Believe it or not there are tanning shops in Spain. The general idea here however, is to buy a 'bono', which allows you to pre-pay for a certain number of sessions as opposed to paying for a single session each time you go. As in most sun bed centres, these are all hygiene conscious and seem very clean.

The National Institute of Social Security or branded as 'Seguredad Social' (used known to everyone as the INSS) is the state body that administers Social Security Health Care and state retirement and disability Pensions. They have a network of offices throughout Spain.

Every year in Spain around 8,000 people see their lives improved thanks to a very efficient and effective organ donor programme. There is a national organ transplant coordination centre, but alot of work is required at the regional level too – and this is handled through the Andalucian regional health service.

Andalucia has one of the highest levels of organ donor participation in Spain and possibly Europe. This is measured by the percentage of the population that agrees to donate organs and tissues of recently passed loved ones.

An optician is a professional who works with a prescription provided by an optometrist or an ophthamologist (who is a medical doctor) in order to provide you with the perfect glasses or contact lenses for your look and your lifestyle.

In Andalucia the acronym SAS is more likely to conjure up images of healthcare than air travel. It stands for Servicio Andaluz de Salud, or Andalucian Health Service and is run by the regional government.

It is true that babies are born every day, around the world. It is not true, however, that they are born in the same way or under the same conditions. In fact, both material standards of living and cultural factors affect even the medical procedures involved in birthing.

Physiotherapy is the application of therapeutic massage and manipulation, which treats an array of musculo-skeletal injuries and conditions. Physiotherapists are fully trained and qualified professionals.

Pharmacias Farmacias (chemists in UK English, drugstores in American English) can be identified by a neon green cross and will provide medicines, including some without a doctor's prescription.

Many people still consider having a personal trainer as a luxury beyond their means. This could not be further from the truth. Whether you are a regular exerciser looking for fresh inspiration or a couch potato who doesn’t know where to begin, the one-to-one guidance of a personal trainer through a tailor made fitness programme could turns out to be priceless.

Following is a sampling of the type of courses you can find being offered at different locations throughout the Costa del Sol and by various providers, at any given time. Do take the time to check the credentials of instructors, practitioners and therapists before committing yourself to a course of study.

The beneficial effects of spa bathing have been known for many years and those who have had the pleasure of using the spa have discovered a rejuvenating and revitalising experience. Most people have experienced the blissfully relaxing effects of a modern spa bath at their local swimming pool, leisure club or while staying at a quality hotel.

The quality of health care and hospital facilities in Andalucia (and throughout Spain) is generally of a high standard. Progress is always being made and in January 2005, it was announced that there was a 35% improvement in hospital service in Andalucia. There are excellent doctors, and highly trained Spanish medical staff.

Advances in medicine, longer life expectancy, overburdened state health services and the rapidly rising cost of healthcare, mean that more and more people are turning to private health insurance. Indeed if you are applying for residency in Spain and do not come from a EU country, then you will need to have private health insurance.

The quality of health care and health care facilities in Andalucía (and throughout Spain) is generally very good and at their best are the equal of any country in Europe. There are excellent doctors, and Spanish medical staff are highly trained. Major hospitals are equipped with the latest high-tech equipment.

There is no excuse for having a 'bad hair day' in Andalucia! Years ago, Andalucia and particularly the Costa del Sol, were primarily quaint Spanish resorts and not where you would expect much sophistication. Hairdressing and Beauty Salons have increased not only in quantity, but also in quality.

You should be able to obtain help in English by ringing 112. Be prepared to give the patient's age, a description of the emergency and your exact location.

Doctors in Spain are regulated by the “Colegio de Médicos” (Medical College – an official body). Doctors throughout Andalucia, whether they are Spanish or foreign, should be able to prove that they are “colegiados”, or members of the Medical College. This is an all important criteria for ensuring that a doctor has proper qualifications, and especially to ensure that doctors from other countries are approved and regulated in this country.

Dental clinics offer a wide range of services throughout Andalucia, with the public health system in Andalucia only covering emergency extractions and basic dental care for children.