NEWS — JUNE 2006

SPA NEWS

Spas Just For Men?

The overwhelming majority of spa customers are women. But a spa in Chicago is trying to change that and attract mainly male customers. The Club Barber Spa opened in March. It’s a manly world with a pool table, TVs and leather lounging areas.

This upscale shop in Chicago’s financial district provides the usual shaves, haircuts and shoe shines, but they also feature facials, manicures, foot massages, and eyebrow waxing. The owner says that there has been no shortage of customers, and many have signed up for an annual membership which includes “anytime” haircuts and shoe shines for $650.00 a year.

For more information, visit: Chicago Tribune

Spa Sale Cancelled

BriteSmile, Inc. of Walnut Creek, California has called off a deal to sell 17 spas to Dental Spas of Iowa. The sale of the spas at $20 million was announced in January but called off in early May. The spa sale was part of a package that included BriteSmiles toothpaste, mouthwash, and teeth whitening pens. BriteSmile officials said the terms of the agreement were not met and also announced that the company president ,Julian Feneley, was stepping down but would continue as a director. John Reed, a former CEO, was appointed to replace him.

For more information, visit: Mercury News

Med Spas In Shopping Malls

Solona MedSpas of Irvine, California appears to be encouraging its franchise owners to locate in shopping malls as well as more traditional locations such as near hospital/medical facilities. In a press release, the company claims it will have 50 spas open by the end of 2006. Little marketing data exists on whether customers would want to stop in for a Botox injection, for example, while shopping. Beauty salons have been a feature at shopping malls for years, and some spas that do not feature medical procedures have located at shopping malls. Market research on the success of full-service non-medical spas located at shopping malls is limited.

For more information, visit the Medical Spa Franchises’ Press Release pages of U.S. Franchise News.

New Law Intends to Regulate Use of Tanning Beds in Salons/Spas

The British Medical Association of Scotland is working with a member of Parliament to back a law imposing regulations on tanning parlors. Dr. Dean Marshall of the BMA Scottish Council says:

“There are significant health risks associated with the use of sunbeds. The British Photodermatology Group recommends that sunbeds are not used at all [sic], but if they are this should be limited to no more than two courses a year of no more than 10 sessions each. But research shows that some people are having more than 100 sunbed sessions in one year.”

For more information, visit Medical News Today