking pretty dull and dry.  I was ready for that HydraJuve facial. 

The difference with the HydraJuve facial is the additional laser technology that gently heats the skin to stimulate new collagen production which works to firm the skin from the inside out.  The laser allows maximum absorption of the serum which will help the skin repair itself naturally.  I was told it would feel like being warmed by a camp fire and that's exactly how it felt.  You feel the heat, but it’s not uncomfortable at all.

The HydraJuve facial is the answer for anyone interested in preventative anti-aging treatments and increasing the effectiveness of their facial by adding non-invasive laser technology.  Just like the HydraFacial, the HydraJuve facial also has no downtime.  After the 90 minute treatment, I applied my makeup and returned to work feeling great thanks to the mini neck and shoulder massage included with the facial. 

Right away, I noticed how much better my makeup looked on my skin.  It didn’t need to camouflage or cover, but instead it enhanced.  My skin was radiant and it showed.  This was a lesson learned for me.  Because my skin is turning 40 this year (I’m still in denial), anti-aging treatments will play a very important role in the care of my skin if my goal is to keep it looking its best.  And it is. 

My view of facials has changed.  Benefiting from a medical grade facial, like the HydraJuve, first hand has proven to me they are a necessity if your goal is healthy skin.


Celebrate the New Year with these January Specials!

ClearLift 4D—Defy Aging Skin
A truly effective alternative to laser resurfacing, ClearLift 4D delivers a virtually painless, non-ablative treatment that smooths fine lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, and irregularities from the inside out. For face, décolleté, hands and neck. Visible results. No downtime. Single Treatment, $550 (original $675) or Package of 3 for $1485 (Buy 3, Get 10% Off)

Celebrity Secret—Vampire Facial
Kim Kardashian and Bar Refaeli are just two, to name a few, who have undergone the rejuvenating Vampire Facial—a cell-therapy based treatment that breathes life back into the complexion using red blood cells, powerful growth factors, and microneedling. Single Treatment, $550 (original $650) or Package of 3 for $1485 (Buy 3, Get 10% Off)

Essential Skincare Staples
Vitamin C+E Complex and TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer SPF 20 are antioxidant-rich, freeradical fighting tools for maximum hydration of the skin. Add this combination to your daily regimen for a healthy glow and a soft, supple complexion. This month only, grab both for $186, and get $50 towards your next HMS purchase of $150 or more.

Thank you to Honolulu MedSpa for the complimentary facial.  All opinions are my own.  Gratuity paid on my own.   

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