Spa Products
Visitors to the country often remark
on the beauty and grace of the Thai
people and their traditions. Herbal
recipes and procedures handed down through
centuries testify to the importance
of beauty and well-being in Thai culture.
It is no wonder then that Thailand has
become well-known for its spas, which
are fast turning into centres for things
beautiful and serene. Of all the components
that make a spa special, the type of
products used ranks high on the list.
Products are indicative of what is considered
important by spa operators and are selected
because they complement the spa’s concept
and suit their guests’ needs and preferences.
Every successful spa knows that products
are one of the key factors in attracting
and keeping guests. In short, spa products
for therapy and retail are essential
elements in a memorable spa experience.
At their best, they are a sensory delight
that not only engage touch, taste, hearing,
sight and smell but also impart a sense
of wellbeing and beauty.
Spa goers have a range
of goals, but two of the most important
are to relax and to look good. That
is why so many spas use natural, “feel-good”
spa ranges as well as more expensive
imported brands that provide more immediate
visible results.
NATURAL PRODUCTS
Natural product ranges are mainly derived
from plants and there are certainly
many well- known herbal options for
those seeking an authentic Thai spa
experience. Classic Thai healing herbs
fall into nine taste categories: astringent,
sweet, nauseating, bitter, pungent,
nutty, fragrant, salty and sour. Each
has particular properties and benefits
and single applications or combinations
can be formulated to achieve a specific
result. Popular ingredients regularly
used in Thai treatments are lime, papaya,
tamarind, pineapple, turmeric, plai,
ginger, honey, egg, rice, kaffir lime
leaf, white clay, camphor, aloe vera,
lemon grass, rice and rice bran oil.
As many people these
days have sensitivities to chemicals,
one of the benefits in using a chemical-
free, natural spa range is that the
possibility of an allergic reaction
is reduced. Essential oils are found
in practically every spa range and are
one of the most versatile spa ingredients
because of their effect on body, mind
and spirit. As well as the physical
benefits, aromatherapy research shows
that we respond psychologically and
emotionally to certain scents. Well-blended
massage oils are designed to evoke specific
responses and that is why some essential
oils are more popular than others in
the formulations of spa products.
Widely used essential
oils such as lavender, orange, sandalwood
and the expensive jasmine and rose all
affect the nervous system and can help
relieve stress and depression. French
basil, rosemary and vetiver are excellent
for alleviating fatigue and nervous
exhaustion. Ylang ylang, rose otto and
sandalwood appear in romantic blends
because of their aphrodisiac properties,
whilst clary sage is said to heighten
intuition.
Those who regularly
use completely pure, natural products
may notice that each batch has slight
variations of fragrance, despite the
most controlled production processes.
Anyone who has lived with the highly
scented Asiatic lily knows that throughout
the day, at certain times, its aroma
is much stronger than at other times
when it is barely perceptible. This
is because plants, unlike chemicals
and synthetics, are subject to variation
and faithfully respond to their environment.
Potency, colour and scent fluctuate
enormously and depend on a number of
environmental factors. The best natural
product makers ensure control over each
step of the manufacturing process. Where
and how the plant is grown is important
with some producers insisting on plants
grown in organic soil. The method of
harvesting, the age of the plant and
the time of day it is picked are crucial
factors in ensuring maximum potency.
The extraction method used, the blending
of the formula and the way the product
is packaged all make a world of difference
to the power and efficacy of the final
product.
IMPORTED PRODUCTS
Imported products are used in many Thai
spas and are favoured by clients who
expect immediate, visible results. That
is not to say that natural products
don’t work, but they tend to work best
over time. Products from Europe, Australia
and the USA may all be found in Thai
spas. Name brands such as Guinot and
Decleor have traditionally focused on
beauty and aesthetics. However, with
the emergence of spas as a permanent
fixture of the modern lifestyle, more
companies are developing ranges that
are specifically spa focused. These
tend to contain ingredients derived
from plant or sea. The Japanese skincare
company, Shiseido, has a spa line known
as Qi, using mainly plant ingredients.
Because the sea is
intrinsically linked to the concept
of spa, Algotherm’s spa range and Thalgo,
both from France, contain a wide variety
of laminaria, commonly known as seaweed,
in all their products. The sea offers
all of the elements necessary for cellular
function and seaweed has the same balanced
composition but is thousands of times
more concentrated. Seaweed is highly
active and beneficial. Its ability to
stimulate cellular activity and increase
the efficiency of lymphatic fluid helps
the body to detoxify, making it a popular
ingredient for slimming products and
cellulite treatments.
Muds for beauty and
therapy have been used for centuries
and may be found all over the world.
Rich mud collected from ancient moors
such as the Neydharting Moor in Austria
is laden with high concentrations of
active substances from herbs, flowers
and plants. It is rich in bio-minerals,
trace elements, vitamins, amino acids,
plant hormones and fatty acids, all
broken down, pre-digested and highly
assimilable, ready to be absorbed and
used by the body. The molecular structure
of the substance is so fine that it
penetrates the skin.
Mud from the Dead Sea
in Israel is mineral rich and contains
a high percentage of calcium, potassium
and magnesium chloride, all of which
have a healing effect on skin conditions
such as psoriasis and eczema and stimulate,
tone and cleanse the skin. Mud is particularly
useful for the treatment of cellulite
and for treating blemished skin and
like seaweed, it can be used on both
face and body.
The luxurious Devarana
Spa uses the Jurlique line from Australia
because of the guaranteed purity of
the products and their sensational textures
and natural complex fragrances. Devarana
has gone one step further and even has
its own specially composed music designed
to accompany all treatments. Six Senses
Spa offers its guests Sodashi, an Australian
brand, because they share common values
including ethical principles and purity
of product with a holistic hands-on
approach.
Spas with home brands
often use locally sourced and manufactured
products. Sheraton’s Grande Spa’s Integrity
range uses lemongrass as a common component
in each of its products because it is
widely available and has wide-ranging
therapeutic uses. Perfect for hot climates,
lemongrass effortlessly eliminates body
odour, reduces stress, refreshes and
tones the skin and relaxes the mind.
Banyan Tree, a spa
pioneer, made a name for its spas with
unique treatments incorporating freshly
made herbal and other natural products.
One of its signature treatments uses
a refreshing combination of cucumber
and lemongrass in a body scrub.
Home spa devotees are
finding more goods to purchase as retailing
becomes an essential element in the
spa business. Besides an array of skin-care
ranges, many more spa-inspired categories
of goods are appearing. Traditional
Thai herbal products including hot compresses,
teas and herbs can be bought to enjoy
at home. Apparel for movement therapies
such as yoga or Thai Massage or for
just plain lounging come in an array
of colours and fabrics. Ambient music,
essential oils, massage oils, incense
and natural fragrances ensure that part
of the home space can be turned into
a sanctuary of calm. Retail products
beautifully packaged in fabrics such
as Thai silk, or in natural, hand-made
papers have a distinctive Thai flavour.
Traditional Thai ceramics such as the
famous celadon are fired to make
oil burners, ceremonial tea sets, bowls
and incense holders. Well-known manufacturers
of bath and shower ranges now have specially
branded spa lines which are widely available.
The spa culture is
here to stay. More people are becoming
aware of the importance of making time
to indulge the senses and to create
calm in the midst of a busy life. By
beautifying and sweetening life, spa
products certainly help to achieve this.
Relax and enjoy both their cosmetic
benefits and their therapeutic qualities. |
Thailand
