2008 Spa Trends … spas meeting and exceeding your needs:

Cost Effective

Spavelous members have indicated that spa deals are important to them, provided the quality, safety, sanitation and results are there. Many spa guests have indicated that they would go to a spa more often if it was not as expensive. Most of the spas today are still planned for and marketed to the well-to-do female, but there will be a movement to make spas more affordable, accessible and gender-friendly so that people will take spa treatments on a regular basis rather than just on a special occasion basis. Several low end cost spa franchise chains and nail salons are trying to capitalize on this trend. However, the spa clients really are looking at the total spa experience. Cost effective also means value oriented. A low cost no frills one size fits all service each month, may not be as effective as a every other month quality customized service in an establishment that provides many complimentary add ons such as: Steam rooms, Jacuzzis, relaxation rooms with aroma therapy, heat therapy, salt therapy, saunas or showers. Changing your clothing in a treatment room takes time away from your actual treatment time. Savvy spa guests are looking for a changing room so they can receive the full benefits of your service time. Service times are also being scrutinized as spa clients compare a cost to value ratio of a full 60 minute service verses a fifty minute treatment. Once again, savvy spa guests; also look at the cleanliness standards of the spa. Are there sinks in every treatment room? Does the therapist, nail tech or aesthetician wash their hands prior to and post your service. • Higher end spas will be incorporating more value added services with a higher level of training for the staff. You could practically spend a whole day enjoying the complimentary amenities prior to your sixty minute service. • Lower end spas will be looking to provide a more consistent, convenient, assembly line service to get you in and get you out quickly. They will also add more machine based treatments where your service provider is a computerized machine. The great news here is that there is a spa to meet everyone’s needs and budgets. People do not eat at 5 star restaurants every day. Occasionally they eat at a fast food establishment and more frequently they may eat at home. Yes, everyone wants a deal, but not at the cost of quality, safety and effectiveness. Check Spavelous Spa Deals daily to insure that you find the best value for your needs.

Customization

Spa Treatments

Spa Menus will be streamlining this year. Spa guests have been asking for this for years, and now the best spas will be simplifying the choices. More menus will contain personalized or custom facials, massages and body treatments. No longer will you need to decide on a specific treatment prior to a service. You will select a service provider who offers the modalities or treatments you are most interested in and book a time slot for your treatment. After a brief interview and assessment, your spa service provider will effectively combine treatments and therapies to address your specific concerns.

The personalization of treatments allows the staff to focus more on the inter-personal connection and bonding with the guest. This process will create extraordinary experiences.

Spas cannot be all things to all people, to have each service provider properly trained in over 100 treatments is not practical, nor will it provide guests with the most authentic treatment. Spas will soon realize that Ayurvedic treatments belong in Ayurvedic centers, Reiki and energy work is best to be provided by Masters and not all therapists or aestheticians are qualified to perform a specific signature treatment after a week of training.

Personalized Home Skin Care

Personalization takes on a new meaning as genetic testing goes main stream. As the price of DNA testing technology falls, more skin care items and treatments will be customized based on your own DNA.

There has always been an incestuous relationship between healthy and beauty, but the ties are getting closer, as the field of medi-beauty takes off.

The first cream that uses your own DNA to target your complexion’s unique needs is the DNA UltraCustom Moisturizing and Wrinkle-Reducing Night Cream from Margate, New Jersey–based Dermagenetics is available at dermatologists’ offices and medical spas nationwide.

Here’s how it works: A dermatologist or aesthetician swabs your inner cheek for DNA, and then sends it off to Dermagenetics. (The company says DNA samples are destroyed after testing.) Your genes are analyzed for information like the skin’s propensity for collagen breakdown, sun damage, and wrinkling. The findings determine which ingredients to put in your cream. Four weeks after your swabbing ($375 for the initial order and $159 for refills), your genetically tailored product arrives. Only a nighttime face cream is now available, but a cleanser, eye gel, and body-firming lotion are due out within the year.

This year as you look to book your spa services, use the 4 C’s to see how your spa is responding to the needs that spa guests have expressed they would like to see more of in 2008.