This Guy Can Get Under Your Skin

 

By Megan Bagdonas

Redondo Beach: Spa Owner offers microdermabrasion as an alternative to costly facial surgery. Tony Cutrona, owner and operator of Spa Riviera, spends his days trying to give people a certain glow. Among the hundreds of day spas in Southern California competing to pamper the public, Cutrona's Redondo Beach day spa caters to a niche clientele -- those wanting microdermabrasion.

 

Using a device that resembles a small sandblaster, Cutrona sprays tiny crystals across the face, neck and chest area, mixing gentle abrasion with suction to remove the dead, outer layer of skin. This technique of skin care may help to reduce fine wrinkles, scarring, sun damage and enlarged pores. At $135 a session and a series of sessions is usually recommended for maximum results, Cutrona says microdermabrasion is a cheaper way to get younger looking skin without going under the knife.

 

So can you really take years off people's look?
In most cases you can give them a healthier look.

What's the best part of your job?
Seeing the results. Some gals use cover-up makeup and when they realize they can now not have to go to work or their daily activities with a heavy cover-up on -- that's a wonderful feeling. They look healthier, so that's rewarding for me.

How about the worst part?
Clients who don't show up for whatever reason. That's kind of disappointing, I just have to sit around ... It's also a shame, some of the younger kids who come in with severe acne and you see how it's really brought their self-esteem down, and that's depressing. The only upside is that we can usually get it back to normal so they can have happy, healthy lives and great-looking skin.

What have you learned about people through your work?
Most everyone has their little skin issues and no longer are only the Hollywood stars or multimillionaires coming in for treatments. Secretaries and the gals working at the bank have found out that they can remedy issues and get treatments they thought were only available for the higher elite.

So more people are taking care of their skin?
They're taking care of their skin a heck of a lot more than they used to. Back in my generation it was baby oil and iodine, slather it on and lay out in the sun and roast.

Do you have any universal beauty tips?
Use sunscreen every day and drink plenty of water.

Are you more judgmental of other people's complexions?
My mother tells me to keep my mouth closed. I can't go up to everybody and say, "You know, we can help you." But that's like in any business, you'll notice things that go wrong or right and you see how they can be changed or improved.

What would you be doing if you weren't a spa owner?
Selling real estate.