From Cleopatra to Coco Chanel; the world of health and beauty is an ever changing multicultural melting pot creating new secrets of rejuvenation, relaxation, ancient meet modern ritual and techniques.

1.   Wellness, rather than just pampering

Spa Playgrounds are becoming experiential, self-service treatment areas rather than amenity areas.  Spa playgrounds can include aromatherapy steam rooms, environmental saunas, air jet color therapy tubs, specialty hydro-massage showers, reflexology, relaxation meditation pods, product bars, aqua massage tables, foot massagers, spa mind enhancing programs with a variety of mind-challenging and entertaining puzzles and games, etc.

From the mineral rasul mud experience with heated seats, star lights, warm steam and warm hydro shower to the Dry flotation experience. Many Salons are focusing more on wellness, rather than just pampering. Spa experiences are no longer just about treatments. Fitness, nutrition, weight-loss, stress management, as well as alternative practices such as, acu-pressure, energy balancing, trigger point technique and herbal medicine are being integrated into the spa and wellness experience.

2. Massage Cupping

The Concept: Ancient Chinese practice intended to stimulate the circulation, is just one of dozens of rather unconventional treatments that are cropping up at spa destinations around the world. Massage cupping is a modified version of the common practice of cupping therapy, used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the results that this simple treatment produces are impressive. Through suction and negative pressure, massage cupping releases rigid soft tissue; drain excess fluids and toxins; loosen adhesions and lift connective tissue; and bring blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles.

Available at: ©Creative Concepts Salon  http://www.harrisonssecretspa.com/spa.htm

3. Ear coning

Ear candling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is an alternative medicine practice claimed to improve general health and well-being by lighting one end of a hollow candle and placing the other end in the ear canal. Ear coning is an Ancient Folk Treatment used by many cultures throughout the history of the world.

The Concept: To perform the ear coning procedure, the client lies on his side with a collecting plate above his ear. The candle is inserted into the ear canal and then lit. The flame creates negative pressure, drawing wax and debris out of the ear canal, which appears as a dark residue.

After the candle has finished burning, the practitioner uses a cotton swab to remove visible ear wax. Most practitioners will then show the client the residue left over from the procedure, claiming it is excess earwax, dirt and  dead skin.

Available at: ©Turning Heads Salon and Spa  

4.   Outdoor Massage 

The Concept: A refreshing outdoor experience with the breeze touching your skin.

During nice weather, offer outdoor massages: sunrise energizing massages, sunset relaxing massages, massage under the stars, etc.

Available at: ©Sal Phuket Thailand  

5. Bamboo Massage

The Concept: Bamboo massage is a technique that incorporates bamboo stalks of varying lengths and diameters to provide deep-tissue work. Inspired by the Japanese and is common in Thailand. "The Bamboo-Fusion technique allows you to easily adjust the pressure, making deep-tissue work easy. I can effectively palpate using the bamboo and am able to easily locate muscle tension and treat trigger points. Using bamboo is now like a continuation of my fingers.” Nathalie Cecilia, a certified Thai massage therapist developed “Bamboo Fusion Technique” using sticks of varying lengths and compositions. She warms the bamboo sticks in a special heating pad before using them on her clients. The Bamboo-Fusion technique allows you to easily adjust the pressure, making deep-tissue work easy.

Training: Bamboo Therapy Training available at: ©Bamboo-Fusion

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© Belinda Meyer publishes information for the Salon and Spa industry. She offers helpful information relating to health, beauty therapy, spa treatments, skin care, hair and more. Want to know more? Visit www.salonprofit.net