Emerging Asian Spa Market — There has been an explosive growth in the Asian spa market over the past few years. India and China, two of the fastest growing economies on the planet, are currently seeing phenomenal development as increasingly prosperous populations begin to demand North American style hotel chains and spas. This 2011 spa trend is one which shows no signs of slowing down; indeed, experts agree that the rapid growth of the spa industry in the Asian subcontinent will likely continue into the next decade.

Halotherapy — The therapeutic benefits of breathing salt air have been known for centuries and have, over the years, even led to the development of European salt mine resorts. Now specially designed salt inhalation rooms are beginning to emerge in high end spas worldwide. Look for the installation of modern halogenerators –devices capable of delivering ionized salt particles in the air– to become a growing trend.

Aging Boomers — Historically the single most influential spa demographic in North America, Europe, and Japan, the baby boomers are now slowly moving through their sixties and into their seventies. The growing inclusion of various forms of pain management and therapeutic massage aimed at improving mobility and flexibility was a hot trend in 2011.

Green Spas — Thirty or forty years younger than the boomer, are a generation of hip young urban professionals, currently coming into their own. Increasingly, this demographic is demanding ecologically responsible spas that use local and/or ethically sourced products and support all manner of ongoing environmental initiatives.

Paying attention to emerging trends in the global spa industry, of course, won’t always furnish you with information that you can immediately put to good use, but it is a good idea, at the very least, to get a sense for the shifting landscape around you, which is why we at Pamela Hill Institute are keeping our eyes open on your behalf.

1. A warm and genuine greeting by a staff member who quickly comes to know customers by name and is both qualified and available to answer questions and handle customer service issues.
2. A comfortable, relaxing reception area that demonstrates real care and thought on the part of the spa owners. Small details here are important.
3. Courteous professional phone (and online) etiquette that never sounds rushed or routine. This extends to messages left on the phone.
4. A great website that is kept meticulously up to date and contains pertinent information that clients and potential clients are looking for.
5. An active social media plan including a well run Facebook and Twitter accounts, which allows you to stay engaged with your clients between visits.
6. Client education is critical! Plenty of free literature, both online and hard copy, explaining the services and procedures offered.
7. Programs that reward loyal customers and encourage referrals. For example extending paid coupon deals to your best customers for free.
8. Excellent staff who are not only talented at performing the procedures but who are willing, capable, and comfortable talking about them.
9. Being willing to –and capable of– adjusting the client experience in small ways if asked. This could include the temperature of a room, the lighting, the music etc.
10. Prompt, conscientious follow-up to any outstanding customer comments and concerns.

When it comes to spa customer service the devil is in the detail, as the saying goes. Prices, services, convenience, location are all important, of course, but it is the details (for better or for worse) which will frame those things in the hearts and minds of your clients.

Luxury purchases are hit first and hardest by a slowdown in the economy, and while many might consider day spas a luxury, there is another factor at work. In hard times, comfort purchases may actually increase. People console and treat themselves to small comforts when times are tough. Furthermore, an industry which deals in relaxation and the alleviation of stress is –not surprisingly– buoyed by stressful times.

The day spa industry is growing steadily despite the dire state of the economy, and with Baby Boomers making up more than 25% of the population and Generation X slowly marching into their forties, indications are that it will be a growth industry for the foreseeable future.

What this means is that there has never been a better time to train as a day spa professional. Qualified day spa professionals and medical spa professionals will certainly find of work in a wide, and ever growing array of spa markets. Whether you plan to train as a massage therapist, an esthetician, a hair or nail stylist, a licensed laser hair removal technician, or any of a dozen other professional spa roles currently in demand, the time has never been better.

The holidays are coming; is your medical spa ready? Use this special time of year to keep in touch with your current clients, reach out to new ones and refresh your service menu by offering a variety of treatments and services to help clients look their best for upcoming get-togethers.

By: Steven H. Dayan, MD, FACS, Tracy L. Drumm and Terri A. Wojak

Physician’s point of view: Steven H. Dayan, MD, FACS

The holidays are a time when people often want to look their best. Some may be seeing relatives and old friends that they only see occasionally and others may have holiday parties to attend. No matter the reason, it is important to convey the right look. Beauty, in essence, is a form of subconscious communication; it is an indicator of health and vitality. But, it’s essential that being beautiful is subconsciously transmitted. If a person looks “fake,” it will inadvertently suggest the exact opposite: that she is not healthy and vital. For females, large eyes, small chins and defined but delicate jaw lines are generally believed to be more attractive. Contrary to the “makeover” concept perpetuated by many, it often only takes one small, detectable change in a person’s face, expression or posture to completely alter the impression projected.

Subliminal Difference is a treatment that was designed in my office using nonsurgical treatments to strategically improve physical appearance and self- esteem, resulting in the immediate projection of a more attractive persona. Unlike traditional methods, the Subliminal Difference treatment results are immediately apparent, and those who experience the treatment can expect minimal to no bruising and swelling. Most patients go right back to their normal routines looking youthful and refreshed.

Drawing attention to the eyes is the key for a natural approach to beauty. Neurotoxins injected in the masseter muscles is one of the techniques used to achieve this effect, narrowing the lower third of the face, allowing for others to be naturally drawn to the eye area. To counterbalance sunken under-eye hollows or droopy brows, filler can be injected to plump these areas, and can also be added to the cheek pedestal, which not only highlights the eyes, but also creates the appearance of an elevated cheekbone—another sign of beauty. Bimatoprost can create fuller lashes for a more youthful appearance, as well as draw even more attention to the eyes.

There are other treatments used for Subliminal Difference that provide a more healthy and youthful appearance. Accentuating the lips using filler is one of the more popular treatments to provide a youthful look. Laser treatments can be performed to create an even skin tone and texture, giving the appearance of internal health. Onabotulinumtoxin A and abobotulinumtoxin A on the upper half of the face reduces forehead wrinkles, including the deep furrows often seen between the eyebrows, as well as elevates the outer tips of the brows to create a friendly and youthful appearance.

About the Author:

Steven H. Dayan, MD

Steven Dayan, MD is a board certified member of the elite American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and is also board certified in the American Board of Otolaryngology. He is also the founder of the Office of Steven H. Dayan, MD, FACS, True Skin Care Center and True University.

The FDA warned six U.S. based medical spas and a Brazilian company to stop making false claims about the drugs used in these procedures.

There’s no proof the procedures work and serious side effects can occur, agency says

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

Sold on the Internet and used by some spas, lipodissolve is a procedure that its proponents claim will eliminate fat. U.S. companies claim that the drugs used in the procedure are safe and effective, but these products have never been approved by the FDA, the agency said.

“We are concerned that these companies are misleading consumers,” Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a prepared statement. “It is important for anyone who is considering this voluntary procedure to understand that the products used to perform lipodissolve procedures are not approved by the FDA for fat removal.”

Lipodissolve involves several injections that supposedly dissolve and remove small pockets of fat from areas of the body.

Lipodissolve is also known as mesotherapy, lipozap, lipotherapy, or injection lipolysis. The drugs most often used are combinations of phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholate.

Sometimes other ingredients such as vitamins, minerals and herbal extracts are added into the mix, the agency said.

However, there is no “credible scientific evidence that supports the effectiveness of any of these substances for fat elimination, and their safety when used alone or in combination is unknown,” the FDA said.

The FDA has asked for a written response from the U.S. companies within 15 days outlining how they plan to correct the violations and prevent future violations. Failure to correct the violations could result in legal action, the agency said.

Each company has been cited for a variety of violations, including making “unsupported claims that the products have an outstanding safety record and are superior to other fat loss procedures, including liposuction,” the FDA said.

Also, some of these companies have claimed that lipodissolve can treat certain medical conditions, such as male breast enlargement, benign fatty growths called lipomas, excess fat deposits and surgical deformities.

“The FDA is not aware of clinical evidence to support any of these claims,” the agency said.

FDA officials have received reports of negative side effects from people who have tried the procedure, including permanent scarring, skin deformation, and deep painful knots under the skin in areas where lipodissolve drugs were injected.

Warning letters were sent to: Monarch Medspa, King of Prussia, Penn.; Spa 35, Boise, Idaho; Medical Cosmetic Enhancements, Chevy Chase, Md.; Innovative Directions in Health, Edina, Minn.; PURE Med Spa, Boca Raton, Fla.; and All About You Med Spa, Madison, Ind.

The Brazilian company receiving the warning letter sells lipodissolve products on two Web Sites: zipmed.net and mesoone.com, the FDA said.

The FDA also has issued an import alert against these Internet sites to prevent the drugs from being imported and distributed in the United States.

Many Skin Conditions Corrected by Dr. Obagi

He has corrected many skin conditions including facial melasma, precancerous lesions, age spots, acne scars, sun damaged skin and deep wrinkles.  His practice is at the Obagi Dermatology, Plastic Surgery and Laser Center in Beverly Hills, California and the Obagi Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Centers in many counties.  As a speaker he has discussed skin health and the transformation of the skin extensively, speaking to the medical societies of more than 20 nations, and he has trained hundreds of plastic surgeons and dermatologists privately.

Providing Education On How Skin Ages

Dr. Obagi educates people on how skin ages.  Damage is accumulated in the skin from many sources over time, including exposure to the sun, hormonal changes, pollution and trauma.  As skin ages it becomes discolored, wrinkled, dry, lax and rough.  Cell turnover slows down and essential nutrients are less available.  Instead of producing healthy new cells, the skin products abnormal cells.  Collagen and elastin production slows down, and the skin wrinkles and sags.  Dull, lifeless skin is the result.

Obagi Skin Care Products Treat the Problems

The Obagi Nu Derm System utilizes a combination of both active and prescription ingredients.  These include Tretinoin and Hydroquinone 4%, designed to maximize penetration to skin layers.  Dosages are varied according to the client’s skin condition and needs.  It works through increasing the cellular turnover of abundant, healthy keratinocytes.  This pushes fresh cells to the surface faster and promotes the exfoliation of old cells.  It also suppresses emlanocyte production and reverses as well as prevents hyper-pigmentiaon.  It also promotes and even distribution of melanin and eliminates unwanted dark patches on the skin and age spots.

Other Products Include…

Products also include Obagi Professional-C Serum, a new formulations in Vitamin C created to neutralize free radicals at all layers of the skin before they can damage skin cells and accelerate the  aging process.  In addition Obagi products include the Obagi Blue Peel, which is different from alpha hydroxyl peels and others in common use.  It uses Tricloraceetic Acid and a blue mixing base with built in safeguards to ensure that results are consistent and allowing the client to control the procedure.  Dr. Obagi’s reputation is behind all of his products and they are worth checking out by the medical aesthetician.

This Luxist writer has spent more than her fair share of time in the spa – working hard to provide readers with the best information possible, naturally. A combination of exploration and research (plus a week at the International Spa Association’s annual conference) has yielded the following favorite five spa trends of 2010:

Mini Treatments Rule
Spa-goers are busy and budget conscious. Booking mini-treatments, whether in “sample packs” of several different experiences or single-service models, allow visitors to experience a variety of services without blowing their budget. Since many spas offer extra amenities, like steam rooms, saunas and relaxation areas, a single service can often allow visitors to spa “all day” at a low base cost. These quick treatments have also become popular lunchtime breaks, where working women (and men) can escape for a pick-me-up facial, Botox treatment or shoulder massage and get back into the workday without missing a beat.

Green Genes
Natural, eco-friendly and “green” treatments are growing increasingly popular among consumers. After all, they already shop at Whole Foods and Trader Joes, recycle, and drive hybrid cars — why shouldn’t the environmental consciousness translate into their spa routine? Paraben-free and organic products have exploded in the marketplace. Salt-based treatments, either in the form of scrubs or ultra-modern detox rooms made of salt blocks have also risen strongly in popularity.

Results-Oriented
The med-spa has gone mainstream, and even “regular” spas are offering treatments like Endermologie and laser hair removal. Some argue that the recession has spurred spa-goers to seek results from what was once a luxury, but others point towards the increasing education of consumers and advancement of technologies and products to spur a consumer movement towards the results rather than relaxation-oriented treatment. No longer is it simply enough to feel pampered – spa-goers want to emerge from their afternoon feeling skinnier, younger and of course, hair and wrinkle free (in all the right places).

Spa Where You Are
Another movement affected partially by the recession, the mega spas of yesteryear are dwindling. Spas have become increasingly focused on treatments rather than size and are moving towards offering rooms that can be converted for multiple needs (facials, massages, and body wraps all in one room) as well as in-room treatments at resorts and hotels. Chains like Massage Envy have also done extremely well by offering a volume discount, ease of access service model and no-frills aesthetic.

Branded Experiences and Local Immersion
Spas are headed in one of two directions. Many have opted to adopt the “Starbucks” mentality, offering a consistent branded experience, either in product lines or treatment menus, comforting consumers with the idea that they can get the same service level across the globe. Other spas have moved in the opposite direction and embraced a farm-to-table approach and are incorporating the natural bounty of their land, incorporating local herbs, salts, sands and muds into their treatments, while others have moved toward using only natural products and oils in their product offerings.

Those looking for a simple line of skin care products that get results would do well to consider P8N8.  This line of quality products pride themselves on using age defying ingredients such as stabilized oxygen, Japanese green tea, vitamin A, Retinol and enzymes using their patented technology for delivery where it is needed, in the skin.  Manufactured under the highest possible standards, P8N8 caries skin care products for both men and women. This product line is one of the most popular with celebrities including Hilary Swank, Mariah Carey, Katie Holmes, Salma Hayek and Kate Winslet.

Oxygen Depletion Leads to Skin Problems

One of the concepts P8N8 uses is that skin problems can be a result of oxygen depletion, so they use ingredients that beat the premature aging process.  Green tea has made a lot of buzz lately about its anti aging properties, and is a prime ingredient.  Enzymes, and Retinol also contribute to the oxidization process and provide a healthy glow to skin.  Previously available only in Europe, P8N8 has come to North America and is widely accepted for the great results it gives its users.

Men Especially Enjoy P8N8

Men especially enjoy the benefits of P8N8 as they become more concerned with their skin.  P8N8 calls the effect “shock & aahh” and refers to it as a “power boost” of “basic boot camp” to improve men’s skin.  Their products include several cleansers, all with proper ph balance, as well as sun screen to both prevent and rectify sun damage to the skin.  P8N8 also has a shock treatment serums which they say can repair years of “war wounds” caused by the sun.  It resurfaces the skin using a time released exfoliant that acts before the surface of the skin and is twenty times more effective than traditional hydroxyl acids, achieving great results without excessive dryness.  It has been cited as great for improving wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet, eye bags, age spots, dark circles under the eyes, freckles and pigmentation problems, rough skin texture and blotchy skin.

Complex Creams Are Helpful

Another popular product from P8N8 are the complex 1 creams.  As a person ages the ability to naturally absorb oxygen from the air is diminished, which results in the skin retaining waste products.   This can be a major factor in dull, blotchy or blemished skin and other signs of premature aging.  If the complex creams are applied every morning the positive results become quickly noticeable.

Great Advice Provided

The professionals at P8N8 also provide great advice to those concerned with skin care. Things we may all know but it doesn’t hurt to remind us of them at times.  Getting plenty of water for proper hydration is important to good skin care, as is avoiding excessive touching of the face and not smoking. Also avoiding carbonated beverages will benefit the skin in the long run.   Remember that the skin is an indicator of the body’s basic health so do all you can do to keep your skin in shape.  And for an effective skin care regime P8N8 is a very good choice.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT

A survey of 10,000 people, published this month by Saga, “looked at changing attitudes towards personal appearance over a generation and revealed that spending on treatments such as ….. teeth whitening, cosmetic surgery and other beauty treatments is soaring. The report discovered that people over fifty are more appearance conscious than ever, with two thirds (62%) believing they are more likely to be judged on their appearance than previous generations.”

To capture this market growth, physicians are adding aesthetic medicine modalities, from Botox® to hCG for weight loss, to their healthcare businesses. To ensure the successful and profitable addition of aesthetic medicine treatments to a medical practice or to launch a medical spa, the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine offers the most comprehensive, hands-on, 2-day training, covering: cosmetic injectables from Botox® to Perlane®, lasers, medical microdermabrasion and medical grade chemical peels. The IAPAM’s Aesthetic Medicine Symposium is designed by physicians, for physicians, and showcases the most current clinical, weight loss, and aesthetic practice business training. At the IAPAM’s Symposium, all Botox® training is done in a clean, multi-million dollar medical facility, not a hotel room.

View a preview of the Aesthetic Medicine Symposium with Botox® training on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of-jMxVNLOY.

Equally, in its 1-day hCG seminar, the IAPAM gives physicians everything they need to add hCG and Medical Weight Management services to a practice. The IAPAM’s hCG & Medical Weight Management Training is offered the Friday before every Symposium, and provides physicians with all the resources required to offer hCG for weight loss clinic to existing patients, or to launch a Medical Weight Loss Clinic. This training covers the IAPAM’s exclusive hCG for Weight Loss Protocol, prescription appetite suppressants & lipase inhibitors, ketogenic diet based programs, meal replacements, B6/12 injections, adding laser-assisted liposuction to your practice and includes all the forms, pharmacy contacts, and patient materials required to start a weight loss program.

Finally, all physicians who complete the IAPAM’s Aesthetic Medicine Symposium and hCG Physician Weight Loss Training have access to 20 AMA CAT 1 Aesthetic Medicine and Obesity CME’s.

Over 500 physicians and their medspa managers, registered nurses, assistants and medical aestheticians, have attended the IAPAM’s Aesthetic Medicine Symposiums and the IAPAM’s hCG Physician Medical Weight Management Training. Join the ranks of physicians who have this competitive advantage, and register for the next Aesthetic Medicine Symposium today by contacting the IAPAM at 1-800-219-5108, or visit http://www.aestheticmedicinesymposium.com or http://www.aestheticmedicinesymposium.com/physician-hcg-weight-loss-training.

About the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine
The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine is a voluntary association of physicians and supporters, which sets standards for the aesthetic medical profession. The goal of the association is to offer education, ethical standards, credentialing, and member benefits. IAPAM membership is open to all licensed medical doctors (MDs), dentists (DDSs/DMDs) doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), physicians assistants (PA’s) and nurse practitioners (NP’s). Information about the association can be accessed through IAPAM’s website at http://www.IAPAM.com or by contacting:

Jeff Russell, Executive-Director
International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM)
1-800-219-5108
infotheiapam.com