Tag Archives: weight loss

Big News for Aesthetic Medical Spas

Big News for Aesthetic Medical Spas
by Susie Ellis
SpaFinder Insider

How odd. On the front page of Thursday’s NY Times this week, I noticed this headline: “F.D.A. Orders Warning Label for Botox.” Yet when reading the article I found a far more interesting and important issue than what the headline touts. Let me know if you agree.

Here is how the article began: “Botox and other similar anti-wrinkle drugs must now carry the most stringent kind of warning label, the Food and Drug Administration said Thursday. The F.D.A. issued that order the day after the agency approved a new drug, Dysport, that is expected to be the first real challenger to Botox in the United States.”

Wow! Dysport has been approved? Botox finally has a challenger! That’s the real news which I think a lot of people (except those at Allergan who have had a monopoly on Botox for the past seven years) have been waiting for. Botox sales totaled $1.3 billion for Allergan in 2008 thanks in part to the fact that they have consistently raised prices every year. This latest development will certainly be good news for consumers and especially medical spa enthusiasts because prices will most likely come down.

Here is my theory on why many journalists (or those who write headlines) tend to pick up on “alarms” regarding Botox and fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, and the like rather than recognizing what is really going to resonate with readers. It is because many of these writers are relatively young…in their 30’s, maybe 40’s. Translation – they don’t have wrinkles!

It reminds me of the time I saw a celebrity interviewed on television saying (with attitude I might add) that she would never do Botox. It’s poison…not safe…blah blah blah. Oh yes, she was in her 30’s. Well, all I can say is I would love to see what these people will say (and do) when they are in their 50’s or 60’s!

In the meantime, those of us in the spa industry might want to think about how this new development will affect our industry. I am not talking about the new warning label which I think will change almost nothing, but rather, that a competitor to Botox has entered the market.

If you trace the history of aesthetic med spas back to their beginning, you will see that they appeared on the scene in 2002 – the year Botox was approved. They have grown exponentially ever since. What’s going to be the result of Dysport and other anti-wrinkle substances that are now in the pipeline making their debut?

It just might be worth furrowing our brows and giving it some thought.
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The Famous Clinique La Prairie Medical Spa – Memory Lane

The Famous Clinique La Prairie Medical Spa – Memory Lane
by Susie Ellis, SpaFinder Insider

It was 1974 when I first heard about Clinique la Prairie. I had just begun working at the famous Golden Door spa in southern California and would occasionally hear guests whisper about the sheep cell injection therapy at this expensive place in Switzerland. Our Golden Door guests, who at that time included mostly wives of corporate executives, celebrities, and an occasional royal, were fond of comparing notes on other spas they had heard about. In those days, however, most did not spa-hop, they stayed true to the one they had chosen. Names I remember included the Greenhouse in Dallas, Elizabeth Arden’s Maine Chance in Phoenix (no longer in existence), the Lancaster Beauty Farm at Brenner’s Park in Germany, Champney’s in England and Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland. None of them used the term spa at the time.

In later years I ran across photos from the famous Clinique La Prairie – medical setting, doctors in white lab coats, guests dining or lounging in chaises, and a lake and the Alps in the background. I would learn that well known “patients” included Marlene Dietrich, Charlie Chaplin, and Winston Churchill.

There are those who are ardent proponents of Clinique La Prairie’s “revitalization therapy” as it came to be called. There are those who call it quackery.

I am not qualified to pass judgement since I don’t have the scientific or medical background. However from a purely common sense point of view, I find it hard to imagine a place that has been open for more than 75 years, where people from all over the world return time after time and pay $18,000 a week to stay there, not to have something pretty compelling.

The La Prairie skin care products seem to have taken a slightly different path. They had (and still do, I believe) a very good reputation. Clearly they carry the prestige, cachet, and high price of the Clinique La Prairie establishment where the products were created. I remember wondering if there were sheep cells in the products. Apparently not.

In the past few years, however, I have come across many people who told me that La Prairie skin care products have nothing to do with Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland. I have often wondered, how did that happened?

Spas also began appearing with the name La Prairie in them. Are they associated with Clinique La Prairie? My list of questions keeps getting longer and I looked forward to visiting this famous place in Switzerland to finally unscramble the mystery.

Why do the department stores sell La Prairie products but say they don’t have anything to do with the Swiss Clinique?

Why does the La Prairie logo say Switzerland when it doesn’t have anything to do with the facility in Switzerland?

Why is there a La Prairie Spa at the Ritz in New York that insists they also don’t have any affiliation with Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland, however they sell La Prairie products.

There is a La Prairie Spa at the Ritz in Berlin and a new one opening at the Ritz in Rancho Mirage. I assume they will be selling La Prairie skin care products but also deny involvement with the Swiss Clinic.

Why is there a La Prairie Spa at the Beverly Hilton, when all the other ones are at Ritz Carlton’s?

Why a spa with yet another name….the stunning new spa in Grand Cayman with the name, The Rain La Prairie Spa, at the Ritz Carlton.

There is a project on the drawing board in Miami called Ten Museum Park. It is a beautiful high rise residential building that will have according to their website, “the first Clinique La Prairie Spa.” This spa will not carry La Prairie products – they will be using a line called Swiss Perfection.

Later I read that Clinique La Prairie is suing Ritz Carlton over the use of the name La Prairie for their spa in New York.

Is all of this clear as mud?

Well…finally I can say it is pretty clear in my mind although it took a visit to Switzerland, and countless hours of Internet research to solve most of the puzzle. I have put together the answers and a timeline which I will share with you in the next post.

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Mandara Spa at Atlantis – A True Sanctuary

Mandara Spa at Atlantis – A True Sanctuary
by Susie Ellis

Peter and I did something this weekend which we were never able to do while living on the West Coast – hop on a short flight to spend the weekend in the Bahamas. It sounds so “East Coast” doesn’t it? Actually Peter is on a mission to convince me that getting into boating would be a good idea. I fear he has an uphill battle here, however I didn’t mind spending a weekend with him checking things out. Besides, this jaunt would give me a chance to visit two spas: Mandara at Atlantis and the One & Only Spa at the Ocean Club, Bahamas.

So we boarded a 2 1/2 hour flight yesterday morning and flew directly into Nassau. Peter decided we should stay at Atlantis since it is on the water. While ordinarily a resort with 3,800 rooms and lots of kids would not be my first choice for a weekend trip, we were just staying one night so I thought, why not? Besides, here on the East Coast I see so many Atlantis ads, it seemed like a good idea to see what all the fuss was about.

Well…Yes, it is large. Yes, it has lots of kids (although there is one tower which is for adults only – not the one we stayed in.) Yes, the decor is a bit Disneyland-20-years-ago. And it seemed expensive. My bagel and cream cheese this morning was almost $5.00 and Internet usage here in the business center is about $1.00 a minute. The room too was pricey. I must say, however, those families who were here all had broad smiles on their faces and seem to be having quite a bit of fun with their kids. It looks to be a good family adventure.

On to the spa. Happily Jeff Matthews, who is a good friend and the head of Mandara for Asia, had let them know ahead of time that we were coming. Vicky, the very impressive Spa Director, greeted us and was expecting us. That was nice. I learned that this is their NEW Mandara Spa – opened just a year ago since they had outgrown the old one. This one has 35 treatment rooms and the men’s and women’s locker rooms have saunas, steam, hot whirlpool and cool plunge (note, not cold, but cool plunge….probably a good idea since I rarely see anyone going into a cold plunge). And surprisingly, the spa rates seemed cheap!

Nice decor in the spa – more sophisticated than the rest of the resort that’s for sure. The suite where we had our couple’s massage was quite nice – shower, restroom, tastefully decorated, etc. Both therapists were excellent (and they washed their hands before starting the treatment – hurray!). I would give my therapist an eight on a 10 point scale, Peter would give his therapist a seven. Since we are rather picky, those are not bad scores.

I worked out in the fitness center the next day (this morning) which I learned was also managed by Mandara. I find it interesting that more spas are managing fitness facilities these days. It used to be that fitness and spa were very separate from each other in hotels and resorts. But I like this coming together because it broadens the public’s view of spa to include not only the pampering and stress-reducing therapies which help people take a step toward wellness, but the exercise gym and studio which does as well.

The gym had quite a large display of Elemis products – in fact more obvious than the product display in the spa itself. Knowing that Steiner (who owns Mandara and Elemis) is known for high retail sales in their spas, I was surprised to see the rather subtle product presentation in the spa. It would be interesting to know if the product sales in this spa are as brisk as in other Mandara/Elemis/Steiner managed properties.

Well…I will save my One & Only Spa report till later since the clock is ticking here in the business center.

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Spa Questions and Spa Answers: Spa Jobs

SPA QUESTIONS AND SPA ANSWERS: Spa Jobs
by Susie Ellis

Since I receive quite a few Ask Susie questions from Club Spa and the Ask Susie column in Luxury SpaFinder Magazine – and can only answer a few each month – I thought I would answer some in my blog. Here are two questions which represent a subject I get asked about quite often:

QUESTION
The spa industry looks interesting. How would I go about getting a job?
or
We are in need of some new, excited aesthetcians in our spa. Where are great places to post help-wanted ads?

ANSWER
I think websites are the way to go these days when it comes to finding (or posting) a job. I have compiled a list of those related to the spa industry.

ISPA
Spa Opportunities
SpaFinder
Spa Trade
Spa Wire
Day Spa Association
Spa Jobs
Hospitality Online
Leisure Jobs UK
Spa and Salon Jobs
SpaTrends
Esthetics SuperSite
Behind the Chair
Best Spa Jobs

If you are interested in the executive level, you might consider an executive search firm. One I know well is: Greger-Peterson Associates, Inc. in Portland, Oregon. They specialize in Hospitality and Spa Positions (High Level Only).
Kenneth R. Greger kgreger@gregerpeterson.com

If you know of any other spa-oriented websites or resources…please let me know and I will add them to the list.

(Also, in response to some requests, 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!)

An Affordable Spa with the Biggest Loser Appeal

An Affordable Spa with the Biggest Loser Appeal
by Susie Ellis

Before leaving Utah, I wanted to take a quick look at Fitness Ridge which was the spa featured in the USA Today article in which we were also quoted (In particular they listed our top 10 Readers’ Choice winners for Most Affordable Spas.”) The story was titled “Fit & Frugal – Affordable spa resorts promise to lighten the load, not the wallet” and was in the September 21 issue.

I knew that Fitness Ridge used to be called the Body Shop Spa but recently they moved and also changed their name. Both seem to have been good decisions.

I have to say I really liked the place…and the idea that people can go and have a true fitness and spa experience for as low as $1,295 per week, including all of the activities, food, and accommodations. It is sort of a Biggest Loser setting with the trainers being a tad nicer. They also have the one-week required program I am so fond of. You arrive on Sunday and leave the next Sunday. Temptation is removed and they do call if you miss a hike or class.

It reminded me of the program at the Golden Door when I began there in 1975. Low calorie, lots of exercise, and real bonding between the guests. A couple of novel elements…..all guests are in all of the same hikes and classes together and they accommodate the various levels. And some evenings they show movies in the gym and everyone walks on a treadmill for the entire time.

I emailed my “recognizance” to our Spa Finder office before arriving back in New York. Two members of our staff are ready to sign up. I think Biggest Loser fever is catching on.

Susie's Spa Blog

Susie's Spa Industry Blog