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| (Image from www.sensetravel.org) |
Following are some of my recent musings…they’re all based on firsthand
experiences, and my industry knowledge and expertise. Enjoy!
~ Scent ~
Want to get the full potential of an aroma or
fragrance? Make sure to have coffee
beans handy for an initial whiff before checking out an aroma or
fragrance. The intensity of the coffee
beans clears the olfactory palate, or olfactory receptor neurons, which are
responsible for detection of any odor molecules. No studies have been made to determine the
efficacy of regular versus decaffeinated coffee beans, or flavored coffee
beans.
~ At-Home Spa ~
After making a
bowl of delicious guacamole, don’t discard those avocado peels. If you notice, there’s quite a bit of
residual fruit left on the skin after you coop out the pulp for your dip. Avocado is rich with hydrating fatty acids that’s
great for all skin types. Cut the peel
into strips and begin placing them on a clean face, using a circular motion to
“smear” the residual pulp onto your skin; the peels will adhere to your
skin. Leave the peels on for
approximately ten minutes, remove, and rinse off. Your skin will feel softer because it’s been
drenched with natural avocado oil.
~ Skin Care ~
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| (Image fromwww.pagamintarankomis.it) |
I ~ Many folks aren't
aging well, and it shows on their faces and how their skin looks...dried
patches, large pores, wrinkles, fine lines, etc. And while one’s DNA and heritage are contributing
factors, others that impact the appearance of skin as one ages include
accumulative effects of too much sun exposure, not wearing sufficient sun
protection, not drinking sufficient amounts of water, poor diet, smoking,
drinking, and other lifestyle conditions, etc.
All of these factors contribute to the appearance of healthy skin becoming
diminished. Lastly, using the wrong
products on the skin and as part of one’s daily skincare regimen, including not
changing products to those that have formulations that are seasonally adjusted,
and which conform to environmental triggers such as a lack of humidity or too
much humidity, or even over-cleansing and over-exfoliation, will also
dramatically impact the quality of your skin.
Take care of your skin now before neglect becomes evident as you age.
II ~ Have you ever notated all of the various products and pieces
of equipment used as part of a skincare regimen that achieves or maintains
healthy looking skin that's age-minimized?
Consider that many are using the following, as part of their daily,
weekly, or monthly regimen: Cleanser,
Micellar Water, Exfoliator, Toner, Serum, Face Oil, Moisturizer, Neck and
Décolleté Cream, Eye Cream/Eye Serum, Clarisonic, Clarisonic Opal, Tweezers, Magnified
Mirror, Q-Tips, Cotton Balls, Makeup Primer, Sunscreen/SPF Block,
etc....granted, not all of these items may be used for the daily regimen and
some are even formulated with combination functionality, but they're definitely
used at various stages of the month...then there's the periodic visit to an
esthetician/dermatologist...whichever you use, be gentle to your skin, so it
doesn't revolt after a full assault!
III ~ My guidelines for optimal skincare: 1) Having an
established at-home skincare regimen is key to maintaining healthy skin. 2) Having the right mix of treatment products
is also vital, including those formulated for one’s specific skin type. 3) Equally as important is using products
that are formulated to conform to one’s specific locale, which factors in
environment, climate, and geography.
~ The Spa Experience ~
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I ~ If your spa has a guest intake form it requires a guest to
fill out prior to their treatment experience, and the treatment specialist
doesn’t even bother to review the form with the guest prior to administering
the treatment, either dispense with the intake form, or make sure to
incorporate in your spas operational protocol that the treatment specialist
must review that form with their guest prior to any treatment administration.
This is especially critical if the guest references a specific issue(s) that
may possibly lead to a treatment contraindication the specialist needs to know
beforehand. Don’t just blindly administer the treatment without fully knowing
about any potential health-related issues with the guest. READ THE FORM
THOROUGHLY! This is also potentially an insurance issue. Better to be safe,
than sorry!
II ~ My first-ever spa experience was in 1988 at a destination
spa, Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. It was a life-changing experience; more
importantly, it was the first time I was introduced to structured healthy and
nutritional eating, food preparation, and cooking. It was also the first time I ever ate an egg
white omelet. I still have my recipe
booklet from that experience and occasionally refer to it (along with other
recipe collections from other destination spa experiences). I’m grateful for this destination spa being
ahead of the curve and the trend in healthy, nutritious, and delicious spa
cuisine.
III ~ A memorable welcoming treatment I once experienced at a day
spa (which is no longer in operation due to a myriad of questionable management
practices), included a foot soak in a large stainless steel basin that was
filled with warm water and eucalyptus essential oil infused cleansing
lotion. After a fifteen-minute soak, an
attendant approached my station, knelt down, and preceded to Loofah the
bottom’s of my feet. Once this was done,
she took a warm, damp towel and gently removed any traces of the soaking
liquid. The treatment ended with the
attendant gently massaging my feet while applying a moisturizer. If you’re a spa professional, consider
offering something like this as a complimentary treatment experience for your
clients. Not only will they be
impressed, they’ll also remember the experience and think of your spa the next
time they encounter something similar elsewhere.
IV ~ A spa experience should be memorable and to the extent that
you define and compare all others to that experience. Any spa can administer a
treatment, but only an exceptional spa can do so by making that experience
define and exemplify what it is to spa.
~ Spas and Aging ~
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As the population ages, the need for a restorative treatment
therapy that accommodates aging guests with minor (who aren’t considered
handicapped or with marked disabilities) remains…the problem lies in the fact
that many spas aren’t equipped with adaptive treatments and protocols, or even
equipment that facilitates delivering a treatment to the aging spa-goer who
has, for example pronounced, even mild arthritis…many treatment tables lack the
hydraulic mechanism to adjust positioning, and if a spa has these types of
advanced tables, often the therapist doesn’t properly apply the mechanisms or
omits doing so…many treatment protocols are also based on younger to middle
aged individuals who can withstand being on a treatment table in one,
motionless position for up to an hour…arthritic individuals can’t maintain a
lack of movement, because it compounds their arthritic issues…using a bolt
under the knees or ankles offers minimum relief…neck support rolls are usually
something that has to be requested by the guest, versus the therapist knowing
as part of their training to ask and offer…while treatment products have
developed over the years to keep pace with aging skin related, treatment
protocols and equipment designs haven’t…these need to be done to accommodate
the arthritic, aging guest to maximize their treatment experience…it doesn’t
matter how well-executed a treatment is if the guest is uncomfortable or has to
forgo certain aspects of a treatment in order to accommodate their
condition…lastly, I’m writing this from experience…in recent years, I’ve had to
forgo getting a massage or other types of body work, because the treatment
tables create additional discomfort, and flipping over half-way through the
treatment is a major effort, especially since most therapists rarely offer to
assist you in the turning process, or having to remain in one position and
motionless for nearly an hour takes a toll on my body…even facials are a bit
challenging…and never mind about getting in and out of whirlpools…those were only
designed for the able-bodied, non-arthritic…getting off the treatment table is
an effort in itself once the treatment ends, especially since the therapist has
left the room and rarely offers to remain to assist me getting off the
table…it’s not that they don’t care, it’s just that they are oblivious to the
need, since awareness more than likely hasn’t been factored into their training
(either at their spa, or even in their school, or both)…to spa therapists,
please keep these things in mind as you develop or modify your treatment
protocols, or delve into upgrading your treatment tables…and for you equipment
designers and manufacturers, please consider improving your designs to
accommodate the arthritic guest…heck, even your tables aren’t designed to conform
to the female anatomy.
~ Worth Another Read ~
The following articles were posted to this blog in 2015, and
provided in-depth information on spa, beauty, lifestyle, and wellness. They’re all worth another read…
“Fall Transitioning Tips ~ Your Best Bet”
“14 Simple Ways To Reduce Stress In The New Year” http://definitivespablog.blogspot.com/2015/05/14-simple-ways-to-reduce-stress-in-new.html
“How To Get The Most From Your Spa Experience” http://definitivespablog.blogspot.com/2015/05/how-to-get-most-from-your-spa-experience.html
“Spring Lifestyle Transitioning Tips”
“Spa At Home”
~ In Closing ~
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| (Image from www.styleathome.com) |
Take the time to recharge, revitalize, and relax. It’s an investment in self, and well worth
the effort…remember, too, that you deserve this special time. If need be, make an appointment for yourself,
with yourself. Always take care of
yourself…especially for those you love and who need you. Lastly, remember that spa-ing is all about
self and the sensory experience.
That’s it for this edition. Until the next one, remember to take care of
yourself and those you love.
By Terry Herman
TERRY HERMAN is a recognized expert in the
industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management,
operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In the 1990s, she
authored an extensive "Glossary of Spa Terminologies" and holds two
copyright registrations on her authored work. Consumer and trade
publications have also interviewed her as an expert. She also conducted an extensive nationally
broadcasted interview tour on aspects of creating an at-home spa, interior
design, music, stress and time management.
Her work has been published extensively in print and digital in both
consumer and trade publications. In addition to writing, reviewing and
being interviewed as an expert, she is also a management consultant and motivational
speaker. She also served on the
International Advisory Board for the former EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In
Retreat To Wellness; the Advisory Board was comprised of ten international
experts in various fields of wellness and spa.
She also served as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The
Spa Buzz. In addition to her blogs, her social media outreach also includes
Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Be sure to read her food, wine and culinary
digital magazine, TERRY’S SECOND HELPINGS. Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page,
“Terry’s Second Helpings”. Please note that the “Comment Section” has been
disabled. For additional information, you can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.
ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
(Photo credits as indicated.)
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