When his friends went off to college after high school, Brooklyn-born Michael Caputo remained in his hometown to study theater, dance and voice in pursuit of an acting career. Except for a six-month trip to California to "test the waters," he spent years in New York City learning just about every facet of the trade. With this experience, he eventually landed an entertainment-related position working as the promotion manager for celebrities Joan Rivers and Geraldo Rivera. His commitment to physical fitness, however, is what led him to his career in the skin care industry.

"I'm 42 and since I was 19 I have worked out at the gym four to five times a week. I'm faithful to that schedule and it is second nature to me," Caputo explains.

Several years ago, Caputo sought the services of a massage therapist and found the concept of massage therapy very interesting. "In addition to working at the gym, the massage therapist was an instructor at the Swedish Institute in Manhattan. After expressing an interest in finding out more about massage therapy, he invited me to attend one of his classes. I was hooked, and in 1990 enrolled in an intensive one-year training program at the institute," Caputo explains.

After receiving his massage therapy license, he worked at the gym and at a health and racquetball club for a short time before interviewing at The Peninsula Spa in Manhattan, just a short walk from his home. "I felt very confident going into the Spa that I could do the job-and have been working there full-time since 1992," Caputo says.

After working for several years as a massage therapist, Caputo realized that he didn't want to burn out. He wanted to continue to do body work, but thought that if he could mix his massage services with esthetic services, he'd remain in the profession much longer.

In 1998 he enrolled at New York City's Atelier Esthetique for a four-month session to attain an esthetic license. He'll never forget his first day of class with owner Annette Hansen. "There I was-19 women and me!" Caputo says.

With esthetic license in hand, Caputo added facials and body treatments to his list of services that already included Swedish massage, a combination Swedish massage and shiatsu treatment, and reflexology. He laughs as he describes himself as "an all-around spa guy.

"He works with an established clientele of mostly women and some men. "I see more men for massage and more women for esthetic treatments," Caputo explains. "But the number of men coming in for esthetic services is increasing-slowly, but it is increasing."

Caputo believes that men need skin care treatments just as much as women. They need to be better educated, however, in their benefits.

The Peninsula Spa, where PETER THOMAS ROTH Clinical Skin Care, Jurlique and Babor products are used in treatments and sold as retail, offers a Gentleman's Facial that includes extractions, a heated hand treatment, and a relaxing face and neck massage. Men also visit the spa for back treatments; mud and seaweed wraps; and to enjoy the spa's Wall Street Package, which includes a facial, massage and pedicure.

In addition to facials, Caputo offers his clients seaweed and mud wraps; exfoliating, detoxifying and aromatherapy body treatments; body bronzing; and waxing. His weekly schedule includes three days of massage therapy and two days of facials and bodywork. But he's flexible and, if he has time, will do a facial on a day when he has massage clients scheduled.

Caputo provides some insight into why there aren't more male estheticians in their industry. "In many states the esthetic license just recently became separate from the cosmetology license," he says. "That can make a difference. In the past, in order to obtain an esthetic license," you had to take hair design classes. I wasn't interested in becoming a hair designer. I wanted to be an esthetician. Maybe this will make a difference in the industry.

"Anyone pursuing this type of career has to have a sense of their own style and be willing to learn the trade," Caputo continues. "You have to be good with people and enjoy working with them. If not, you won't do well in this business. You have to be a strong person, too-and not just physically-to be able to do the massage day in and day out, but mentally to be able to deal with people and the stress and baggage they bring into the treatment room."

Caputo takes his own advice. For the past two years, he's been named by Allure magazine as the best in his field.

"I'm very happy at the spa. The massage therapy and esthetic work I do gives me great satisfaction. It makes me feel good to know that I'm making people feel good about themselves," he concludes.

By Lois Hince

August 1999@Skin Inc.

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