Get Your Spa On

Have you noticed that your local tanning salon is looking very spa-like these days? You’re not seeing things … the industry is being redefined by services that enhance and complement a golden glow. In recent years, hydrotherapy—the therapeutic use of water—has exploded as a top ancillary service for a tanning salon because it appeals to those looking for fresh, innovative and quick treatments to enhance relaxation and rejuvenation.

The Treatment: Hydromassage

Despite its name, hydromassage is a dry process during which a person lies in a bed and has heated water contained in rubber and plastic liners applied to the body by therapeutic jets. Because it is dry, users can stay fully clothed, which makes many people feel more comfortable. Also, there is no need for a massage therapist, so the user is in complete control of the massage as far as pressure, temperature and length of time is concerned.

As an added bonus for a tanner that utilizes these units, massage stimulates blood circulation and enhances the tanning process.

Here are some of the popular pieces of hydromassage equipment that you may see in your salon:

Quatro Wave System™
The Quatro, from H2O Massage Systems, is a hydromassage unit that features a remote or digital touch screen so the user can focus the massage on their neck, back, thighs or legs in any sequence they wish. The water intensity can be adjusted to achieve any level of gentle or deep penetration massage.

Aqua Massage
Aqua Massage systems, from Aqua Massage International, Inc., provide advanced automated massage with 36 stainless-steel, precision-engineered, acupressure water jets. The unit’s self-operated system is designed for accurate, efficient massage at the touch of a button in the comfort of the user’s clothes.

HydroMassage Spa Series
The HydroMassage Spa Series is a powerful hydrotherapy system that features an interactive 15-inch touch screen, where users can play CDs, DVDs or surf the Internet.

SpaCapsule®
The SpaCapsule is a self-contained, full-body massage unit featuring aromatherapy and audio/video entertainment components packaged into a capsule-shaped “relaxation station” that allows the user to maintain full control of pressure and massage area.

The Treatment: Steam & Skincare

Steam can provide many of the same benefits as hydromassage, such as increased circulation, and also leads to toxin cleansing and hydration of the skin. Treatments can be utilized prior to tanning to prepare the skin and stimulate circulation, which will enhance the appearance of color, or can be used alone to cleanse, condition and moisturize.

The hydrating benefits of steam are particularly important to combat signs of aging, where dehydration robs skin of that soft, supple glow. Steam re-oxygenates the skin and replenishes it with moisture to keep clients looking young and healthy.

Since hot tubs and saunas aren’t practical in tanning salons, manufacturers have developed space-saving machines that produce similar end results. Some offer machines that incorporate steam with a number of other therapeutic effects in one session, such as heat, oxygen and massage.

Here are some of the popular pieces of steam hydrotherapy equipment that you may see in your salon:

The Hydration Station™
Sybaritic, Inc.’s Hydration Station offers three programs—prepare, prolong and protect. The prepare program, intended specifically for UV tanners, prepares the skin for advanced melanin production during a subsequent UV tanning experience. Prolong is designed for sunless tanners; it enhances the skin’s ability to absorb the dihydroxyacetone (DHA) from a sunless tanning medium (self-tanner, spray booth, airbrush). The last program, protect, is an advanced session that is beneficial to anyone concerned with the signs of aging who is looking to either repair or prevent skin damage.

MyMyst
Just introduced for 2008, Mystic Tan’s MyMyst sunless tanning booth now has three available skincare treatments. The AHA RefiningMyst™ Complex is an alpha-hydroxy formulation that uses natural fruit acids to exfoliate the skin. The ReplenishingMyst™ Complex is an antioxidant- and vitamin-enriched formula featuring ingredients such as Aloe vera, green tea and vitamin E to help soothe skin and replenish moisture lost during the UV-tanning process. The RevitalizingMyst™ Complex provides many skin benefits, and includes anti-aging, antioxidant and vitamin-enriched ingredients.