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Lake Austin Spa Resort Named No. 2 Destination Spa
Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, TX, was named the number two destination spa in North America by readers of Condé Nast Traveller magazine in its annual poll. The resort ranked highly in categories of location and setting, guest rooms and cuisine. If you think your spa deserves recognition for its successes, the Skin Inc. magazine Best of the Best Awards are now open for nominations. Click here to obtain more information. 800-847-5637
Mario Tricoci Launches Spa & Share Program
In an effort to raise funds to help support nonprofit charitable and service organizations, Mario Tricoci Hair Salons & Day Spas has launched its Spa & Share program. Clients are provided with vouchers to use at various locations on designated days, then the spa donates 10% of the proceeds of products and services purchased by members or friends on those days. 847-202-4039
Clarice's Celebrating 18 Years in Industry
Clarice’s Creating Beautiful Looks in Wheaton, IL, is celebrating its 18-year anniversary. Owner and esthetician Clarice Loiacono runs one of the longest existing day spas in the area and offers signature treatments such as the Queen Pedicure and the Clarice’s Complete facial. Loiacono, who is an industry veteran of more than 25 years, has previously presented select treatments for Cosmetologists Chicago and the American Association of Esthetic Education. She also has been a speaker at Face & Body Spa & Healthy Aging Conference and Expo and taught skin care classes at the Illinois Cosmetology School Teachers Association. 630-690-2266
Former Gene Juarez CEO Passes Away
Michael Coe, former CEO of Gene Juarez Salons & Spas, passed away February 10, 2007, from liver disease. Memorials can be made in Mr. Coe's name to the University of Washington Medical Center Liver Transplant Program (1959 N.E. Pacific St., P.O. Box 356174, Seattle, WA 98195), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (1100 Fairview Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109) or Life Support Kittitas County (P.O. Box 264, Cle Elum, WA 98943).
The Banyan Tree Spa Wins Multiple Awards
The Banyan Tree Spa, Phuket was named “Asia’s Best Spa” in a travel poll conducted by Asiamoney magazine and ranked third in the category of “Favorite Asia Hotel Spa” in the Condé Nast Traveller’s Reader Spa Awards 2007. Also, The Banyan Tree Spa, Bangkok ranked second in the category of “Favorite Overseas Urban Day Spa” in the Traveler’s awards. Phuket location: 66-(76)-324-374, spa-phuket@banyantree.com; Bangkok location: 66-(2)-679-1052, spa-bangkok@banyantree.com
San Francisco Institute of Esthetics Gives Back
The San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology (SFIEC) is donating money to the American Forests conservation organization’s Global ReLeaf program each time an SFIEC student purchases a training kit. To date, the SFIEC has funded the planting of more than 50 trees. Students and teachers at the SFIEC also participated in a “Days of Beauty” event put on by On Lok SeniorHealth where they treated area senior citizens to a variety of spa and beauty services. 866-734-3244
AAD Names Most Sun-smart Cities
People in Washington, D.C., and New York City are the most sun-smart, while those in Chicago are the least, according to an American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) survey of 32 cities or states.
The survey asked residents about their sun protection and tanning knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. Cities or states were ranked based on the percentage of people who scored A's and B's in the survey, which was released Monday.
"Based on our initial review of what people are currently doing, know and believe about sun protection, 35 percent of the national public score above average, with grades of A or B. From here, our goal is to move the needle so that we have 45 percent or even 50 percent starting to score in the A or B range," AAD President Dr. Dianne R. Baker said in a prepared statement.
In Washington, D.C., 47 percent of residents received A's and B's, followed by New York City, Miami, Tampa, and Los Angeles. Chicago was ranked last among the 32 cities or states in the survey, with 21 percent of residents in the Windy City receiving A's and B's.
Others in the bottom five included Maine, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Cleveland and Minneapolis (tied for No. 27).
About 40 percent of Chicago respondents said they weren't worried about skin cancer because of their short summers.
"The notion that only people living in year-round sunny climates are prone to developing skin cancer is completely untrue," Baker said.
"As dermatologists, we treat skin cancer patients living in all areas of the country -- from big cities to small towns, in tropical climates and snowbelt states. Studies also show that intense, intermittent sun exposure -- which typically involves residents of colder climates vacationing in warm, tropical areas during the winter months -- is a significant risk factor for developing future skin cancers," she said.
The rankings of the 32 metropolitan areas and states are as follows:
- 1. Washington, DC
- 2. New York City
- 3. Miami
- 4. Tampa
- 5. Los Angeles
- 6. Dallas
- 7. Salt Lake City
- 8. San Francisco
- 9. (3-way tie) Atlanta, Idaho and Philadelphia
- 12. Phoenix
- 13. Portland
- 14. Vermont
- 15. (3-way tie) Baltimore, Boston and Providence
- 18. (2-way tie) Hartford and Riverside, Calif.
- 20. Houston
- 21. (3-way tie) Denver, New Hampshire and St. Louis
- 24. (2-way tie) Cincinnati and San Diego
- 26. Detroit
- 27. (2-way tie) Cleveland and Minneapolis
- 29. Seattle
- 30. Pittsburgh
- 31. Maine
- 32. Chicago
HealthDay News, May 7, 2007
Take Action Against Career-threatening FDA Proposed Regulation
The Day Spa Association issued a release to its members urging them to take action against a new career-threatening regulation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently rewritten their regulations in an attempt to outlaw and eliminate alternative health care modalities. From massage to vitamins, minerals, and herbs, all alternative and complementary modalities will be labeled as practicing medicine without a license unless prescribed by a physician.
The subtle change of vocabulary from "alternative health care" to "alternative medicine" makes all of these industries subject to control by the FDA as medicine. Only medical doctors would be allowed to provide, prescribe and supervise the delivery of these services. Anybody else who provided any of these services would be practicing medicine without a license, and subject to incarceration and fines.
Click here to read the actual draft guidance.
What this means
Raise awareness among your colleagues and encourage them to take action, as well.
Mobile Travel Guide Announces Top Spa 2007 List
Mobile Travel Guide recently announced its Top Spa 2007 list, which is its annual selection of the best in hotel and resort spa experiences in the United States and Canada. These include five-, four- and three-star ratings. Mobil Star ratings consider every aspect of the spa, from the reservation process and check-in to the public areas and locker rooms. Mobil's inspectors examine factors such as courtesy of staff, overall efficiency, guest comfort and convenience, luxury, therapist technical execution/skill and knowledge, and facilty cleanliness/condition.
The two spas to receive a five-star rating from Mobile Travel Guide are Spa at Mandarin Oriental in New York and Spa Montage at Montage Resort in Laguna Beach, California. For a complete list of four- and three-star spas, click here.
Spa Finder magazine Names Top 10 Sleep Spas
Sleep, or rather the lack thereof, has become big news of late – from new studies linking poor sleep to dramatically increased error rates among physicians and air traffic controllers, to emerging reports of the behavioral risks associated with hypnotic-sedative drugs (like Ambien and Lunesta), including “sleep-driving.” In short, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that we, as a society, have a sleeping problem, and that it’s having a major impact on our health, productivity and lives.
The sleep-health connection is an issue that Russell A. Sanna, Ph.D., the executive director of Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine, understands well. According to Sanna, “Medical studies conducted over the past 25 years are clearly showing us that, along with nutrition and exercise, good sleep health is vital to our overall well-being and optimal daily performance, both intellectually and physically.” Given how relatively few people actually enjoy good sleep health, that’s a disturbing assessment. Indeed, according to an online consumer survey by Spa Finder, Inc., sleep deprivation has become the norm, even among Spa Finder’s health-focused web visitors:
- Only 20% of those surveyed say they get at least eight hours of sleep. Twenty-seven percent say they get six hours or less, and 12% say they get five hours or less.
- Roughly 80% of survey-takers say they have difficulty sleeping – either “frequently” (35%) or “sometimes” (45%); and 65% describe themselves as either “very often” or “sometimes” sleep-deprived.
- When asked to name the primary cause of their sleep problems, the largest bloc of respondents (44%) cited stress – “it’s just hard to relax, unwind and stop worrying.” Nineteen percent cited an irregular schedule (late-night TV, reading, etc.), and 12% attributed their poor sleep habits to “a busy schedule/not enough time.”
- Fifty-two percent say they use prescribed and/or over-the-counter sleeping pills/aids – either “frequently” (11%), “sometimes” (15%), or “rarely” (26%).
That final statistic helps explain the 50 million sleeping pill prescriptions that were penned by doctors last year. But there are other ways to address stress, insomnia and poor sleep; and spas, which have historically been on the cutting edge of health, fitness and wellness innovation, are once again playing a leading role. According to Spa Finder, dozens of influential spas are beginning to actively promote sleep health for their clients, both during their stays and when they return home. More and more day spas, for example, are providing post-treatment relaxation rooms where clients can catch a 20-minute nap following a massage. Resort and hotel spas are soothing guests to sleep with aromatherapy, feather beds, meditation/breathing CDs, and other in-room offerings. Numerous medical and destination spas, meanwhile, are offering comprehensive, physician-guided sleep programs featuring overnight sleep evaluations, consultations and cutting-edge treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy and state-of-the-art CPAP treatments. “I commend Spa Finder and the spa industry for their leadership in focusing on the issue of sleep health,” added Dr. Sanna. “In our 24/7 society, the average citizen lacks a basic appreciation of the essential restorative biological functions sleep fulfills for our bodies and minds. That’s why we’re looking forward to working with the spa industry in their educational efforts about this important pillar of health.”
10 spa sleep leaders
The following is Spa Finder’s overviews of 10 sleep leaders in the spa world, including the sleep management treatments and programs they provide for guests.
Red Mountain Spa (St. George, UT) – The spa is currently offering “The zFactor Sleep Skills Workshop,” hosted by safe-sleep author and natural sleep innovator, Robert de Stefano. The program provides practical take-home techniques for creating an ideal body, mind and environment for sleep.
Canyon Ranch (Tucson, AZ and Lenox, MA): Sleep enhancement/insomnia relief programs are run by board-certified physicians and include overnight, in-room polysomnography testing and consultations with behavioral therapists with follow-up recommendations/treatments that include breathing, meditation and/or visualization exercises to help reduce anxiety.
Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa (FL): A complete medical sleep health management program, including comprehensive sleep/fatigue assessments and an in-house sleep specialty program that performs all testing and treatments by the end of the guest's stay.
California Well Being Institute (Westlake CA): A comprehensive sleep health management program featuring a state-of-the-art preventive-care medical clinic with the latest diagnostic radiology equipment and a science-based, luxurious rejuvenation spa. Overnight sleep testing is administered in guests’ Four Seasons rooms.
Chiva-Som, Thailand: Two sleep programs are available. The “Informational” program addresses minor sleeping problems and includes in-depth education, organic supplements and sleep hygiene and relaxation programs. The more comprehensive Natural Insomniac Treatment program (part of the spa’s anti-aging focus) includes a 3-month melatonin program to restore the sleep-wake cycle. TCM and acupuncture are also offered for sleep improvement.
Mayflower Inn and Spa (Washington, CT): The spa’s personalized “Sleep Better, Sleep Well” program teaches healthy sleep habits through stress management, nutrition, hypnotherapy, dream analysis, sleep yoga, “sweet surrender” massage, and an MP3 player loaded with sleep programming.
The Lodge at Woodloch (Hawley, PA): The Lodge is currently launching a "Healthy Sleep Program" (based on meditation and herbs) and offers a large post-treatment relaxation lounge (“The Whisper Lounge”), which is separate from the appointment lounge to encourage post-treatment napping.
Yelo, NY (Midtown Manhattan): A sanctuary spa-like facility dedicated solely to napping and reflexology, promising brief but “cocooning” naps. Sleeping “pods” feature special lighting, sounds and bedding to promote 20- or 40-minute power naps. Pre-nap reflexology treatments are also available. The company describes itself as a corporate wellness center to help stressed workers power-nap in a busy day.
Wellmax Center for Preventative Medicine (La Quinta, CA): This full medical spa at La Quinta Resort offers comprehensive sleep management testing and overnight sleep observation.
Sundara Inn and Spa (Wisconsin Dells, WI): The spa program includes the “Sundara Sleep Experience,” featuring bio-therapeutic massage to treat insomnia, a special sleep-friendly turn-down service (with feather beds, lighting, music, etc), and a range of “Signature Collection Sleep Experience” products to promote healthy sleep at home.