Trends in my field - Blog #1

As an esthetician I have found that my industry grows tremendously every year with new technologies and developments in skin and body care techniques. I have been working in the spa industry for over 22 years and have had the pleasure of working with most of these new modalities that spas bring in to add value and compliment existing treatments. Spas are known for treating the skin on the body, and face. A lot of treatments not only treat the skin but also the mind, adding a sense of deep relaxation and a feeling of total wellbeing. When I started out in my career I preformed a lot of hydro tub treatments with luxurious bubble baths topped with rose petals, papaya lemon rind sea salt body scrubs under a Vichy shower, and full body mud wrap treatments that were rinsed off with a scotch hose. I was always working in the wet rooms, so I was always getting wet. I had to wear a water proof apron over top a tank top, shorts, and sandals so my uniform wouldn't get wet. Facials without much use of electrotherapy were most common. Most of the active professional products we used were from Italy or France, and that seemed to be enough. I have found over the last 10 to 15 years there has been extreme interest in medical spa procedures and the use of different electrical modalities.

The luxurious day spa scene is not as popular as it once was, and you are more likely to find the, "all in one," day spa in 5 star hotels now. Its easier now to go to a brow bar, nail bar, skin bar or waxing bar, to get your individual services now! But I think the luxury and necessity of the day spa is making a comeback!

According to Louis de Vilmorin, "The management consultant firm, McKinsey, estimates the global wellness market at more than $1.5trillion, with annual growth of 5 to 10 percent. Fueled by growing concerns about the true 'mental health' crisis which is threatening to bubble over in the aftermath of the pandemic and a newfound importance for ensuring our bodies and minds are fighting fit, hospitality businesses with a spa or health & wellness offering are set to reap the benefits" ("Top 10 global spa trends for 2022 designed to heal mind, body, and soul").

I believe that people will be searching for that human connection and self pampering post covid. We have been so isolated for so long that we are going to be searching for self care rituals to nurture and treat the mind and body. I think the overall global market for wellness will sky rocket over the next couple of years creating new avenues for health and wellness spas to blossom. The spa industry will have to keep up with the demand. Hotels will benefit the most right now I think as they have the facilities people are after. Like eucalyptus steam rooms, Infrared saunas, whirl pools, ozonated swimming pools, hot tubs, and spa services. Clients can turn a single spa service booking into a 4 hour half day experience. This is the full package for mind and body rejuvenation. Medi spas will only become increasingly more popular, but the day spa will make a come back!

Consumers have so many choices now of where they want to go, and this has taking away from that all in one day spa approach. Clients want laser hair removal instead of waxing; high frequency and galvanic frequencies incorporated into their facials; LED and microcurrent for treating specific skin conditions instead of just a traditional hands only organic facials. But there can be both.

Clients are understanding the anatomy and science around skin rejuvenation and are not scared of a little pain for a bigger gain in the appearance of the skin. Micro needling and microdermabrasion are very popular and can be somewhat painful, causing extreme redness for a few days after, but that's what clients want now. Clients are prepared for the 3 to 5 day recovery time. Sometimes longer. Basically when your skin responds to an injury or a burn it produces more fibroblasts which produce collagen in the dermis. So essentially, laser resurfacing and micro needling can cause this subtle injury fooling the skin into making more collagen and elastin, literally having instant and long lasting results. The demand for this type of service demands a need for the correct training for safe practices. The way we educate our estheticians needs to keep up with the pace in which this industry is growing. Many collages have recently jumped on board and have incorporated some of these modalities into their curriculum and practical training. This is keeping future estheticians current in our ever growing industry.

The day and age of google reviews and social media has made it easier for consumers to find spas that maintain a good reputation as well. With so many choices out there now, doing your due diligence and researching first can save you a lot of money and stress. Investigate and invest wisely in your skin an body wellness journey!

Top 10 global spa trends for 2022 designed to heal mind, body, & soul.

Hospitality News & business insights by EHL.

(https://hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/global-spa-trends-2022)

March 17th, 2022

Written by Louis de Vilmorin External Consultant at EHL Advisory Services and MD at HWS

Health & Wellness Solutions Advisory Agency

Written by C.V.Wijeratne Senior Lecturer, Spa & Wellness Management Major

Amber Downing 2022