“Like a perfectly placed Easter egg in a bed of violets, nestled in the heart of Old Town is our enchanting little spa called Izalia” – Annette Antonelli

Annette and her staff have been our neighbors, literally right next door, for 2 years and we just finally got our acts together in the last couple of months. I don’t want to say that the OTC hasn’t been a good neighbor - Annette has joined us on our patio several times - but we really didn’t pay much attention to what was happening next door!

Izalia (pronounced “izawlia”) markets themselves as a “Laser Hair Removal & Rejuvination Spa”, but it really is much more than that. Located in a 250+ year old red brick building on Patrick Street that looks like the rest of the old buildings of it’s era on the outside but on the inside it has been transformed into one of the area’s most welcoming spaces. Annette was very hands on with the remodel and tells me that she made every attempt to make it a totally “green” project. That’s a big undertaking when trying to preserve the historical value of a plaqued building in Old Town. They have also just expanded to the second floor of the building to make room for additional massage areas complete with a full shower. One truly has to see the face lift that she has given to the space to appreciate it.

In addition to the laser hair removal and spa services - including Sublative Rejuvination and massage - they carry Madsen Design jewelry created by local Del Ray artist Carrie Madsen, top of the line cosmetics and aesthetics and body and bath products including only the finest from the likes of Kanreka, Age Loc, Fiorentino and Repechage. This makes the welcoming area of Izalia a fun retail destination as well as a beautiful place to wait your turn.

The crux of the services at Izalia are very personal (having hair removed, etc.) and Annette and her staff have gone to great lengths to make sure that each client is treated like an “only” client. In fact, anyone that remotely knows me knows that I’m not a “spa kinda gal” but I have to confess I have succumbed to the ways of Izalia. For those readers, male and female alike, that have shied away from anything “spa-ish” you may want to take a chance like I did.

Here are a few factoids: I am in my mid 50’s, freckled and like the sun. I have a few acne scars and some spider veins and of course, wrinkles here and there! My cosmetic regime includes cover-up, eye shadow and/or liner and mascara. Neutrogena and Olay have been my skin care companions for years. That’s it.

During one of our sessions on the aforementioned patio, the discussion turned toward “sublative rejuvination”. (For all of the details about the process you need to call Gregory Dean, Izalia’s Master Aesthetician). In a nutshell, the process boasts “a safe and effective solution in reversing multiple signs of ageing for all skin types”. Being somewhat skeptical, I have to admit that I waited until our good friend Laura (early 40’s with fair skin) made the leap and underwent treatment before I committed to the process. To say the least both she and I are very happy with the results so far. It isn’t a one-time fix. There is a minimum of 3 treatments every 4-6 weeks in order to achieve optimum results. Laura has undergone two and I have just had the one, however we both have had very noticeable improvements. I can’t wait to see my “after” photo when I’m done with the 3rd go round! I am also going to presume that the treatment is only as good at the aesthetician. This means that Gregory must be really good!

My intent isn’t to make this piece sound like an advertorial for the Sublative Rejuvination but I am so impressed with my experience at Izalia that I think our readers should know about it. This said, I may even succumb to a massage and consider a little laser hair removal!!

Izalia is located at 114 South Patrick Street in Old Town Alexandria. For more information check out their ad in the First Blush section.

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