Diet plays an important role to play in many skin disorders, and when it comes to nutritional advice I am frequently asked about the “Acne- Diet” connection.
Acne is by far the most common skin disease and is increasingly affecting both adolescents and adults in North America. Clinical evidence suggests nutrient imbalances in Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Zinc, Selenium, Chromium, Folic acid, Omega 3 fatty acids, low blood antioxidant levels and insulin insensitivity may be linked to the progression and severity of acne vulgaris. It is also proposed certain foods can “trigger” an inflammatory response in the body which is thought to aggravate the acne condition. As studies continue to build, experts are beginning to refocus their efforts in the management of acne and to bring nutrition into their treatment protocols.
To start with, focusing on a Low Glycemic Diet containing complex carbohydrates (vs. simple sugars) has been shown in human clinical studies to significantly reduce the number and severity of acne lesions over a 12 week period. The glycemic index or GI describes this difference by ranking carbohydrates according to their effect on our blood glucose levels. Choosing low GI carbs – the ones that produce only small fluctuations in our blood glucose and insulin levels – is the secret to long-term health reducing your risk of heart disease, diabetes, healthy weight management and is now being implemented for the treatment and management of Acne Vulgaris. Well-designed studies have concluded that improving blood sugar balance through a low glycemic diet may help to reduce epidermal growth factor (that is over-excited in the acne patient) and inflammation within the skin.
There are many books and diets out there focusing on the Glycemic Index for optimal health and weight management. Below is the link that will take you to the “creators” of the glycemic index. The concept is rather simple and by providing your clients with these credible tools, you may offer them a long term approach to not only improving their acne condition, but also help them feel their best too!
I have been a little under the weather lately, with a sinus infection. I don’t get sick very often, luckily. But as a result, I don’t really get “how it works.” Seeing a doctor, I mean. I realized after a week of coughing that I needed professional help, and set out in my car trying to find one of those Urgent Care facilities, where you can just walk in and see a doctor. That makes so much more sense to me than spending 15 minutes on hold to try to get an appointment sometime in the next 24 hours with your family physician. I wasn’t successful in finding one, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.
The experience made me wonder if this is the way spa clients would like to interact with their spa, just show up and get a service or two. Obviously, it gets more complicated when folks want multiple services, but judging from the way Massage Envy is growing, a more casual approach to service is plenty popular. Walking through Bloomingdales in New York last week, I stopped by the Benefit Brow Bar. It’s a cute little nook off of the main cosmetics floor, where they wax, tweeze, and shape brows, no appointment needed. In fact, there are drugstores in New York that are offering that same service now. I know I’ve mentioned in previous blogs the Bumble & Bumble Styling Bar, also in Bloomingdales cosmetics department, not 100 feet away from the brow bar. You just walk up and get your hair styled, no appointment needed and presto, you’re gorgeous. And I’ll bet that once your hair looks good, you need to invest in some new cosmetics to go with it.
Another recent entry in the casual category is Ernest & Olivia, also in New York. It’s a spa/salon/barbershop hybrid, mostly geared to men but they do have an area for women. The owners set out to create a place where folks just want to hang out, and they do. They serve French Press Coffee and Scotch all day, have WIFI, and even a computer you can use to surf the net and check your email while you wait. All of the reviews on Yelp were extremely happy with their new find. I must admit I do love the idea of creating spaces where people can just be, and equipping them so they want to. Hang out with your friends, get a shave, brow wax, manicure, have a coffee, bring your laptop. Sort of a Starbucks with beauty services. Obviously, cities are better suited to this kind of thing, and you’d need to very carefully plan the space so as to accommodate the non-revenue generating area. But if you can do it in a place with rents as high as New York City, you can do it anywhere.
I’d love to hear from anyone who is doing business in a new and different way!
One of my favorite things about the spa industry is the wide array of interesting people that I meet. Doesn’t seem like anyone sets out to be in the spa industry, but we all end up here somehow. I am always interested in learning more about the winding road that brings us together, and thought maybe you would be too. There are so many great people out there, who’ve had a lot of bright ideas over the years, so we’re introducing a new feature to the SpaTrade website called “Bright Spots.” Stop by each week, and you’ll be able to virtually meet someone in the industry that we’re highlighting. I hope you like this feature, and if you have a suggestion for me of someone to include, send me a note at lstarr@spatrade.com.
Jan Freitag is Vice President of Global Development for STR Global, leaders in market share analysis and data collection for the hospitality industry. Jan has spent the last few years getting to know the spa industry and encouraging us to examine our data!
How many years have you been involved in the spa/hospitality industry?
I started presenting spa data in 2006, so that was probably the start in the spa industry. I did an apprenticeship in a Moevenpick hotel in 1989 and have been in the hotel industry ever since.
What was the path that led you into the spa industry?
Mary Tabacchi invited me to a Cornell Spa Symposium and talked me into presenting, although at the time we had no data on spas at all. But, you can never say no to Mary, so I went and came up with a presentation that got the dialogue going.
What is your favorite place in the whole world?
Toss up between Mii Amo in Sedona (for the scenery) and Miraval in Tucson (for the experience).
If you could have any profession in the world, other than what you do now, what would you be?
I always wanted to go into space, so astronaut would be my choice. Thanks to Virgin Galactic, this may come true after all . . .
What is your motto or concept that you live by?
“Life is Service. The one who progresses is the one who gives his fellow man a little more, a little better service.”E.M. Statler
What is your most treasured possession?
Memories from my trips. And signed pictures of The Wrapped Reichstag by Christo.
What’s your go-to spa treatment?
Gentlemen’s Facial.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Staying in shape.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would like to remember names more easily, I am having a really hard time with that.
Tell us two things about yourself we don’t know.
My last name means “Friday” in German and that is what my car license plate says, “Friday.”
I try to start each day with a 6:00am, 20 lap swim, even (especially) when I am on the road.
Target, CVS, Walgreen’s, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar Deals, Claires Accessories Boutique, Victoria Secret, your local favorite department store chain and now add Payless Shoe store to the list.
Do you know what it is?
Can you give it a try and guess?
Its makeup, skincare, spa and body care and beauty supplies like false eyelashes, tweezers, makeup brushes and sponges. Do you sell them? Do you offer a fabulous and fun shopping experience by catering to their needs beyond a facial, massage, body treatment and waxing? If you don’t …your clients are saying their “Goodbyes” and driving to one of these nearest stores of their choice. Even though they love you, they are finding what they want and need. How unfortunate, these retail beauty purchases are not from you and your spa or salon.
The holiday season from the first fall leaves, to Halloween to Christmas, Chanukah and New Years Eve…is your time to shine and make some money with adding more retail.
Start with gorgeous lipsticks, next add a small nail lacquer seasonal display, next some cozy bath, body and room scents with fall pumpkin and transition unto pine for CHRISTMAS. Give your place a new attitude, a new look and a fabulous mix of merchandise.
Think about it…a shoe store now selling cosmetics and you’re not! You are a spa of beauty and relaxation aren’t you?
4 Steps to Building a Successful Reception & Reservation Team – R & R
In Part One, we spoke about how important spa reception is and how the goal should be to transform order takers to revenue generators. In Part Two, I am going to share with you more details regarding the 4 Easy Steps to Transform Your Reception and Reservation Department. If you did not read Part One, read it first, then come back for Part Two. Read the rest of this entry »
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About the Author:
Dori Soukup is the Founder and CEO of InSPAration Management Helping you Elevate your SUCCESS!
*Education *Coaching *Consulting *BizTools
The 16th annual ISPA Media Event was held last week in New York City. Twelve resort and destination spas transformed the Cipriani 42nd St Event Venue into a haven of relaxation for the attending members of the print, trade, broadcast and digital press.
Each spa set up a booth and featured a service for the journalists to try. Among the most popular were the Shamanic Dreamwork interpretations, courtesy of The Lodge at Woodloch, the Qi Grounding service from Miraval, and Wild Chamomile and Ancient Cedar Pedissage from Aspira The Spa. Fun and interesting services were also provided by:
The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Kohler Waters Spa
Lake Austin Spa Resort
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Massage Envy
Mohonk Mountain House
Montage Resort & Spa
Rancho La Puerta
The Spa at Trump
Corporate sponsors Hay House and Precor joined gift bag sponsor Spa Week in ensuring the guests were well fed and refreshed and loaded up with spa goodies. Hopefully, the event will spark an increase in press coverage for these and other new services available in spas in the near future.
Bryan Durocher shares business building tips for promoting body treatments and hydrotherapy along with series and gift card sales in the spa.
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Bryan Durocher is the Founder of Durocher Enterprises, providing coaching, consulting, global industry trends, marketing solutions for med spas, spa and industry professionals internationally. Bryan was named in 2008 one of the "Top 20 People to Know in the Beauty Industry" by Global Cosmetic Industry Magazine.
4 Steps to Building a Successful Spa Reception Team
If you were at the IECSC show in Fort Lauderdale last year you might have attended the Spa Reception and Profit lecture I did. One of our clients Natalie Spencer was among the many who attended. (Make plans to attend the IECSC trade show this fall). I was speaking with Natalie last week and we were talking about her receptionists’ and call center. She said “since I’ve implemented the Reception & Profit DVD contentmyreception department and call center are experiencing a 30% reservation rate increase”. Wouldn’t you like to experience this type of growth? If Natalie can do it so can you! Natalie is the General Manager for the Renaissance European Day Spa in Fayetteville, North Carolina she oversees two large day spas and manages over 100 team players; needless to say she stays very busy. So I ask you, how effective is your reception center? In this blog I am going to share with you mistakes to avoid and 4 steps to help you build a successful spa reception team. Read the rest of this entry »
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About the Author:
Dori Soukup is the Founder and CEO of InSPAration Management Helping you Elevate your SUCCESS!
*Education *Coaching *Consulting *BizTools
One of my favorite things about the spa industry is the wide array of interesting people that I meet. Doesn’t seem like anyone sets out to be in the spa industry, but we all end up here somehow. I am always interested in learning more about the winding road that brings us together, and thought maybe you would be too. There are so many great people out there, who’ve had a lot of bright ideas over the years, so we’re introducing a new feature to the SpaTrade website called “Bright Spots.” Stop by each week, and you’ll be able to virtually meet someone in the industry that we’re highlighting. I hope you like this feature, and if you have a suggestion for me of someone to include, send me a note at lstarr@spatrade.com.
Paula Simpson combines a background in health, nutrition and fitness with experience planning weight loss and longevity programs for spas, and is a co-founder and formulator of GliSODin Skin Nutrients.
How many years have you been involved in the spa/hospitality industry?
I have worked with both the spa and medical aesthetic industry for 8 years now.
What was the path that led you into the spa industry?
I consulted as a Nutrition Expert & Personal Trainer throughout my nutrition studies. The majority of my clients were seeking to lose weight and look their best. I later accepted a position as the Nutrition Director for a wellness center focused on spa and weight loss. I turned this facility into a Physician Recommended Medical Spa that became a successful franchise. Read the rest of this entry »
This week, SpaFinder hosted a “spa tasting” event at their Park Avenue offices for about 250 media and spa folks. The Clodagh-designed offices were the perfect setting for spa services, as each of the 7 participating spas converted an office into a spa suite and gave “taster” services, which were enjoyed by everyone along with the delicious hors d’oeuvres provided by Susan Lawrence catering, and bar provided by Emperor’s Brand. Read the rest of this entry »
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