All posts in Spa Trends

Ombre hair has been spotted all over hollywood. Gracing the locks of starlets like Rachel Bilson and Drew Barrymore. The latest take on this trend is is the ‘Ombre manicure’ that has been making a big splash in the fashion world this season. Celebrities are sporting it and I am loving it. The look is so fresh and unique and perfect for the spring season. The best part – now you can sport your two favorite nail colors at once!

It appears that brights, metallic and blues is the way to go this fall when it comes to your fingers and toes! What are your thoughts on this nail trend?

You wont find a typical spa treatment list at Cosquillarte spa in Madrid. There are no manis or pedis just tickle massages.

The thought of being tickled for 30mins instantly brings up two conflicting emotions – terror and calm. Terror because I remember being held hostage by both my elder brothers as they dispatched their “tickle tortures” on my sister and I. Calm because I find nothing more pleasurable and relaxing than a soft back tickle.

If you become squeamish at the thought of being tickled -tickle therapists say that they adjust treatment based on ones sensitivity to tickles. More pressure is applied to those who giggle and wince at the slightest touch and a more subtle approach is used for those who melt into a tickle.

Next time I’m in Madrid I might just have to set aside some time for a good tickle.

A 15min tickle session costs about $21 and a 60min session is $63.

Laser hair removal became commercially available in the mid 1990s. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is not technically a laser, but it does use xenon flash lamps that emit full spectrum light. Laser and light based methods of phototricholysis or photoepilation are now commonly referred to as “laser hair removal”

The light energy produced by the “laser” is targeted at the pigment in the hair. this causes the destruction of hair follicles while sparing surrounding structures – ie the skin. Hair removal lasts for several months and can be done on almost all patients. Multiple treatments can provide longer term hair removal. Most patients require a minimum of 7 treatments spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart.

The process:

1) Shave before receving treatment. Almost every other method of hair removal (waxing, sugaring, tweezing, threading, epilating) needs the hair you’re removing to be above the surface so that it can be pulled out. Laser Hair Removal actually uses the hair as a transfer of heat to burn the follicle itself. Shaving before treatment prevents the laser from having to travel as far and burn the hair above the skin’s surface before reaching the root, inside the follicle.

2) Upon arriving at the spa you will be lead to a private room where you will remove clothing necessary to reach the desired treatmnet area. Any areas not being treated will be covered wiht a towel or blanket.

3) A cooling gell wil be applied to the area being treated. This gel acts as a protection to the skin as well as a guide for the technician.

4) Treatment times vary according to the size of the area and amount of hair coverage.
Average times are as follows:
• Face – 5-10 Minutes
• Under arm – 10-15 Minutes
• Bikini/ Pubic – 15-25 Minutes
• Stomach – 30-60 Minutes
• Chest – 30-60 Minutes
• Full Leg – 1-1.5 Hours
• Back – 1-2 Hours

5) The cost: Laser hair removal can cost anywhere from $100-$600 per session.

Some normal side effects that occur after a treatment session are: itching, redness, and swelling around the treatment area. Some level of pain is expected during treatments however, numbing creams are widely available where treatment is offered. Complications are rare when undergoing laser hair removal when done by an experienced and skilled therapist. Make sure to do your research and check a therapists qualifications before undergoing treatment.

Ayurveda treatments are a new trend that is popping up all over the spa scene and before heading out for one I decided to do a little research to see what all the rage was about.

Ayurveda, (Sanskrit for “science of life”) is the traditional medicine of India, which originated over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda emphasizes re-establishing balance in the body through diet, lifestyle, exercise, and body cleansing, and on the health of the mind, body, and spirit. It is grounded in the physics of the five elements, earth, water, fire, ether and air.

According to Ayurvedic tradition, each of us inherits a unique mix of three mind/body constitutions that affect our specific mental and physical characteristics. When we find ourselves emotionally or physically out of balance, most like we have made a departure from daily rituals that provide nourishment to our mind and body. The concept and importance of constitutional variety is fundamental in Ayurveda. This is the notion that we are all different and so what may be medicine for one person may even harm another. There are as many unique constitutions as there are human beings. For the sake of practicality, Ayurveda has categorized three main constitutional types. These types (or doshas) are called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha (via Dr. Claudia Welch)

When you head to the spa for an Ayurveda treatment you will normally conduct a Dosha quiz that will determine the type of specific oils, herbs and massage that you will receive.

All and in all it sounds pretty interesting. I think I might just have to head to the spa and test it out for myself!

Looking to re-vamp your spa, maybe switch to a new product line or you just want to see what is going on in the spa industry? Here is a list of events that are coming up in the next few months. WaySpa will be at a couple of these hope to see you there!

ISPA Connect – February 28, Park Hyatt Toronto

Day Spa Exp and Business Forum 2011 – February 27-29th Las Vegas

IECSC: International esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference, March 6th 2011, New York

Natural Products Expo West March 11-13th, 2011,  Anaheim California

America’s Beauty Show March 12-14th, Chicago

Face & Body Spa Conference and Expo March 12-14th, Chicago

International Congress of Aesthetics & Spa March 13th and 14th, Chicago

Esthetique Spa International Canada March 20 and 21st, Vancouver

Ever wonder how we can slow down the signs of aging or perhaps even erase them temporarily? The world of medical aesthetics is growing at a rapid rate and new technology has advanced in preventing and revitalizing the signs of aging. Many medical clinics throughout North America  are now offering both Injection and Laser procedures to improve appearance. Through my research I have noticed that this is exactly what it does, it ‘improves’ it does not perfect, which is what many clients may expect when choosing this route.

There are two types of injections that can help combat aging; one which many people know about is botox. Botox is a protein that temporarily paralyzes specific muscles in your face to erase unwanted lines so they no longer contract as easily, this, in turn, smoothes the wrinkle in the skin overlying the muscle, making you look relaxed, refreshed, and more youthful. Now for those that fear that you will look like a stone statue after this procedure, there is a risk of having either too much botox or having it administered by a medical professional that isn’t certified, which is why it is always important to go to a credible professional.

The second type of injectable is a “filler”, these essentially do exactly that, they fill the areas of the face that have lost volume due to the aging process, such as smile lines and lips.  Many fillers such as Juvederm, Perlane and Restylane use Hyaluronic Acid, which is a sugar based substance that is biodegradable and similar to naturally

occurring substances in your body.  Using an injection to treat aging can be an effective and immediate treatment to restore and improve facial appearance. For some, these types of treatments may be too invasive and are certainly a long way off from a relaxing day at the spa.

If the thought of having a needle put into your face makes you cringe, an alternative procedure includes laser treatments that can improve skin appearance. Photo facials use Intense Pulse light, to heat the skin and rejuvenate cells by treating both hyperpigmentation and age spots. One of the newest lasers is called Affirm this laser specifically treats aesthetic imperfections, stimulates collagen production and promotes the tightening of tissue, thereby reversing the sign of aging. All of these types of treatments require more than one visit to the clinic to get successful results.

For those seeking more medical based spa treatments, a consultation may determine if these treatments options are right for you, for others a simple day at the spa is enough to rejuvenate, relax and unwind.