NEWS — FEBRUARY 2006
SPA NEWS
Destination Resorts With Medical Spas – The Latest Trend?
The New York Times thinks it may be. An article by reporter Michelle Higgins titled, “The Spa Experience: Mud Bath, Massage, M.R.I., examined the issue. For example, destination resort and spa Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Massachusetts, reports a 16% increase since 2000, in guests requesting medical services in addition to traditional spa services like massage. In California, Deepak Chopra at the Chopra Center for Well Being reports a “quadruple” of doctor visits in the last ten years.
Learn more at: Spa Trade.
Skin Care Is A Growing Market
The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that half the population will be non-white by the year 2050. Some medical spas are advertising as specialists in ethnic skin care and treatments. These include Dr. Amy Paller of the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago just opened the Center for Ethnic Skin. St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Center in New York City has a Skin of Color Center. The American Academy of Dermatology now includes within their physician locator website service a list of doctors who list their specialty as “skin of color”.
Learn more at: Spa Trade and American Academy of Dermatology.
Medical Groups Issue Public Warning About Cosmetic Procedures Provided By Non-Licensed Personnel
In a joint statement issued by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), ASAPS President Dr. Mark Jewell says, "There are some misconceptions among patients about the true nature of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Non-surgical does not mean non-medical. Patients deserve to know who is treating them, what their qualifications are, who the supervising physician is, and where the product is coming from.”
The President of ASPS, Dr. Bruce Cunningham says, "In many situations, physicians appropriately provide oversight for patient care in a variety of medical settings. Our concern here is that physician supervision in non-surgical cosmetic procedures may be inadequate or non-existent and that the individuals performing the treatments lack adequate training to safely perform the procedures. Our purpose in convening a patient safety group on this issue is to ensure that patients have the information they need to make the right decision. While spas and salons are convenient for cosmetic medical treatments, this should not be at the expense of safety and expertise."
Learn more in the ASPS news room.
Spa Pays $75,000 In Wrongful Death Suit
Polynesian Spa Ltd., in Rotorua New Zealand has pleaded guilty to violating health and safety regulations and agreed to pay the family of Joanna Paul, 53, fines and reparations totaling $75, 000.00. Paul was found drowned in one of the spa’s pools. Judge Phillip Cooper said monitoring of the pools was inadequate, but took note that the incident was the first in more than thirty years of operation. Spa director, Matin Lobb, said: "We are deeply regretful that the incident occurred. "We respect the decision of the court, and we believe that we have robust systems and procedures in place to prevent this type of thing occurring again."
Learn more at the New Zealand Herald.
