Press

Vancouver Magazine August 2005

Beauty Spot

Another new Spa? So what? Well, here's what forget your notions of a typically foofy, pampering day spa and chack yourself into Spruce Body Lab, where the focus is strictly on skin care (facials, microdermabrasion and Botox administered by an on-staff doctor) and massage therapy (RMTs are trained in La Stone Therapy). Spruce's menu of services is simple: a one hour Dermalogica facial is the only one on offer, as each treatment is tailored to the clients specific skin care needs. "We felt Vancouver was ready for a new concept of spa-going," says co-owner Mark Cooperstone. "It's not so much about treating yourself as it is about implementing an important regime that is ultimately a relaxing experience." We'll buy that. Spruce's sleek, minimalist interior-all cool greens and polished concrete- was designed by Vancouver's Stephen Sutch of Koolhaus Design. 1128 Richards St., (604) 683-3220.

Man Style

Forget the passé notion that only the young, urban male invests in a little face time. Today, men of all ages, shapes and sizes are taking steps to ensure that the physical person on the outside reflects the vital person on the inside.

Yaletown, Spruce Body Lab is another local business that redefines the "spa" experience. Combining esthetics and body care, Spruce Body Lab offers personalized treatments for men and women in a sleek space that subtly plays on a scientific theme (employees wear lab coats: oversized lab beakers are used for d�cor). The brainchild of Mark Cooperstone, Ryan Seitz and Kathryn Hurwitz, Spruce's interior combines clean lines and a sleek design created by renowned Vancouver designer Stephen Sutch, from Koolhaus Design. "We've married the best of therapeutic treatment clinics and indulgent day spas into an experience that will leave our clients rejeuvenated and refreshed. The interior looks and feels like a boutique hotel lounge, creating a relaxing and energizing environment," said Mark Cooperstone, Managing Director of Spruce Body Lab.

And Cooperstone understands the need for making time to rejeuvenate and relax. A former telecommunications industry consultant, he seized the opportunity to work with his partner Ryan, who is a registered massage therapist, to launch Spruce Body Lab. As a result, Spruce Body Lab features comprehensive consultation for skin and massage therapy treatments to determine and treat your specific needs.

The Lab's registered massage therapists offer massage therapy and La Stone Therapy, where smooth dense stones that are alternating in temperatures are used to reach beyond the usual hydrotherapy methods, and take relaxation and tissue rejeuvenation to a new level. Spruce Body Lab's facial treatments are not pre-fabricated, which means that the team of skin care professionals customizes each treatment, to uniquely address each client's skin care goals. Spruce exclusively uses the professional Dermalogica skin care line to treat all skin conditions. The Lab also offer microdermabrasion, Botox and waxing services.

"We want to meet the needs of our clients and offer excellent skin and body care treatments in a truly modern and gender neutral environment," says Cooperstone.

The Lab itself has eight treatment rooms featuring high ceilings, inspirational quotes on the walls, and warm and cozy beds. Spruce has an experienced staff of eight registered massage therapists, four skin care therapists and a medical doctor to assess and treat clients. The dedicated team of professionals will customize each treatment to meet their clients therapeutic and esthetics needs, delivering unsurpassed results.

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