Spas have become increasingly popular over the years and it doesn’t look like they’re going anywhere anytime soon. While Spa Equipment may change and the appearance of salons and spas may undergo renovations, the spa culture is definitely in style with more and more treatments emerging everyday. Spa treatments have become ingrained in everyday life and have become somewhat of a tradition in many peoples’ lives. Spas can provide relief and relaxation in a world of chaos. There are detoxifying massages, pumpkin facials, sea-weed body wraps, body masks, light therapy, steam baths, Vichy showers, scrubs and detox treatments, body waxing, manicures, and pedicures and more to choose from. With so many consumers making the spa industry fashionable, new spa trends for 2008 and 2009 have emerged.

Newest trends to look for:

• Spas are going green- U.S. Spas are catching onto the latest trend of “going green” (otherwise known as becoming more environmentally-friendly). Some spas are incorporating all-natural products made with organic fruits, vegetables, plants and herbs, offering organic foods, and even hiring experienced spa designers to help design their spas in a more eco-friendly manner.
• Men at Spas – With society craving the need to be healthier and younger- looking in appearance, more men are catching onto the self-pampering phenomenon and are frequenting spas almost as much as women are.
• Detox Treatments – There are many toxins in the body due to stress and diet, among many other factors. Detox treatments such as relaxation methods, all-organic diets and steam saunas are becoming popular because they can help get rid of these toxins.
• Sleep Rooms – Medical and health professionals have been placing a large emphasis on the health benefits your body receives with enough sleep. They suggest that enough sound sleep can help with weight loss. Spas are developing sleep rooms, or nap rooms, to encourage sound sleeping for their clients.
• Fertility Regimes – Treatments such as acupuncture and various diet regimes are being incorporated into spas to help boost fertility. This all-natural treatment is an alternative to taking fertility hormones and may ease the minds of many couples.

Generally, spas are redirecting their treatments to incorporate a more holistic “wellness” approach to stimulate the mind and spirit, not just the body. Expect to see more spas incorporating feng shui, offering all-natural foods and products, providing health and nutritional classes, and designing sleep rooms to foster wellness for both women and men. Many members of society are saying no to plastic surgery, and yes to an all-natural, holistic approach to beauty and health.

Every year, millions and millions of people make the resolution to get healthy. One outlet that people turn to are spas. There are three main types of spas that can help you attain your goal of achieving better health: day spas, resort spas and destination spas.

Day Spas:

Day spas are found in virtually every city and offer various body work and skin care treatments, such as: facials, microdermabrasion, massages (either provided on a massage table or a massage chair), and beauty treatments such as hair removal, pedicures and manicures. Day spas offer services at reasonable prices, and are for those that are very busy and cannot afford to spend more than a few hours at a time being pampered. A good day spa will have massage equipment that is up-to-date and can be adjusted to fit various body types.

Resort Spas:

Resort spas are found in high quality resorts and hotels and offer a wider selection of pampering experiences at a steeper price. They are available for those that can spend a couple of days to a few weeks relaxing and rejuvenating their minds and bodies. Usually, there are a number of sessions recommended during your stay to achieve total rejuvenation. Some treatments include: mud wraps, hot stone massages, acupressure, reflexology and hydrotherapy. At resort spas, you buy each spa treatment a la carte. Resort spas usually offer activities to participate in during your stay, such as: golf, swimming, yoga and tennis.

Destination Spas:

Destination spas, on the other hand, offer life enhancement programs for the whole being. Destination spas are quite pricier and encompass a wide variety of programs that include: yoga, massage, weight loss management, stress management, hiking, acupuncture, detoxifying rituals, hypnosis, meditation, healthy eating, healing and various energizing programs. The main focus of destination spas is to enhance your mind, body and spirit by way of meals, activities and spa treatments. People visit destination spas to seek spiritual rejuvenation, to lose weight, to feel better and to find emotional bliss.

So whether you choose to improve your health this year by heading to a day spa for an hour, to a resort spa for a week-long vacation, or to destination spa for your overall well-being, keep in mind what each spa is and all the services they have to offer.