2013 Top Spa Trends - Label Conscious Fitness

What does Zumba,  Piloxing, The Skinny Jeans Workout, Crunch, Cross Fit, The Biggest Loser, Jillian Michaels, Yoga Bootie Ballet, and Madonna's Hard Candy Fitness have in common? They are all part of a fitness craze sweeping the globe with avid young fans enthusiastically working out to chisel their bodies and boomers working hard to earn a backstage pass to 'forever land'.  Fitness programs have been around for a long time, promoted and/or marketed by celebrities.  Jack Lalane pioneered the trend and fitness gurus like Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda long ago identified a niche market.

Zumba is a perfect example. There are 14 million people enrolled in classes worldwide in 140 locations across 185 countries with an unprecedented growth of nearly 800% from 2009-2012.  Last year Zumba hosted an exercise fitness concert where 8,000 enthusiastic instructors from around the world (79 countries) joined to participate in their own version of dance party.  No grunts and groans here . . . Zumba specializes in creating emotional connections through cheering, laughing, sweating, and having a good time, which they call electrifying joy.

Spas are not the only ones jumping on board. Airports are also banking on the fitness trend. Last January, Terminal 2 in the San Francisco International Airport opened its Yoga Room to travelers with longer-than-usual layovers who want to spend that time getting in a stress-busting yoga workout. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport added a 1.4 mile walking path in a few of their concourses. And of course, there is LA International Airport . . . now offering an 18 hole golf course, yoga classes or tai chi in the LAX Flag Courtyard. Only in California . . . with its over the top personality and endless pursuit of anything that keeps a person young and healthy.

2013 Top Spa Trends - Inclusive Wellness

The boomer generation was primarily responsible for fueling and financing the multi billion dollar anti-aging movement. They threw buckets of money at anything and everything that would help them turn back time in hot pursuit of redefining what aging really meant, and looked like.  As a result they placed great demands on cosmetic manufacturers and their products, spas and their treatments, and of course, plastic surgeons and their expanding list of procedures.

Fast forward to 2013.  A great percentage of boomers are now entering the world of senior citizen status.  Their money is now being aimed at wellness communities in an effort to treat other aging issues such as arthritis, hip and knee replacements, back ailments, heart disease and a whole host of disabilities.

The rapid increase of aging boomers is once again setting a very obvious trend - treatment and recovery programs for aches and pains. Spas are once again adjusting their offerings to accommodate this special demographic . . . after all, the boomer generation is big business. The definition of 'new age' is changing . . . the new age on everyone's radar for many years to come is anything to do with "grey power" and how to serve their very definite needs.

2013 Top Spa Trends - Color Self-Expression

Self expression gets a great big voice in the 'no guts, no glory' color craze of 2013. If you have something to say this year, say it with color. Be wild and free, trendy and cool, conservative and chic, or bold and beautiful. Bright red lips, simmering rich earth tones, smoldering deep blue metallics, neon brights, and for those shy souls . . . creamy, linen pastels.  

The big color this season is Poppy Red . . . big, bold, passionate, courageous, powerful, spirited red. Red lips, red hair, red nails, red eyeshadow, red fashion. Red, red, red.  Other colors making their way to the runways this year are grass greens, ocean blues, and vibrant fruit colors such as nectarine and lemon twists.

Ombre hair of varying lengths and colors, body art and tattoos, and nail art with shimmery 3D polishes, "tip art", or a picture perfect pale nail. Living in color has never been so beautiful.

2013 Top Spa Trends - Authentic Ayurveda and Other Ancient Revivals

Authentic Ayurveda is an ancient, 'science-of-life' wellness system based upon the three doshas;
1. vata (air and space) - cool, thin body, dry skin, circulation issues, active lifestyle, sensitive to stress
2. pitta (fire and water) - warm, healthy body style, active mentally and physically, even balance
3. kappa (water and earth) - larger body, weight issues, smooth skin,  inactive lifestyle

Ayurveda practitioners work on the theory that we are a combination of all three doshas, with one of two dominating the other(s). An imbalance of doshas is believed to cause an overall imbalance that greatly contributes to problematic health issues. During a consultation, your dosha will be determined and a diet and lifestyle consultation will be prescribed. Many Ayurveda spa treatments are available to help achieve great self awareness with respect to personal wellness such as; Indian Head Massage, Rhythmic Herbal Oil Treatments, Lymphatic Stimulation and Drainage, Deep Tissue Massage, Facials using ayurvedic herbs and oils, Muscle Detox, Eye Soothing Treatments, Dosha Balancing Massage, and a variety of Sinus Treatments.

Ayurveda and other ancient wellness systems are definitely finding their way onto spa menus with treatments ranging from Chinese medicine to address medical issues, Turkish Hammam BathTreatments with massage treatments offering steam and a combination of jasmine, mint and lemon essential oils, and Russian Baths with differing temperatures of hot and cold used to ease the throat and feed the skin. Yes, ancient spa rituals around the world are definitely making a comeback.

2013 Top Spa Trends - Spa-Genomics: Telomeres and Beyond

Is science is on the verge of winning the war on aging through cellular immortality? Big question . . . one opening doors all the way down life's hallway. A Nobel Prize was awarded in 2009 for research in Telomeres and Telomerase Enzyme Research. Telomeres are aptly described as life's little time keepers - clocks that regulate the aging process. They are little caps (yellow dots in the picture) attached at the end of every strand of DNA, fittingly described as the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces. Each time a cell divides, telomeres shorten. Once the telomeres are too short, cells become sluggish and ultimately unresponsive. They no longer divide. The youth generating duplication process comes to a close and the degradation process results in the loss of elasticity, volume depletion, and negative changes in the skin texture. Telomerase is a natural 'bodyguard' enzyme that provides protection to the telomeres by offering a deeper stability in maintaining its health and length. Once the telomerase is activated telomeres will continue their youth-keeping activity and literally turn back time. This is what some call the "immortal cell theory."

Telomere technology is anti-aging skin care's tipping point . . . the little things that make a very big difference. Since telomeres are present in plants and animals sourcing telomerase enzymes becomes a much easier task. There is no doubt we will all be hearing much more more about the telomere's anti-aging philosophy of divide and conquer.  Not to mention that one day, in the not too distant future, spas that focus on wellness may have the ability to test your DNA to see how you may improve your health.

2013 Top Spa Trends - Earthing

Nature understands the need for balance, growth and health. Nature grounds us, soothes us, houses us, and nurtures us.  Our bodies are largely electrical . . . our hearts, brain and muscles work within an intricate and very sophisticated electrical circuitry. Mother Earth contains electrons that are very effective in detoxing the body and intercepting free radicals that cause inflammation, pain, and stress.  These natural electrons provide the healing ability to enhance circulation, improve sleep, reduce stress, neutralize pain, and keep our blood from clotting or becoming too sludgy and sticky.  Research clearly shows that direct contact with the earth's energy gently shifts the electrical state of the body and reboot the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Walk barefoot in the park, sink your toes in the sand, or take a seashore stroll and connect with the earth to ground your body. Soaking up the earth's electrons happens within seconds of contact.  During winter, when it is far too cold to go barefoot, there are many products on the market that will provide a similar grounding experience. Our lives have been hijacked by electronics and it is important to realize that our bodies need a healthy counterbalance of the earth's natural electrons for optimum health.

2013 Top Spa Trends - Mindfulness Massage

Mindful massage offers a perfect blend of mindful meditation and mindful breathing.  Mindful breathing withdraws the focus from distracting, stressful thoughts and refocuses attention on breathing to calm the mind and relax the body.  During mindful massage breathing becomes the center of attention, not the mind. Not surprisingly, a complete disconnect occurs when the body focuses on breathing while the mind is left to chatter away. Working toward a harmonious unity of the two is a gift of deep and profound peace. Inhaling brings awareness to the body, exhaling lets go of anxiety, worry and tension.

Mindful massage therapists are trained to discover where the body is holding tension and using their healing touch to help relieve stress, promote healing, and above all, nourish mind body and spirit.  The benefits?  A relaxed nervous system, improved mood, decreased blood pressure, and healthier digestive issues. This is definitely a treatment designed to impart mindful bliss.

2013 Top Spa Trends - Healthy Hotels

The pursuit of health focused spas and wellness treatments are a big trend for spas and salons in 2013.

Spas are a being designed to project healthy living by introducing more natureful surroundings, adding more natural light, utilizing colors to promote a healthy sense of wellbeing, playing music that promotes inner peace, sleep and relaxation chambers, detox and healing programs, spiritual retreats, and believe it or not, spas that require a complete electronic disconnect where all computers and phones are checked at the door.  Peaceful perfection.

SPA FINDER'S TOP SPA TRENDS FOR 2013

Spa Finder and their brilliant leader, Susie Ellis, released their 10th Annual "Top 10 Spa and Wellness Trends for 2013" forecasting the top direction of treatments predicted to have a tremendous influence on the spa industry over the coming year worldwide. Spa Finder's astute research has clearly shown that spas are not just for pampering their clients, but are working hard at contributing to the wellness community and its move toward acts of maintaining good health and healing.

Top 10 Spa and Wellness Trends

• Healthy Hotels
• The Mindfulness Massage
• Earthing
• Spa-Genomics...Telomeres and Beyond
• Authentic Ayurveda and Other Ancient Revivals
• Color Self-Expression
• Inclusive Wellness
• Label Conscious Fitness
• Men: From Barbers to "Brotox"
• Where the Jobs Are

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone!

It is great to be back after our much needed and very prolonged absence. So many great things have happened. As you all know, Beauty Editor Post was acquired by a great group of esthetic professionals who offer higher education for greater opportunities in the spa industry. We will slowly make our way back to our desks and begin posting again and are eager to share all of the exciting news the industry has to offer.

Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for keeping in touch.
Thank you.