Some ideas take a little getting used to. Even so, countless spa goers need no persuasion when it comes to being nibbled by small fish at designer spas and spa resorts in countries such as China, Japan, South Korea and Turkey. This growing trend is spreading swiftly throughout the world and has left some people feeling both perplexed and others feeling both beautiful and relaxed.

So how do fish treatments work and how do they aid in enhancing both wellness and beauty? Spas store small tropical fish called Garra Rufa, also known as doctor fish, nibble fish, Chinchin Yu, Kangal Fish and Turkey Fish, in warm pools of water or hot springs. These fish thrive in hot water from 15 degrees to 43 degree water and are used for various reasons such as for foot, facial and body treatments as well as for the natural treatment of skin disease.

The fish, as many spa goers say “kiss the skin”, ridding it of all affected and dead skin areas, leaving the healthy skin untouched to continue to grow and repair. The process is both painless and strangely wonderful, leaving behind a unique pleasant tingling sensation. Skin is left smooth, glowing and looking healthier. Although, also used for individuals suffering from Psoriasis, fish treatments are not a cure for the disease but a temporary treatment cure which can aid in preventing symptoms if repeated on a monthly basis. Nonetheless, there have been some individuals who claim to have been completely cured of Psoriasis after undergoing fish treatments. The fish treatments are also recognized as treatments utilized to release fatigue, increase blood circulation and aid in relaxation.

So why not immerse yourself into a hot spring or fish pool, or enjoy a foot, facial or body fish treatment before a massage, and experience a treatment like no other. This strangely unique and wonderful feeling cannot be described in words and will make you return every few months to take advantage of the fish treatments principal purpose and function, to protect and beautify your skin.

Courtesy of Spas at Health Spa Guru

A spa treatment is often labeled as ‘a great way of pampering the body’; however, considering the great burden of these stressful times, going for spa treatments is a necessity they are on every stars healthcare and appearance plan. From Jessica Simpson to Halle Berry, Jodi Foster, Oprah, etc… These are the most highly sought after treatments and women are shelling out thousands for this ‘fountain of youth.’ The body, soul and mind very well deserve these spa treatment indulgences. In fact, a holistic spa treatment is a complete invigorating experience that revitalizes the mind and soul while stimulating body’s self-healing mechanism and should be used by everyone atleast once a year.

Therapeutic massages and face / body treatments are some of the basic services that the spas offer. Modern day spas have developed different types of massages – Aromatherapy, Ayurvedic massage, deep tissue massage, lymphatic drainage massage, Neuromuscular therapy, Shiatsu and many more. These ancient techniques of rejuvenating the entire system by caressing the skin and kneading the muscles is performed by licensed therapists with extreme care. Remember! Each massage has its typical utility.

The spa treatment services for your facial and body skin involve deep cleansing, exfoliating, massaging, toning and moisturizing. These treatments remove the damaged epidermal layers to reveal younger, healthier-looking skin. Both facials and body treatments, cleanse the deep-seated impurities, stimulate blood circulation and hydrate the skin surface.

In general, spas prefer non-chemical and non-invasive procedures like Oxygen therapy, Photo facial, Vitamin peels, homemade oilbaths, skin peels and indigenous body scrubs. However, now that the effectiveness and harmlessness of TCA peels (the most prescribed skin peels by dermatologists and plastic surgeons) have been certified and proven to be the most effective, many spas are using these peels for treating skin problems. Equally effective at home as in spas, the TCA peels work real fast removing your dead skin, enhancing blood circulation and aiding the process of the re-growth of collagen and elastin. Basically, the tca peel is the single most effective and least invasive treatment on the market.

Considering TCA peel your “at-home spa treatment” will be no exaggeration, especially if you consider the lasting results it produces – changing your lusterless, dead hide for a more glamorous, youthful covering. Remember, the TCA treatment promises you emotional indulgence at a cost-effective rate.

TCA peels are on every hollywood stars skin rejuvenation program and they should be on yours also. There’s no luck in the glowing skin of the celebrities at the Oscars – its simple – spa treatments and TCA peels. It is also interesting to note that TCA peels are one of the most effective treatments for acne and wrinkles in current use.

David Maillie is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis and manufactures various skin peels and acne treatments for doctors offices and medispas. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: Bestskinpeel.com

While at least some spa treatments (wraps, scrubs and masks to name the basic protocols) are usually found in a section on the majority of spa menus, they tend to lead a rather dormant life overshadowed by their more commonly requested relatives massages and facials. More often than not they decorate menus with adventurous names while flirting exotic ingredients. Considering the expensive products retained to perform these services and the equipment held available it is a pity that spa treatments are not given the place they deserve and could conquer.

Spa treatments are one of the menu-items that have not even been tapped into as a resource by the majority of individual practitioners as well ashealth spas of all styles and sizes.

While massage and to a good degree esthetics have matured so far that they are being accepted and understood as a solid part of every spa menu and a core service offered by the individual practitioner, spa treatments are still struggling to make their mark.

Spa treatments offer numerous advantages for clients, providers and for the spa business itself. Some of which are for clients that they pose an alternative to massage and a different approach to health and wellness altogether that utilizes a chemical rather than a physical approach. For providers they offer a rest from the physically challenging nature of massage and an opportunity to provide the client with more post treatment products that will extend the effects of the treatment. And finally the spa business itself for example can attract additional clients and renew client relationships more often with attractive treatments as well as expand the business with related products that help clients enjoy theirspa experience at home as well.

So while there are many reasons why spa treatments tend to be less requested, we would like to pick one in particular that is rarely addressed. One of the explanations we find why clients do not opt for a spa treatment and providers and front desk staff have a hard time recommending them is that they cannot relate on an emotional and cultural level to the services offered.

One fundamental reason is that the services were not designed taking local ecological, social and cultural existing and pre-existing conditions into account, but rather have been imposed as a concept from the outside, importing foreign concepts that evolved under different circumstances and foreign ingredients that need to be imported. These concepts will surface in menus as “a traditional treatment from Bali” in a Mexican luxury spa or as product driven treatment featuring “caviar” designed by a vendor and wrapped around their protocol.

Now while at first glance the appealing description and mouthwatering descriptions might seem attractive, upon closer examination there are some major flaws in the design. Ingredients, the verbiage, the philosophy, aromas, and especially the client concerns originated somewhere else and lack the connections to the local facility. The ideas first spark interest and a certain sense of attraction to the mysterious but than fall short of following through with a feeling of being grounded in the here and now and offering benefits that embrace the local environmental and cultural heritage.

There are some very concrete reasons to pursue an eco-centric approach. When taking the time to research local healing traditions, one inherits many years of refining regionally available resources to address locally prevailing ailments and concerns. While looking into nature’s plant systems one finds plants that have thrived on the local geological and climatic environment and retain substances and essences that can heal conditions that are a result of just that environment. In observing weather patterns one can address the seasons and the changes between them. And most important, treatments designed with an eco-centric approach are grounded and feel complete as they are deeply embedded in their environment.

Taking local conditions into consideration while designing spa treatments is not difficult and well worth the effort. Besides the relationships you will develop researching the local resources, the resulting understanding of local culture, flora and climate will give the spa treatments you design a completely different level of integration with clients, providers and staff.

by: Nicolay Kreidler, invests 20 years of business ownership and executive management into his consulting work . His initiation into the service and hospitality industry began with his professional career through the restaurant business as creator and owner of the largest whole food restaurants in Europe.
His transition into the spa world evolved during a personal journey to study healing modalities around the world. An accomplished practitioner of massage, watsu and yoga he teaches regular intensive retreats as well facilitating as spa training with Spa College