International Trends: Spa Growth in Singapore

By Melinda Taschetta-Millane

A firsthand look at the trends developing in Singapore spas.

Kline & Company Releases Professional Skin Care 2006 Report

Kline & Company, the global management consulting and market research company, released its fourth edition of Professional Skin Care 2006, a series on professional brands sold through spas, salons, beauty institutes, physicians and retail stores. 973-435-3365

More Americans Suffering Sunburns

The percentage of American adults who got sunburned increased from 31.8 percent to 33.7 percent from 1999 and 2004, a sign that many people aren't using proper sun protection, a new study found.

The study also found that significant portions of most racial and ethnic groups reported getting sunburned in the three years -- 1999, 2003, and 2004 -- when the data was collected through surveys.

The study authors noted that sunburn increases the risk of developing melanoma and basal cell carcinoma skin cancers.

Sunburn rates in 2004 were 46.9 percent for non-Hispanic white men; 39.6 percent for non-Hispanic white women; 12.4 percent for Hispanic black men; 9.5 percent for Hispanic black women; 16.2 percent for male Asians/Pacific Islanders; 16.1 percent for female Asians/Pacific Islanders; 30.4 percent for male American Indians/Alaska Natives; 21.5 percent for female American Indians/Alaska Natives; and 5.8 percent for male and female non-Hispanic blacks.

Overall, men were more likely to get sunburned (35.8 percent in 1999, 37 percent in both 2003 and 2004) than women (28 percent, 30.2 percent and 30.3 percent, respectively).

The highest rate of sunburn prevalence among whites in any of the three years was in Utah (51.3 percent in 2003), while the lowest was in Arizona (25.7 percent in 1999). Twenty states reported a statistically significant increase in sunburn rates among whites, while four states -- Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Louisiana -- reported a significant decrease.

The study findings are published in Friday's edition of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Sunburn can be prevented by following such sun-protection measures as wearing a hat; covering up while in the sun; avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; and using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.

HealthDay News, May 31, 2007

Anti-aging: Beyond Wrinkles

By Tracy Sherwood

Wrinkle reducers aren’t the only thing consumers are looking for in skin care products anymore.

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

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.

AADPRS Reveals Dramatic Rise in Noninvasive Facial Procedures

Board certified facial plastic surgeons are meeting Americans' demands for quicker results and less recovery time, according to a new survey by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). The annual poll of 1,336 of the organization's member surgeons found that there was a 69% increase among women and an astonishing 91% increase among men undergoing nonsurgical facial plastic surgery since 2000.

We're seeing that minimally invasive-type treatments that offer patients less 'downtime' are increasing in popularity" commented Peter A. Hilger, MD, president of the AAFPRS. "The goal is to have a nice, natural-looking outcome – you don't want to look like you've had surgery. The trend toward non-invasive cosmetic procedures has allowed more Americans to get the look they want without having to turn their busy lifestyles upside down.

Surgeons feel that the future for facial plastic surgery is bright, both for themselves and the consumer. They predict more filler introductions into the market (96%) and feel that patient safety will continue to be a focal point in cosmetic surgery (94%). They also foresee an increase in cosmetic surgery for ethnic populations (85%). "We hope the results of this annual survey give some understanding of the untiring dedication of AAFPRS members to making the highest possible quality of facial plastic surgery available to the public," concluded Dr. Hilger.