11/10/09

Great Facial!

by courtneypearl

This is a wonderful place to unwind and get pampered! Peaceful, elegant place with a high end vibe. I had two facials there and both times were great, my skin looked so much better afterward. I really like their products too and they took the time to educate me about skincare. I've been to other places to get facials but they're usually more expensive and the facials were not as good.

I will come back for sure!

• Pros: beautiful place, professional staff, affordable

11/03/09

Great Experience

by isabelmarquez

I went there to have an ayurvedic facial a week ago and I really liked the experience. My facialist was Heidi, she was very friendly and patient and answered all my questions. My skin looked so much better after my facial! I feel that she was very thorough yet gentle and her face massage was amazing. My facial lasted an hour, and it was the most relaxing experience I had in a long time!

The place is gorgeous and smells so good too. You really feel taken care of as soon as you enter.

I will definitely come back.

• Pros: great location, beautiful place, friendly staff, great treat
• Cons: none

11/30/08

Bad Experience!!

by nycdiva28

I should have known better than to trust only a handful of reviews. I went for a facial in Oct with Janet. It all started off fine until she did my extractions. I had a long discussion with her at the very beginning of my treatment regarding extractions. I told her that in the past I had facials where an instrument was used to do extractions and other facials where the therapist used their fingers. I asked which method they used because although my facials have always turned out fine, I am very weary of someone using their fingers to squeeze my face. She reassured me that aestheticians are well trained in this technique and I should not worry about scaring or infection. Well, let me just say that the extractions hurt like hell. I even teared up once or twice. Anyway, after the facial my face looked pretty beat up but I figured that was the price I had to pay for the best results. The day after my face still looked red and swollen in many areas but I just figured I had to give it a day or so. Well after a week, I had no more swelling but I had a ton of scarring and discoloration. My face literally looked spotted. Never in my life had my complexion looked so bad. Although I was upset I called and very calmly explained what my face looked like to the receptionist. I asked to speak to Pratima but she said that Pratima was not there and neither was Janet. She took my contact info and said that someone would call me in the morning. I NEVER got a call back. Never!!!! I ended up having to go see my dermatologist. She gave me a prescription fade cream which I used for 2 weeks before most of the scarring went away. What upset me the most about this experience is not so much the facial but the fact that I never got a call back. When I called a was not rude. I did not yell. All I wanted was advice on what I should do because for awhile I thought my skin would never go back to normal. They did not even have the decency to call me back. Don't go.

• Pros: smelled nice
• Cons: bad customer service, horrible facial

11/21/08

Thoroughly Wonderful Experience from beginning to end

by jacquelinenyc

GREAT expereince! I decided to go to Pratima Spa after it was highly recommended to me. I had a facial with Yemila and she was incredibly thorough. She did not push products on me although having tried ayuravedic products in the past, I ended up buying the soothing lotion and moisturizer. After ONE DAY of having the facial and using the products, my skin looked AMAZING and I recieved compliments from my sister and co-workers (YES-ONE DAY). The products were not expensive and they are all natural. I have acne prone skin and after going to Pratima and seeing the results, I won't be going anywhere else. I have already booked my next facial (they get booked up quickly) and cannot wait to go back. The spa itself if beautiful, relaxing and has great energy. I was totally renewed when I left. I HIGHLY recommend going to Pratima (and ask for Yemila!).

• Pros: Very thorough, not overly expensive, great ambience-overall wonderful wonderful experience
• Cons: wish they were open on Sundays

07/02/08

GREAT

by anonymouse251

I went for a facial for the first time, and it was amazing. I saw Jamila and she was incredibly thorough. I had some pretty consistent breakouts that lasted through a facial a few months earlier, and she literally extracted every single pore on my face. Afterwards, all the congestion was gone and my skin was clearer than it had been in months. Unlike most spas, she did not push any products or additional treatments on me at all--I ended up asking about the mask and moisturizer afterwards. And, I had booked a deep detox facial but she said afterwards that my skin really didn't need such a harsh treatment so she changed my booking to the ayurvedic facial (which was cheaper). It was such a pleasant surprise especially since I would definitely have not known the difference. I will definitely be back.

• Pros: quality of facial, quality of products, great atmosphere
• Cons: nothing

05/09/08

FAB FAB FAB FABULOUS

by TamTam32

One of the very best facials ever, simplicity and technique, essential oily and delicious. If your looking for a thoroughly purifying holistic facial I recommend Pratima HIGHLY!!! Beautiful spa. Sandalwood clay masques,detoxing at its finest. My facialis was very skillful and relaxing. I will get back to you with her name because I am definetly going back and requesting her. Its so hard to find a super facial lately, but I have found It!! sending mucho buisness its way!!!!!! GO NOW!! :) :) !!!!

• Pros: super affordable BEAUTIFUL talented estheticians
• Cons: NONE

12/13/07

Eczema and Psoriasis sufferers: READ THIS

by shadevi

For ten years, my skin flared up with eczema and psoriasis. I spent $$$K's at every dermatologist in nyc, every product, an apothecary of oils, soaps, lotions, steroid cream ever invented---nothing subdued the frantic itching and endless flaking. When i finally went to see Dr Raichur, and she calmly stated that my ten year chronic illness would be gone in 1 week, I was extremely skeptical that she could handle my case. I reluctantly paid the $300 for my curse. In less than one week, I was flabbergasted, the disease just dissappeared. I am still taking the herbs and am free from ezcema and psoriasis--i know i am completely rid of this wretched condition that stole my life. ..if she can cure what countless board certified doctors could not, someone please give her a medal. She treats with herbs, not creams that create further side effects and thinning of the skin. Reading her book in the waiting room was enlightening to say the least. This is the best money you will ever spend if you have eczema or psoriasis. Don't waste your time with any other products or doctors. Just strictly follow her protocol and heed her nutritional advice. You will not fail. Also remember to ask her for herbs to deal with stress, for any illness, this is the key to breaking the cycle.

• Pros: Worth every penny plus office wait
• Cons: don't try to converse with anyone

04/27/07

all natural products and services that will heal your skin!!!

by ShellM

I began seeing Pratima after my skin started breaking out suddenly two years ago and I couldn't find anything that would stop it. Now not only do I look the way I used to (with clear skin) but I look even better. Pratima's natural products are amazing! They take a little while to get used to after using harsh products like Proactiv etc but you'll never go back once you've tried them. The products smell amazing and they're so gentle to the skin. The facials at the spa include steam, a delicious smelling mask and facial massage (along with extraction etc) and the atmosphere at the spa is so calming. Pratima herself will not only calm you down from your crazy New York life but will help you totally revamp your diet, attitude and lifestyle so you can be healthier all around. A great place.

• Pros: all natural products, great prices, Pratima's 20 year of experience in ayurveda
• Cons: a bit of a wait to see Pratima sometimes book in advance

02/24/06

Most EFFECTIVE Facial!

by andi3h

I love the smell of everything they use, and I love that this is the only place where I can get my pimples cleared out without leaving blotchy marks on me! I go there every 7-9 weeks and they do wonders with my skin! Everyone is knowledgeable and very eager to advise you on better living and how to avoid future skin problems! No one tried to sell me anything unless I ask for it, whcih is good since I hate to be pressured. The detox program is great as well! I tried it once and will probably make it an annual thing for my body. Great natural rejuvenation for my skin that's super affordable!

• Pros: Inexpensive, Knowledgeable staff, Great natural product

10/24/05

The birthplace of the Ayurvedic spa phenomenon is still working miracles.

by Sandra Ramani

The Scene
Founded in the late-1970s by Dr. Pratima Raichur, a bio-chemist who literally wrote the book on Ayurvedic skin care, this spa treats skin from the inside out, recognizing that thoughts, habits, meals and stress levels are all important. The quiet space includes a couple of treatment rooms, small waiting area and Raichur's office for one-on-one consultations. First-timers should arrive a bit early to fill out a questionnaire and have their dosha determined.

The Services
Raichur and crew have seen clients through every skin issue from excema to ulcers by using internal and external herbs, spices and oils. Which is to say that the facials, massages and body, scalp and foot treatments aren't just relaxing, they also yield results. The rice/milk/saffron scrubs, Abhyanga massage and neem/essential oil face rubs are particularly sublime. Appointments with the friendly, calming Raichur can be hard to come by, but are well worth the wait.