The term "spa" has been watered down to mean anything from high tech medical spas offering Botox, Restylane and wrinkle reducing lasers, to relaxation sanctuaries that specialise in feel good face and body treatments in a soothing atmosphere that promotes total wellbeing, comments independent beauty enhancement consultant, Wendy Lewis. She sees consumers seeking visible results from a combination of topicals and devices that mimic the effects of professional or paramedical treatments in the privacy of their own home.
And it is not only the so-called doctor brands which are inspired by surgery techniques. Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lancome and Elizabeth Arden have all brought out products based on what is happening in treatment rooms. Pharmaceutical grade ingredients that are found in quasi-professional skincare treatments include copper peptides, pentapeptides, alpha hydroxy acid, retinol, soy and kinetin. Whereas products containing these types of ingredient were once in strictly limited distribution, they have become widely available and accessible to anyone looking for a spa-based alternative.