“Few people realize that a true spa fully incorporates the healing properties of water,” asserts Patty Lucas, owner of A White Pond Paradise Salon and Day Spa in Fairlawn, Ohio. “Water is an important element in the spa services offered here.”

    Patty's “paradise,” along with being a full service, gender-friendly hair salon, offers healthful spa services utilizing the healing effects of – you guessed it – water. From the scented soak and steam in the high-tech hydrotub to the invigorating effect of the Vichy shower, water plays an integral role in the spa services of A White Pond Paradise.

    At White Pond, the mission is to provide high quality, personalized salon and spa services. The vision is to offer an upscale, professional, relaxed atmosphere in which clients are able to escape. In the spirit of ancient cultures, the staff delivers services as if they are a necessity, not a luxury. For that reason, all services are result-oriented and delivered with a proven approach. The objective is to achieve the balance enjoyed in ancient times.

    Patty has relied on her many years of experience to make White Pond a special paradise. Before opening White Pond in March 2001, Patty owned Akron Centre Hairstyling for 12 years. She also has 19 years experience in cosmetology, and she is a Licensed Esthetician with certification in Microdermabrasion.

    A White Pond Paradise's manicures and pedicures are deliciously enjoyable with names such as Classic (basic manicure or pedicure) and Spa (add an exfoliating salt scrub and soothing massage). Specialty ones include Paradise (additional moisturizing, some sloughing, a mask and more yummy massage topped off with paraffin or mud treatment), Herbology (all the frills plus Chinese herbs) and Glycolic (the frills plus an alpha-hydroxy/beta hydroxyl and emollient crème to smooth and even the skin's color and tone.) Manicures start at $20 and pedicures at $40.

    The ultimate pedicure to experience at White Pond is its signature Hot Stone Pedicure. This spa service is 50 minutes of pure luxury (but in the spirit of ancient cultures, perhaps I should say that it was an absolute necessity) that I experienced on my visit. Raquel was my apt pedicurist who graciously seated me on my pedi-throne, a massaging, heated chair with a pool of warm, fragrant bubbling water for my anxious feet. Raquel advised me that there was a pedi-soak product in the water, as well as beneficial minerals and an antiseptic. She told me that Qtica products are the spa's favorite for hands and feet because they are formaldehyde- and tourmaline-free.

    Following a number of standard pedicure procedures, Raquel gave my feet a sugar scrub before massaging them with citrus oil. Then she brought out the hot stones that had warmed in a water bath. Some went between my toes; other stones were cradled in Raquel's hands as she glided them over every inch of my feet and lower legs. To finish this luxurious (I mean necessary) service, my feet were triple-dipped in paraffin and placed in warm booties to complete the softening and smoothing process.

    My spa experience also included a Salt Glow service in the very space-age-looking hydrotub. Massotherapist Colleen delivered this skin-softening, exfoliating treat-ment by buffing my body with a special mixture of sea salt, herbs and minerals blended in an aromatherapy oil. The combination of salt and vigorous massage gently and effectively cleansed away dead cells and left my skin smooth and ready for my next spa service. But, before I left the hydro tub, I experienced the delights of its Vichy rain shower. Warm jets of water aimed at pressure points up and down the front of my body rendered a gentle acupressure treatment as I rubbed the salt and oil in and then off my newly buffed skin. I emerged from the hydrotub, donned my soft terry robe and spa slippers and was ready for a Hot Stone Massage.

    White Pond offers six varieties of massage lasting from 30 to 90 minutes. The selection includes Swedish/Relaxation, Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue/Therapeutic, Sports and even a Pregnancy massage. Massages range in price from $50 to $130. Their signature spa service is the Hot Stone Massage, a combination of Swedish massage and deep-heat therapy using heated, smooth, polished basalt lava stones. For my massage, Colleen first arranged a dozen heated small stones in two rows on the table, placing a soft towel over them. Lying on these special stones resulted in a comforting and relaxing pressure up and down both sides of my spine. Colleen performed a massage technique with her hands and arms to smooth my forehead, then placed a special, small heated stone between my eyebrows. She also placed stones along chakra points on my body and then kneaded aromatic oil into my body. Cradling heated stones in the palms of her hands, she firmly and smoothly ran them along my body, turning the stones over on the down stroke to deliver even more comforting heat. When she was finished, I was allowed to linger in the comfort of the room before emerging completely relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated.

   Other spa treatments at White Pond include the Herbology Treatment, an Arctic Algae Body Wrap, a Mint Mud Treatment, a Firmology Body Treatment and an Aromatherapy Body Wrap. Each treatment employs a unique combination of steam, Vichy rain shower, aromatic oil massage or even cocooning inside a solar blanket. Depending upon the body treatment, you can expect to be exfoliated, retexturized, smoothed, invigorated, detoxified or revitalized. Body Treatments range in price from $50 to $100.

    The assortment of facials offers the same complement of physical and spiritual benefits. The moisturizers, cleansers and masks are custom blended according to the client's needs. Choose from the Customized Corrective Facial, Spa Facial, Aromatherapy Facial, Oxygenation Facial or the Herbology Paraffin Treatment. There is also a Skin Treatment for Men designed to soften the beard to ease shaving, or the Break Out Control or Teen Facial to assist in blemish control. The Anti-Aging Facial is a favorite, as is the Back Smoothing Treatment. Facials range in price from $50 to $90. Surface Peeling Treatments are also available to diminish fine lines, lighten pigmented areas, clear congested pores or minimize the appearance of large pores. Peeling treatments start at $105.

    My visit to A White Pond Paradise Salon & Day Spa was indeed a luxurious necessity. The staff is friendly; the environment is relaxing, modern and pro-fessional. All services are located on one level and handicap accessible. The spa easily can accommodate birthday parties, bridal parties or any small group. Daylong packages include a healthful lunch. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my respite there!

A White Pond Paradise is located at 566 White Pond Drive, Suite D in Akron. For more information, please call (330) 865-7800 or visit www.WhitePondParadise.com.