Pratima Skincare

i have been going to pratima for many many years… since their home was all the way on the uws. a series of detox facials with helena saved my skin and the products not only smell amazing, but work so well with no harsh chemicals or irritants. i can’t speak highly enough…

Came here for the second time for Abhyanga massage; this time with Sarah. Even more sublime if that is even possible.

Mina is amazing! have been getting facials from her for the past two years. The products are great and the staff is friendly and helpful. Worth the indulgence.

I just had an incredible facial with Mina! Every time I have a facial with her I feel like I am transformed. I can’t recommend her enough!

LOVE LOVE LOVE getting my detox facial here. Helena is my go-​to esthetician, hands down the best! She’s gentle but thorough and gets all the tiny white heads and black heads AND I never break out after my treatment like most facial spas. Helena will take good care of you. If you’re thinking about going for a facial because you have trouble skin, GO, you’ll be so happy you did.

Love going to Pratima, it is seriously like an oasis in NYC. Helena is awesome, she took me in last min before a big trip when I was having some skin issues.
Amazing location and vibes in the building. Wish I was there right now!
Def go!

Helena is a godsend! The absolute best esthetician I have ever encountered. I’ve struggled with mild to moderate acne for years. However, it wasn’t until a year ago when I started experimenting with a raw vegan lifestyle as well as various cleanses that my skin started freaking out! For the first time in my life I had chronic severe acne. It was extremely painful. Every day I would wake up with new cystic blemishes all along my cheek bones and jawline. My self-​confidence plummeted– I basically isolated myself from the world. I couldn’t even look in the mirror without crying. It honestly destroyed me.
My first appointment at Pratima Spa was with Mina — however, I came back a few days after to purchase some products and Helena saw me asking the girls at the front desk a bunch of questions. She looked at my skin and automatically said «Come see me tomorrow, I will take care of you.» Long story short I haven’t stopped going to Helena since — It’s been 4 months now! the first month and a half I saw Helena every week and I’m telling you it was well worth it. At this time, I was getting the Lumi Light treatment done once a week and added a facial every two weeks. Within the first few appointment my skin completely transformed! I never thought I’d see smooth clear skin again, but Helena made it happen! It’s a great feeling waking up in the morning with clear skin. Don’t get me wrong– I do still breakout of from time to time, but now there are less blemishes and they are so much smaller and less painful.
I’m still 99% vegan, but no longer raw. I do have bone broth from time to time as it is extremely healing. Going raw vegan from a paleo diet definitely shocked my body tremendously. The raw foods were really irritating my stomach due to my low stomach acid and leaky gut. I’ve been applying ayurvedic medicine along with naturopathic remedies to help heal from the inside out. I take probiotics regularly as well as other herbs. I believe healing from within as well as Helena’s amazing facials can be life changing! It’s definitely changed my life, that’s for sure! :)

I have been going to the spa for over 20 years and seeing Pratima as well, and can not say enough good things about the services and her. My favorite service is the scalp massage, which is pure bliss.

I treated myself to a facial for Valentine’s Day and am so happy I did. From the moment you first call and speak to staff, the tone is welcoming and professional. The feel and look of the spa is warm, dimly lit and serene.
Louisa did my facial. She was warm, kind and soothing in her demeanor, taking the time to explain what products she was using and why. She had warm blankets on the massage table that felt lovely. My facial included scalp, neck and arm massage. The oils used were fragrant and calming. I didn’t want the facial to end! I was overcome by a sense of gratitude and wellness at the end. My skin felt AMAZING!
She recommended products to use based on my dosha (constitution). I purchased the cleanser and essential oils prescribed. I will be back next month for a consultation with Pratima. I can’t wait!!!

MINA is exceptional! You will never regret booking any service with Mina, she goes above and beyond! She is an extremely caring and truly cares about each one of her clients. Going for a facial at Pratima is best monthly treat to myself and worth every penny! You leave glowing from the inside and out! Lastly, the products are amazing!!!

MINA is the Best! My skin glows after a facial with her! It is noticeable different. She also has great hands, & gives an incredible neck and shoulder massage. I highly recommend her facial. She is clearly a pro. I’m so glad I found her.

Given the fast-​paced non-​stop NYC life, I feel fortunate to have discovered Pratima Ayurvedic Spa; this is my go-​to destination for a moment of peace, thanks to MINA’s ayurvedic facial. Mina has a gentle, healing touch, which leaves my skin feeling refreshed and my spirit calm. For one hour, Mina helps me be totally present and relaxed in the moment. I do believe my monthly visits to Mina and Pratima’s skincare products (side note, highly recommend reading Pratima’s book «Absolute Beauty» for the full scoop!) have positively impacted my skin – it is softer, there are fewer blemishes, it has a nice balanced glow. Aside from the improved skin, I most grateful for this gem of a spa, which is so much more than a spa, because of the positive impact it has had on my life. Each visit to Mina and Pratima, I am reminded of how I want to live in the moment and focus on the beauty within.

Mina gives the BEST facials! I am totally addicted and cannot wait for my next one. They are really special; she always goes above and beyond to make the experience special and relaxing. Thank you, Mina!

I love this place, and have been going there consistently for facials mainly. I highly recommend Mina for facials, she’s simply the best! It’s always a very soothing and peaceful experience because she is one of those estheticians who truly cares for her clients. The first time she gave me a facial, she took her time to ask me the details of my current skincare regimen, and pointed out what was missing or not good for me. She understood my main skin concerns and ever since I’ve been getting a facial from her, my skin has been getting better and better. I feel the difference and I’m so happy with the results. She’s a perfectionist and keeps me on track for taking care of my skin even in between facials.

Again, I’m a long term client of Pratima’s. I have been going here over 10 years and I love it every time. I’ve been seeing Mina for my facials and I would like to give her 5-​stars. She is great at her job and is simply a nice and caring woman. I highly recommend that you see her.

I just experienced another brilliant facial at Pratima Spa from the amazing Mina. I’ve been going to Mina for the last 3 years and she is hands down the best facialist that I have ever had. The brightness of my skin tells the whole story. The Pratima products that she uses are super as well, but Mina has a wonderful calmness and soothing rhythm to her facials that I look forward to each and every time. Easily a 5-​star rating!

An incredibly peaceful atmosphere and courteous staff. I suffer from skin irritation and sensitivity so treating my acne was painful until I came across this place and their amazing products. I got my facial with Yamile and it was a great experience! She was super professional and knowledgable. I was hesitant of getting a professional facial and extraction due to my skin sensitivity but she was super gentle and pleasant. She also suggested different methods to treat my acne and sensitive skin, and answered all of my questions. I was extremely satisfied with my experience and results, definitely a noticeable change on my skin! I would highly recommend her.

Love love loved Yamile! Right from the beginning she was very professional and kind. She met me in the waiting area and introduced herself to me, asked me questions in regards to my acne and any sensitivity I may have. She explained the different methods she would use and answered any questions I had. I definitely recommend her!

I couldn’t have found a better place for a firts time facial experience. YAMILE, my esthetician, was extremely knowledgeable, and experienced. She gave me great advice on how to keep my skin clear. Although I have a high pain threshold for extractions, reason why I kept avoiding to have it profesionaly done, I was pleasantly surprised by how gentle but thorough she was given my sensitive skin. She was definitely a perfect choice for my first facial, thanks to her my skin now is glowing and looks amazing. I highly recommend YAMILE, and will be going back to see her on a regular basis as well as sending my friends and family to her. I am extremely satisfied with the results.

I have gone to several spas to get facials to help clear up my acne problem but with no avail. I have never suffered from acne as a teen but do now as an adult. I found this gem as a referral. I booked an appointment with Yamile and have to say I love her! Her tender hands and her extensive knowledge. Everything from skincare to food. My face has been clearing up and feels less oily. And even my stomache feels less bloated and gassy. She recommended the right products which I love (neem oil and cream). I highly recommend her and can’t wait until my next facial!

I have no idea why my experience differed so greatly from most other reviewers, but I’m really disappointed so I want to weigh in:
I arrived at my 90 minute facial a little late (10 – 15 minutes?) and my facialist kept talking about it constantly. It was almost the first thing she said to me («because you’re late, we won’t be able to do the full facial») and then she kept mentioning it throughout the service and even afterward. Ok, I understand how your scheduling works – why do you keep bringing it up?
I’d explained on the phone that my skin is mostly dry, but I mainly go to facials to help clean out my blackheads, so they’d recommended this longer, «detoxifying» facial – which she told me I didn’t need after she looked my skin over. («Because you were late, you won’t get the full 90 minutes, but that’s ok because you don’t need this type of facial anyway.») What? Is there nothing useful you could have done to fill the time if the receptionist recommends someone for the wrong type of facial? If I didn’t «need» the full 90 minutes, why do you keep bringing up that I was late?
All that interpersonal/​communication stuff is just irritating, though, not really a huge deal. But coupled with these substantial complaints, there’s a serious problem:
–no explanation of what the facial entailed, what she would be doing, what she was doing.
–low bar standard features: a ton of steam blasted in my face, a scrub, some extractions, some products afterward. I think they’re banking on their products being so amazing that it’s worth going to them? No frills isn’t bad, but you better do it right if you have nothing else to offer.
–awful extractions! I booked my facial on a Tuesday in anticipation of a wedding on Saturday. I know that sometimes (often times) a facial leaves behind irritated pores that weren’t successfully unclogged and so there’s some breaking out, but I thought it would all clear up in five days. I was wrong! I had at least three blemishes for the wedding and my skin is usually very calm and, while I have blackheads, I almost never get true pimples. (Hence the facialist remaking that I didn’t even need the detoxifying facial in the first place.)
It was an expensive disaster. I thought about trying them again given most of their reviews are so effusive, but it’s just too risky. Maybe they know how to take care of some people’s skin, but clearly not mine. I will not be back.

SUMMARY: healing your gut + Helena = acne relief.
I have had acne for the past ten years, and I’m finally starting to see results! A coworker told me my skin is «glowing», GLOWING! I credit all of my external progress to Helena: she is my aesthetician and she is AMAZING. Seriously beyond comparison, she gives the best facials.
I purchased a package for 5 detoxifying facials with 5 lumi light treatments: you start off with a steam treatment to open up your pores, and at the same time, you get an arm and hand massage. Then the detoxifying facial is intense, but Helena really gets those nastly blackheads out, and even clears up my cystic pimples (God bless her). She works so hard and is extremely thorough (she extracts pores I didn’t even notice, and who knows your face better than you!). The lumi light is helping reduce the redness I have post pimples. It’s a bit claustrophobic at first, but I can usually fall asleep and forget about it. You end with a mask and your essential oils (and sometimes a head massage) and I’m always shocked by how much clearer my skin looks.
The products Helena recommended work slowly, but steadily. Every morning I rinse my face and dry it with a papertowl. I put on the pink sandalwood soothing lotion, then green Neem purifying cream moisturizer. And in the evening I scrumb my face with the Pitta cleanser (ask Helena to show you how to make the perfect combination), then follow with the pink sandalwood soothing lotion and green Neem purifying cream moisturizer. Lastly, I spot the black lavender clay mask on my pimples (I’ve been needing less and less!). When I remember, I make a mask out of the Pitta cleanser (just leave it on for 10 minutes) or layer the lavender mask over my entire face for 10 minutes. With these products, consistency is key.
Now onto my diet and «consultation» with Pratima. I am a total believer that your skin is the roadmap to your internal health, and what you eat shows up on your face… Looks like everyone got the same dietary restricitions from Pratima, so the following is my experience and then what’s actually helped me: I was vegan for about 6 months, and I seriously saw no results. I wanted it to work so badly, because I love cheese and giving it up was hard, but it did nothing. So I started to read about the GAPS diet and cut out gluten from my meals, and reintroduced meat and eggs (I’m still dairy free, but I want to start making my own milks, cheeses, cream) this book is amazing:
… I can honestly say my cysts have decreased tremendously (and I saw results within two months). I also suggest a good probiotic (I take Garden of Life’s Once Daily Women’s) and activated charcoal.
Patience is key when it comes to healing your skin and body; I hope my review will help someone who has been struggling with acne for far too long.

The service is great as well as the products and Pratima’s book. But the customer care is way below average. I won’t be back again.

Pratima is the Holy Grail of skin care. I won’t be able to articulate everything I love about Pratima (the healer and the spa) in a review. I suggest experiencing it for yourself. There is a 3 month wait to meet with her in person but it’s worth it. In the mean time — read her book! Her products are heavenly and my skin has never been better. I met with her and had a hard time with the diet she gave me at first. I’d be 100% for about a month and then I would fall off. It’s hard in the world we live in to eat the way our bodies want us to. But I’ve learned so much and I am doing my best and being gentle with myself. Yamile is fantastic if you’re going in for a facial. Actually, every single person I’ve encountered at the spa has been wonderful. I hope to use Pratima’s products and services for the rest of my life.

Because I live far, I scheduled a phone conference with Pratima. I read her book and was super excited to talk to her about my skin problems. I was very disappointed. She sounded like I was really bothering her and told me the same thing as in below reviews: avoid dairy, meet, certain nuts, fried food, etc — and of course this is something we already know. The phone consultation lasted only 20 min (and she put me on hold at one point) and all I got was notes what to avoid and what to buy from her online shop (goes into hundred of dollars). This is advertising and she should not be charging money for those consultations. I truly suspect that she prescribes the same herbs for everybody. She also told me that somebody from her office will follow up. Nobody followed up until I wrote an email and all they send me was the notes with products and corresponding prices.
While I love some of their products, definitely, do not recommend to see Pratima, at least not for phone consult.

This is not a review for the spa, rather for Dr. Pratima Raichur herself and the clinical services she offers. I have gotten a few treatments at the spa and I think they are great (except I very much question their use of oil, even on acne-​prone skin.)
I first saw Pratima almost one year ago, hoping she could do something for my forehead acne that had been unsuccessfully treated by dermatologists. I always prefer going the natural route to anything with harsh chemicals. When I finally got to see Pratima (there was a 3 month wait) she told me my forehead acne was caused by a digestive issue and that she could treat it. She gave me herbs (to take 3 times a day) and skincare products and told me I had to stop eating dairy, fish, meat, eggs, fried food, tomatoes, avocados, and certain nuts. This left me on an extremely restricted diet (and I am a college student) – but as I was desperate, I followed her plan to a T.
3 months later, my skin was worse than when I first started seeing her. While the acne on my forehead had gone down a bit, I now had horrible acne on my cheeks and back, which I had never had before. I went back to Pratima, and she told me that now it was a hormonal issue and that she could treat it. 6 months (and thousands of dollars spent at Pratima) later, I have scars all over my face from the acne, and it has not gotten better. In fact, it’s worse than it has ever been. I have decided to stop seeing her and to go to a dermatologist. I felt compelled to write this review because after the monthly facials she insisted I have, the skincare products, 9 months worth of herbs, and the cost of her consultations, I have spent thousands of dollars, and I am nowhere. I hope this review is helpful to someone.

Mina is a gift. She is a skin care maven, and improves my complexion every single time I see her.
I would give her ten stars if I could.