Beyond Beauty: The Rise of New Hybrid Spa and Health Centres

It used to be that your visit to the podiatrist clinic was seen as something completely separate to say, booking your next manicure appointment. In the consumer’s mind, the word podiatry was equated with health, and the word manicurist = a more vain, beauty appointment. But, increasingly now, the lines are blurring as the consumer wants a more transparent beauty experience, backed by scientific evidence. This more conscious consumer is concerned with what he or she is eating, and putting on their skin (as we’ve seen with the rise of natural Farm to Face beauty), so it makes sense that they are concerned with the beauty treatments they’ve signed up for too. As a result: science, medicine and a healthy mind and body are the focus for a new range of stores, spas and services.
The NHS has announced plans to roll out Health Hubs that site GP offices close to spas and fitness centres, in a bid to slash rates of illness in the UK and make it easier for patients to prioritise fitness and wellness. They will be piloted in 10 Healthy New Towns as early as 2019. At the same time, ‘Medical spas’ have seen a marked surge in popularity globally. The American Med Spa Association estimates that in the US, the industry has grown at a double digit-pace since 2010 and by more than 20% since 2013, currently standing at a value of $4 billion.
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