UK Spa Association

By Juliet Wheater 

It was reported back in April, that the Himalayas were visible from India , amid the government’s lockdown to fight the corona virus, allowing residents to see the towering peaks 125 miles away from Punjab for the first time in 30 years, indicating cleaner air. 

However, as life begins to get back to normal, clean air is once again, increasingly hard to come by, so what we can do to stay healthy? 

According to the Royal College of Physicians, air pollution is responsible for around 40,000 deaths a year in the UK. Air pollution is a known cause of lung cancer and is connected to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and changes in the brain linked to dementia, says Professor Stephen Holgate, RCP’s adviser on air quality. Other chronic health conditions, such as asthma, bronchial diseases and skin problems, are also triggered by exposure to pollutants. And for children, the elderly and those with existing respiratory conditions, pollution is a major concern, states Dr Nick Hopkinson, medical director at the British Lung Foundation. (Source: Woman & Home magazine). 

With pollution levels in many parts of the country regularly exceeding the World Health Organisation’s safety guidelines, it’s time for all of us to make some changes and not just temporary ones, during a pandemic. 

By Juliet Wheater 

People are falling in love with crystals, a trend accelerated by celebrity endorsements from the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, Katy Perry, Khloe Kardashian, Bella Hadid, and Adele.

Adele uses citrine to help combat stage fright. Victoria Beckham is said to carry a black obsidian with her for protection and Miranda Kerr is understood to keep her rose quartz next to her skincare products, in order to infuse them with energy. 

Rose quartz and amethyst are usually displayed within homes and other working and living spaces to “balance negative energy.” More latterly, such stones are also sealed into water bottles to infuse the water with their declared healing, grounding, and restoring properties. We’re also seeing a rise in the popularity of crystal skin care and crystal light therapy. Crystals are being touted as cures for stress and pain, and as having the ability to “reduce radiation” from smartphones – among other things.

The UK spa industry needs some good cheer just now as it begins the slow journey out of lockdown. Perhaps this can come from looking to the past rather than the future and reflecting that it was this country that led the way in developing the whole modern concept of the spa. It is an achievement that should provide pride and encouragement as we prepare for the challenges ahead.

Spas have been a central feature of European culture since classical times when the ancient Greeks and Romans discovered the benefits and pleasures of bathing in thermal mineral waters. It was only in the eighteenth century, however, that Europe’s spas came into their own as elegant resorts for a clientele drawn initially by the health benefits of taking the waters but increasingly also by the diversions offered and the chance to mix with the well-to-do. Spas became the pre-eminent places in which to be seen and to socialise. They developed a distinctarchitectural landscape in which the bath house was joined by a pump room, for taking the waters and promenading, and assembly rooms, for socialising, gambling, dancing and concerts. These buildings were situated in attractive parks, adding to the atmosphere of elegance and relaxation. A complex set of rules and strict etiquette governed the social life of spas during the ‘season’, which usually extended from May to September, when ‘the Company’, as the patrons were known, forsook the noise and the stench of cities for the clean air and healing waters of these semi-rural oases. 

The English were in the van of these developments, taking to the waters more enthusiastically and in greater numbers than their Continental neighbours. Bath established itself in the first half of the eighteenth century as the most elegant and popular European spa, with Richard ‘Beau’ Nash establishing the complex etiquette which governed the social and recreational life of the Company. It became the model for Continental spas, notably Spa in Belgium, Baden bei Wien in Austria and Baden bei Zurich in Switzerland, which developed in a similar way in the latter half of the century. They followed Bath’s lead in establishing a daily regime for guests which began with the serious business of drinking and bathing in the waters, continued with morning and afternoon promenades and social gatherings to exchange gossip, and concluded with balls, gambling, concerts and theatrical performances in the evening.  

The growing popularity of spas was a direct consequence of the emergence of what we would now call health tourism. The Enlightenment brought a new emphasis across Europe on environment and on the benefits of travel for healing the body as well as cultivating the mind. The English were in the van of this movement and it was the English spas of Harrogate, Buxton, Tunbridge Wells and Cheltenham as well as Bath that picked up the benefit, becoming the first resorts to which people travelled as much for a change of scene as for other purposes. 

- by Juliet Wheater

Self-care can include a myriad of practices that an individual finds both enjoyable and in some way promotes physical, emotional, spiritual and/or mental health. According to the definition from the World Health Organisation, self-care is the behaviours you do to take care of your own health and can include hygiene, nutrition, leisure activities, sports, exercise, seeking professional healthcare services when needed, and much more.

During a global pandemic, the need to care for our own health, every aspect of it, is of the utmost importance, as we currently emerge from such unusual circumstances and look to navigate a new normal, is not easy.

Returning to work 

As we recalibrate into our “new normal” and understand how we can best look after our mental and physical wellness, along with our Spa industry community trying to best nurture our businesses back to operations - wellbeing has never seemed so important. How do you re-launch with something that's relevant, with an offering that aligns with your client's new-found priorities and offers your business to be part of pioneering new sector? 

CBD could hold all of the answers. 

The UK CBD market generated 150M in the first 4 months of 2020 alone, this was a 50% rise in 2019, naming the hottest new trend, CBD, loved by the likes of the Kardashians and some of the UK’s Top Spa Directors.

What is CBD? 

- by Juliet Wheater 

Over recent years, there has been a significant rise in the attention of inclusivity and the authentic representation of people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community and racial diversity within the beauty and wellness industries. 

During 2017, the largest diversity story was the launch of pop star Rihanna’s beauty brand, Fenty, a cosmetics line that launched its new foundation line, in no less than 40 shades. Vogue magazine at the time, named it a top 2018 beauty trend, exclaiming Fenty Beauty “singlehandedly changed the conversation.”

This conversation continues and more recently, in light of the Black Lives Matter movement, we learn that on these shores, black and minority wellness professionals have united and signed a charter demanding reform for racial equality in the UK wellness industry. ‘The Wellness Industry Charter for Racial Diversity, Inclusion and Access’, aims to tackle three diversity challenges: health inequality, lack of access, and under-representation faced by black and minority groups.

-by Juliet Wheater 

Although change is undeniable, it generally just evolves, not usually with ferocious pace, unless a crisis occurs. Covid-19 is one such global crisis and we’ve all had to adapt and change. We’ve implemented new ways of coping and of working. 

Seeing as the very basis of spa is physical touch, our wellness industry is one sector that is bound to experience quite a transformation, for example: the introduction of new ways of working, new ways of interacting with clients as well as patterns of consumption. 

Beauty & wellness will thrive again as looking good is intrinsically linked to feeling good. A relaxing massage or a physical makeover, is linked to one’s self-esteem, providing empowerment. 

We are all very aware, thanks to the current coronavirus pandemic, of the importance of respiratory wellness and keeping our immune systems healthy.  But how do we do this and how do we keep our customers and clients safe?

Halotherapy, or salt therapy, is a 100% natural therapy that has grown steadily in popularity in recent years and continues to be one of the top 5 growing trends in wellness.  Its attraction is the speed and efficacy of results for customers.  It is proven to aid in relieving respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchial problems, allergies and cold and flu symptoms and also has a positive effect on many skin conditions including Psoriasis, Eczema, Acne, Dermatitis, Rosacea and dry/ageing skin.

The benefits of Halotherapy can be experienced in many different areas including:

• Respiratory Conditions / Immunity improvement (with regular use):

Asthma, Allergies, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Cold & Flu Symptoms, Sinusitus, Bronchitis

- by BC Softwear

There has been much discussion and conflicting views concerning safety and best practice to ensure the linen used in a spa or hotel is disinfected from any potential virus threats, and more specifically the COVID-19 virus. Some people suggest boil washing at 90 degrees and using bleach, which will may help to remove the virus, but as towelling experts, we know that this will also weaken your linen substantially over a period over time, thus reducing its overall lifespan. Ensuring the longevity of your towels and linen is essential to assisting you in reducing long term costs of replacement items and we are also mindful that using bleach and high temperatures is not good for the environment or our efforts to improve our industry’s responsibility to corporate sustainability. 

When put under the microscope, it is possible to see the effect of detergents and optical brightening agents and even bleach, which are often used by operators to attempt to keep towels looking brighter for longer. In actual fact, these brightening agents may contribute to the rapid degeneration of the towel leading to reduced performance, tears, a lifting of the colour and discoloration. The drying process can also be overtly harsh. The length of the loop or pile is extra-long, as it is the pile which is often singed. The towel fibres are literally burnt through excessive heat and over drying. The heat causes the tops of the pile to shrivel and harden which stops the towel from being soft and fluffy anymore. 

Washing Recommendations

- by Hannah Charlesworth

I’m unsure which is the most common phrase I’m hearing at the moment; “Recorded before social distancing”, or “How are you doing in these difficult times?”. Nevertheless, Covid-19 is proving to be a challenging time for everyone, and the service sector is no different. Life after lockdown for therapists will be a world away from how we worked in late 2019, and thus far not many predictions can be made as to how or when we could reopen our doors. In April 2020, the International Spa Association (ISPA) released a ‘checklist’ of what spas must ensure they have before there can even be a consideration of opening, but so far this is all we have.

When considering the future of therapists in the service industry, it would be so easy to speculate how the current pandemic is going to affect us and our jobs. However, I am sure many are fed up with reading about the doom and gloom this virus has brought to so many, and as I am sure you can guess from my opening statement, I am myself. Instead, I decided to use this article to reflect on the industry changes we could expect to see when we are all back on track, some perhaps now more relevant than they were prior to lockdown. 

I recall a lecturer at my University inviting us to discuss the possibility of technology being integrated into the wider service industry, beyond automated hotel check-ins and online bookings. Technology has had a profound impact on the service industry, with many spa brands being able to develop treatments that require technology to perform. Therapists have had to adapt their roles to use technology on an increasing basis and could expect to continue to do so. 

-by Juliet Wheater

New-borns that are given nurturing touch grow faster and have more improved mental and motor skill development.Partners who cuddle have been shown to have lower stress levels and blood pressure and improved immune function. Elderly people who receive the soothing, affirming experience of touch have been shown to better handle the process of aging. 

(Source: Healthline.com)

Perhaps one of the toughest things about lockdown for many of us is not being able to see our friends or family. To not feel the touch of their embrace. They say you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, and human touch has been in short supply during the worldwide pandemic. Difficult for the spa therapists amongst you and most certainly your clients too. Spa and the expert, reassuring and beneficial touch it offers, we anticipate, will be in hot demand on reopening. 

We’d like to thank the sponsors of the UK Spa Association’s Work for Wellness survey, they include: 

Spa Life International, Journey Travel, La Rue Verte, Body Ballancer and Salon Life. 

Our report and its contents would not have been possible without our members also. Therefore, we’d like to thank all participants, as we look for guidance during this difficult time. 

By Hannah Charlesworth

Being a final year student at The University of Derby on the International Spa Management degree, it  has allowed me to reflect on the perceptions the spa industry has, from those on the outside looking in. The stereotypes surrounding the job ‘spa therapist’ still leaves me at my wits end three years later when I’m left explaining what I do to relatives or friends. 

Many assume I’m still at college, or that I decided to go to college even after completing three A-levels at school and that all I do is paint nails every day. For a while, I even stopped telling people the full extent of my degree, simply stating I just did Business Management. Not entirely a lie, but never something I should have felt like I needed to do by way of avoiding questions, I both had answered no fewer than ten times previously, or that I rolled my eyes at each time I got asked. And it did work - no more was I asked; “How’s college?” or “Do you work at a nail place?”. 

However, the older I got, and the more immersed I became with such a diverse industry, the less I wanted to hide it. So, I began to do my research, and I hope this article can shed some light on how our industry can help to break down these stereotypes and educate those around us. 

Firstly, where do these stereotypes originate? 

By Margaret Wood 

Margaret Mead, the American anthropologist said, "There is no greater power in the world than the zest of a post-menopausal woman." It is a time when women are not concerned about contraception, periods and associated PMS or painful cramps. “This”, she says, “is freedom.” It is a stage of life that is free of many encumbrances and full of wonderful possibilities. Still young enough to live life to its fullest, during this period a lot of women experience a renewed zest for life and look for exhilarating new adventures or new beginnings. 

Research on the stages of women’s development suggests that women find a renewed sense of purpose, energy, and increased vitality for work pursuits in mid to later life (Bardwick, 1980; Borysenko, 1996). This ties in with Margaret Mead’s concept of Post-Menopausal Zest.

Stage 1: Idealism. Women in this phase will most likely base their career choices on their desires for career satisfaction, achievement and success.

Stage 2: Endurance. Women in this phase are pragmatic about their careers and do what it takes to get it done.

By Sally Halstead, Dip.H.E 

What does Success mean to you?

Success can be defined as “the accomplishment of an aim” however it is subjective and its’ meaning depends upon many individual factors. My perceived success in finishing a 5km race in an hour may be regarded as a complete failure by an Olympic athlete, so don’t let someone else’s meaning of success define yours.

Bear in mind that our definition of success also shifts over time, as we reach our goals or as our lives change, so you will need to keep periodically reassessing this point.

*Define success for yourself. What does it look like? How does it feel? Is it an end result or is it a process? Is it only material, or perhaps emotional as well? 

by Fashionizer

There is no doubt that this pandemic has forever changed the world, and this is especially true for all of us working in the spa and wellness industry. Although we all believe the spa and beauty industry will be in high demand once this is all over, we are also aware that there will be quite a few challenges to overcome before businesses can get back to some semblance of normality. 

In the past few weeks, we have been listening attentively to Zoom conversations within the global spa community and focusing on what this new “normal” might mean for spas, and especially what new protocols will be introduced upon reopening. All members in the industry believe that there will be major changes to the spa experience, which will involve collating data online before a visit, as well as wearing protective face masks for both therapists and spa-goers. 

ukactive has today (23 April) revealed plans for a four-stage strategy to support the reopening of the physical activity sector safely, once the Government eases Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in the UK.

Facilities across the physical activity landscape were forced to close by the Government following a Coronavirus briefing on 20 March. Up to that point, gyms, leisure centres and other facilities had remained open by following strict cleaning guidelines and safety protocols from ukactive, supported by Public Health England.

But today, thousands of leisure and fitness facilities employing a total of around 100,000 staff are at risk of permanent closure, as organisations with zero income struggle to access loan support, face threats of eviction and are crippled by ongoing utility fees, delayed furloughing funds and failed insurance claims.

There are 189,000 people employed by gyms and leisure centres across the UK, and a ukactive consultation with leading operators showed that that more than half of this workforce could lose their jobs, with up to 2,800 facilities at risk of closing permanently.

ukactive has been working with partners CIMSPA and Community Leisure UK, gathering evidence of the financial pressures from across the sector and presenting this to the Government in order to ensure essential support across all areas, as well as for the self-employed.

During these unprecedented times of social distancing (some say physical distancing) and self-isolation, our spa clients are at home with many wearing less makeup than they usually do. With a plethora of time on their hands currently, they will have the opportunity to research the companies and brands that ‘speak to them’. Make sure that your spa is highly visible at this time, via the medium of video.

As we adjust to our ‘new normal’, daily habits will change, with many having the intention to take the time to research ingredients and formulations to improve their skin. Let it not be underestimated, that making an effort with your appearance, has a huge impact on how you feel about yourself. Our spa industry will need to pivot and adjust as quickly as we can to capture the imagination of our clients, that are staying at home.

Take to your digital marketing and social media channels and build your brand, giving relevant, value added tips on how to ‘spa at home’ via video, live or recorded. Do this effectively and consistently and your staff members and spa will become the go-to experts and will remain in the client’s conscious, until we can reopen our doors. Build the ‘know, like and trust’ factor with potential new clients too.

Build your online audience as well as email lists, with guides and sensitively constructed, special discounted retail offers. Use Zoom, Webinars and Crowd Cast face to face screen platforms to keep in touch and offer training to your team members but also to offer advice and demonstrations to clients. With exceptions of course, the employed and now self-employed will receive 80% of their earnings lost over this pandemic, so customer confidence in spending will return and there’s a real thirst for our expert knowledge.

Take the time to harness new skills in the social media arena, take advantage of Instagram and Facebook Lives and embrace IG TV on your phone as well as You Tube for video content such as: a ‘how to guide’ for massage, meditation, yoga practise etc Use the polls on social media channels, to ask what specifically your clients are looking for.

- By Helena Grzesk 

The announcements on 20^th March, that our spas must close the doors to their guests and to their teams sent shock waves through our industry, as it did so many others. In under 24 hours, many of you had to react and prepare to close-up your business for the immediate future; certainly not forever, but with an unknown path ahead and so many questions left unanswered. Only a matter of days later the UK lockdown announcement followed, with a direct instruction for us to ‘stay at home’ so we can work together as a nation to combat coronavirus. 

In the face of adversity, we pressed the pause button on our businesses to protect our loved ones and our communities, but we remain strong; we stand side by side supporting each other through these challenging times and we will come out of this stronger together.  

It is time for the UK spa industry to stand up and be counted. We will be front line in supporting the NHS, now more than ever before. The spa and wellness industry will be crucial to the mental, physical and emotional health, wellbeing and recovery of this country as we propel through and beyond Covid-19.