Displaying items by tag: Aesthetics

Extend Simple Pleasures to Expand Your Revenue

by Mia Kyricos

Today, almost every industry has begun to feel the effects of the economic downturn in one way or another. The spa and hospitality industry is no exception. During the past few months, this market has seen a dramatic shift in consumer behavior. Most spa professionals have seen a decrease in new clients as well as less in frequency from regular customers.

While today’s economic outlook may be bleak, there are things an individual or company can do to rise above the recession. While most spa professionals’ first inclination is to offer discounts, this can actually hurt their bottom line. I believe there are other, better strategies that can help those within the spa industry succeed in this time of uncertainty. The number one rule of thumb is to differentiate yourself or your business from the competition. The following are just a few steps to take in order to set your enterprise apart and come out on top:

Comprehensive Value: Hardworking professionals are therefore stressed and in need of therapeutic treatments, but they are scrutinizing value. Spas should promote any services or facilities that are offered “for free” by the spa or salon. For example, most spas have a sauna, steam rooms, and/or relaxation rooms that can be utilized pre-or post-massage. Or they offer complimentary herbal teas and snack items. Make sure clients are aware of spas offerings so they feel they will get the most for their money.

Creative Packaging: Reviewing and understanding your clientele will help you understand how to “seal the deal.” For example, if you know that a large majority of your customers come in during their lunch break and your spa offers food, create a spa treatment and lunch package. The customer will still pay for the treatment and meal, but will enjoy the luxury of having it packaged for them.

Share Services: For those professionals who are self-employed, it is helpful to partner with other local spa and hospitality professionals. By doing so, you can share customers and potentially gain new clients. Search your local community and create deals with hair salons, nail salons, and health clubs. By selecting businesses with similar clientele, both companies will tap into a new audience that may not be reached otherwise.

Something for Nothing: Another great way to make clients feel like they are getting more, without spending money is to offer a leave behind flyer with post-treatment care. Share a short list of tips on what to expect and what to do after the treatment. While this may not seem like very much, clients will appreciate the time you took to make their experience last a little bit longer.

Community Involvement: An additional idea is to get involved within your local community. For example, if there is a community athletic event or health fare, offer treatments to participants. This will get your name out and potentially attract new clients, for only a few hours of your time.

Hopefully the tips above can help spa professionals survive the storm.

FIGHT OFF BACTERIA WITH NATURAL ACIDS

Malic acid, derived from apples and pears, and mandelic acid, derived from almonds, are effective at treating multiple skin issues. Mandelic acid is naturally antibacterial so it fights off acne-causing bacteria. It also controls the oil in the skin, and protects from redness and irritation. Malic acid keeps the skin hydrated while fighting the skin’s free radicals that contribute to skin damage and pigmentation. Natural acids also contain collagen-producing properties that repair and rebuild tissue, softening fine lines and wrinkles by maintaining the elasticity and strength of the skin.
Both mandelic and malic acids are gentle and suitable for all skin types (including sensitive skin), even in higher concentration amounts. The skin benefits from the use of natural acids because of their preventative and moisturizing properties. Natural acids are ideal because, unlike their chemical counterparts, they absorb into the skin much faster – giving quicker and more effective results. The use of other chemicals or ingredients can strip the skin of its natural barrier, causing little benefit and exposing the skin to greater irritation.

Contraindications of Pregnancy Massage

by Kindle Massage

For those women with prenatal complications or with high-risk pregnancies, extra care and consideration needs to go into their massages. Their doctor will know whether or not their condition contraindicates all massage or merely limits the techniques and positioning options for massage. If your client has any of the following conditions, make sure that her doctor is comfortable providing you with a written release and any appropriate recommendations in accommodating her special needs: PIH disorders such as hypertension and eclampsia, which is also known as preeclampsia or toxemia; Gestational Diabetes; IUGR/SUR; or placental abnormalities.
Women with a high-risk pregnancy need to take the same care in consulting with their doctor. Again, always have the doctor furnish you with both a release and their recommendation if any of the following factors apply to your client’s pregnancy: mother’s age is under 20 or over 35; a history of complications in previous pregnancies; three or more consecutive spontaneous abortions (miscarriages); multiple gestation; maternal illnesses including diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension, or cardiac/renal/connective tissue/liver disorders; Rh-negative mother; genetic problems including DES; other uterine abnormalities; fetal genetic disorders; or drug or other hazardous materials exposure.

Blush Brush Tip

by Kirsten Corcoran

Using the wrong brush to apply your client's blush can cause women to wind up with virtual racing stripes on their cheeks.

Spafinder Survey

SpaFinder, the leading spa and salon marketing and research company, has released the findings of new surveys designed to illuminate how day and resort/hotel spas are performing in the tough economy"as well as which marketing tactics each sector is focusing on to weather the downturn in 2009.
The findings provide hard evidence that despite the ongoing recession, the industry has proven relatively resilient: a majority of day spas (51 percent) actually reported revenue gains in 2008 over 2007 " and while the resort/hotel category was more impacted (with 54 percent of resort spas reporting revenue declines in 2008), 46 percent still reported gains.
The research also provides the first window into which precise marketing strategies spas are focusing on in 2009, and the findings are clear: the industry will put a significantly increased emphasis on deals/specials and Internet marketing in the year ahead, with traditional advertising (print, TV, and direct marketing) facing significant cuts.
“The spa industry's ongoing, aggressive focus on deals has been an extremely savvy move, meeting the demand of stressed consumers who need spas more than ever"but only if the price is right,"said Susie Ellis, SpaFinder's president. "And with marketing budgets under more intense scrutiny, the significantly increased focus on targeted, measurable Internet marketing, rather than traditional media, comes as no surprise."
Additionally, preliminary '09 data currently being amassed at SpaFinder Research indicates that day spas should continue to outperform resort/hotel spas across 2009 " and within the, spa category, urban hotel spas will perform best. Ellis noted, "As more consumers forego travel and seek breaks closer to home, the "daycation" has moved from a trendy buzzword to reality. Urban hotel spas will lead the resort spa category, as they're uniquely poised to attract the "day spa" consumer. Given recent research that the wider U.S. hotel industry's revenue-per-room is down 17 percent, we're finding welcome evidence that a spa component is providing much-needed revenue for hotels--particularly in larger markets."

MIGRAINE RELIEF

by Dr. Mercola

Vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid may reduce the frequency, severity, and disability of migraines, according to new research. Daily vitamin supplements were found to produce a two-fold reduction in migraine disability.
About 12 to 15 percent of people suffer from migraines, with twice as many women as men affected. The headaches are sometimes preceded by flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms or legs, or anxiety. Sufferers generally experience a pounding sensation on one side of their head and many undergo nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and noise. The symptoms are often severe and debilitating.
Scientists recruited 52 people diagnosed with migraines. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin supplements or a placebo for six months. The supplements were associated with a reduction in the prevalence of migraine disability from 60 percent at the start of the study to 30 percent after six months. No reduction was observed in the placebo group.
Reductions in the frequency of the headache and the severity of the pain were also observed in people in the B vitamin group, while no such changes were observed in the placebo group.

SUMMER HAIR CARE TIPS

By Suki Duggan

Although many summer photo shoots depict long healthy hair and a glowing, sun-kissed skin, we all know that summer’s sun and humidity can wreak havoc on our beauty regime. Here are some easy tips for getting hair in shape this summer while not spending a lot of cash.
Tip 1: Lay off the hot styling tools: If you normally use hot hair tools (blow dryers, hot irons, electric curlers) every day, give your hair a break and let it air dry. You know the humidity will just undo all of your work the minute you step outside. Braid your hair on summer days, and at night, you will have seductive waves.
Tip 2: Protect your hair from damaging UV rays: The sun’s UV rays are just as damaging to our hair as they are to our skin. Not only does the sun make our hair dry and weak, it also can make color-treated hair appear brassy. Wear a UPF protective hat or invest in a hair care product with SPF.
Tip 3: Pack in the nutrients: If you break the above rules, make sure you take extra precautions to repair your hair. Give it extra conditioning and protection.