You're ready for a day at the spa. Exfoliation, a facial mask and a bikini wax are all part of the plan.

But this time there's no snooty receptionist, no ill-fitting robe to wriggle into and no monthlong waiting list for an appointment. You're headed to the Do-It-Yourself Spa, and it's right down the hall.

At-home spa treatments are becoming more popular as people who are pressed for time seek pampering in the comfort of their own homes, according to Michael Mondoro of Bliss spas in New York.

"You have to book time at a spa, which is not always good for your schedule," he says. "But you can always get an appointment in your bathtub."

Paul Haacke, a product manager at Nu Skin, believes that people are attracted to spa treatments because they offer emotional and spiritual rest and relaxation.

And often, the best place to relax is in your own house.

"At home, you can do it when you're tired, and it's private," he says.

Some people -- especially men -- may welcome an at-home treatment because they don't feel comfortable at a spa.

"Spas are becoming more popular with men, but I think there is an embarrassment factor for them," says Haacke.

People might also feel that they don't have perfect skin, so they want to try to take care of it at home, he adds.

Moreover, many at-home treatments are less expensive. Spa fees usually include the labor of the aesthetician, so doing it yourself can shave some of the cost.

For example, one bikini wax at Bliss spa costs $30. Bliss sells Lycon's Poetic Waxing Kit, which is enough for approximately five bikini waxes, for $40.

3- From nature