DAYSPA is the business resource for spa & wellness professionals! Each issue covers the latest in skin care, spa treatments, wellness services and management strategies.
Issue link: https://dayspamagazine.epubxp.com/i/812502
[ 68 ] • DAYSPA • may 2017 Spa pros looking to provide more holistic solutions for their stressed-out clients may want to consider reading The Urban Monk (Rodale, 2016) by Pedram Shojai, O.M.D., a former monk and creator of Well.org. Shojai suggests bringing Eastern practices—such as meditation, qigong, tai chi and herbal remedies—together with other lifestyle changes to address common modern wellness issues like stress, lack of time/energy, loneliness and fi nding purpose. The book contains a range of clear, specifi c "hacks" that wellness industry professionals can use to guide their clients to help them achieve a better sense of well-being. theurbanmonk.com BOOK NOOK Up the Ante Specialized equipment—especially furniture—can make a major diff erence when it comes to a standout spa experience. A high- tech lounge chair, the Living Earth Crafts ZG Dream Lounger features a zero-gravity setting for relaxation, retractable footrest for easy pedicure access, and plush Strata memory cushions. "We feel we've really enhanced the mani/pedi experience for our guests," says Alejandro Ortiz, executive spa director of Remède Spa at e St. Regis Punta Mita Resort in Mexico. "Nothing beats the feeling of having a foot massage while resting in a peaceful palapa, surrounded by nature, in the zero-gravity position with the vibration system on. Our clients love this kind of luxury and comfort." livingearthcrafts.com Although there's no substitute for a professional spa treatment, clients are increasingly looking to boost results between appointments. To help fi ll this need, the handheld PMD Personal Microderm Pro combines deep exfoliation with suction to promote cellular turnover. "Many of our guests who purchase a PMD device return more regularly for spa treatments, and they tend to buy more skincare products to use at home as well," says Leigh Bennett, owner of Amara Day Spa, with locations in Orem and Lehi, Utah. "Our clients regard us as professionals and trust us with their skin; once we recommend something they love, they always value our advice and return for more." pmdbeauty.com Many toxins are unavoidable, but there are certain sources of unnatural chemicals that you can recommend clients stay away from as best they can. For women especially, there are many hormone-altering toxins that are important to avoid, including the following. Arsenic: Previously used as a farming aid and pesticide on sugar plantations, arsenic is still found in some soils (especially throughout Hawaii) and is poisonous in larger doses. Small traces may exist in drinking water throughout the U.S., so experts advise fi ltering tap water. Glycol ethers: Common in cleaning products, paints, brake fl uid and cosmetics, these are typically included on ingredient lists as 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE) and methoxydiglycol (DEGME). Lead: Found primarily in paint and drinking water, lead harms almost every organ in the body and has been linked to a wide range of health problems, including premature birth, lowered IQ, brain damage, hearing loss, increased blood pressure and kidney damage. Mercury: This metal enters the air and oceans when coal is burned, but people are most commonly exposed to it from the fi sh they eat. To avoid this toxin, opt for wild salmon and farm-raised trout. Organophosphate pesticides: Developed to target insects' nervous systems, organophosphate remains one of the most commonly used pesticides despite having been linked to eff ects on brain development, behavior and fertility. Phthalates: Found in everything from plastic containers and plastic wrap to cosmetics and children's toys, these chemicals are often disguised as "fragrances" on ingredient lists. Xenoestrogens: A type of xenohormone that the body confuses for estrogen, these imitators are stored in our fat cells and can block or bind to hormone receptors. They can be found everywhere—benzophenone in sunscreens, PCBs and phthalates in plastics, Red No. 3 and BHA in food products—and have been linked to breast, prostate and testicular cancers. Toss the Toxins building blocks business boosters At-Home Slougher © GETTY IMAGES