The ever-increasing demand for spas that provide health maintenance in addition to relaxation and beauty services has changed the way spas do business.  Many spa visitors are not just looking to be pampered.  They want healthy living, fitness, personal growth, eco friendly, natural pain relief, weight loss, organic skin care programs and more.  This shift is creating some fascinating new spa therapy trends that indicate consumer choice is a high priority. In today’s market spa-goers want superior quality equipment, educated service providers with the highest credentials and a gorgeous location with a luxurious, comfortable atmosphere. Creativity, innovation and a commitment to excellence are the keys to starting and operating a successful spa.

Organic Skin Care Products and Organic Massage Therapy Oils, Creams and Lotions
Around the world people are thinking more about the beauty and skin care products they put on and in their bodies.  Successful spas must think not only about the quality of their estheticians, massage therapists and other staff, but also about the quality of the products they use. Organic skin care treatments, such as organic body wraps, facials, footbaths and more are in high demand.  

Massage therapists are also now using organic massage therapy oils, creams, lotions and muscle rubs made with organic ingredients such as natural healing herbs and therapeutic essential oils. According to the HealingLifestyles.com article “Spa Trends 2008 The Evolved Spa” by writer Margie Goldsmith, Tracy Lee, vice president of spa development for Auberge Resorts says, “Spas are positioning themselves with more green products, and many skincare companies are getting rid of paraffins and sulfites. Today’s savvy spa consumer does not blindly accept the label, ‘all natural.’ A product needs to be greener, more pure, and must provide more proof.”
   

      
Spa Equipment and Commercial Fitness Equipment created for Wellness
In 2008 spa visitors don’t just want to look better, they want to feel healthier.  Exercise equipment has long been a part of the spa experience but the kind of equipment spa-goers will find has changed.  In addition to the traditional treadmills, exercise bikes and weight training equipment spas now provide fitness alternatives such as vibration therapy machines like the Power Plate and aquatic therapy equipment.  Spas are also offering hydrotherapy tables, hydrokinetic showers, skin scanners, infared mineral lights, biofeedback machines, low level cold lasers and other spa equipment that promotes natural healing.


Natural Healing Herbs and Holistic Health Supplements for Detox and Natural Weight Loss
Many people visiting spas each year now understand the importance and benefits of an annual body cleanse.  Detoxification has become a standard in the spa industry to improve health and achieve natural weight loss.  In addition to traditional cleansing massages and detoxifying skin treatments spas now provide visitors with access to holistic health supplements, nutritional organic vitamins and natural healing herbs.  It is essential that spa owners and professionals confirm the credibility and integrity of any detox and natural weight loss products they suggest to ensure safety for all spa-goers.


Customized Spa Treatments
In 2008 spa owners are seeing an increase in the demand for customized spa services. According to the International Spa Association ISPA “customized relaxation” is in. “You can make almost anything your ‘own’ today from custom workouts built into your Nikes, fragrances blended to suit your nose or a zenned-out playlist on your iPod,” states ISPA,  “Spas are creating unique experiences for their guests as well with 24 percent indicating that clients can book blocks of time instead of specific services. This time block allows them to create a treatment that is all their own from the music to the products to the room temperature.”

Spa Luxury and the Comforts of Home
In her article “Spa Trends 2008 The Evolved Spa”, HealingLifestyles.com journalist Margie Goldsmith writes, “Guests used to come to a spa once or perhaps twice a year. Now, owners and renters are living the spa experience on a daily basis. Other lifestyle aspects are now being incorporated such as nutrition, sleeping well, retirement, and how you use your leisure time—things beyond treatments and fitness.”  

Sylvia Sepielli, a conceptual spa designer states, “There’s a movement towards integrating more health aspects within the spa experience, and the term ‘spa’ has been branching out to include more than just fitness and therapies.  We’re seeing more mixed-use property, resorts with home-stay components, and a big part of that is the spa/lifestyle component.” Goldsmith also mentions an increase in Girlfriend Getaways and Mother Daughter spa trips. As women begin traveling together more the residential living aspects such as full kitchens, in room yoga and fitness supplies, in room spa showers and tubs and access to wireless Internet will continue to become more popular.