The Laser Lounge Spa in Estero, in partnership with several Cape Coral businesses, has just launched its second annual New U Makeover Contest.

The total in prizes will be more than $8,000.

This essay contest begins today, Saturday, Sept. 1, and will run though October. Two deserving women will win an array of medical and aesthetic services including Restylane fillers, Botox, laser hair removal and sclerotherapy spider vein treatment.

It also will offer sunless tanning, gym memberships, hairstyle, cut and color, massages, facials, fashion makeovers, foot care products, nutrition counseling and photography sessions.

The contest is open to women 18 and older from Lee or Collier counties.

“We are looking forward to rewarding two deserving women who have given much of themselves with a chance to enhance their beauty with the best in medical and aesthetic services,” said Jonathan Sigg PA-C/Laser Lounge Spa Director. He and wife and fellow owner April Sigg live in Cape Coral.

There isn’t your typical makeover.

“We are a medical-based spa which allows you to provide medical services,” said Sigg. “We are providing Botox and laser skin resurfacing and more. That’s what makes us different from a day spa.”

Winners will be chosen after submitting a 150- to 300-word essay describing why they would like this makeover, how it would benefit their lives and describe some acts of kindness they have done for others.

One winner from last year, Cathy Horgan of Fort Myers, was truly deserving, he said. “She took care of family members for so many years that she never really had time to care for herself. We went through all these letters with a fine-toothed comb, and with Cathy, hers stood out because she had for so long given so much to so many, mostly caring for her elderly, sick parents.”

She also cared for a grandson who had a brain tumor and a great grandson who was born at 1.5 pounds.

“Cathy was an inspiration for us,” said Laser Lounge Spa spokesperson Theresa George. “That’s why we added the acts of kindness being part of the essay.”

Horgan was thrilled with the experience, she said.

“You could see her face light up. If you have had to care of a sick person, you know it can take its toll.”

They received numerous entries.

“That’s why we decided to do it again this year,” she said. “We knew there was a need, and some people have been hit by the economy. We wanted to do something to give back to the community, to someone deserving.”

They have a panel of people who read through the entries and look at the pictures.

Sponsors participating in this makeover event include Cape Coral’s Glo Salon, Gold’s Gym of Cape Coral and Fort Myers and Cape’s Zoom Tan. Other sponsors include Red Door Studio, Foot Solutions of Estero, Lora Ulrich of The New You Lifestyle and SHENA Design.

Sponsor Cape Coral Glo Salon is owned by Natasha Williams.

“I’m a single mom so that I think it’s great to give deserving women makeovers. We have a close business relationship with Laser Lounge Spa. At our business, we do spray tanning, and all hair services,” Williams said.

Of what they will provide the winner, she said, it will depend on what the winner may need.

“We’ll take care of the tan and take care of their hair,” she said.

Glo Salon is on Pine Island Road across from KIA.

To submit your essay, email it along with your name, address and phone number to Theresa@thelaserloungespa.com. Each contestant is also required to email a jpeg photo. Winners will be notified the week of Nov. 1. Five runners-up also will be chosen.

For more information email Theresa@thelaserloungespa.com or call 728-1234.