UK Spa Association

- by Adam Chatterley

In light of the most recent announcements from the government and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging that all nightclubs, theatres, gyms and leisure centres should close "as soon as they reasonably can" I think the time has come to advise all our members, indeed all spas in the UK, to cease performing treatments on clients as soon as feasibly possible.

The announcement was made at the 5pm daily briefing by the Prime Minister on the 20th March at around 5:30pm. Unfortunately spas were not specifically identified, however we at the UK Spa Association are in agreement that as an industry we need to do we can to support the effort to halt the spread of COVID-19, also known as coronaviris.

We must now focus our efforts on supporting the NHS, by doing whatever we can to slow the spread of this virus. In turn, the NHS may then focus their efforts on caring for those most severly affected.

Given that the announcement has come so late in the day on a Friday, it seems practical to honour those treatments remaining that you have booked in with clients on Saturday 21st March, however we are advising all spas to contact all clients with bookings from Sunday onwards that treatments will now cease until further notice.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) named COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) a global pandemic, which is defined as when a new virus (such as SARS-CoV-2, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which causes COVID-19/Coronavirus) for which people do not have immunity spreads beyond world expectations.

While we already know that social distancing and self-isolation are our greatest chances at combatting the spread of the quickly evolving virus, we also know that for many, their anxiety and loneliness levels are at an all-time high.

With direct contact with clients and as a sociable industry that prides itself on making clients look and feel their best, this is the exact opposite as to how our industry operates.

For many personal trainers, the month of March can be the start of the great ‘get summer ready’ mentality and the beginning of a business period. However, with news of social distancing, many clients are not working out in gyms but rather their own homes whilst self-isolating.

However, some international advice has been that gym clients should try to avoid group sessions that don't allow for 6 feet of space between each person. Gym owners could also consider encouraging distancing for instance by spacing out people or machines in classes.

- By Helena Grzesk

Without a shadow of a doubt this is a time of much confusion.

There is widespread panic and apprehension amongst many of our spas, our teams and the wider consumer, our potential guests. 

RevSpa - the industry leading Spa Booking Engine

RevSpa, our industry leading Spa Booking Engine, will not only increase the amount of revenue your spa generates, but will also offer the ultimate spa booking experience for your guests. 

Specifically developed for spas, our conversion-led booking system will keep your spa busy and save you time and money.  RevSpa is packed with features for guests and spa staff alike to facilitate the best guest facing spa booking platform in the industry. 

RevSpa has a staggering 68.8% conversion rate compared to just 15% for other eCommerce sites!

Raised Spirit spa treatments were born of the shared love between three friends for natural plant medicines and oriental health wisdom. Encorporating the powerful benefits of organic CBD into our treatments, we guide the client through a journey of self-discovery, bringing mind, body and spirit into better alignment. 

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid from the hemp plant that interacts with the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS) to regulate homeostasis, helping to restore balance. Containing powerful anti-inflammatory properties, CBD helps relieve pain, deepen sleep and improve mood and memory. 

Raised Spirit treatments offer a totally unique holistic experience, drawing from the best of many different healing traditions and cultures from around the world. Our organic CBD Drops and CBD Massage Oils combine with sound therapy, trigger-point release, Indian and Chinese massage techniques and custom soundtracks to guide the client through an experience they will never forget, leaving them empowered with a deeper awareness of how to take better care of their own health moving forward. 

- Full Experience by Raised Spirit, with Organic CBD 75-90 minutes 

The world leaders in natural nail care, MAVALA stands for quality and high performing care and beauty products. Developed in Switzerland over 60 years ago, the company has won numerous awards for its innovative mini colors as well as off-the-shelf solutions to various nail and beauty problems including weak nails, fungal nails and sparse eyelashes.  With an extensive range of nail care, nail colour, skincare and cosmetic products, MAVALA offers customers a trusted and high-performance brand to fulfil their health and beauty needs.

The industry is changing and 2020 will see even more of a consumer shift from an aesthetically led and super-fast nail solution such as gel and acrylic manicures to a more natural and organic preference that prioritises the health and wellbeing of the natural nail. Polish is undeniably kinder to the nail and the wellness-savvy consumers of today’s market are more aware of this than ever. We are all concerned with our health and questions such as; is it vegan, plastic-free and environmentally friendly are some of the most popular search terms when sourcing beauty products. The demand for natural nails is returning and with quality product formulation, a natural manicure can rival those of a gel finish.  

With a brand ethos of ‘care before beauty’, MAVALA not only delivers on the aesthetic side of beauty with its extensive colour range bringing in new colours each season but also places a focus on the health of the nail and skin underneath it. 

https://www.mavala.co.uk/

The HydraFacial Company are creators of HydraFacial, one of the fastest-growing aesthetic treatments ever launched. Currently, we trade in 87 countries and a HydraFacial treatment is performed every 15 seconds somewhere in the world (around 2.5 million treatments a year!). 

Our technical expertise and innovative approach to marketing has helped us become ‘category kings’ of the skin health sector enabling us to continually invest and grow the brand to help boost our client’s businesses. HydraFacial is a unique, patented, non-invasive, multi-modality device that puts the ‘treat’ back into treatment. From its launch, it has set the industry alight and today it is widely regarded as one of the best-loved treatments on the planet.

Able to treat skin of any age, type or tone, it provides instantly visible results with no downtime and it can be personalised to treat specific skin concerns; rebuilding skin health and providing glowing results to boost confidence and help users face life, face first. 

No other treatment has had the impact on skincare and skin health that HydraFacial has had and, because every client that walks through the door can be treated, it is also one of the most profitable treatments on the market. 

The Susan Gerrard Beauty Academy aims to deliver real-world learning, in-depth knowledge and the confidence to pursue a long-term career in beauty. Our graduates achieve a nationally recognized, qualification. As a VTCT certificated, Habia-endorsed Centre of Expertise, the Academy provides the highest quality beauty training, delivered by experienced industry educators using our professional products. We train in manicure, pedicure, makeup, tanning, brows, skincare, waxing and Swedish massage. Our graduates leave with a high level of practical skill and knowledge, including retail skills and homecare advice. 

For more information about the Susan Gerrard Beauty Academy https://gerrardinternational.com/courses/, call 0345 217 1360 or email

@gerrardinternational (Instagram)

@GerrardInternational (Facebook)

@Gerrard_Int (Twitter)

Welcome to Floreat sparkling botanic wine, an innovative creation that fuses the benefits of biodynamic herbs with wine. 

Floreat was developed with mindful living and wellness in mind. It has a lower alcohol content and less calories* than existing sparkling wines and delivers gentle bubbles with a zesty, crisp nose. 

*Lower calorie 36 vs. 72Kcal/100ml. Lower alcohol ABV 5.4% vs. 12-12.5%.

Its unique modern flavour is achieved by the botanical ingredients chosen for their efficacy by Anne-Marie Hurst, a medical herbalist and creator of Floreat. 

OUR PURPOSE

We provide an expert knowledge base across a wide range of furniture, fittings, equipment, the latest spa treatments and on-going consumables to help you select the most appropriate products to deliver your treatment menu.

NEW SPA DEVELOPMENTS AND PROJECTS 

In 2019 we worked with many projects across the UK which included The Spa at South Lodge, Three Graces Spa at Grantley Hall, The Spa at Carden Park. 

Our Spa Partner team are ready to work with you to make sure your project runs smoothly, on time and to budget. Our experienced installation team will position and install the equipment you have ordered, often working in rooms with restricted or limited access. Together with our manufacturing partners we have the expertise to make sure you receive the highest standards of service and support.

Based on the Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Elemental Herbology sources the highest quality, natural ingredients and combines them with the latest technologies, unique treatments and innovative products to bring ultimate skin nutrition to spas across the globe. 

With a focus on well-being and lifestyle, Elemental Herbology believes in ethical, sustainable skincare and spa treatments that respect the world we live in, without compromising on luxury.THE FIVE ELEMENTS 
Wood, fire, earth, metal, water. Ancient Chinese philosophy tells us that everything in life is composed of and influenced by these five different elements. They influence who we are, what we feel, and they can be affected by many different factors such as our lifestyle, diet, stress levels, routine and the seasons. 

WOOD- The wood element rules spring, a time of awakening and fresh new growth. If you are predominantly a wood person, you are one of life’s helpers, always on the go and at the service of others.

FIRE - The fire element rules summer, a time for activity and high energy. If you are predominantly a fire person, you are energetic and ambitious, but can be prone to burnout.

EDUCATION FIRST

While the Dermalogica story begins in 1986, the force of change in the industry started in Los Angeles, circa 1983. Jane Wurwand, a United Kingdom-trained skin therapist, recognised that continuing skin and body therapy education was practically non-existent in the United States. While her training had bee comprehensive and serious, US students entered the industry licensed yet under-trained, and worse, under-respected. Jane put her education into action, opening a small classroom in Marina del Rey, California under the name The International Dermal Institute (IDI). She invited licensed skin therapists to get hands-on with the postgraduate training so critical to making them competitive in the business. Today, IDI is considered the international gold-standard for postgraduate skin and body therapy training with 37 locations worldwide.

DERMALOGICA IS BORN

While teaching at IDI, it didn’t take long for Jane to realise no product line embraced her belief of skin health as opposed to “beauty,” so she developed her own. In 1986, Dermalogica was born. The vision was clear - a product line free of common irritants and ingredients that could cause breakouts (including lanolin, SD alcohol, mineral oil, artificial colours and fragrances) that would improve skin health, and were only available from qualified skin care professionals.

HUMAN TOUCH

CryoAction’s extreme cold spa treatments came to fruition after extensive exploration into alternative therapy for those who needed effective restorative and rehabilitative care. Cryotherapy has long been used across the globe due to its many health, wellbeing and beauty benefits, helping users everywhere to rejuvenate their mind and body 

The euphoric experience lasts, on average, three minutes, with temperatures reaching as low as -135°c, inside a spacious, luxurious and well-lit whole-body chamber.  The effects are similar to the ever-popular ice bath, but it takes less time and is a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. This, combined with the additional health and wellbeing benefits means whole-body cryotherapy has grown in popularity, particularly amongst celebrities.

There are many benefits to having regular, or even one-off treatments, in a CryoAction chamber, from pain relief and reduction in inflammation to boosting the immune system, treating anxiety, sleep disorders and skin conditions, to even encouraging the production of collagen. Whatever the client’s needs, the cryotherapy experience will leave them with a deep sense of wellbeing.

Whatever your needs, CryoAction can offer a new dimension to your Spa, helping to build new custom and improve retention. 

Introducing Body Ballancer, a premium wellness treatment that can produce a range of health and aesthetic benefits, without the need for a therapist. 

WHAT IS IT? 

The Body Ballancer is a clinically proven, advanced lymphatic massage technology. It uses patent-protected, inflating compression garments to apply a gentle or firm massage that removes excess fluid and toxins via the lymphatic system. 

WHY IS THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM SO IMPORTANT? 

The lymphatic system is a vast network of vessels serving almost every cell in the body. Strung along those vessels are lymph nodes that filter and purify lymphatic fluid. That fluid relies on muscle contraction, deep breathing or external manipulation to keep it moving. If the lymphatic system gets blocked or overrun (through illness, lack of activity, toxic overload etc), it can lead to a host of health problems and aesthetic concerns. 

Sustainable, Responsible, Luxury... 

New for 2020, BC Softwear have launched SmartSoft®. The SmartSoft® collection is specifically designed for spas and hotels that have an On-Premise Laundry (OPL) or are considering this investment and are looking to reduce their carbon footprint and minimise costs. SmartSoft® includes an entire range of sustainable towelling solutions for your spa business which includes; new SmartKnit® Towels, SupremeSoft Bathrobes and SupremeSoft Spa linen that can deliver:

• 70% guaranteed energy savings 
• 65% reduction in oil absorption
• 30% reduction in drying times

So, as well as requiring less energy and water during the wash cycle, these products can reduce drying times, thereby also creating efficiencies in staff resources and costs. 

Public relations is a great way to build your business image, even if your business is well-established, there’s no time like the present to bring it to the attention of a new market.

With 2.3 billion users, Facebook is the most popular social media platform today. YouTube, Instagram and WeChat follow, with more than a billion users. Tumblr and TikTok come next, with over half a billion users. (Source: Our World in Data).

Social media is a minefield, of that surely no one can deny. However, to use it effectively, it helps to understand the different platforms of promotion. Matt Beech, Marketing Director of Patch Media put it succintly when he said “Like your home, your website is quite static, it represents who you are and is visited by those who care about you most”. Your social media however, is like your personality and because its mobile it can move around. It represents who you are but it is dynamic and out in the open and can be seen by people without them proactively going out of their way to see you”.

Now you can tell a lot about someone from their home but to understand a person’s values, their behaviour, their personality, always up to a point, social media can act as a middle interaction in a conversion path. In other words, steps taken by the ‘follower’ through your social media channels, gaining value through the ‘know, like and trust’ process to a definite end.

Value can be anything from a friendly complement to useful advice or even downloadables. As a PR I often think of my prospective client’s ‘pain points’. These are specific problems/challenges that a potential client is experiencing. Ask the right questions, actively listen, acknowledge their struggle and offer solutions. As a spa owner/director, before any PR campaign, take the time to think, who is the target audience(s) and what is the key message you want to convey, not forgetting the desired outcome.

- by Juliet Wheater

The significance of Brexit cannot be underestimated as the most important political issue facing the United Kingdom since the Second World War! At the time of going to press, the UK will have left the European Union, perhaps!

At the time of writing, the political and economic environment continues to be peppered with uncertainty with all types of industry being affected. The property and construction industry call for stability and a study by consumer motoring website BuyaCar.co.uk has found that consumer confidence has been “unlocked” by an end to the political uncertainty that has rocked the nation in recent years. The publication’s poll of more than 3,000 people found that 15 percent would go ahead with plans to buy a new car now the general election is over, and the Brexit withdrawal agreement has been voted through.

Healthcare industry professionals are quite divided regarding Brexit's outcome post 31^st January however, with 26% and 43% of the UK and US respondents, respectively, stating that there will be a further delay once the current deadline is reached and 43% of the EU respondents believing that Brexit could be achieved by renegotiating a current withdrawal agreement.

- by Juliet Wheater

Gut health refers to the balance of microorganisms that live within the digestive tract. Looking after the health of the gut and maintaining the right balance of these microorganisms is vital for physical and mental health and immunity. Such bacteria, yeasts and viruses — of which there are around 100 trillion are also known as the "gut microbiome" or "gut flora."

Many microbes are beneficial for human health and some are even essential. However, others can become harmful, especially when they multiply. Therefore, to boost the beneficial bacteria or probiotics in the gut, some choose to take probiotic supplements, readily available within health food shops, pharmacy’s as well as online. 

Some people believe that taking probiotics can support a healthy gut microbiome and that it may prevent gut inflammation and other intestinal problems. This may well be the case, however there are a variety of stressors which can negatively affect gut health such as eating high concentrates of sugar or artificial sweeteners, which some believe may cause gut dysbiosis, an imbalance of gut microbes.

- by ukactive

In the UK we are facing a physical inactivity crisis, especially in relation to the workplace. Research from the Lancet (embed link – see end) shows that office workers spending eight hours a day sat at a desk are up to 60 per cent more likely to die early from diseases such as cancer and heart disease; but it also shows that high levels of moderate physical activity can eliminate the increased risk of death associated with high sitting time. 

Not only can being active during the working day effectively save lives, it can also have a number of additional benefits for individuals, society and employers. Being active can have a positive impact on mental health, build inclusion and team ethos, increase productivity, lower absence rates, increase self-confidence and support development of individual purpose. 

A recent global Deloitte report [embed link – see end] found that 78 per cent of employers are looking to invest in physical activity programmes in the next three years, the same report found that 56 per cent of the fitness operators interviewed in the survey consider corporate wellness a ‘big opportunity’ for growth, while a further 36 per cent indicated that it will increase their total revenues. 

- by Juliet Wheater

Research from the Global Wellness Research Institute states that the global health and wellness industry is growing at an historic rate nearly twice as fast as the global economy. Now worth $4.2 trillion with 12.8% growth between 2015 and 2017 representing 5.3% of total global economic output. What at time to be in spa! 

Accelerating segments include personal care, beauty and anti-aging products (typically as younger consumers establish better regimens earlier and boomers are embracing longer life spans) as well as nutrition and weight loss.

Some predict that during 2020 and well into the new decade, beauty brands (accredited as early adopters of social media) will begin or continue to be more authentic, transparent and engaged with their consumer community. Perhaps as part of this demanding consumer community, the last decade brought real progress in the way that society views beauty. Makeup became more inclusive, with much less airbrushing within advertisements and further appreciation that one size does not fit all.