Spa Services and the Spa World Through a Teenager's Eyes
by Susie Ellis

Well, I'm really convinced now. If I ever doubted that the younger generation is embracing spa-going enthusiastically (but in a different way than baby boomers), I need only remember yesterday - the day I spent with my niece (16-years-old) and her girlfriend.

Niece Christa is on spring break and visiting me with her girlfriend here in Palm Desert, California. I would say she is a typical teenager - into cheerleading competitions, text messaging, and guys. They started the day with working out at the gym, then headed to a spa/salon to get their eyebrows waxed and one had a bikini wax. When I asked them what they wanted to do in the afternoon during our planned time together - they said manicures and pedicures. On the way home we talked about girly things, whereupon Christa mentioned that what she wants for Christmas this year from all of the family is laser hair removal. Later I overheard them talking about a girl from their school (18-years-old) spending spring break getting a boob job. Wow - I am amazed.

When I was her age, I hadn't even had a manicure and my mom was still cutting my hair (not a good thing). Things sure are different now...for better or for worse. It seems:

1) Young girls have grown up seeing their parents go to spas and see it as a natural part of growing up.
2) They save money earned babysitting and working part time and spend it on salon and spa services.
3) They talk openly about what procedures they have had and "what so and so had done," etc. There is absolutely no thought of keeping any of this a secret!

And if all of this wasn't eye-opening enough, at our last lunch together today, I asked them if they had conversations at school comparing the differences between baby boomers and Gen X and Gen Y. Whereupon they informed me that they didn't know what Gen X and Gen Y was, but they seemed to remember reading about baby boomers in their history class. Oh dear....just shoot me now.

**

If you wish to be put on a list that automatically sends my blog posts to your email, just let dulcy.gregory@spafinder.com know and she will add you to that list. Thanks so much!