Spa Association Defines ‘Medical Spa’

UNION CITY, N.J.—The International Medical Spa Association has announced that its membership has adapted the definition “medical spa,” which was brought to the National Coalition of Esthetic & Related Associations. The term was modified and voted upon by the association’s 16 member association representatives during their January 2004 meeting in Orlando, Fla.

A medical spa is a facility that operates under the full-time, on-site supervision of a licensed healthcare professional. The facility operates within the scope of practice of its staff, and offers traditional,complementary and alternative health practices and treatments in a spa-like setting. Practitioners working within a medical spa will be governed by their appropriate licensing board, if licensure is required.

The definitions now are being presented to the 50 state cosmetology boards for their consideration to incorporate into their guidelines within each of their jurisdictions. Furthermore,The International Medical Spa Association has defined four basic types of medical spas: beauty/ skin, therapeutic, medical centers/hospital-based, and wellness centers. Detailed definitions are being worked out. For more information, call (201) 865-2065 or visit www.medicalspaassociation.org.

Yon-Ka Names New Western Zone Leader

LOS ANGELES—Yon-Ka® Paris announces the appointment of Laurent Pomel as zone leader for the western United States.

Pomel comes to Yon-Ka with 15 years of experience in the beauty industry, having worked for several beauty companies in Europe and the United States. A native of Clermont Ferrand, France, he started in the professional beauty industry in Paris selling professional cosmetics exclusively to salons and spas. His experience includes working as director of spa development and sales for two skincare lines as well as 10 years with Rene Furterer, a renowned professional haircare line. His performance with Furterer in France was so impressive that Pomel transferred to the United States to develop the Los Angeles market. After achieving that goal, he did the same for the New York City market.

Pomel resides and works out of Los Angeles. He can be reached at laurent@yonka-paris.com or (800) 966-5255 ext. 127.

DERMALOGICA OPENS FIRST FLAGSHIP LOCATION

TORRANCE, Calif.—Dermalogica announces the opening of its first-ever flagship location in Santa Monica, Calif., in February. The flagship occupies the 1,700-square-foot lower floor of a two-story structure in the heart of Montana Avenue. Reflecting the health-minded, active Southern California lifestyle, all flagship staff wear sporty rock-climbing pants and supple yoga shoes.

Treatments are performed in sensuously shaped, futuristic treatment “pods.” Each of the three pods has a long, vertical window or “eye” on one side, through which passers-by can gaze when the pod is not in use. Also, instead of a bulky treatment trolley, Dermalogica has created a treatment “tree” where products may be plucked from a height-adjustable aluminum pole.

For more information, visit www.dermalogica.com.

Harmonix Opens Training Facility

BOCA RATON, Fla.—Harmonix, Corp. has announced the grand opening of the Harmonix Institute™, an educational and training facility for licensed professionals in the skin and hair industries.

“In light of the growing trend of cosmetic surgeons, dermatologists and other medical professionals incorporating skin, body and hair treatments into their practice, we believe there is a need for more stringent qualifications and postgraduate training in a broad range of specialized modalities,” says Oyvind Berg, president and founder of Harmonix, Inc.

Harmonix Institute holds daily training classes on the most-advanced equipment for skin, hair and body treatments strictly for trade professionals. Classes are held in a new, state-of-the-art facility in a comfortable setting with classrooms and private treatment rooms.

For more information, call (888) 446-3747.

BreeZe Expands Manufacturing Center

LARGO, Fla.—BreeZe Products recently added a further 4,000 square feet to its manufacturing and distribution center. The additional space allows expansion of the laboratory facilities for quality control, microbiology and product development. The quality control and microbiological area is under the supervision of Jennifer Sunday.

The company also has expanded its manufacturing/ blending department and now is adding new stainlesssteel sweep-mixing kettles and other facilities to enable the company to produce a wider range of cosmetic and indoor tanning products.

For more information, call (888) 330-8570.

Sybaritic Opens Two New Offices

MINNEAPOLIS—Due to industry growth, economic success and a huge demand for high-end spa equipment and skincare products, Sybaritic recently has opened a branch office in Europe and celebrated its San Francisco grand opening March 1.

The new locations feature equipment and product showrooms and have great meeting and educational capabilities to better serve international customers in Europe and Asia, and the large market on the West Coast. Both new locations are headed by experienced, passionate company veterans: Steve LeGuen in Paris and Jessica Daffer in San Francisco.

“Opening a European office complements the launch of our new family of multisensory spa systems and is intended to solidify Sybaritic’s presence in Europe,” says LeGuen, president of Sybaritic Europe. “Sybaritic Europe allows us to be more accessible than ever before to our existing distributors and potential clients.”

“The San Francisco office acts as an extension cord allowing Sybaritic to be ‘plugged in’ to both the Midwest and West Coast,” says Daffer, vice president of Sybaritic West. “This location affords us the ability to better serve our Asian customers, with an eight-hour flight as opposed to 12 to Minneapolis, and we are able to be closer to our customers in California and surrounding states.”

SPRAY TAN OF AMERICA TO OPEN NEWEST LOCATION

FEDERAL WAY, Wash.—Spray Tan of America announces the opening of a new franchise in the resort town of Ocean Shores, Wash. Leslie Reedy is the newest franchisee in the Spray Tan of America family and looks forward to the opening of her salon the first week of June.

“The company is on track with its expansion program, and the public can look forward to seeing more Spray Tan of America salons through out the country in the very near future,” says Spray Tan of America CEO Larry B. Jones.

Norm Fugate

Darren Miller

MILWAUKEE—European Touch has named Norm Fugate as vice president of operations and Darren Miller as vice president of sales and marketing. Fugate is responsible for production and engineering and ensuring the company’s continued leadership in quality. Miller is responsible for driving innovative product development and sales growth. Both men bring vast experience in their respected fields and will contribute greatly to the growth of the company.

Soap Maker Celebrates With Oprah

POTSDAM, N.Y.—Oprah Winfrey celebrated her 50th birthday live on television Jan. 29, and a local north country company is honored to have been part of the festivities. An order of all-natural soap, custom-designed and embossed with the name of Winfrey’s new California home, was filled by Potsdam-based SunFeather Natural Soap Co. The company produces all-natural soaps, shampoo bars, bug repellents and other care products. The custom-made soap bricks were presented in a hand-crafted box made by Molly West, a Chicago-based historic book bindery and company.

SunFeather is celebrating a milestone of its own this year: its 25th anniversary. Founded in 1979 by company president and CEO Sandy Maine, this once smallkitchen- based enterprise in the Adirondack region of New York state continues to soar to new heights in 2004, with the addition of several product lines and the expansion of its facility to include a soap-making museum and on-site gift shop and outlet store.

For more information, visit www.sunsoap.com.

New Book Released On Management Best Practices

FORT COLLINS, Colo.—Melinda Minton, industry expert and spa consultant, has written a new book for the professional beauty trade, which covers all of the crucial elements of operations and management for spa owners and directors.

After running her own spas for many years and consulting in the professional beauty industry for almost 20 years, Minton has hired and fired employees, created menus and signature products, managed irate customers, and handled management situations that would make most business gurus faint.

Written for those currently operating a spa of any type as well as those investigating opening a spa facility, Spa Management Best Practices is a virtual encyclopedia of information, firsthand advice and coaching subjects on seemingly unsolvable problems encountered when running a spa.

Topics covered include: customer service, marketing, menus and treatment protocols, merchandising for visual and sensorial impact, niche and distinctive spa management, trends and the future of the industry, and maximizing profitability.

To find out more about Spa Management Best Practices, call Minton Business Solutions at (970) 267-0848 or visit www.mintonweb.com.

Universal Companies Unveils 2004 Resource Book

ABINGDON, Va.—Universal Companies released its new Annual Resource Book on March 1. Filled with hundreds of new products, this year’s edition provides all of the necessary tools to ensure successful spa operations, the company says.

“The theme of this year’s Resource Book is ‘functional ambiance,’” says Marti Morenings, founder and CEO of Universal Companies. “From Zen-style mixing bowls and trays to luxurious linens and table coverings, we are carrying hundreds of new products that are beautiful as well as extremely practical.”

Fourteen new Success Kits are being introduced, which provide all of the products and marketing tools needed to implement some of the more popular treatment trends such as Teen, Wedding, Ayurvedic and Spray Tanning. A complete line of stylish, yet durable spa uniforms in a variety of styles will be available to ensure that staff reflects a spa’s image.

A new section called Spa Pantry offers raw ingredients in bulk such as herbs, powders, butters, exfoliants and muds to allow the spa to create an unlimited number of signature menu treatments. In addition, several branded products available exclusively to spas will be featured in the 2004 Resource Book, including: Inara, Cran Mary, Catherine Atzen and Aleris.

To receive a free 2004 Resource Book, call (800) 558-5571 or visit www.universalcompanies.com.

Arizona Spas Aid Woman With Terminal Cancer

PHOENIX—Spas throughout Arizona recently joined the outpouring of support for a local woman dying of ovarian cancer. After Hermelinda Corral—who has spent her life scrubbing floors—was diagnosed with terminal cancer, a hospice volunteer began looking for someone to donate a day at a spa. She sought the help of The Arizona Republic, which printed an article about Corral in its April 14 issue.

Three days later, there were so many offers of assistance that the newspaper printed a second article to explain the overwhelming response. On April 19, Corral and her 19-year-old daughter were treated to a day at The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa in Carefree, Ariz. The article’s author, Laurie Roberts, told SPA 20/20 that the two had a great time.

Many other spas wanted to help too, according to Roberts. In her article she mentioned the Cimarron Day Spa in Surprise, the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, the Sonwai Spa at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale and the Payson Day Spa & Salon, but said, “With a few exceptions, I can’t think of a single spa that didn’t want to help. It was amazing.”

FANTASY TAN RELOCATES TO ILLINOIS

BATAVIA, Ill.—In order to better serve its U.S. customers, Fantasy Tan™ has relocated its corporate office from Hilton Head Island, S.C., to Batavia. The move allows the company to staff more customer-service personnel to deliver on its commitment to provide the best customer service in the industry. It also has allowed Fantasy Tan to centralize distribution efforts to ensure customers receive their orders expeditiously.

Fantasy Tan now can be reached at 215 Oswald Ave., Batavia, IL 60510. The phone has changed to (630) 406-6011 and the fax now is (630) 406-6133. E-mail addresses and the Web site remain the same.

PureOlogy Featured On TV’s ‘Extra’

IRVINE, Calif.—PureOlogy made a prime-time appearance on “Extra” on Feb. 4 when it was featured on the program’s “Hot New Stuff” segment, which highlights the latest and greatest products that celebrities love.

Spanning more than 250 markets nationwide and seen by more than 5 million viewers, “Extra” announced Alicia Silverstone, Sharon Stone and Jennie Garth are just a few of the Hollywood elite who “protect their hair with PureOlogy.” Also noted was the fact that PureOlogy shampoo, conditioner, styling products and sprays contain PureOlogy’s proprietary AntiFadeComplex.

For more information, call (800) 331-1502 or visit www.pureology.com.

Pevonia’s New Image A Success

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—Pevonia Botanica, a leading professional face-care, bodycare and spa-care line, recently has launched new image campaigns worldwide, the company announces. The new image, part of a continued vision to ensure the brand’s global consumer awareness, is receiving raving reviews, says Maritza Rodriguez-Aouanough, vice president of marketing for Pevonia. Shot on location in Mykonos, Greece, the image includes new consumer advertisements, displays, consumer collateral material and an unmatched advertising thrust. “We are aggressively investing in the brand to ensure ongoing success,” Rodriguez-Aouanough says. For more information, call (800) PEVONIA or visit www.pevonia.com.

California Tan Launches Spray-Tan Equipment Into Hotel Spa Market

LOS ANGELES—Only weeks after its North American debut, California Tan® in April announced a successful launch of the Suddenly Sun® TurboBronzer™ 3000 into the hotel, resort and spa markets. The company, which sells its suncare products to four- and five-star locations worldwide, now offers an advanced sunless tanning system.

Several properties have acquired the TurboBronzer 3000 in the western hemisphere, including the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills and Grand Wailea Resort and Spa in Maui, Hawaii. At press time, dozens more were evaluating and/or preparing to purchase the equipment to add the client-tailored sunless treatment to their menus, the company says.

The TurboBronzer 3000 is unique due to the fast, easy and customizable sunless application it offers to meet customers’ personal needs and body types. A turbine motor delivers a high volume of low-pressure, “soft” air flow that allows for 85 percent of the solution to transfer to the skin. The new machine garnered California Tan the Best New Sunless Product Award at the UK British Beauty Show in Birmingham, England, in February. For more information, call (800) SUNCARE or visit www.turbobronzer.com.

LA POINTE GOLD ANNOUNCES BORN-ON DATING

FENTON, Mo.—La Pointe Gold, a division of Sportarredo-USA, announces that its La Pointe Gold DHA solution will only be sold in 1-gallon jugs and that each jug will be date-stamped with a born-on date. This move was made to guarantee customers receive the freshest DHA solution available.

“This is the closest thing to made-to-order DHA solution as you can get,” says a company spokesperson. “Our customers have told us that one of the biggest problems with spray-on tanning is the streaking that occurs when the DHA starts breaking down. We can’t tell how long the solution has been at the salons, but now we can tell you exactly how many days old the solution is.” For more information, call (888) 776-8266.

CMT Singers Starstruck With VenturaTan

SAVANNAH, Ga.—VenturaTan’s owner and president, Denise Hofstadter-Crask, was invited to share the company’s newest addition, New Generation Bronze solution, with those attending Country Music Television’s 2004 Flame Worthy Video Music Awards on April 21. All were swept away by the overwhelming hospitality of country music’s own Trace Adkins and wife Rhonda.

In May, Hofstadter-Crask traveled to New York to promote VenturaTan training and application techniques with nationally known makeup artist Julie Clevering. Clevering is best known for her association with Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, The Ricki Lake Studios, E! Style, The Today Show, Early Show, O Magazine, Modern Bride, Bill Blass, Chanel, Luis Vuitton, Gucci, Queen Latifah and more.

For more information, call (877) 826-8368.

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