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Planet America
“European treatments and Eastern traditions have found their place here, but our spas are still very American,” observes industry consultant Douglas Preston. For new ideas in 2008, U.S. spa owners are shifting their focus from abroad to local ingredients and traditions, according Bonnie
by Staff
September 28, 20123 min to read
“European treatments and Eastern traditions have found their place here, but our spas are still very American,” observes industry consultant Douglas Preston.
For new ideas in 2008, U.S. spa owners are shifting their focus from abroad to local ingredients and traditions, according Bonnie Canavino, a consultant with the Chicago-area firm of Spa Specifics. She predicts, “We’ll see undercurrents of volcanic waters, clays, wood oils, Native American herbs and treatments coming out of the northwest states.”
At ISPA’s recent Media Event, where journalists were treated to scrubs, massages and hand and foot services, the formulas listed ingredients right out of gardens from all over the country: Moroccan mint, pomegranate, lavender, geranium, dandelion and cedar.
In decor, the global footprint left on American spas is likely to continue to dominate. “In the 1980s we saw tons of Roman columns,” says Preston. “Now Buddhas are everywhere,”
Here are some of treatments with a local flair being performed around the country.
Maple Sugar Body Scrub
Top Notch Resort and Spa
Stowe, Vermont
Experience a unique exfoliating and softening body scrub that is full of real maple sugar directly from select Vermont maple trees. Your entire body is polished with this one of a kind scrub that not only removes dead skin cells, but replenishes lost moisture to the skin for the ultimate hydrating experience.
25 minutes, $75
Tour of Texas Signature Treatment
Lake Austin Spa Resort
Austin, Texas
Signature treatment. Take a trip deep into the heart of Texas-style rejuvenation. Your tour begins with an exfoliating scrub featuring prickly pear, a plant native to Texas and rich in skin replenishing benefits. Next stop: an Aloe Vera wrap to moisturize, remineralize, nourish and soften your skin. While your swathed in soft linens, we'll massage your face and scalp. Then you strike oil - soothing warm essential oils are blended together with massage cream and anointed during a Texas-sized 50-minute full body massage. Welcome to a state of relaxation.
110 minutes, $295
Signature High Desert Body Treatment
El Monte Sagrado
Taos, New Mexico
A blend of wild-crafted, indigenous plants, flowers and aromatic skin nourishing oils from Taos and the surrounding area create signature products. The body is exfoliated with a Zuni salt mixture then wrapped in a volcanic ash mask that is mineral rich and serves to draw toxins from the body. Completing the treatment is a gentle massage and application of hydrating sage lotion or massage oil.
90 minutes, $170
Sweet Ripened Apricot and Chardonnay Pedicure
The Carneros Inn
Napa, California
Natural fruit and organic sugars exfoliate hands and feet effortlessly after which Chardonnay grape seed oil soaks into skin for perfect softness. Enjoy a relaxing massage and wrap in paraffin during this sumptuously sweet treatment.
45 minutes, $60
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