This is part of the “Doing New Things” series where I’m trying to get out of my daily routine and explore newness by – you guessed it – doing new things. 52 new things in one year to be exact. Read more about my intention behind it here and view the complete list of things here. Today I’m writing about my experience going to a Korean spa (#35 on my list).
What Is A Korean Spa?
I first heard about the existence of Korean spas on Lynn Chen’s podcast The Actor’s Diet. I don’t remember exactly what episode it was, in which they mentioned Korean spas. However, I got intrigued when she and her guest talked about them and did more research.
Korean spas in the United States are mostly found in cities with larger Korean populations such as Los Angeles or New York. While American spas are more focused on providing relaxing treatments, Korean spas are more of like a space where you (can) hang out for a longer period of time (maybe with your friends) and spend time in the different pools and heated rooms. You can also get treatments at a Korean spa. Most notably are the body scrub and acupressure massages which I will elaborate more on later. You can also get facials, manicures and more – just like at a typical spa.
Crystal Spa In Los Angeles
For my first visit to a Korean spa I chose Crystal Spa in Los Angeles – a rather small spa in a mall in Koreatown. I had read somewhere that you might want to start with a smaller spa first. I think the reason for that is that it might be a bit confusing at a bigger spa if it’s your first time. Also, the smaller spas tend to be more “original” and not overrun by Americans or Europeans.
Crystal Spa offers a number of treatments, sauna, steam room, hot and cold water pool. They also have a variety of oriental spa experiences on site. These are comprised of a salt room, a charcoal room, a yellow sand room and an ice room. All of these were hot with exception of the ice room (duh). I’ve never heard of these types of rooms before. They all have different qualities and help relax and detox your body in different ways (read more about them here).
Amenities And Treatments At Crystal Spa
I went on a weekday in the morning at about 11am without having made an appointment beforehand. They were able to accommodate me right away as it was not busy at the time. I chose a 90-minute treatment that included a body scrub and an aroma oil massage. All the staff was very friendly and since it was my first time, a lady showed me the facility and explained how everything worked.
There’s a communal area with mats on the floor where people of both sexes lie down, take a nap and relax. They also have a cafe there and tables and chairs where you can sit, eat or even work. I saw one or two people working on a laptop. Everyone else was just hanging out. This area is also where you have access to the oriental spa rooms. All the other spa facilities like sauna, steam room, pools and treatment rooms are available in both the female and the male section of the spa.
It is recommended to arrive some time (one or two hours) before your scheduled treatment in order for you to take advantage of all the different pools and rooms. Because after you get your treatment, you shouldn’t be getting wet again in order to not diminish the effects of your treatment. I didn’t know that and I didn’t have too much time after my treatment. Thus, I only had about 30 minutes before my treatment began. I wanted to have been in each room or pool at least once and thus hopped from room to room.
Korean Body Scrub
After my number got called (I got a wristband with a number with which I could electrically lock my locker – very convenient), I went to the back in a treatment room with two tables. One of the tables was for me and the second one was for another spa customer who received the same treatment as I. The lady who treated me was in her underwear. She took away my towel and ordered me to get on the table face down. It was about to begin.
She poured warm water over me, put on scrubbing mitts and started scrubbing me from head to toe. I had to lie on my stomach, my back, my left side and my right side during the whole scrubbing experience. Literally no part of my body was left unscrubbed. It was a little painful at times but I can say now that there’s no better exfoliation than a Korean body scrub. And you feel amazing afterwards.
Korean Acupressure Massage
After the scrub she washed my hair and treated my face. I’m not exactly sure what she did (the lady didn’t speak much English) but she applied some sort of face mask. While letting the mask sit on my face, she proceeded with the massage. Finally, I thought, it’s time for some relaxing time. Not exactly. The massages that are provided in Korean spas are mostly focused on pressure points. That means that the masseur/masseuse needs to apply pressure to certain points in order for the muscles to relax and to support detoxification processes in the body. I found the massage a little tough just like the body scrub, although not equally as painful.
The Aftermath
When my 90-minutes treatment was over, I was glad it was. My masseuse put me in a short bathrobe-like jacket and sent me back to the changing room. That’s when I started to feel the effects of the treatment. I felt light and feathery and my skin was glowing. I also felt more awake. It was a really great feeling and something I had never felt before after any kind of “regular” spa experience or treatment.
All in all, I highly recommend going to a Korean spa. And if you want to try it, opt for the full experience with body scrub (that’s a must) and massage. I can’t wait to try out another Korean spa here in NYC.
Have you ever been to a Korean spa? How was your experience?
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