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FACES DaySpa Wins Multiple Awards
In the past year, FACES DaySpa on Hilton Head Island, SC, received the 2006 Best Day Spa, Best Massage and Best Manicure/Pedicure designation in Island Packet Reader’s Choice Awards, was a 2006 Stevie Award finalist for Best Overall Company, and was named one of the 200 fastest-growing salons in the United States for the fourth time by Salon Today. 888-443-2237, info@facesdayspa.com
ISPA Honors Michael Jacobson, PhD
The International SPA Association honored Michael Jacobson, PhD, co-founder and executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) in Washington, D.C., with its 2006 Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award; Sylvia Sepielli, owner and president of Sylvia Planning And design (SPAd Inc.), with its 2006 Visionary Award; and Gayle Brady, director of development for Skin Authority, with its 2006 Dedicated Contributor Award. 888-651-4772, ispa@ispastaff.com
Skin Inc. Magazine Remembers 9/11
Five years ago today, the World Trade Center in New York was attacked by terrorists, causing the structure's devestation, and the city's and country's plummet into despair and fear. The spa industry was affected, as were most industries in New York and the United States. Although healing has commenced and the country has come a long way with recovery efforts, it is important to remember that day.
In Skin Inc. magazine's December 2001 issue, Lois Hince contributed an ABBIES award-winning article on the experience of our industry during that tumultuous time. Click here to read that article, "Trilogy," in memory of all those touched by this tragedy.
Eczema Rates Stabilizing in U.K.
Rates of eczema and hay fever in the United Kingdom appear to have stabilized, after charting a steady rise over recent decades.
However, the study also found that rates of systemic allergic reactions -- including the severe condition known as anaphylaxis -- have surged in the past 20 years.
The researchers analyzed data gathered from numerous sources: national surveys, primary care doctors, prescription and hospital admission records, and death records.
Over the past three decades, diagnoses of allergic rhinitis and eczema in children have tripled, but there appears to have been a recent decrease in the prevalence of symptoms. Hospital admissions for eczema have stabilized since 1995, the researchers found, while admissions for allergic rhinitis have decreased to about 40 percent of their 1990 levels.
Between 1971 and 1991, the number of consultations with family doctors about hay fever increased by 260 percent and by 150 percent for eczema. However, these rates have stabilized in the past 10 years, the study said.
Hospital admissions for anaphylaxis have soared by 700 percent, for food allergy by 500 percent, and for the skin allergy urticaria by 100 percent.
Prescriptions for all types of allergies have increased since 1991.
The researchers said that some of the trends could be related to changes in medical practice and care but could also be explained by changes in the sources of allergic disease.
The study was published in the current issue of Thorax.
HealthDay News, September 7, 2006
Glen Ivy Hot Springs Awards Scholarships
Glen Ivy Hot Springs, Inc. announced its 2006 Elevating Life Scholar recipients, totaling almost $20,000 in scholarships to 29 graduating seniors from 18 high schools. Those awarded were chosen based on academic excellence, leadership abilities and the goal to pursue education in helping-focused professions. Winners include, from the Corona, CA, area: Melody Besharati, Sang Cao, Amanda Chapman, Lisa Day, Brittany Halstead, Vivian Hernandez, Michelle Lukman, Monica So, Kristi Weaver, Tamra Woods and Jennifer Yoon; from the Brea, CA, area: Cindy Cabrera, Leslie Garcia and Aaron Remijio; from the Valencia, CA, area: Pamela Aguirre, Angela Asseltyne, Alan Estero, Brenda Estrada, Stephanie Lillibridge, Jessica Lobo, Shannon Moser, Jeffery Pablo, Hep Vu and Baharak Zarrabi; and from the Hermosa Beach, CA, area: Isabel Cruz, Midori Higashi, Comron Roodsari, Jin Soo Song and Jin Young Song. 888-258-2683, info@glenivy.com
CTFA Requests Public Comments on Skin Absorption
The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA) is requesting public comments by September 25, 2006, on a new Safety Evaluation Guideline addressing the topic of Skin Absorption.
The guideline describes in vitro test methods for evaluating skin absorption.
The CTFA Safety Evaluation Guidelines provide manufacturers with guidance regarding the use of preclinical and clinical safety testing as a means to substantiate the safety of both ingredients and finished cosmetic products. They are part of the CTFA Technical Guidelines series.
Each Guideline undergoes an extensive development and review process by CTFA technical committees and staff, as well as public review by CTFA member companies, nonmember companies, federal government agencies, and scientific professional societies.
An electronic copy of the draft guidelines is available from the CTFA Public Affairs Department by contacting Lisa Powers, (202) 446-0489 or email at powersl@ctfa.org.
FDA Seeks Ban on OTC Skin Bleaching Products
The FDA is seeking to ban over-the-counter sales of skin bleaching drug products.
The FDA cites the possible risk of cancer and skin discoloration from hydroquinone typically found in these products.
However, those cancer studies were done on rats, not people.
"The actual risk to humans from use of hydroquinone has yet to be fully determined," the FDA states in its proposal, published in the U.S. government's Federal Register.
The type of skin discoloration noted by the FDA is called exogenous ochronosis, a darkening of the skin. The FDA cites research linking the condition to hydroquinone use.
The FDA isn't proposing a ban on prescription skin bleaching drug products. But all such products would need to submit a new drug application for the FDA's review.
Not all skin lighteners contain hydroquinone. The FDA knows of 200 products containing hydroquinone in strengths from 0.4% to 5%, about two-thirds of which "appear to be marketed as OTC [over-the-counter] drugs," says the FDA.
The FDA is taking comments on its proposal until Dec. 27.
Expert's Views
WebMD spoke with dermatologist Susan Taylor, MD, of Society Hill Dermatology in Philadelphia, and the Skin of Color Center in New York about the FDA's proposal.
"I feel that hydroquinones are safe and effective treatment for pigmentary disorders," Taylor says. "I feel comfortable recommending that my patients continue to use hydroquinones if they have a pigmentary disorder."
"I think the evidence is quite weak with the link between hydroquinones and cancer," Taylor tells WebMD.
"Data on rats and mice cannot necessarily be extrapolated to human data," she says.
"In Africa, people have used hyrdoquinones for long periods of time ... meaning years, 10, 20, 30, years ... and at high concentrations," Taylor says. "We've not seen a proliferation of various types of cancers reported from that population.
Exogenous ochronosis is rare in the U.S., Taylor notes.
"If you look at the case reports, it's probably less than 200," Taylor says. "So it's really not a significant problem here in the United States."
Millions of Users
Taylor points out that "many patients have disorders that are truly disfiguring and devastating. And these conditions can be improved significantly with hydroquinone products."
"It's important therapy and it's used by millions and millions of people," Taylor says.
She says hydroquinone products are primarily used to lighten dark areas of the skin due to conditions including injury, rashes, acne, and sun damage.
"So there are real problems and this is a real solution," Taylor says. She adds that filing new drug applications can cost millions of dollars.
"My concern is that we could lose prescription products that we have," Taylor says. "That would have major consequences, I think."
"It's safe, effective; it's the gold standard, and I think our patients would benefit from continued use for these problems. I think those three points sum it up for me," Taylor says.
SOURCES: U.S. Government Printing Office, Federal Register, Aug. 29, 2006; vol 71: pp 51146-51155. Susan Taylor, MD, Society Hill Dermatology, Philadelphia, Skin of Color Center, New York.
By Miranda Hitti, WebMD, August 30, 2006
Australian Spa Numbers Grow 129%
Intelligent Spas has released a comprehensive report on the Australian spa industry, identifying spa numbers have grown 129% since 2002. Achieving an unprecedented 64% response rate, this third survey of spa facilities conducted in Australia by Intelligent Spas, provides a valuable tool for businesses competing in, or supporting the spa industry, to more accurately develop and plan spa-related products, services, campaigns and initiatives. The report, entitled Spa Industry Profile Australia 2002-2007, features over 1,000 quantitative statistics on the Australian spa market as well as supporting qualitative trends and observations from spa owners and
Some key industry totals and averages extracted from the report include: · Intelligent Spas identified 503 spa facilities located in Australia. · The average indoor area of spa facilities in Australia was 237 square metres. · 52% of the total spa space was allocated to treatment rooms. · Spas contained six treatment rooms on average. · 65% of spas that provided a relaxation room stated it was gender-shared, compared to 7% that provided both separate and shared rooms and 4% that offered separate rooms. · Baths with water and/or air jets were provided by 58% of respondents. · One hour body wraps were priced from $110 on average. · Herbal tea was the most common complimentary food or beverage item provided by spas, with 92% offering it to visitors. · The increase in male spa visitors was the most common, current industry trend with 29% of respondents making this observation. · Spa owners and managers noticed clients’ expectations of the spa experience were rising. · The majority of spas predicted increases in spa visits and revenue during 2006 and 2007. managers.
Ten Marketing Strategies to Boost Your Bottom Line
By William J. Lynott
Learn how to expand your spa’s marketing plan beyond the Yellow Pages.
Beauty Salon Listings Drop 42% in Post-Katrina New Orleans
According to the Associated Press, the New Orleans telephone book recently came out post-Hurricane Katrina, and the "Beauty Salon" listings in the Yellow Pages declined 42% from 541 individual businesses to 316.