Spas urge clients to fight for right to wax

Pubic hair may be natural, but a New Jersey salon- and spa-owners group say women should fight for their right to wax it off.

Yesterday the Daily News reported that the state’s Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling planned to ban “genital waxing,” often known as a “Brazilian wax” from salon and spa menus.

The practice has never been technically legal, but spas and salons up and down the state have long offered customers the chance to go bare . . . down there.

The Association of Salon and Spa Professionals has unsuccessfully lobbied the board to legalize genital waxing and is now urging women to sign and send a petition to Robert Gilson, director of the division of law at the state Attorney General’s Office.

“This is not a third-world country, but you’re telling a woman what she can or can not do to their bodies,” said Feuza Reis, marketing director at Jaira’s Salon in Middlesex County. “There is a huge demand for this service.”

New Jersey statutes allow waxing of the face, neck, arms, legs and abdomen, but officials say that genital waxing has always been illegal, although not spelled out. That will change when the cosmetology board passes the proposal, a state spokesman said.

Reis, a member of the ASSP in New Jersey, said state statutes don’t spell out whether it’s legal to wax backs or chests either.

“You know how many men get their backs waxed?” she asked.

Regardless of the procedure’s legal status, most salons in New Jersey offer Brazilian waxes, often under different names. The state does not investigate infractions unless they receive complaints from consumers. A spokesman said two women reported injuries from having the procedure.

The ASSP, which Reis said has 200 members in the state, sent the board a position paper on the subject recently, highlighting the demand for genital waxing for women and men, the socio-economic factors of banning it, and even suggesting how statutes should be tweaked to include the procedure along with back and chest waxing.

The board read the paper in closed session at their meeting on Tuesday night, Reis said.

“They voted to keep it out,” she said. “How come we’re going to be the only people in the world banning this kind of stuff?”

The Attorney General’s Office did return requests for comment.

To sign the petition, visit www.brazilianbikiniwax.org. *

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NJ Spas, Spa Industry, Spa Legal Issues, Waxing Bikini Wax Ban, New Jersey Waxing Laws, NJ State Board Cosmetology

Spa Finders released their top 2009 Spa Trend Predictions

1. Energy Medicine
In 2009 the spa industry will follow suit, with high-voltage buzz around energy medicine and therapies like reiki, qi gong, chakra balancing, healing touch, and magnetic, light and sound therapy.

2. Casinos and Spas: A Good Bet
Placing a high-end spa in a casino hotel was once a long-shot idea, but today casino spas are the most profitable spas in the world. These world-class facilities cater to a free-spending clientele that sees the value both of high-octane indulgence and recharging, healthy pursuits.

3. The Medical and Spa Tourism Shuffle
Watch for the line between spas, medical spas and hospitals to become ever more creatively blurred as the phenomenon of medical or wellness travel evolves. Global consumers are increasingly journeying to access the services they want, need, and can afford.

4. Eco-Embedded Spas: A Deeper Shade of Green
The eco-embedded spa embraces environmental processes that are quietly and meaningfully enmeshed throughout the entire spa, so there’s no demanding efforts required by the spa guest, who is, after all, there to relax.

5. Trains, Boats and Planes: In-Transit Spa-Going
Spa-ing while traveling is reaching a whole new level: trains with fully equipped gyms and spas, planes with spa showers and massage treatments in-flight, health and wellness-oriented cruises, and more. What began as a novelty has turned into big business that uniquely targets today’s captive, over-stressed traveler.

6. Brain Health and Mind Gyms
Brain health is on spa-goers’ minds today, with a vast, aging Baby Boomer population, an Alzheimer’s pandemic, and medical reports touting the need to

keep the brain active to avoid decline. As a result, brain workouts are popping up on both the day and stay spa menu, with activities, education, technologies and therapies that function like gyms for the mind.

7. Learning Labs for Stress Reduction
Spas, out of necessity, will increasingly become learning labs for stress reduction, as consumers realize it takes less than an hour or a ton of expensive treatments to elicit the relaxation response. Look for spa staff to become teachers of take-home, DIY relaxation techniques, as well as a shift from trendy spa rituals-of-the-month to effective stress therapies like breath work, hot baths, meditation, exercise, massage, and even an emphasis on psychological support and the sharing of feelings.

8. Mindful Spending
In a challenging economic year, spa-goers will be looking closely for value and tangible results. Spas will be experimenting with creative ways to attract the consumer, earn their trust and exceed their expectations.

9. Move Over Baby Boomers: Gen X & Y Are Spa-ing Their Way
The core spa clientele is rapidly shifting from Baby Boomers to Gen X and Gen Y, and it’s more than a simple demographic switch: younger generations are now hitting the spa in record numbers, and they’re shaping the experience to meet their unique desires. Spas will need to continue to attract aging Boomers, with their considerable spending power, while catering to new generations who typically reject pampering, embrace wellness, and consider spa-going a natural right.

10. Brands, Brands, Brands
With almost 72,000 spas around the world, spas that establish and broadcast a truly unique brand identity will attract more visitors at a time when consumer budgets are under pressure.

Spa Finder, Spa Trends

Probiotic Professional Skincare Line Leads the Hottest Beauty Trend of ‘09

The world’s first professional skincare company to formulate a complete line based on probiotics, SK1N Probiotic Systems has developed a line of groundbreaking skincare formulations that are appropriate for consumers of any age, race or skin type. Many people find it difficult to dedicate time in today’s busy lifestyle to a regular skincare routine

Probiotics are a shield against the daily effects of environmental stress our skin is exposed to, and we have developed a straightforward system which offers users measurable results for all skin types.

When the skin is out of balance there is a destruction of the skin barrier which leads to greater dispersion of foreign substances such as harmful bacteria

Probiotics have been shown to have a significant effect short term by reducing inflammation and infections; and, long term, have been shown to deter premature formation of wrinkles.

Food and beauty will become increasingly intertwined, as more good-for-you food ingredients–think green tea and probiotics–are incorporated into skin care and cosmetic products

Probiotics is not a fad. It’s a new scientific concept about how the body works.

Building upon recent breakthroughs in scientific research, Dr. Lisa Hynes, one of the country’s leading dermatologists, led a team of chemists and researchers in developing SK1N Probiotic Systems’ unprecedented skincare line to highlight the benefits of probiotics, prebiotics and other natural ingredients known to fight against most common skin disorders.

“Many people find it difficult to dedicate time in today’s busy lifestyle to a regular skincare routine,” Dr. Hynes said. “Probiotics are a shield against the daily effects of environmental stress our skin is exposed to, and we have developed a straightforward system which offers users measurable results for all skin types.”

Consumers, more aware of science-based formulations, today evaluate and purchase products based on quality with a strong expectation of functional benefits from those products, not just a pleasing fragrance or attractive packaging. Probiotics used topically on the skin have been found to provide competitive protection against harmful bacteria which creates skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, rosacea, millia, rashes and dermatitis.

“When the skin is out of balance there is a destruction of the skin barrier which leads to greater dispersion of foreign substances such as harmful bacteria,” Dr. Hynes said. “Probiotics have been shown to have a significant effect short term by reducing inflammation and infections; and, long term, have been shown to deter premature formation of wrinkles.”

While they have been used for thousands of years, recent discoveries have led to a deeper understanding of the possibilities probiotics hold. It is no surprise they have become all the rage in foods and drinks, but only today are the dramatic benefits of topical applications being fully uncovered.

In fact, probiotics are so effective that many hospitals have gone from relying on antiseptic soap-scrubbing to washing with probiotic products and studies have suggested using probiotics on patients’ wounds prior to surgery. The safety of probiotics–essentially good bacteria that every person’s body needs both internally and externally–is so convincing that they are being used in everything from baby food to pizza crust to toothpaste, not just in yogurt.

The increasing importance of probiotics in skincare has been confirmed by Mintel Cosmetic Research, which has identified probiotics as among the hottest beauty ingredient trends for 2009. “Food and beauty will become increasingly intertwined, as more good-for-you food ingredients–think green tea and probiotics–are incorporated into skin care and cosmetic products,” the research organization found.

Similarly, probiotics this week made Pierce Mattie PR’s list of Top 10 Ingredient Trends, with the organization saying they have gone from buzz to branded as another “‘clinical-like’ line of products.”

Many of the major beauty product manufacturers are now jumping on the probiotics bandwagon, while SK1N has been at the forefront of this new emergence in skincare. With its simple, easy-to-use line of products that focuses on the essentials, encouraging people to make time to take care of the

As Gary Huffnagle, immunologist at the University of Michigan and author of The Probiotics Revolution, said, ” Probiotics is not a fad. It’s a new scientific concept about how the body works.”

Anti Aging, Skin Care, Spa Trends 2009

Massage, hair salon customers watching dollars

Residents are stretching out the time between massage appointments and getting creative with hair color at Ahwatukee Foothills and Tempe salons to save money in today’s sluggish economy.

Several Ahwatukee and Tempe salon and spa owners say they expect their revenue and number of customers for this year will either remain the same as in 2007 or grow at a smaller rate year over year than it has in the past. In recent months business has been slower than normal at this time of year, they said.

Many are offering specials to lure clients.

“There’s no question the economy is affecting our business,” Richard Behr, managing director of the Arizona Grand Resort, said. “People are being much more strategic in how they spend their money.”

He said revenue generated at the resort’s spa, off Baseline Road near Interstate 10, was about $3,000 less in the first 21 days of November this year compared with the same period in 2007. But he said the number of spa treatments was about the same.

The economy has also slowed growth at Massage Envy locations at 3820 E. Ray Road in Ahwatukee and 315 W. Elliot Road in Tempe, co-owner Jon Brovitz said.

Brovitz, who owns the stores with his wife Bonnie, estimates 52,625 massages will be given this year at the two stores. That’s a 2.1 percent increase over 2007, he said. The Ahwatukee and Tempe stores sold 51,531 massages in 2007, a 15.4 percent increase over 2006, he said.

“The economy has definitely had an impact on all businesses,” Brovitz said.

Still, customers are increasingly seeking stress relief and memberships continue to grow, he said.

“They want to get away . . . escape from all the things going on right now,” he said.

At Adam Pink Salon in Ahwatukee, customers are waiting longer between appointments to get haircuts and colors, co-owner Adam Pink said. Some will have their gray hair blended in to the other colors so they don’t have to get it dyed as often, Pink said.

The salon saw the same number of customers during October this year as it did in October 2007 but revenue during that period is down 5 to10 percent, he said.

“If they are laid off or slower in their business they’re not going to come in as often,” Pink said.

But he said beauty salons offer a diversion in today’s economy.

“It’s something that makes them feel good about themselves,” he said.

Business has also been slower at Belle Mélange Salon in Ahwatukee.

The salon did 10 facials or peels in November 2007, but had done none this November as of Nov. 26, owner Shaunte Fox said.

“The economy has hit everyone and though people still want to keep up their beauty regimens . . . they are finding ways to do it less expensively,” she said via e-mail.

Just For You Salon and Spa in Tempe expects to generate the same amount of revenue for this year as it did in 2007, owner Loretta Wilson said.

“We’re financially strong,” she said. “The economy will turn around pretty soon. You have to stay positive.”

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Arizona Spas, Spa Economy, Spa Industry

Before you have a Dr Fish or Garra Rufa pedicure, be sure you read a Spavelous Exclusive article.  If you are a spa director you should read this before spending 10,000 – 40,000 in non-refundable dollars.  Six states have banned Dr fish, and more will probably follow.  What you should know before you go.

Doctor Fish Pedicure Experience

Have you wanted to enjoy baby smooth soles, free of dry skin and rough cuticles?   Did the thought of tiny fish tickling your feet filling you with laughter make you want to take off your shoes and dive right in?  The answer to this for many was an astounding yes as the first Dr. Fish pedicure spa opened in Virginia.  Quickly, over five thousand happy feet had spa owners throughout the United States were looking to acquire the Garra Rufa fish and introduce this new exfoliation and skin healing treatment.  The fish used by the spa are tiny toothless fresh water fish which have been used and studied for many years for the treatment of psoriasis. The procedure involves allowing the fish to nibble off the dead skin initially, followed by the standard procedure of pedicure.

 State Regulation for Doctor Fish 

Read more…

Arizona Spas, Day Spa, Garra Rufa, Spa Industry, Spa Legal Issues, Spa Treatments, Spa Trends

Forget jewelry, gems are for the spa!

Traditional hot stone massages are now being reinvented. Semi-precious stones can indeed be put to magnificent use.

Fascinated with gemstones? Now, it is simply not enough to string them together and wear them on your person. Instead, spas in India are increasingly expressing their own love for these colored stones in myriad ways and you can be part of the story too!

If you are a massage junkie, you’d probably be acquainted with LaStone therapy — where hot and smooth basalt stones are usually placed on key points on the body to relax your muscles. The stones are black in color and rich in iron so that they retain heat, and the therapy has been popular all over the world ever since the enterprising Mary Nelson introduced it in Arizona decades ago.

More recently, however, spas have been further tweaking the therapy Read more…

Hot Stones, Spa, Spa Treatments, Spa Trends

IAPAM Debunks Top 3 Medical Spa Myths

In today’s economy, and given the growth in accessibility and acceptance of aesthetic medicine procedures, it is very important that practitioners understand: “what is working” and “what is not” in their practices, in order to have a successful and profitable medical spa. Debunking the top 3 “Medical Spa Myths” may be all that is standing in the way of any practice from reaching its fullest potential.

The IAPAM (International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine) has reviewed its member profiles in order to identify some of the common traits among its most successful medical spas and aesthetic medicine practices.

Jeff Russell comments that, “In our research, we have found that Read more…

Med Spa, Medical Spa, Spa Business, Spa Industry

2008 marked the third year that Skin Inc. magazine has been holding its Best of the Best Awards competition. This year, we reformulated the Industry award categories and added a voting process to increase reader involvement.

What a success this turned out to be! Nearly 100 spas submitted entries for the five categories and, of those, the top five entries in each category were determined by our panel of neutral industry experts. From there, we posted those top five on www.SkinInc.com, and invited all of our readers and Web users to vote for their top picks. More than 20,000 votes were received, showing the passion and dedication each of the winners and finalists offer. Plus, a significant portion of those people also lent their voices to nominating entries for the Supplier award categories.

Voting for both the Industry and Supplier sides closed on July 13, 2008, and, after much tabulating, those companies with the most votes were named the winners. By using this reader-driven voting system and your input, the Best of the Best Awards is the most unbiased, prestigious honor given in the industry today.

With that, I am proud to announce our 2008 Best of the Best Award Winners. Please note that our finalists are listed in alphabetical order.

Our congratulations go out to all of the above listed spas and companies—you are all winners. Your commitment and dedication to this industry is admirable. This year’s winners will receive a beautiful crystal award to display in their place of business, and all finalists will receive a frameable certificate to showcase their outstanding achievement.

Supplier Winners

Best Body Line

Winner: Aviva Labs, Inc. (Sunless Tan Products)

Finalist: BIOTONE Professional Massage & Spa Therapy Products

Finalist: M’Lis

Best Cosmetics Line

Winner: Iredale Mineral Cosmetics

Finalist: Athena Cosmetics/RevitaLash

Finalist: gl¯oProfessional

Best Industry Equipment

Winner: Bio-Therapeutic, Inc.

Finalist: Edge Systems Corporation

Finalist: Syneron

Best Facial Line

Winner: Bioelements

Finalist: Éminence Organic Skin Care

Finalist: Pevonia Botanica

Finalist: Repêchage

Best Spa Tools & Accessories Line

Winner: Scandle

Finalist: Clarisonic

Finalist: Universal Companies

Spa, Spa Awards, Spa Industry, spa products

This article is brought to you by Spavelous.com.

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Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage

A healing massage used by the ancient Polynesians, the Hawaiian lomi lomi begins with stillness and a blessing, followed by a rub-down and stretching of the body that’s meant to flow in waves over you. Practitioners, who often work in pairs, may hum or dance the hula to enhance the experience and help you re-energize. Try it at the Anara Spa, part of the Grand Hyatt Kaui Resort & Spa.

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