by Julie D. Andrews
It’s a little slice of heaven … for your face. The first image you project to the world, the first message you send, is written on your face. And, coming up every day against the grimy pollution-ridden streets of the metropolis can leave a face looking tired and gray. A deep monthly facial can keep your complexion shiny clean, sending the first impression you intended.
Aphrodite Skin Care, which opened on the Upper East Side about seven months ago, offers an array of facials and skin treatments for every skin type (ranging from $80 to $140). Recently, I went in to see Zina Janashvili, a licensed esthetician, for a hydrodermie facial and extraction. On meeting Zina, whose skin at age 56 glows like that of a twenty-year-old, it is at once apparent that you are in good hands.
When you see the plastic gloves come out and eyeball Zina’s seven training certificates on the wall in front of you as you lie down, your face becomes serious business. First, Zina evaluated my skin closely. Then, she advised me what type of facial would best fit my complexion type. It was pleasantly surprising to see that the facial experience at Aphrodite was as much about clearing out the pores on the face as it was about relaxation. The 90-minute procedure included a face, shoulder, and hand massage as well as penetration and hydration of the pores with nourishing gels, 
extraction of blackheads and white heads, vitamin K and anti-oxidant treatments, and a cool mask. Of course, as with all beauty, there were moments of pain involved with the extraction. After the initial face cleaning, done with traditional cotton swabs wet with cool water and liquefied vitamins, it was time for the pinching to begin. Due to my skin combination, a tad oily sometimes but mostly dry, Zina had to dig deep into the pores to rid them of impurities. But, a pinch here and a press there is worth the temporary discomfort when the outcome is clear skin free from blemishes. If you can stomach the extraction, the rest of the facial is pain-free and calming. Zina uses an electronic tool to rid the face of bacteria, and then slathers a soothing, cool facial mask on to the skin that closes and calms the pores after they are cleaned out and shocked. Zina was trained first as a pharmacist in her native Georgia, a country in Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia. There, she gained the tools and skills that enabled her to develop her own skin cream, which she gives out freely to her clients (she does not sell her facial cream anywhere). She is personable (you can see photos of her clients … and their babies … on the walls), pays attention to detail, and takes professional pride in her work. And, Zina knows how to take care of her clients, never once rushing or hurrying. Before she leaves you to relax a few moments while the mask sets in, Zina wraps your hands in scalding-hot washcloths and bundles you up in a warm, fluffy spa blanket. This must be how content swaddled newborns feel. You’re left for a few moments in darkness, wrapped up in comfort as soothing music plays and candles glow. These moments were so relaxing that it was all I could do to keep from falling asleep. After your mask is removed, there is still another treat in store: The upper back and shoulder massage. You leave the salon with your face beaming freshness and your mind light and at ease. I can’t think of a better way to start a Saturday. In just 90 minutes, I was a new woman, ready to incorporate some sort of do-it-yourself extraction techniques more regularly at home. Note: Zina works by appointment only and uses Guinot products.