Chocolate is derived from the cacao bean which is found in trees that can reach between 15 to 26 feet in height. Tracing back as early as 400 - 600 B.C., chocolate has a long standing history not only as a decadent food, indulged by many, but also as an ingredient used for medicinal purposes. In modern times, it is now known that the cacao bean contains several nutrients that are important for overall health, such as magnesium, vitamin C, iron, antioxidant flavonoids, omega fatty acids, and many more. The cacao bean itself is a super-rich antioxidant, so much so that for every 100 grams of cacao it contains 10,000 milligrams of flavanol antioxidants. So, this little bean packs a punch helping the body fight off free radicals that can cause wrinkles, elasticity loss, skin damage, et cetera. Within this month’s Great Treatments section, we have included several different treatments from around the country that use chocolate as their main ingredient in hopes that they will inspire you with new thoughts and ideas on how to update or revitalize your service menu. Chocolate Body Delight $90 for 45 minutes Rejuvenate your client’s skin with hydrating, nourishing, antioxidant rich chocolate. Your clients will drown in the aroma of chocolate as you treat their body with a calorie free indulgence rich in cocoa butter and milk proteins that will replenish moisture and restore elasticity. Qi Spa Washington, DC 202-333-6344 www.qispadc.com Chocolate Espresso Scrub $110 for 60 minutes Enriched with antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and E for extra healing and protection, and lavished with nourishing, moisturizing macadamia nut oil. Caffeinated espresso beans revive your client’s skin, increases stimulation for a healthy glow, and effectively buffs away dead skin cells and bumps, leaving their skin smooth and silky soft. The entire body is treated to a massage with fresh strawberry cream. Mezz Spa Alpharetta, GA 770-557-1988 www.mezz-wellness.com Chocolate Fix Body Scrub $150 for 60 minutes This treatment includes a full body chocolate sea salt/oil scrub, a treatment for extensive exfoliation of dry skin, a shower, and lite relaxing massage with chocolate butter cream. Allow your client to choose between chocolate cake, raspberry, cherry, or mint oils that will release endorphins as a mood stabilizer. AJ's Spa Millennium Beachwood, OH 800-319-0270 www.ajsspamillennium.com Chocolate Scrub $100 for 60 minutes; $150 for 90 minutes Start with a decadent chocolate scrub to leave your client’s skin silky soft and glowing. Next, massage your client’s body with chocolate oil that will leave their skin intensely hydrated. A must before any holiday party or after summer! The 60 minute scrub includes a 30 minute massage; the 90 minute scrub includes a one hour massage. Spa for the Soul Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 949-690-2369 www.spaforthesoul.net Chocolate and Cherries Anti-aging Facial $125 for 60 minutes This facial is a special treat for the skin and indulgence for your senses. It incorporates the use of Sugar Plum Soufflé Massage Cream to revitalize fatigued skins, erase fine lines, tone, and firm the skin. The treatment is completed with an application of the mixture of Sour Cherrie Masque and Hungarian Chocolate (Cacao) which together help tone, firm, deeply hydrate, erase fine lines, reduce large pores and calm the stress level, leaving you with the healthiest glow and feeling “in-love.” Essential Therapy New York, NY 212-777-2325 www.essentialtherapyny.com Chocolate Body Wrap $125 for 60 minutes This decadent wrap is for removing excessive water and fluid gain that will smooth the skin appearance from cellulite and firm the skin. A heated chocolate powder and milk is mixed and brushed onto the full body and wrapped in mylar and heating blankets. A crystal treatment is performed on the face with manual lymphatic massage and crystal reflexology on the feet. Then a five-head vichy shower is used with a chocolate sugar scrub to remove the wrap and a chocolate butter cream is used to massage the body. Branford River Resort & Spa Branford, CT 203-488-5902 www.branfordriverspa.com Hot Fudge Antioxidant Facial $95 for 60 minutes Let your clients experience the pleasures of rich chocolate with the subtle scent of blood orange. Give your client’s skin a sweet antioxidant treat with this powerfully hydrating facial which can be customized for all skin types. This unique anti-aging facial will leave your client’s skin revitalized, radiant, and refreshed.St. Pierre Center for Massage, Inc. Napa, CA 707-255-1640 www.stpierremassage.com Ice Cream Pedicure $60 for 50 minutes A treat for your client’s feet. First, they will enjoy a strawberry or chocolate Me! Bath ice cream flavored soak for their feet. Then, they will experience a Shower Sherbet scrub, followed by a chocolate foot mask, and their favorite body icing flavor for their foot massage. Top the pedicure off with their favorite color. The Oxford Club Denver, CO 303-628-5435 www.oxfordclubspa.com Mayan-Peruvian Cocoa Indulgence $145 for 90 minutes Peruvian organic cocoa bits organically cultivated in the Oxapampa region of Peru provide mild exfoliation, followed by an organic dark chocolate mask of premium Mayan cocoa to naturally deliver vitamins and antioxidants directly to your client’s skin. Serve with a delicious chocolate tea. Spa 190 Mineola, NY 516-248-7190 www.spa190.com Milk Chocolate Melt-Away $230 for 105 minutes Envelop your client’s body from head to toe with this dreamy, creamy delight. An all over body exfoliation of mouthwatering chocolate granules begins the service, followed by a cocooning of melted chocolate. Finally, your client will then sink into a warm bath of milk mousse followed by a soothing massage. Burgundy Moon Spa & Winehouse Cornelius, NC 704-896-1614 www.burgundymoon.comWant to read more? Subscribe to one of our monthly plans to continue reading this article.