Although there are several medical spas in the area that use Botox and microderm abrasion, Durivage doesn't want them in her spa.

Jessica Durivage, Spa Director at the Myrtle Beach Marriott, has added a number of treatments and programs since the spa opened in December 2003. Among them are treatments based on the L'Athene products, which she and her aestheticians endorse with heartfelt fervor.

"First, they take special care in everything they produce," she says. "Everything is pure, and it reflects in the results, the pricing and the confidence people feel in them. There are no additives for a quick fix; it's a holistic approach, learning what's good for your skin and body.

Although there are several medical spas in the area that use Botox and microderm abrasion, Durivage doesn't want them in her spa. She was particularly pleased when she found that her people could get startling results without using these techniques by using L'Athene.

"There's no machine involved, and you have great control because it's done by hand," she says. Their microderm facial gives really amazing results. They have the same crystals used in abrasion, only ground down much finer, and it works with a series and then once every six weeks; you can also do it at home and follow up there. I have aestheticians with 25 years of experience and they say how great the treatment is. My people are free to sell what they want to sell, and this is what they are selling."

"I was a fool not to have a teen spa this summer."

As a matter of fact, the spa they did six of the brand new treatments on a single Saturday as news of the results spread. Durivage herself tried it and said she was amazed at how soft and even her skin looked and how taut it felt. Clients have praised the effect on dry skin and uneven tone, even on age spots.

After the treatment they use a rich plant-based oil on the skin with a warm towel to help it sink in.

"My market is asking for anti-aging treatments and the clients are also are asking for teen services," Durivage says. "I was a fool not to have a teen spa this summer. They want to come with their mothers for treatments, which we offer in a slightly shorter form with lower pricing, since they don't need as much work as an adult whose skin has undergone more stress." She now offers manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and skincare consultation with makeup lesson for teens.

L'ATHENE

The women who created L'Athene, Nan Brown and Lil Bogdan, are registered nurses. The two used to consult on severe skin problems, including burns, for Johns Hopkins, and then Nan found herself with very sensitive skin and breakouts.

"I was up there talking about skin and definitely not looking like a representation of my knowledge," she says. "We were looking for something that would really help."

They were unable to find a product that would do what they knew was possible. They had found that the skin responds best to purity nutrients, so they consulted with nutritionists, organic chemists and aromatherapists. They spent three years developing the products and another year of consumer sales and tweaking. Today they have a line used by thousands of medical personnel and spas and sold at a few select outlets of Nordstrom's. Their succinct description tells it all: Pharmaceutical grade. Nutrient rich. Chemical-free. Their three-step process involves cleansing, nourishing and protecting the skin.

Testing L'Athene

The plant-based Primesse Essential Facial Cleanser, with French Lavender Oil to soothe and tone the skin, really works. What is unusual is that it doesn't leave the face feeling raw or unprotected - the balance is still there and the action, though perfectly effective, is very gentle. The toning action is included in the cleanser, and it feels that way. The gentleness means you don't need a separate eye make-up remover; there's no stretching or burning as it takes off every scrap of eye makeup. And for all its gentleness, this cleanser goes deep; much more came out of my skin than a simple cleansing normally provides.

The second step, nutrifying with Vitapure Ultra Antioxidant Nutrient Serum, was habit-forming for me. It contains Vitamin A, C and E and Selenium to help diminish fine lines and discolorations and Tea Tree and Grapefruit Oils for stringent action, but that doesn't even begin to describe what it does. After using it morning and night for four days I was ready to go out and get new photographs taken. Whatever they have in there is so pure in form that the skin just gobbles it up. My face looked very different: smooth and plump and softly moist. I found myself using less makeup to conceal problems because many of them had disappeared.

The next step involves rebalancing with Restore Balancing Skin Moisturizer or Ultra Intensive Moisture therapy. Their Ultra Intensive Moisture Therapy does exactly what it says. Rose and Jasmine Oils, Ginko and Red Clover are brought together to care for skin from normal to dry and damaged and my smoothed out face definitely lit up with this treatment. One piece of advice: plan to use smaller quantities of base, etc. over this. A tiny bit goes a long way when your skin is in this condition.

Their Clarifique Purifying Clay Mask is a revelation; after only one use my skin texture was noticeably changed - smoother, tighter. My only problem was limiting myself to the requisite once a week; I'd advise choosing the day each week when you want to look your porcelain best. Blemishes seemed to flee before it and the oily shine in the T-Zone vanished and stayed vanished. The Tea Tree Oil and Clove Oil give it a very pleasing natural scent, and there is a trace of Peppermint Oil that is very refreshing to the skin surface as well as the nose.

The rave review Mineral Derma-Scrub, used at night, provides exceptional exfoliation without irritation and without the feeling that you have basically skinned your defenseless face, which is now in open season for pollution. The chamomile acts as a soother for action strong enough to make a real difference, even with acne.

Prices range from $45 for the cleanser to $120 for the SR-3 packages, containing the essential steps in using the product's skincare system. All products go a very long way; so use a minimal amount each time. The complete line can be purchased on www.lathene.com.

Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort: www.myrtlebeachmarriottresort.com.