Quarterly Magazine / Issue 5 RRP £3.99
Busting The Myths WHY DON'T MEN USE SPAS?
Treatment Review MALE WAXING
FOCUS THIS ISSUE
STRESSING
out Men & Mental Health
Men! HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN
Interview with Matt
BALI HEALTH LOUNGE
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Quarterly Magazine / Issue 5
WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO
Kon'nichiwa! こんにちは
Our family grew!
"Hello in Japanese"
Our magazine is 1 year old!
It seems our team is forever growing! We’d like to introduce Zsofia, Paige, Paula and Becki! With a range of backgrounds, all are a perfect fit to Bali Health Lounge’s team of professional therapists! If you see them around, say hi, they are all very friendly.
The response to our first issue in March 2015 was “why on earth does a spa have a magazine?” Well we wanted to spread the good word about massage and facial therapy so we got writing! With each issue getting prettier, more informative and a larger readership, we’re looking forward to many more years!
We taught you to massage...
We set out to help...
We were recognised...
This Valentines our Head Therapist Zsuzanna taught 12 couples the 101 of massage therapy. An evening filled with rose tea, chocolate and aromatherapy oils it was certainly filled with love. Private sessions between each couple and one therapist – the evening proved to be educational and fun!
In March our therapists trained with Jennifer Young of Beauty Despite Cancer so that we could learn to extend our massage and facial therapy services to oncology patients who are often the ones in the most need. We’re excited to be helping lots of people in the coming year!
We were thrilled, honoured and proud to have been awarded, for the second year running, Spa of the Year (North) by the English Hair and Beauty Awards. Up against other award winning spas, this is true recognition of the team’s endless hard-work and our client’s loyalty. Thank you everyone and well done!
Produced by Bali Health Lounge. If you would like extra copies please contact newsletter@balihealthlounge.com Disclaimer: Bali Health Lounge is not a medically certified institution and information written in this newsletter are not written by a medically qualified doctor. Any advice or information contained in this newsletter or obtained from any Bali Health Lounge staff or website ("Information") is strictly on a non-medical basis. All information provided is delivered through our own experience and research. Bali Health Lounge limited is not responsible for any bodily harm or injury caused as a result of Information provided. If you wish to follow any advice given in the Information and are unsure if suitable for you, you should seek clarification from your GP or medically certified doctor.
Quarterly Magazine / Issue 5
Hello Spa Industry Where Can I Find Gender Equality? Valued at 94bn US dollars in 2014, the global Spa Industry is currently booming. This number is up 58% since 2007 and suprisingly, it is one of the industries which has proven to be resilient through the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. What is also surprising is that looking at the UK Spa Market today, there is still a very large gender gap with the representation of average spa clients, with 79% female and only 21% male!
Bali Health Lounge set out to explore why this was the case and to bust any myths that might be preventing men from feeling the wonderful benefits anyone can get from massage and facial therapy. Women know more about the benefits of spa treatments Reason: In the past, most spa treatments, including massage were often put in the same category as beauty treatments, which were created by women, for women and often only discussed in female-dominated social circles and media. Many publications cover the latest products and target women. This, coupled with big spa brands linking up with beauty and make-up companies for additional exposure, means that not only does the education about benefits get lost, it is primarily only seen by women. Myth Busted: The single most popular spa treatment across the UK is massage. Massage therapy is something that is not limited to only spas but used also in physiotherapy and the sporting world where men are just a prominent as women. Massage therapy benefits such as reduced stress, improved flexibility and stronger immune systems benefit both men and women equally. Men don’t care about their skin Reason: In the recent Men’s Grooming Consumer report 2015, conducted by the globally recognised NPD Group - only 22% of men would use facial skincare products of any kind. Many reported that they simply have a lack of interest in their skin and perceived it to be “problem free”. Why then would they need to go to a spa? Myth Busted: Okay, we’re not completely busting the myth here, the facts are facts. But there is a growing trend where men are caring more about their skin. The growth of male only spas such as the prestigious Gentleman’s Tonic in Mayfair London is a great
example. Zsuzanna Szelle, Head Therapist at Bali Health Lounge and former therapist at Gentleman’s Tonic says “Everyday we had new customers who were looking for some kind of grooming treatment. Once we gave them their treatments they left with higher self-confidence and would usually be back again the following month” Men going to spas are considered seedy Reason: Treatments require clients to undress in a closed room with a therapist who is usually female. The terms “massage parlour” and “happy ending” have unfortunately become synonymous with spas for all the wrong reasons. In fact, just last year Calvin Harris was spotted leaving a massage parlour and the fuss kicked up on social media almost ended his relati -onship with Taylor Swift. Men don’t want to be associated with that image, so they’d rather stay away. Myth Busted: Let’s not forget 80% of spa visitors are still women, who also do not want anything dodgy. Whilst these places do still exist, legitimate and reputable spas are easy to spot. A professional treatment has absolutely no stigma or awkward -ness associated with it. In fact many women want to bring their boyfriends, husbands and sons to spas to reap the benefits of the treatments.
tip
If you’re wondering how to tell if it’s a legitimate spa, have a look at the blog section on our website
Even with this additional knowledge, statistics and pop culture pointing towards clientele being more equally balanced, the industry still faces a large deal of stigma. For example, even amongst female clients, a female therapist is up to four times more likely to be requ -ested than a male therapist, regardless of their massage ability. However, all is not lost! We are optimistic that the trend is moving towards a more equal industry where treatments are used more by men, male therapists stand as equals and all people, regardless of gender, are able to benefit from massage and facial therapy. Who knows, maybe Bali Health Lounge’s strategy to not use the word spa and use health lounge instead will help overcome some of the issues identified here. Their two male directors certainly hope so!
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Some men can't do without spa
I have experienced both the Lycon hot waxing and the massage services, as well as the manicure and pedicure services (all encouraged by my girlfriend!) ..... everything I need as a man is available at Bali [Health Lounge]
– Ashley F Bali Member
"
Quarterly Magazine / Issue 5
Stressing Out :( Men & Mental Health With more people than ever in the UK suffering from at least one mental illness in their lifetime, it is no surprise that campaigns for acceptance have become more prevalent.
In the UK 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem each year with 48 percent of employment and support allowance claimants in England were recorded as having a ‘mental or behavioural disorder’. Even among children, aged 5-16, the Office for National Statistics estimated 1 in 10 children have a clinically diagnosed mental health disorder and this has been on the rise over the past decade. Charities such as Mind and Rethink have been specifically designed to support people with conditions from anxiety and depression, to bipolar and schizophrenic disorders. Through campaigns and awareness raising, they’ve helped to reduce the stigma associated with these conditions and roll our national support services. However, there is a noticeably large gap in the experiences, diagnosis and treatment between men and women. Although women are more likely than men to have a mental health disorder and almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, in 2013 78% of all suicides recorded were actually male (Mental Health Foundation). These are statistics that have not gone unnoticed. Charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) was specifically set up to reduce male suicide, which is now the biggest cause of death in males under 45. How Do Men Experience Mental Health Issues Differently? We surveyed our clients, staff and the public to find out how men feel stress, anxiety and depression and we asked – do you talk about it? Although the response was mixed, with some claimed that women and men will definitely experience it differently, but most thought
“With the whole "I'm a man, man up! I can't talk about it" attitude, it makes it a lot harder for blokes to be in tune with their body and mind, it's silly really." – Chris, Bali Member
it was down to the individual. One explained - “I think it is less so a differentiation of men vs women, but rather personality types, where there is a difference in this between men and women hence a secondary effects of men and women having differences in feeling stress”. Others suggested that as men feel they can’t speak about it, this actually makes it worse. A study by The University of California found that when experien -cing triggers such as stress, both men and women equally have the classic fight or flight response. As a result, oxytocin (a happy hormone) is released. However, this is more likely to reach and affect women as the higher levels of testosterone in males counteracts the oxytocin designed to help them. This means men are more likely to respond with either aggression or avoidance, whereas women were more likely to engage in what researchers called a “befriend” response – they seek out comfort. In addition, it appears that different things affect the mental health of men and women. Although most of our men surveyed said that they agree both genders will be affected by the usual stuff from work, family and health to missing a train and technology breaking, many expressed that they feel largely stressed by the expectations of them. This included expectations to be strong, to be professional and to support their families. Why Are Men Less Likely To Seek Help? Beth Murphy, Head of Information at the charity Mind, said: “While there is no gender difference in the prevalence of mental health problems, women are much more likely to seek help than men, and are more willing to talk about their own mental wellbeing”. In addition, our survey found that most men wouldn’t be likely to go to their doctors about their mental health and for the ones that would, they believed other men they knew would be unlikely to.
Figure 1. People in contact with mental health and learning disability services by highest level of care and year 2003/04–2014/15 People in contact with services
Percent admitted
1 2%
2,000,000
1 0%
1 ,600,000
8%
1 ,200,000
6%
800,000
4%
400,000
2%
Percent admitted
Number of people
2,400,000
/5 15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 04 4/ 3/ 2/ 1/ 0/ 9/ 8/ 7/ 6/ 5/ 04 3/ 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 Source:Health & Social Care Information Centre (October 2015a) March 2016 Key facts and trends in mental health
http://goo.gl/bVEw1v
The result of less exposure to oxytocin as mentioned above is likely to mean that men will avoid their emotions and distract themselves so won’t even consider seeking help. Whereas women, who are more exposed, will look for support over their issues i.e. confiding in a friend, visiting a doctor and attending counselling. Government research supports this as the Chief Executive of the Men’s Health Forum states “Men are less aware of their symptoms than women, and are more reluctant to seek help”. Alongside this, there are perhaps more socially relevant reasons that men are less likely to seek help. For example, as men are traditionally seen as being the ‘stronger’ sex and their socialisation demonstrating this. One man surveyed said he felt there were common beliefs in society indicating this such as “men should be heads of the family... men should make the first move etc”. Some felt that it was only acceptable to seek help for mental health issues in “extreme cases”. Another explained “This is due to the perception of men hist -orically as alpha males. This image closes any options for them to seek help, as it will seem weak”. How Can Massage Help? Among other benefits such as reducing headaches, joint pain, muscle pain and fatigue, massage is an excellent way to help relieve stress, anxiety and improve sleep. Not only does it help you to relax, which is key in tackling negative emotions, the act of massaging encourages the release of your happy hormones such as serotonin and dopamine which actively balances out depression. A study by the University of Miami School of Medicine found that levels of the stress hormone cortisol were reduced by up to 53% after a massage treatment!
Disclaimer: This article is referring to general mental health which can deteriorate when triggered by varying aspects of a stressful lifestyle. It is not referring to ongoing psychological issues that may be incident related, genetic or acute mental health conditions. In addition, if you are feeling low, please consult your doctor. It’s not unusual and help is always available.
Quarterly Magazine / Issue 5
Male Waxing Treatment Review In November, we decided we wanted to bring a bit more equality to the spa, so we introduced male intimate waxing! With our female intimate waxing and all other unisex waxing services growing in popularity, we only felt it was fair to meet the demand of our client requests. The Waxing Studio found that more men than ever are ‘manscaping’ with 30% admitting to waxing their chest, 33% waxing their abs and a large 95% said they do some form of grooming and maintenance on their intimate areas.
What is Male Intimate Waxing? Male intimate waxing refers to the waxing of any, some or all of the following; crack, testicles, pubic, buttocks. We offer a range of services which can be tailored to the client’s needs, depending on area size, hair thickness and whether or not you have been waxed before. Does It Hurt? The big question! Ultimately it is entirely down to the individual – their pain threshold, the thickness of their hair and how regu -larly they get waxed. From our experience, the sensation is uncomfortable but bearable. The more regularly you get waxed, the easier and less uncomfortable it will become.
“I like getting waxes regularly. It makes me feel cleaner, my girlfriend likes it & it doesn’t hurt as much as you’d think”
– Ben Bali Member.
for years. This was only improved further by the introduction of our Head Therapist and waxing expert – Zsu Szelle. Zsu worked as a therapist at The Gentleman’s Tonic Mayfair and has extensive experience of male waxing and treatments. Zsu has trained some of our keen waxing therapists to the highest standard. When it comes to male intimate waxing, you’ll find our therapists to be respectful, quick, efficient, supportive and knowledgeable. We use Lycon Hot Wax specifically designed for tough male hair which ensures you get the easiest wax with the best results. Not to mention... a beautiful setting, fantastic customer service, a hot beverage in our tea lounge after treatment & it’s even discounted on our Membership Scheme!
Why Us? We know waxing can seem a bit scary, so picking the right place is key! We’ve held an incredibly high standard for waxing in Manchester
To find out prices & book yourself in, pick up a leaflet from the front desk or speak to one of our friendly team.
Quarterly Magazine / Issue 5
Men! How To Take Care OfYour Skin 52%
Did you know that the male beauty and of male consumers consider health industry is more popular than their looks & appearance ever? Not showering & throwing on some either important or very clothes have been replaced by exfoliations, important masques and extensive beard care. Men are overall taking a more active approach to their skincare regime, much like their female counterparts have done for years! In which case, it’s important to note that men’s skin is very different to women’s skin in many ways. Although it comes down to the individual, the large difference between hormone balances of men and women mean that their skin has a different texture, look and even smell. We thought we’d offer some professional skincare advice for all you lovely chaps out there... Why Is Male Skin Different To Female Skin? Significantly more & visible facial Hair (too obvious?) Testosterone stimulation in men means their skin is 25% thicker & tougher than a woman’s Sebum is more present on male skin than females after puberty, creating oilier skin. Higher collagen, which is directly related to signs of aging. This means on average, a man’s skin is 15 times younger than a woman’s of the same age.
How To Look After Your Skin Don’t assume just because your skin looks & feels tougher, that it is. It still needs just as much care, regardless of your sex. You need to understand your skin type before you can take care of it! It could be normal, dry, sensitive, oily or combination. Speak to one of our experienced therapists today to assess your skin type & recommend you appropriate products. Stop using soap! Many men seem to use soap to wash their face in place of purpose-specific products. Soap is not only perfumed so incredibly harsh on your already rough-textured skin, it completely dries it out and doesn’t cleanse properly. Get yourself a proper cleanser & toner. Moisturise. Hot water from showering and shaving both directly dry out your skin, so it’s incredibly important to put the moisture back in. Find one that compliments your cleanser & toner and use it daily. Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week. As men’s skin is naturally oilier, it is easier for your pores to get clogged with this oil and dirt from the air. A proper scrub will get deeper into the skin and remove this, preventing spots waiting to surface.
Beard Care
If you’re opting for the sexy lumberjack look we recommend treating your beard like your regular hair - this means washing, conditioning & trimming! Try to remember that there is facial skin under the beard so cleanse your beard properly.
Quarterly Magazine / Issue 5
Interview with Matt "
I find that because people assume nobody wants a male therapist, it creates an idea in people’s heads that they shouldn’t have a male therapist.
"
What made you want to become a therapist? I completed a Sports Science course when I was younger and then started a Sports Therapy course but didn’t finish it. That was my intro -duction to Massage & Reflexology. I always regretted not finishing my Sports Therapy so when I was in my late twenties and needed a change of career I picked it up again but then did a Holistic Therapies course instead. It defi-nitely gives you job satisfaction knowing you've helped people feel better and de-stress. What would you do if you weren’t a therapist? My favourite other job was working in a House specialist record shop selling vinyl and DJ'ing in clubs at the weekends. We had a few great years in the shop but then everyone started downloading so there was a real slump in vinyl sales and we had to close. I still DJ from time to time which I still really enjoy but it's not really sustainable as a career unless you make it to Fatboy Slim level. What’s it like being a male therapist in a female dominated industry? It’s not bad! Our team are really great and
although most of them are women, we all get on really well and it’s not overly girly. What about client’s attitudes towards male therapists? I don’t think it’s too much of a problem. I find that because people assume nobody wants a male therapist, it creates an idea in people’s heads that they shouldn’t have a male therapist. It’s all about mindset - if a Physio is a man or you want a Sports Massage, nobody cares that it’s a man – but in a spa environment, people seem to think it’s different, but it’s not. Why choose Reflexology? It’s a balancing treatment. It’s often more relaxing than massage and it's recently become more popular as The Membership allows people to try it out. As soon as they do try it, they realise how great it is. Reflexology can restore balance to the body helping the organs work better together, it also reduces stress, anxiety and encourages sleep. What’s different about working for Bali Health Lounge? It’s just a really great team and a good atmos
-phere to work in. We all work really hard to create a relaxing comfortable environment but we can also have a joke at the right times. Why is getting regular treatments so important? To reduce stress. Stress can cause all sorts of illnesses – physical and mental. I’ve worked with clients with mental health issues and when they come regularly, they really do feel the benefits; less anxiety, sleeping better and it alleviates depression. Why don’t you think men get regular spa treatments? It’s just assumed to be a woman’s territory isn’t it? But it’s really not. Every day we have men in the spa and we’re definitely seeing more men coming for treatments on a regular basis. I think things are changing.
"My therapist Jo was amazing and eased a� my knots and aches and my lower back which had been giving me a little grief lately. My massage left me feeling so relaxed and chi�ed" - Sharon M
“I love this place. Relaxing decor, friendly and professional sta�. Their massages are just lush!” - Sam
“The best spa in Manchester” – Buzzing007 93%
“What a lovely experience... The quality was second to none! Fu� Body Massage - 1 Hour of sheer bliss!” – thedonohoesj
“Mint place. Came once, now I’m a member.” - Chris
“The spa itself was fantastic, the sta� were extremely friendly and the massage itself was amazing!” - Sam
4.5 /5
4.7 /5
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