A Spa for Every Season

There's exclusive, and then there's the Four Seasons. With an impeccably trained staff, ultra-elite services, and thoughtful amenities, the hotel's spa rightfully deserves its five-star reputation.

Upon arrival, an attendant led us to the spacious and fully equipped locker room, where we changed into a plush robe and slippers. We awaited our service in the softly lit waiting area, sipping tea and nibbling on the healthy snacks.

Our treatment, the Leaf & Rusher Dermaroller Facial, is unique to the Spa at the Four Seasons. Leaf & Rusher, a Beverly Hills-based plastic surgery and aesthetics practice, has created an incredibly effective line of skin care products. Our superb aesthetician Hannah gently led us through a protocol that included a special twist – the use of the Leaf & Rusher "Dermaroller." The device, which is basically a plastic rolling drum equipped with 200 stainless steel micro-points, is designed to simulate the dermis and improve product penetration. The company claims that using the Dermaroller makes the nutrients in their skin care products 4,000 percent more effective than if applied topically. Whoa.

The prickly sensation was a little unusual, but the treatment did seem to live up to the spa's claim, as we noticed a healthy glow afterward. And because the Dermarollers are for personal use only, we were able to take ours home. We've been using it in conjunction with some Leaf & Rusher product samples we snagged, and have noticed a markedly more youthful skin tone. Quite a coup.

All of this exclusivity does come with a price, however – the Leaf & Rusher Dermaroller facial is $210. Admittedly, a visit to the Spa at Four Seasons may not seem like the most prudent move in these economically dismal times. But remember that the holidays are coming up, so it's probably a good idea to start dropping hints now...

Review originally published 10/30/2008.