Skin Care News

Adding Services for Increased Spa Traffic

Posted on August 5, 2009 with No Comments

Increasing revenue and traffic for spas and MedSpas can be done several ways.  One, open new locations, increase marketing efforts, or adding new services or products.

For many spas, opening new stores or locations may be part of a long-range growth plan, yet may not be suitable while operating in a down economy when spa treatments are viewed as either a luxury or discretionary.

Marketing efforts can be categorized as advertising or direct sales.  Advertising can come in many forms.  Direct mail, email campaigns, joint marketin efforts with related products or services, TV or radio.  Many spas I have seen are flying banners outside their locations (local laws permitting), putting up billboards, and putting advertisements or discount inserts in papers, local news, press releases, or handing out discount or “specials” to customers and guests coming through the spa.

Increasing marketing efforts or expanding services is your best ROI when the economy has slowed.  Massage Therapy, Botox or anti-wrinkle procedures, facials, and vein therapy can be supplemented with several ideas.

Another opportunity is making available additional services or products inside the store. 

Selling in-expensive consumable products can help boost sales, improve traffic, and get consumers coming back.  Spider vein creams can be excellent ancillary products following sclerotherapy or laser therapy.  For pregnant women or those who have had children, a preventive or repairing stretch mark cream can help aid recovery and prevent scarring.  And while injections can help smooth wrinkles and puff lips, anti wrinkle creams and serums help neck wrinkles, crow’s feet, and puffiness or dark circles under the eyes.

These products are designed to supplement and enhance procedures and improve weekly or monthly revenue.  Choosing products that are expensive with luxurious packaging and “rock star” name brands may work against you.  While they may certainly enhance the image of your spa (and to many that is important), high-priced skin care products have been shown to be great initial purchases, but lack the consumable “punch” needed for return purchases.

Anti Aging Conference: 9-12 September 2009 - San Jose, CA

Posted on July 6, 2009 with 17 Comments

The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine has announced its fall Congress and Exposition in San Jose, CA on September 9-12, 2009. 

It is a 4 day event and they have over 75 speakers slated for presentations together with workshops on In-Office procedures.  Several focus areas include hormone replacement therapy, aesthetic venous treatments (spider vein treatments), detox and weight management, stem cell research updates, as well as fundamental and advanced topics on managing your “Anti-Aging” practice - medical, spa or medspa - a critical topic in today’s challenging economic environment.

They are currently accepting enrollment into the conference (http://www.worldhealth.net/) and it is not too late for reserving the best spots as exhibitors.  If you are a manufacturer of anti-aging skin care products, equipment, cosmetic or plastic surgery aids, advertising, or other anti-aging systems, you want to make sure you are in attendance.  Spa and  med spa owners and managers as well as  clinicians will be on-hand.

Here are some very interesting facts to know if you are in the industry or considering it:

Fast Facts on The Anti-Aging Marketplace

• The consumer public has voted with their wallets overwhelmingly in favor of the anti-aging healthcare model. The anti-aging marketplace is one that is demographics-driven: people around the world are getting older. As a result the anti-aging marketplace is projected to reach $41.94 billion by 2006, expanding at an average annual rate (AAGR) of 8% [Business Communications Company, 2002].

• The anti-aging market is expected to grow to $41.94 billion in 2006, reflecting an average annual rate (AAGR) of 9% [“Drugs and Cosmetics for Aging Boomers,” Business Communications Company, Inc., 2002]

• The market with the highest projected AAGR is hormone replacement therapy, at 16.5% [“Drugs and Cosmetics for Aging Boomers,” Business Communications Company, Inc., 2002]

• Global nutraceuticals market grew from $38.2 billion in 1999, to reach $46.7 billion in 2002; by 2007, global nutraceutical sales are projected to reach $74.7 billion [reported by NutraIngredients.com, “Nutraceuticals sales to hit $75 billion”] In he nutraceuticals market stands at $17.1 billion [“NBJ Releases New Report on Maturing US Supplement Industry,” Nutrition Business Journal, September 2002.]

• Sixty percent (60%) of Americans age 65+ are pursuing anti-aging interventions — including hormone replacement therapies and dietary supplementation [MSNBC Jan. 28, 2002.]

• Dietary supplement sales in 2000 were $17 billion. [Nutrition Business Journal, Nov. 2001.]

• Thirty-three percent (33%) of adults take supplements on the specific advice of their doctor. [Harris Interactive survey, 2001.]

Anti-Aging Conference

Using Phytotonine® for Rosacea or Spider Veins

Posted on May 28, 2009 with No Comments

StriMedix-K Spider Vein Treatment

The most common non-surgical treatment for bruises, spider veins and rosacea are creams that contain Vitamin K.  Generally they are pretty highly concentrated and are formulated with other actives such as Aloe, Gigawhite, Vitamin E or Panthenol. 

While combined you get many properties and benefits for vein restoration (better said healed), the objective is to help improve circulation via enhanced valve function, improve wall structure to reduce leaking and permeability of capillaries, and aid in nutrition delivery.

This helps fade clear and heal bruises, spider veins, and rosacea; and helping reduce possibility of recurring symptoms.

Recently, an ingredient developed by Croda™/Sederma™ - Phytotonine® - has been used successfully to supplement Vitamin’s K & E and other formulations.

Phytotonine - Veinotonic effect derived from the synergistic effect of three plant extracts, Arnica, Cypress and Soloman Seal.  By toning the capillary walls and reducing capillary permeability, product normalizes circulation to help eliminate fluids and toxins while enhancing the blood supply of nutrients and oxygen to the cells.  Recommended for the treatment of dark circles, puffy eye, heavy legs and rosacea.  Croda/Sederma

As a manufacturer, this opens up a number of opportunites and solutions regarding products for poor venous health and leaking.  As mentioned in the quote above, this can cover severe or deep tissue bruising to darkened circles under the eyes and spider or thread veins.

The greatest benefit in the world of skin care, is that it gives us (consumers and manufacturers) an additional “leg on the stool” for solutions and treatments.  Phytotonine, with its properties of minimizing or reducing fluid build-up, make it an excellent additive for treating puffiness (and associated darkened circles) under the eyes as well as helping or accelerating healing of bruises.

I believe, however, the greatest gain can come from its’ use in spider veins cream.  Why?

1. Treatment options are relagated to sclerotherapy or lasers.  Both are effective, though I consider both limited in treatment area; with lasers, in particular having the side effect of needing some post-treatment healing.  Though considered moderate relative to other cosmetic surgery, cost is high - I believe (~$250-500/visit).
2. Spider veins are prominent, afflict a large population (men and women) and can have a profound affect on a person’s appearance (whether on the legs, nose, face, et al).
3. Many Vitamin K creams and solutions have been proven effective, but it’s nice to have another “bullet in the gun” for improving the breadth and level of efficacy.

Rosacea and spider veins share similar causes and any formula or ingredient that improves a large surface area while addressing the root causes is welcomed.  Increasing capillary health, helping strengthen or repair broken capillary walls or increasing circulation can have a wide-reaching positive effect on the treatment of numerous dermatological ailments.

Improving Spa Profits - Part 2 - Managing Expenses

Posted on May 1, 2009 with No Comments

In the first part of this series on increasing spa profit, we talked about the three components of finance that are under our direct control - revenue, gross margin and expenses.

In the game of business, these are the three variables we can generally manipulate easily.  External factors, weather, competition, new product introductions and regulatory issues have to be dealt with as they come.  The big three (sales, costs, and profit margin) are generally under our control.  Making each move in the right direction is our goal.  Let’s take a look at expenses.

In 1991, my wife and I were 3 years into our first company.  We had 7 offices spread across the southeast.  The older offices were very profitable, the newer one, not so much.  But, we were payingthe bills and makingthe mortgage - ~$5 million of revenue and 32 employees.  While we weren’t getting rich, we were comfortable - until SadamHussein invaded Kuwait.  That sparked (or aggravated) an 18 month recession where we came close to losing the business.

Our response was professional (at least it felt that way).  Having spent 5 years at IBM and coming out of b-school, we quickly put in place a “Cost Containment Plan”.  While the title was a bit grander than the size of the company, I believe we did do a very good job identifying how to save money, reduce unwanted expenses, and discontinue costs.  We employed ideas from staff, bankers, suppliers and the University of South Carolina’s Business School.  Here’s what we did - hopefully a few ideas you might find useful.

1. Have a meeting- As goofy as this may seem on the surface, getting everyone together to announce what the purpose is is critical.  I have found when everyone has a clear understanding of the landscape of where we want to go or what we want to do, you get much better input.  We had series of meetings.  The first was to get as many cost savings ideas on the board as we could.  I am a BIG fan of the giant-sized Post-It notes - you can write on them, them stick them on the wall - literally wallpaperingthe conference room.  These keep everyone focused and helps stay on task.  In any initial meeting my rules have always been to get ideas on the board - no need to prioritize or critique - just keep the ideas flowing.  It helps if you facilitate and “grease the tracks” to keep folks from snipe-ingeach others ideas.  Just keep it moving!
2. Lists, lists, lists - Again, a bit goofy, but taking all those ideas, prioritizing and categorizing allows you to now distribute, review and consider your options.  We would provide a meeting summary and ask everyone to review - while scheduling a follow-up meeting.  We would ask everyone to give careful thought to any and all ideas with the PRIORITY being “What Ideas Can We Put In Place NOW ” that will save us money.
3. Follow-up - Lists are good, but very similar to plans.  Without someone to guard against their demise, lists can often find themselves stuck in a drawer or in a folder on a computer.  I have felt someone needs to be the “list manager”…meaning they had responsibility to make sure everyone did what they were supposed to and followed-up with enough lead time to keep folks from coming to meetings empty-handed or headed!  The biggest component to Follow-Up is having the “After Party”, or the meeting after someone has consolidated the ideas.  Here’s where you can:
   1. Prioritize
   2. Assign responsibility
   3. Allocate resources
   4. Determine and notify of monitoring
   5. ID follow-up
4. Implemention - While all this sounds and looks good, without implementation you won’t get results.  Therein lies the benefit of the lists.  Lists should be posted and each individual should have their own.  Again, this all looks good and for those who don’t see the value, will think it’s “over-thinking” the issue.  Well, I can tell you after seeingnumerous companies - very small and very big - this works…may be a pain for those “shoot first” folks, but nevertheless, its the best process for getting the most done.

Alright, all this sounds good, but how do I cut costs and expenses??  I didn’t mean to ramble on about process, but the process will reveal ideas you would not have considered…therefore, it’s worth it.  But, ideas…that’s right, ideas.

Ideas for Cost Savings

There will be a sub-part to this post where I am listing all the ideas from some of our cost-savings plans, but here are a few to get you started.  Remember, expenses are just one of three things you should bee looking at.

1. Staff expenses - In the 91-92′ recession, my wife and I cut our salary 4 times, then discontinued bonuses for managers, then cut managers salaries 15%.  BTW - we asked the managers if they would rather take an across the board cut or lose a person on there staff…all voted for salary reduction.  We discontinued temporary workers (completely), implemented a hiring freeze (no duh?), and banned OT for anyone who was hourly.
2. Health - When our health program came up for renewal, we lowered the plan.  I had always believed n the “Platinum” plan with all the bells and whistles - no more.  Cut deductibles, copays, whatever you need.  We also went from 100% employer paid premium to 90%.
3. Telephone, office supplies, office cleaning, subscriptions, associations, et al. - anything and everything that showed-up on the income statement as an expense was exposed to scrutiny, change and evaluation.  We cut-out LOTs of small miscellaneous costs.  Again, making someone responsible for IDing these expenses, providing alternatives, and implementing change is critical.
4. Advertising- Most advertising does not work.  Yep, I’ll say it again….it doesn’t.  I want to flush out some ideas that do in a latter post, but youshould critically scrutinize ALL advertising.
5. Travel, conferences, etc - For us (at that time) we spent a fair amount for a company our size travelling and periodically were attending shows, conferences, etc.  We stopped all conferences and spent a lot of time driving rather than flying.  Being a pilot I know there is great rationale for flying, but we just decided to drive…spending a lot of time on the phone in between cities.

I’ll list a few more ideas next time, but I have found that companies - even small ones - benefit greatly by sitting down and having a “jam session” to come up with creative ideas to cut costs.  If you follow-up and make sure ideas are implemented, you can  move the cost-containment program off your plate pretty quick.  Though all of this sounds like a lot of work, 4-5 days of planning and discussing followed by a week of implementation will knock-ou 80% of the projects.  So, it’s worth a couple of weeks of time to decrease expenses by 15-30%?  Yep, I think so!

A4M Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine

Posted on April 16, 2009 with 2 Comments

The A4M Brazil Congress on Anti-Aging is scheduled for August 14-15, 2009 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  The new Anti-Aging congress will take place at the prestigious Palacio das Convencoes Anhembi. It will be held with the full endorsement and support of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) and the World Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (WAAAM).

Anti-aging medicine is a medical specialty founded on the application of advanced scientific and medical technologies for the early detection, prevention, treatment, and reversal of age-related diseases. The aim of anti-aging medicine is to extend not only the human lifespan but also the quality of life and to limit the debilitating affects of aging.

The global anti-aging products market is projected to be worth $115 billion by 2010, growing at a compounded annual rate of 9.14% and the South American market presents remarkable growth opportunities.  Douglas Emslie, Group Managing Director, Tarsus Group

Visit http://www.anti-agingevents.com/saopaulo/ for more information.