It was a typically drab weekday around 11:30 in the morning, and I was ripe for solicitation. A clean-cut young man strolled into my office offering a promotion for new clients on spa services at Planet Beach Tanning and Spa. All I heard was 90% off. Normally short with a salesperson, my interest was piqued and my eye contact established. My office mates became uncharacteristically quiet, typing away at their keyboards as he went in for the kill.
I tuned out as he detailed the treatments . . . sauna, facial, calories burned, soft skin for a month . . . “We used to focus only on tanning but now we’re offering spa services,” he said. I responded loudly, expecting a laugh from the room “Well, I definitely I don’t need tanning, so I am glad you’re expanding”. Complete silence enveloped the space, and I had mere seconds to agree and pay. Sold! I grabbed my gold sequined wallet and shelled out the 56 bucks for over $300 worth of self-care.
The day came for the first two treatments at Planet Beach Tanning and Spa, located in the Foothill Plaza in SLO, which is currently under construction (I imagine this somewhat inspired the deal). The Infrared Sauna Detox offers “detoxification that is 7 to 10 times greater than a conventional sauna,” while the Lumiere facial uses light therapy to minimize fine lines and wrinkles while killing bacteria (from the brochure). The lovely young gal at the front desk suggested I have the facial first as the sauna is a hard act to follow.
She escorted me to a massage chair tricked out with a white, hood like contraption. I had no idea what was in store; but with my safety goggles and $4 vitamin C serum I was equipped for the 20-minute service. I was assured that I would adjust to the super bright light and once that hood came down, even with my eyes closed I saw bright orange. As the massage chair squeezed my shoulders I grew slightly concerned but tried to relax. The light looked but didn’t feel scorching. I imagined being sun kissed by the warmth at best, although I did visit the scenario of the chair squeezing and trapping me as the light grew hotter and brighter. I was happy when another nice lady helped me out to prepare me for the Infrared Sauna Detox.
“Would you like to purchase the $4 sauna-suit? You will really sweat and you will feel it – like puddles”. Sold! I stepped into the large human shaped plastic and forced hand holes for selfie taking before opting for the 30-minute detox program in the small private sauna. Relaxing music and funky lights intensified my trip to sweat-ville and about ten minutes in, those puddles formed. What can I say? It was hot. I wasn’t sure how to return to the outside world. I stepped out; a wet mess swathed in plastic. The air conditioning felt heavenly and after I toweled off my toxins I truly felt clean and refreshed.
On my way out I purchased a diet coke for re-tox, and I am pretty sure the waiting patrons took one look at me and were wowed by the tanning beds.
If you have tanning needs, or just want a cleansing sweat without the exercise, then I’ll see you at Planet Beach!
Story and photos by Courtney Haile
Courtney Haile is a writer and fitness instructor living in San Luis Obispo.
