Eva Kielcz, owner of the day spa, had my hands, fingers and nails looking like a baby's with a redolent fragrance of lavender in approximately 30 minutes.

"It is what I do and it is what customers have learned to expect," Eva said.

It may be just me, but when I think of receiving a manicure -- or pedicure, or facial exfoliation, or a paraffin -- I automatically assume these are tasks received by females. But, after receiving a manicure myself I am sold on the idea that men should get into the habit of having their phalanges and toes cleaned regularly.

If for nothing else than to experience how wonderful you feel afterwards.

Eva had me soak my hands in a bowl of tepid soapy water. She then massaged medicated oils into my fingers and atop my nails before clipping my nails and grooming my cuticles.

Then came more oils, moisturizers and massages to my hands.

“I could fall asleep right here,” I said, feeling as though my hands have never been treated so well. They surely have never felt so comfortable and pampered.

“I have many customers who come in here for a manicure or pedicure after a long, hard day, and they just rest their head back and fall asleep,” Eva said, kneading my hands and fingers with hers.

The human hand is fraught with pressure points. When pressed and rubbed and manipulated just right, the sensation reminds you of relaxing in a hot tub with a hundred jetstreams passively running the course of your body.

After implementing the use of several nail and skin utinsels to remove all the specks of grime from my hands (and even more applications of aromatic lotions), Eva unveils an item that looks to me like a crock pot.

It isn’t a crock pot, of course, but it is keeping hot a dense liquid: the paraffin.

“This may feel a little hot, but it will be okay,” Eva says. “I will guide you hands in and out.”

What transpires is like having your hands dipped in magic nectar.

Three times my hands are dipped in the paraffin; after the third dipping, it feels like my hands have been fitted with gloves made from a thick coat of perfumed candle wax.

My only instructions were to not move or wiggle my fingers for four minutes.

In retrospect, that was the hardest part of the entire experience – not wanting to wiggle my fingers. The paraffin needed to completely dry without breaking; it was also collecting dead skin and other unpleasantries from my hands.

After four minutes, Eva slowly peeled away the paraffin, leaving only the smell of lavender and the unmistakable realization that my hands had never felt, or been, so clean in my life.

Although Eva does receive a patronage from a host of male customers, the day spa is largely visited mainly by females.

But it is my contention that every male should make an appointment to receive a manicure ... at least once. You never know, it could lead to a lifelong habit of having your hands treated like royalty.

For more information regarding the day spa or to inquire about setting appointments, visit Eva’s Esthetica at 6824 Wooster Pike or call 527-4770.