It wouldn’t be a New Year without a range of forecasts about trends expected to influence the industry. From all accounts, wellness will continue to shape the spa industry over the next year. As 2017 came to a close, ISPA released its 2017 “US Spa Industry Study,” in which 32 percent of respondents (those from the resort/hotel sector and day spas) cited that “wellness, health, and fitness” will have the greatest impact on the spa industry over the next year.
Just what are some of those wellness trends? Spa Executive takes a look at 10 of them to watch. Here are some:
Weed: Due to a change in laws about the use (California just joined the handful of states making cannabis legal for recreational use), cannabis is being embraced by wellness and medical professionals because of its natural medicinal, anti-depressant, and mood-stabilizing qualities, reports Spa Executive.
Korean Skin Care: Korean skincare is a growing trend in North America. South Korea is the eighth largest cosmetics market in the world. Products include BB creams, cushion compacts, sheet masks, and the latest “glass skin.” (Glass skin looks clear, poreless, and translucent). Keep your eyes on Korea when it comes to skincare, says Spa Executive.
ASMR: Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response “is a physical sensation response to audio, visual and tactile stimuli described as a static-like or tingling feeling that typically begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and the upper spine,” says the magazine. Currently, 40 percent of the population experiences ASMR, so spas might be something to start incorporating into menus.
Age embracing: There’s a movement underway to rid the term “anti-aging” from the language around beauty and wellness. Women are tired of being told they should want to look young. In response, some brands are starting to incorporate more positive terms such as “age embracing.”
Find new ways to incorporate technology: Technology will have a major impact on wellness this year, ranging from non-invasive surgical treatments to software that handles many day-to-day operations to wearable technology and even robots. More and more spas will be seeking ways to incorporate new technological developments into running their business and providing clients with improved experiences.
These are just some of the key wellness trends forecasts Spa Executive. You can read the entire list here.
Wellness is driving the industry. No longer just about beauty and relaxing, spas contribute more and more to client health and wellness. That makes your services even more indispensable.