They really should call it a Spaaaahhhhh, because a long contented sigh is the only way to describe how I felt after my treatment at Demalogica on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. Having never been to Dermalogica, I didn’t know what to expect of my Thermal Back Treatment, but the whole experience was thoroughly satisfying, not to mention sigh-inducing.

The Thermal Back Treatment is a new offering at Demologica that features cleansing, extractions, a body masque and their Thermal Stamp. What is this "Thermal Stamp"? I wondered, as I entered the white minimalist store front and reception area of their flagship location in Santa Monica. My therapist, Tawny, was there to greet me with a smile. She sat me down on a rubbery swivel stool at the "Skin Bar" where I enjoyed a cup of hot herbal tea while filling out a detailed consultation card, answering questions about my skin, my treatment history and what kind of massage pressure I prefer.

All of Dermalogica’s skin therapists are trained at The International Dermal Institute which is recognized worldwide as a superior provider of education in skin and body therapy, so I knew I was in good hands. Tawny led me down a short hallway past projected images of Gregory Colbert’s Ashes and Snow photography project and into the "pod" as they call it, a womb-like room with ambient music and a unique lighting system that subtly displays the full color spectrum onto the rear wall. I climbed into the heated massage bed and pulled the heavy sheets over me, feeling cozy and warm already. Tawny came in and asked what kind of music I preferred, offering jazz, classical, funky coffee house tunes or traditional spa music. I settled on the latter.

The treatment began with steaming and cleansing of the back. This is done using their signature thermal touch techniques and felt like a relaxing massage. Next an enzymatic exfoliant was applied, massaged and wiped off with a warm wet towel. Tawny then checked my back for pimples or hyper pigmentation. She performed extractions and applied a post-extraction solution. This was followed by an invigorating massage and finally the mysterious Thermal Stamp. A mixture of sea weed, essential oils and clinical oatmeal that has been kept warm in a small oven is applied to the back with a towel in a stamping like motion. This enjoyable and unique sensation was inspired by the practices of 14th Century Thai therapy and works to detoxify the skin. After that Tawny applied a sea pack masque. While the masque did its work she massaged my calves and feet, applying the Thermal Stamp there as well.

When it was all over I felt like I had been soaking in a hot bath, my muscles were relaxed and my back felt clean and tingly.? I truly felt pampered.? The cold I had been battling all week was forgotten except for a lingering sniffle. Tawny noticed my sinus issue and was kind enough to leave me some tissues.

Reluctantly I rejoined reality. But first, to ease the transition, I sat at the Skin Bar once again, sipping some tea while Tawny went over my skin analysis and put together some free samples for me. The International Dermal Institute researches and develops all Dermalogica products, none of which contain skin-irritants sometimes found in other product lines. I went home with packets of body hydrating cream, multivitamin body block with SPF 20, conditioning body wash, stress relief treatment oil and exfoliating body scrub.

The sixty minute treatment costs seventy five dollars and is well worth it. Since I have some of the products myself now, maybe I can teach my husband how to Thermal Stamp. But I’m sure it won’t be the same as going to the Dermalogica Spaaaahhhhh.