With high unemployment rates and a wide-spread recession, you might think jobs in a “luxury” industry would be in short supply. Yet many day spas have actually seen an increase in demand, and need qualified massage therapists, yoga instructors and other professionals to keep pace with business.

Penny-pinching Americans may not be willing to spend extra on some luxuries or comfort items, but a trip to the day spa can be seen as making sense for both economic and health reasons, points out Debbie Bates, a massage therapy and spa instructor at Everest College in Fife, Wash. People who once took long vacations and bought big-ticket luxury items are cutting back, but still want to feel like they are treating themselves.

“We find that many people have started indulging in affordable luxuries like massages and yoga,” Bates says. “Day spas aren’t competing with the local beauty parlor. A trip to the spa is seen as a luxury good, like a two-week vacation or diamond bracelet. But compared to a cruise or expensive jewelry, a 90-minute massage is a real bargain.”

There are well over 14,500 spas in the U.S, with about 80 percent of those being day spas, according to the International Spa Association’s 2007 estimates. With many day spas experiencing increased demand, qualified salon and spa professionals are needed.

Demand for massage therapists is expected to grow by 20 percent through 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Money Magazine lists massage therapy among its top 20 careers. Demand for spa professionals has been growing for a while.

The industry has boomed since 1999, and 53 percent of salon owners had job openings in 2006, hiring nearly half a million new employees, according to a 2007 report commissioned by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences. Despite industry changes, the future of the salon and spa industry is strong, and demand for experienced employees still exceeds supply at many day spas, the commission found.

Another factor driving increased demand at spas is the public perception of spas’ emphasis on overall wellness, Bates says. “Spas are not simply places for ‘pampering.’ Rather, they promote health and wellness. They really focus on helping clients relax and manage their stress.”

Americans’ stress levels have been rising for years. In fact, a 2004 APA survey found that 73 percent of Americans cited money concerns as the top factor affecting their stress level. “When times are tough, finding the right way to relax might be the best thing you can do for your health,” Bates says.

“Some see massage as a luxury, but in our Massage Therapy program at Everest Institute, we really emphasize how massage promotes overall wellness and can be an essential part of a healthy lifestyle,” says Erin Murphy, who also teaches massage and spa therapy at Everest College in Fife. She says that professionals find that even when times are tough economically, clients keep coming back for their massages because they know it’s essential to mental and physical health.

“There is no doubt that the recession is going to affect all sectors of our economy, but we have seen that the spa industry is quite resilient,” Murphy says.

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Reyna Almonte, owner of Aromazul Day Spa on Greenwood Avenue in Bethel, advises her clients to stay away from skin care products containing alcohol. “It will dry up the surface of the skin,” she said.

Instead, she recommends they exfoliate at least twice a week, a process that removes dead skin cells.

Almonte learned about skin care in 2006 when she trained as an aesthetician at the Institute of Aesthetic Arts & Sciences on Main Street South in Southbury.

The institute was founded in 1987 by Kathy Shingara and offers classes in skin care, makeup artistry, nail care, hair removal, microdermabrasion and oxygen therapy.

“A large part of this job involves talking to clients and getting to know what their skin care needs are,” said Shingara, 63, a licensed cosmetologist with more than 40 years of experience in the industry. “At most of the salons or spas people go to, they are asked to pick their treatment. I don’t agree with this, since many of them don’t know what kind of treatment is best for their type of skin.

“In our school, we specially train our students to address clients’ concerns and then offer our opinions. We walk them through the entire process so they can understand what we’re doing and how we’re doing it,” said Shingara, an Oxford resident.

Almonte, who worked in the clerical field for 11 years, became interested in a career in skin care after receiving a facial one day. “I fell in love with it. It was so relaxing,” said Almonte, 42, a Bethel resident. “I knew that I wanted to make other people feel as good as I did.”

Almonte’s sister, Diamela Urena, also has graduated from the Institute of Aesthetic Arts & Sciences and is a part-time aesthetician at the Aromazul Day Spa.

“One thing I learned from IAAS is that your skin problems can greatly improve by making just a few changes to your environment,” said Urena, 41, of Southbury. “One of these is to avoid being outdoors during peak traffic times. Car fumes and other outside debris go into the air and get into your skin cells and age them.”

Almonte’s friend, Eva DeLara, also recently graduated from the institute. Although she has been a nail technician for the past nine years at Dawn’s Pizzazz-Artistic Group & Day Spa on West Street in Danbury, she now works there as an aesthetician, as well.

“I learned some great makeup tips,” said DeLara, 41, a Danbury resident. One of them is contouring. “If you want to make your nose look smaller, use dark foundation on your nose bridge and lighter foundation on top of your nose.”

Shingara said she is confident there will always be jobs in the skin care industry despite the economy.

“In tough times, when you’re hearing nothing but bad news all around you, we all like to escape for an hour to get pampered,” she said. “That’s why companies like Avon have stayed in business for so many years — even a little lipstick makes you feel better.”

– The Institute of Aesthetic Arts & Sciences, 800 Main St. S., Suite 110, is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Call 262-6070 or visit www.IAASCT.com.

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GREENVILLE, S.C. – Kara Spa, Greenville’s first destination day spa located at 105 Lavinia Ave., has added Licensed Massage Therapist Carolyn Bain to its staff. Prior to joining Kara Spa as a full-time massage therapist, Bain served as an intern at the spa.

Bain received her massage therapy certificate from Greenville Technical College, where she completed over 750 hours of classroom and clinical study in anatomy and physiology, business ethics, Swedish massage, deep tissue and neuromuscular therapy, and sports massage.

In addition to her credentials as a massage therapist, Bain also has a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass. She became a certified athletic trainer in June 2006, and has worked with Greenville Hospital System, serving North Greenville University since 2006.

“I enjoyed my intern experience at Kara Spa so much, I knew that’s where I wanted to work full-time,” said Bain. “The staff at Kara Spa has not only inspired me, they have given me the tools to run a successful business, and taught me the importance of exceeding clients’ expectations and giving back to the Greenville community,” added

“We’re thrilled to add Carolyn to our staff at Kara Spa,” said Alicia Moreau, who owns Kara Spa, along with her daughter Korri Moreau. “Her expertise, dedication and personality will be an asset to Kara Spa and our clients,” added Moreau.

Kara Spa is owned and operated by Alicia and Korri Moreau, a mother-daughter business team who started the spa four years ago at 650 East Washington Street in Greenville. Kara Spa relocated to 105 Lavinia Ave. in downtown Greenville on February 19, 2009.

ABOUT KARA SPA
Kara is Greenville’s first destination day spa…where guests are greeted with a fragrant herbal tea, chilled or warmed, to set the mood; where warm robes encourage relaxation; where a sauna, pre- or post-treatment, soothes away stress and cares.

Kara’s licensed staff has more than 29 years of experience providing spa services while building lasting relationships and friendships with clients from all walks of life. The staff at Kara Spa always strives to exceed each guest’s expectations.

Kara Spa’s services include deep-tissue and neuro-muscular massage therapy, body wraps, cosmetics, facials, eye and lip treatments, lash and brow tinting, waxing, natural nail care, pre-natal and gentleman’s services.

The boutique at Kara Spa also offers spa packages and gift certificates for spa services, as well as heath and beauty products, home décor, and a wide range of gift ideas for any occasion

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