Beat the Winter Blues at Citron Spa in Providence
Need a break from your weekly routine ? Slow down time with a facial or body Zen session done by the estheticians over at the Wayland Avenue spa .
PHOTOGRAPH TOP RIGHT : SARA ZARRELLA PHOTOGRAPHY , BOTTOM LEFT : GETTY IMAGES , SARA ZARRELLA PHOTOGRAPHY ( LAST TWO PHOTOS )
In the sun-filled relaxation room , as you wait for your muchneeded spa session after the holiday season , you can sit back , sip on refreshing fruit-infused water and take a bite out of the homemade superfood energy bars , made with care by Citron Spa founder Christina Allen ’ s mom .
Since 2013 , Citron Spa on Wayland Avenue in Providence has been using a holistic approach to esthetics while educating clients about health , wellness and the connection between looking good and feeling good . Christina Allen is a Barrington native whose path to becoming an esthetician led her to attending a number of schools , including the Rob Roy Academy , the Aveda Institute and the Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics .
Allen also attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition for her health coach certificate , then Harvard Divinity School for her certificate in Buddhism and in mindfulness-based stress reduction . She recently returned to school for her business degree at Southern New Hampshire University .
“ I ’ ve found that taking a holistic approach in terms of lifestyle , diet , stress management and having skin care rituals really helped me with my own stress management and wellness ,” says Allen , who aspires to share her life-changing methods with the community around her so they , too , can be the healthiest they can be .
One of Citron ’ s most popular services is unmistakably the facials , specifically the seasonal facials which include herbs that are beneficial to the senses and skin according to the season .
Selected ingredients , sourced from locations like the Farmers Daughter in South Kingstown and Farmacy Herbs in Providence , are combined with the clinical Glo Skin Beauty products . The guest ’ s infrared sauna session ( included with any facial or body remedy session ) is followed by an hour or so of bliss .
“ In our facials , we do lots of massage – face , neck and scalp – and use lots of aromatic steam towels , so stress relief and relaxation are a very big component of our facials ,” says Allen . The winter facial features fresh herbs such as calendula , chamomile and peppermint , tasked with hydrating the skin since it ’ s more sensitive to the harsh elements .
The body Zen sessions , on the other hand , aim to stimulate the lymphatic system with relaxation massage . In other words , get ready for hot stones , more aromatic steam towels and dry brushing , used to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the nervous system .
As the only location with a private infrared sauna , Citron Spa ’ s sauna contains bountiful benefits , and the winter is a perfect time to enter the infrared sauna for both skin care and wellness . Advantages including serotonin production , boosted mood and helping the body process vitamin D better are achieved without the use of sunscreen .
“ The infrared rays of the sun are identical to the rays that the sauna emits without the harmful UV rays that come with the sun ,” Allen says . “ It also cures muscle pain and stiffness that can come up during the colder months . It detoxifies the body of impurities
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80 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l JANUARY 2023