Education

Gone are the days of luxury as the preeminent requirement for a spa experience. It’s no longer good enough to be slathered in chocolate or gold flakes in order to make the grade for a quality skin care treatment. People want results, and science-backed skin care procedures and products are visibly improving the skin’s appearance and health.

One of our most results driven treatments at Spruce Body Lab is the Spruce Skin Deep Facial. This treatment incorporates technology to increase the benefits of the skin care products and produces ionic responses which improve the pH balance, circulation and tonicity of the skin.

Because all of Spruce Body Lab’s treatments are customized to each individual’s skin condition, the Spruce Skin Deep Facial has many variations on how the technology and products can be used. For instance, one of the applications that is used during this treatment is called galvanic iontophoresis, galvanic is the type of electric current being used and iontophoresis means “to wander through a cell”. This technology can be used to penetrate a lactic acid based exfoliant deeper into the skin to address photo-damage, as well as penetrate hydrating and antioxidant ingredients deep into the skin. Galvanic iontophoresis allows for products to reach layers of the epidermis that are impenetrable otherwise as the current moves past the “rheins barrier”- a layer of the skin that determines what goes in and comes out of the skin.

From this perspective, the Spruce Skin Deep Facial is clearly results oriented- but it doesn’t stop at product penetration. The ionic shift that takes place in the skin during the application of current creates an acidic pH balance- which is extremely important to skin health, vasoconstriction which calms and cools the skin; all the while water is drawn up from the dermis (where  80% of the skin’s water is retained), into the epidermis which normally holds a mere 20% of the skin’s water content. This all translates into a smoother, brighter, calmer and better hydrated complexion.

For clients suffering from adult acne, the high frequency component of this treatment is very beneficial. The high frequency electrode, creates ozone- an anti-bacterial treatment for the skin. The circulation created by the current paired with the ozone effectively dries up, clears and heals active and would-be break outs.

Although this technology has been around for many years, it has been largely overlooked in North America and has recently seen a resurgence in use. I’ve even seen home high frequency kits that are sold on the Home Shopping network.

I wouldn’t encourage using this technology at home, as I can’t speak to the efficacy of equipment that is made for this use, but I can certainly attest to the results that a technology facial can bring.

Stay tuned for our Mother’s Day Interlude- a special package for Mom’s to enjoy this results-driven treatment while taking some time out to relax.

With Father’s Day fast approaching, I started to reflect on how the perception of men experiencing spa treatments has changed.

Oddly enough, my introduction to skin care and massage therapy was through a man- my Dad!  I think he may have been an original metro-sexual.  Now, even that term seems tired and silly, as culturally we’ve come to embrace that health and wellness are not reserved for the realm of one gender, but for both men and women.

Vancouver is one of Canada’s most progressive and modern cities and as such, there’s an increasing demographic of men taking part in spa treatments and skin care.

This is in part due to marketers realizing that men want to take care if themselves and they want products and treatments that are aimed specifically at them. As a result there is now a huge variety of skin care products targeting men which have popped up in the last few years.

Following suit, spas are now tailoring their decor and even the activities they offer to men. One Vancouver spa touts a lounge where men can play x-box while they get their pedicure done. Here at Spruce Body Lab, our focus has always been on creating a gender neutral environment where both men and women can feel comfortable.

Some of the ways we approach this is with our decor, which is modern and minimalist. We also choose skin care products that don’t lend themselves to one specific gender. When we choose to carry a product line, the smell, look and feel of the product needs to be something that both a man and a woman would feel comforatable to have in their medicine cabinet. With our client base at a very nice balance of 50/50 men and women, we must be doing something right!

As far as treatments for men go, we offer massage therapy which is easily a favorite of our male clientele.  Waxing for the back and shoulders, as well as chest and stomach, has become very popular in the last few years. And skin care treatments amongst our male clientele has steadily increased as well.

With regards to skin care treatments, our Customized Spruce Facial is a client favorite. Each treatment is tailored to each person’s specific skin condition and concerns.  For men, we carry the Dermalogica Shave line of products which offers a skin care regime that makes shaving a breeze instead of a burden.

Whenever I’ve treated anyone, male or female who has never experienced a skin treatment- the end result is always the same- “Why haven’t I done this sooner?” I think that fear of the unknown or misconceptions about what it means to get a skin care treatment is what holds most people back. Once they’ve had the experience, it opens up a whole new world of self care.

The last frontier in popularity of treatments for men is the body treatment. A body treatment is something that even women have a hard time getting their heads around.  Body treatments are a combination of the relaxation of body massage, with the skin smoothing and nourishing benefits of a skin treatment.  Put in such simple terms- I don’t think it will be long before these treatments are a man-favorite too!

It’s nice to see that men like my Dad are no longer an anomaly and that the spa industry has responded in kind. Happy Father’s Day and here’s to evolved men!

Spruce Body Lab Father’s Day In Store Specials:

• 25% off Dermalogica Men’s Shave Kits until June 21st, 2009.
• Book in for Full Physical Package: 60 minute massage and Customized Men’s Facial with Complimentary Infrared Sauna $169 (savings of $50)

It’s unfortunate to think of caring for the environment as a trend, but it seems we need reminding and a little social pressure to keep up with being green. I personally haven’t purchased a fashionable tote for my shopping yet, but I have found myself making extra effort recently to remove the little piece of plastic from kleenex boxes before I recycle them, or re-use paper bags and fabric totes for shopping.  

Part of our focus here at Spruce Body Lab has been finding ways to lessen our impact on the environment. As a Vancouver spa, we feel that we want to reflect West Coast values and provide our clients with the best massage therapy and skin care treatments available.  Our first priority was to work with skin care products with minimal packaging made of recyclable materials and ingredients that are as natural and effective as possible.

The next stage of our journey to become a greener company was to find a resource for recyclable plastic cups. Up until recently, we were on a bit of a recycling zeal and putting all of our plastic cups, which were made or number 5 plastic, into the recycling bin. Apparently our attempt to be good to the environment was all for naught as the City of Vancouver only accepts number 1 and 2 plastics.

I found this perplexing- why wouldn’t a city that is known for it’s “green” bent, make it easier for people to recycle?  With a little research into this, I discovered that the numbers on plastics signify the type of plastic material used to construct the container. Number 1 and 2 plastics are the easiest to recycle and have many uses as post-recycled material.  The higher numbers such as 5 and 7 are harder to recycle and have fewer uses as post-consumer materials. 

Once we realized that the cups we were taking the time to sort and recycle were just heading to the land fill, it took a few months to find a supplier for recyclable cups. The hard work has paid off because, not only did we find a resource for bio-degradeable cups made of corn-based plastic, we are also working with the same company to supply Spruce Body Lab with recycled paper materials and environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. 

It is a happy ending for our “going green” dilemma.

It’s important to remember that as consumers, we play a vital role in patronizing “green” companies and demanding products that have a smaller foot print on the environment. Let’s all do our part!

On that note- Happy recycling!