Anitra Brown, Guide to Spas for About.com, is a journalist specializing in spas who decided to experience the other side of the treatment table. In addition to her writing, she is a licensed esthetician in the states of New York and Arizona and has worked at several luxury resort spas, including Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms in Phoenix.

In addition to her work as Guide to Spas for About.com, Anitra Brown has written for Spa Magazine, Gourmet, Robb Report, American Spa, New York, Hudson Valley, Westchester and other magazines. She contributed to The New York Times bestseller "1000 Places To See in the USA and Canada Before You Die"(Workman Spring 2007)and is assisting with the update of "1000 Places To See Before You Die" due out in 2010/11 . She has also written for TV shows that appeared on the Fine Living and Food Networks, including "The Genuine Article."

Anitra Brown holds a B.A. in English and completed 600 hours of study at Atelier Esthetique in New York City to earn her New York state esthetician license. She is certified for Reiki Level 1 and has done post-graduate training at The Dermal Institute in New York City.

"I started getting facials as soon as I got my first journalism job in New York City and have loved spas and spa treatments ever since. I wrote about food and wine for many years, including reviewing restaurants, but the rich food started getting to me.

"When I got my first spa assignment I realized that I was profoundly drawn to the spa culture of wellness and began to specialize in that. To answer a lot of technical questions that came up, I went back to school to become an esthetician -- the people who give you facials -- and now work in a resort spa. I love that it's a hands-on, helping profession, but it also helps me write about what you should look for -- and look out for -- in a spa."