Fall into Relaxation | ASCP Skin Deep Magazine

Fall into Relaxation

Revamp Your Spa Menu for the New Season

by Lauren Snow

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FALL IS A GREAT TIME for estheticians to tap into the best qualities the season has to offer. Your clients will be looking forward to traditional seasonal comfort, and your spa can be another place they find refuge. By revamping your service menu with fall specials, you’re offering your clients a unique opportunity to treat themselves to luxurious experiences that cater to their senses but also effectively address their skin care needs.

This is a tricky time though; you must act quickly because it won’t be long until winter weather brings the hustle and bustle of the holidays to the forefront of your clients’ minds, shifting their thinking from self-indulgence to gift giving and holiday prep.

EMBRACE FALL COZINESS

Selecting the right fall treatments is crucial for success. While you don’t need to offer every treatment you’ve ever seen advertised for fall, it’s important to offer something you know your clients will find appealing. Think about how you can emphasize the sensory aspect, playing off the season’s themes of warmth and comfort with rich aromas and potent ingredients.

A word of caution: Before adding any treatment to your menu, make sure you understand potential contraindications and always discuss allergies with your clients.

The Perks of Pumpkin

When you think of fall, pumpkin might be the first ingredient that comes to mind. It’s no accident that the pumpkin spice latte (or #PSL, if you’re all in) is synonymous with fall—if snowtopped evergreen trees are to winter, pumpkins are the same to fall. But pumpkin is more than just iconic during this season— it’s also an incredibly effective enzyme that breaks up dead skin cells to offer gentle exfoliation. And it’s rich in beta-carotene, a vitamin A derivative that enhances the exfoliation process. Pumpkin contains other helpful antioxidants like vitamin C and zinc, which can further improve skin health.

Clients will delight in pumpkin during this time of the year because of its seasonal exclusivity, and most of the professional products on the market will have a pumpkin scent. This exfoliation can be an excellent marketing tool to reel in people who haven’t been in all summer but are ready to return more regularly.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Body treatments can be the star of the show for your fall menu too. As the summer air grows crisper and cooler and heaters begin to turn on, your clients’ skin can start to feel dry and dehydrated. A body treatment that features sugar as the mechanical exfoliant—and fragrant spices like cardamom, cinnamon, clove, or vanilla—could offer an incredibly rejuvenating experience for your client. You could then finish the treatment with cranberry seed oil, which soothes and hydrates the skin.

The Charm of Chocolate

Cocoa enzymes are another seasonal highlight that tap into the senses and aid the skin. Derived from the seeds of the cacao plant (the same plant that gives us chocolate), cocoa enzymes contain natural exfoliating properties that help promote smoother, brighter skin. They are also rich in antioxidants (the same is true for the chocolate we eat!), which helps with oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Plus, the sweet cocoa scent will make your clients feel like they indulged in a decadent dessert for their skin.

CREATE A SENSORY EXPERIENCE

Sight: Soft Lighting

LED candles can transform even the most clinical spa into a relaxed and inviting retreat. If you can, forego the fluorescent lights in your treatment room and use diffused, dimmed, or low lighting. Also, remember to adequately cover your client’s eyes if you use a mag lamp during this service.

Scent: Sweet Aromas

Warm, comforting scents like vanilla, cinnamon, or spiced orange can transport your client from the chaos of their day to tranquil bliss. If the client is OK with it, you can diffuse essential oils to help them feel enveloped in the experience.

Touch: Textiles and Towels

trickling fountains, and spa music to reduce and prevent interruption. (No matter what music you choose to play, make sure you’re following music performance licenses to avoid violating copyright laws.)

Taste: Tea and Treats

Complement the experience by offering your clients a posttreatment herbal tea with cinnamon, chamomile, or apple infusions. To impress your guests, you could also provide a wrapped piece of chocolate or a small baked good from a local baker at checkout.

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MAKE THE MOST OF MARKETING

Words Matter

Create a compelling description of the service you’re offering and use words that appeal to the senses. Words like “indulgent” and “warmth” are highly effective in fall marketing campaigns for the emotions they elicit.

Limited Time Only

Make sure your clients know your fall services are limited-time offers to create a sense of urgency and excitement. If they know they can’t get this service all the time, it will prompt them to book and rebook while it’s available. Don’t forget to use a call to action like “book now” or “schedule today” in your marketing materials.

EXTEND THE EXPERIENCE BEYOND THE TREATMENT ROOM

Fall-scented candles, plush blankets, cozy robes, hydrating lotions, exfoliating body scrubs, and seasonal essential oils can transform your retail area and continue the sensory connection well beyond the treatment room.

FALL IN LOVE WITH FALL

Whether it’s plush towels, blankets, or luxurious linens, rich textures are a win in the treatment room. A heated spa wrap or a soft hair wrap can go a long way. Your physical touch is also essential to the success of any sensory experience; you vary the pressure and provide movements that relax your client.

Sound: Serene Melodies

Consider playing instrumental music, calming nature sounds, or a playlist curated to the service. To avoid distracting background noises, it’s helpful to layer sound barriers like white noise machines, fans,

Clients seek unique experiences. Memorable moments allow clients to slip away, even briefly. It does take practice, but if you can create this for your clients through the seasonal services you offer, it will keep them coming back. Fall treatments in particular can provide a quick revenue boost, drive increased bookings, and enhance retail sales before you head into the holidays.