"I can't think of a better thing to do when it's hot outside," Marine Tokar said.
She is a fan of plunging right into a very cold pool. It is part of the hydrotherapy experience at body by Brooklyn. First, you heat up in the saunas and steam room, and then take the plunge in 52 degrees water.
"You just do it. Just jump in. Don't think about it and you feel amazing afterwards. The contrast of temperatures is really good for the circulation and pores," Marina said.
Sally Fraenkel of spafinder.com says combining hot and cold therapies can even improve your mood, especially if it is hot outside.
"I think there is something very appealing about being in an ice grotto. Just the sound of it makes you shiver with anticipation," she said.
At Aura Wellness Spa, you also heat up first with sauna and steam. You then head into the ice room lined with white jade stones. It is 35 degrees in there and beats an air conditioner. Now no doubt you have heard of hot stone treatments like a hot stone massage. This is a stone cold facial.
It even sounds refreshing.
Moreover, the cool down begins high above Manhattan at the Mandarin Oriental Spa. First a cleansing, then a collagen mask, infused with five vitamins. Once the mask is on, the icy cold marble stones rub across the clients face.
"This really helps to move the lymph and fluid from your face so your skin looks its best and you are seeing the features you want to see in your skin," Dallas Sherwood said.
At the end, no sweat in sight and just a glow that is very cool.
WEB EXTRA
Spaaura.com
49 West 33rd street
212-695-9559
Cold and hot grotts $50/hour
---
New York Arctic Plunge
Body by Brooklyn Wet Lounge (275 Park Avenue, Brooklyn, NY)
http://www.bodybybrooklyn.com/bath_spa.htm
Dip into 52 degree water in the arctic cold plunge pool after using the steams or saunas to constrict the blood vessels and increase efficiency of the body's organs.
---
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/newyork/
The Treatment:
Cold Stone Vitamin Infusion Facial 50 minutes / 1 hour and 20 minutes - USD 215 Weekday, USD 225 Weekend / USD 305 Weekday, USD 320 Weekend
The Vitamin Infusion Facial is a nourishing, results-oriented treatment using a patented formula of vitamins with polypeptides to help treat sun-damaged skin. The treatment includes a collagen mask and cold stone facial massage with products that work naturally to deliver nutrients deep into the layers of the skin to improve acne, redness, dryness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. While enjoying the mask, an indulgent foot or hand massage completes the treatment. The Vitamin Infusion Facial is appropriate for all skin types and leaves the skin incredibly clean, hydrated and glowing.