Innovating at your spa is about more than just taking part of the newest trend or trying to get a few more clients in the door. It is about creatively taking advantage of your skills, ingenuity, geographical location and your customer’s tastes. Here we will discuss some of the ways various spas around the world are innovating their businesses and hopefully it will inspire you to do the same with your business so that you can take your spa to the next level.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Many successful spas have begun participating in business innovations which are convenient and unique to their location. For instance, if your spa is surrounded by wooded areas, you might consider moving some treatments, like massages, to a quiet outdoor area when the weather permits as many experts in the spa and wellness field have noted that customers’ desire to be closer to nature has only increased since the pandemic. Likewise, if your spa is close to or on a beach, you might consider offering thalassotherapy (seawater) massages or pedicures. Many people believe that seawater has a detoxifying effect on the skin. However, it also can be drying/dehydrating so you will want to inform clients who may have a sensitivity to dry skin of this possibility.
OFFERING HEALTHY ALIMENTATION
Although some spas, which are near farms or fresh produce centers may have an easier time taking advantage of this type of business innovation, almost any spa should be able to participate. Remember spas and wellness centers are becoming more and more all encompassing. Whereas in the past, spa services were mostly limited to the areas we have come to expect such as massages and pedicures, many clients, especially younger ones, now expect a more holistic approach. This extends not only to spa services which, now, many times include meditation sessions, yoga and even singing bowls and sounds therapy, but also to nourishment. This is why offering organic snacks, fruit or vegetable drinks or organic teas is a great way to augment customer experience.
ANXIETY-RESETTING
Many innovative spas now include solitary “quiet rooms” where clients can participate in what has come to be known as “anxiety-resetting.” In anxiety-resetting, clients lie on a massage table or massage chair alone and away from any distractions; and this includes the distractions of things like cell phones and even spa staff. The atmosphere should be quiet and can include aromatherapy and relaxing music but should not be stimulating in any way. In this room, the client can simply sit with their thoughts or practice relaxing breathing techniques for 30 to 45 minutes. Anxiety-resetting initially gained popularity in Switzerland as a way to restore spa clients to healthier mental and physical states which were disrupted by the trauma of the pandemic. However, the practice has now become popular in many places around the world. Anxiety-resetting is said to lead to better sleep quality, improve mental states and restore physiological balance.
COLD THERAPY
When people think about spas, they generally think about warm-water pedicures, hot oil massages and other cozy or relaxing treatments. However, many spas are now introducing cold therapy services in the form of cryotherapy, ice baths and even “snow cabins” in areas where the climate naturally permits this. Cold therapy is an area, inside and outside of spas, which is currently receiving a lot of attention due to a plethora of potential benefits. Popularized by online wellness influencers and social media stars like Wim Hof, cold therapy is said to reduce inflammation, improve mental health and benefit the skin and hair. Some people even say it improves attention-span and motivation due to the possible effect of the cold water’s effect on neurotransmitters. Done consistently, it can also lower heart rate by 20 to 30 beats per minute which has extraordinary potential for the cardiovascular system. For this reason, many spas and wellness centers now have cold therapy offerings. And, don’t worry, if your spa does not have the money to purchase cryotherapy machines, ice baths in a professional, well-decorated room can provide all of the same benefits because it is the cold temperatures, not the wet or dry qualities of the treatment, which are responsible for the benefits.
CONCLUSION
While there are certainly a million ways to innovate at your spa, hopefully this article has given you some ideas and inspiration if you were lacking those crucial ingredients to reinvigorating your business. Spas, more and more, are turning into holistic health and wellness centers so, if you are looking for more innovative ideas in the future, you may want to follow the latest health trends and consider how you can incorporate those health trends into your spa business as this seems to be the general path many spas now take to offer new possibilities to their clients.