Korean Spas are a Treat for Those Who Will Brave the Buff
Los Angeles is packed with spas galore. After inhaling this city’s fine smog, you might understand the need for cleaning the pores from time to time. For those who dare to be a little different, and don’t mind a little nudity (at least at the all women spa), I have found Korean Spas are a Los Angeles delight. I regularly go to the Olympic Spa which is located on Olympic and Norton. This particular spa is females only, however there are other Korean spas that are co-ed, including the Wi Spa which is open 24 hours a day. However at my girlie spa, I like the all female ritual.
Treat Yourself
The day usually starts with one of the girls or me calling up; Who needs a spa day? We trek down to Koreatown in off traffic hours. The Olympic spa has free valet parking. For the price of only $15, one has access for the day to all the healing waters and saunas. In the entrance way, we sign in, and debate getting a treatment or not. There is a treatment that costs $40 and is a milky body scrub. It is absolutely phenomenal. A women scrubs you down so thoroughly that your skin feels like a baby. Then they even wash and condition your hair. The whole process lasts a mere 35 minutes and you’re as good as new.
Another treatment that I regularly get is the shiatusu massage. This massage is very deep, and the practitioner even walks on my back. There are goddess treatments for a few pennies more that incorporate massage and scrubbing. Most days, I just pay $15 and proceed to the inner sanctuary (as I am on a student budget). Immediately upon entering, there are lockers for your shoes. Then, you are led to lockers for your clothing. These lockers have cloth robes and towels for your day. It can be strange at first to be in a mostly nude environment, so to soothe into the vibe, I place my robe on and walk into the main room. There are three saunas, a dry sauna with sea salt, a wet sauna with a jade floor, and an oxygen sauna. The oxygen sauna is actually located near the lockers and I have heard it suggested that it is best to start there. However, I usually start in one of the pools. But first things first, you must take a shower. After placing my robe down, in a clearly marked cubby hole, I grab a towel and head to the showers.
From facials, to massages, to relaxing lunches with the ladies
Bordering the room is an open treatment area where the scrubbing takes place. Before coming here, I had never seen anything like it. Very strong Korean women wearing black swimsuits are scrubbing women down on cool treatment beds. Some of the recipients have seaweed masks on their faces. I know it sounds quite strange, but it is amazing! After showering, I usually head to the tubs. There is a hot mugwort tub, which is reputed for increasing circulation, skin issues, and regulating women’s cycles. There is also a hot tub and a cool tub. After dipping into the mugwort, you may find me circulating back and forth between hot and cold plunges into the saunas and cold tubs. Between rounds, I sometimes sit in the locker area where there are couches and a heated jade floor with blankets and pillows stacked for a nap. Barley tea is served freely and I drink it regularly.
At a certain point, when I can tell my skin is ready, I scrub myself. Yes, I am not as skilled as the Korean women who are paid for there services, but it is a nice treat anyway. For an extra $1 or $2, they sell a scrubbie, I actually don’t know the proper name for the sponge-like mitt that fits over your hand and works such wonders on dead skin. Many women sit around in the middle of the room, where there is fresh flowing water and engage in this ritual. Again it may sound a little strange, but it actually feels very nice. There are buckets where fresh water can be splashed after scrubbing an area. Of course, if one prefers privacy, then the shower stalls are readily available as well. In the whole routine of it, there is something quite magical. I often feel transported back to a different time or country.
My girlfriends and I often finish the day with a nap on the heated jade floor, followed by a munch at the café. The café is part of the spa, so only women. We sometimes wear our robes in there or dress for the departure. I always get the seaweed soup and veggie sushi. It comes with a variety of kimchi and hot sauces. Delicious!
It isn’t Burke Williams and it isn’t Bliss at the W. But it is my own version of bliss when I venture back out, smile at the valet, tip him a few bucks, and climb back into my car, with clean, glowing skin. – Annie Kotok
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