Five of the best touchless spa treatments

How to maximise your therapists’ service time, introduce new revenue opportunities and provide peace of mind for guests as they return to the spa environment

REPORT BY LAUREN HEATH-JONES

In a post-lockdown world, it is likely that spa guests will fall into one of two categories: those who are ready to get back into the spa and those who want to, but are, understandably, nervous. However, advances in touchless technology can enable spas to augment their treatment offerings specifically to cater to these guests.

By offering therapist-free options alongside their regular treatment menus, spa operators will be able to deliver effective Covid-compliant experiences that provide complete peace of mind for more risk-averse guests.

With spas still managing the financial impact of the pandemic, some may have reservations about spending at the current time. However, an initial investment in touchless technology could save businesses money in the long term thanks to the reduction in service time that it allows. Several clients can be treated at the same time with multiple machines being operated by a single therapist, reducing overall staffing costs.

To find out more about the latest touchless treatments, European Spa asked five experts in the field to showcase their technology.

SINGLE VAULTZ Art of Cryo

Single Vaultz from Art of Cryo is a one-person cryotherapy chamber that puts guests in control of their experience. For use in smaller spas and even in hotel rooms, two Single Vaultz models – V1 and V1 Lux – have been designed to enable guests to walk straight into their treatment without interacting with a therapist.

The brand, a division of L&R Kältetechnik, has recently partnered with software provider ProCcare to help guide users through their treatment, allowing them to choose its duration and input variables including age, sex, BMI, skin type and preferred thermal sensation. The treatment is then verified by a trained therapist.

Users can also choose from a number of treatment protocols, such as beauty and wellness, health and prevention, lifestyle, sport and fitness, elite sports, rehabilitation and medical.

Rainer Bolsinger, chief sales officer and chief marketing officer, L&R Kältetechnik

“Our exclusive collaboration with ProCcare allows us to offer individualised treatments for each Vaultz model depending on personal physical values, thermal perception and treatment aim,” says Rainer Bolsinger, chief sales officer and chief marketing officer at L&R Kältetechnik.

Clients include Repose Space in Kensington, London. Prices for Single Vaultz start at £98,000 (€113,000). www.artofcryo.com

INFRATHERAPY Iyashi Dôme

Iyashi Dôme is an individual sauna device that combines Japanese traditions with infrared technology. It was inspired by the ancient practice of sand bathing in which people bury themselves in hot sand to induce sweating in order to release toxins.

The device works by trapping infrared heat to raise the body’s temperature, which in turn improves sleep, fights skin ageing, prepares the muscles for exercise and stimulates detoxification.

A 30-minute session is said to have the equivalent effect of a 20km run, with users perspiring up to 1.2 litres of sweat and burning up to 600 kcals.

The device also features a remote control system, enabling staff to manage, set up and monitor treatments from the reception desk, making it a completely contactless treatment.

Shogoro Uemura, founder Iyashi Dôme

“In this delicate period, contactless is an advantage for operators and their customers,” says Iyashi Dôme founder Shogoro Uemura. “It allows you to provide care while maintaining physical distancing, thus guaranteeing guests’ safety and spas’ profitability.”

Current partners include Evian Les Thermes in France and Thalassa Sea and Spa, which is part of the Accor group. Prices are available on application. www.iyashidome.com/en

CELLISS Gharieni

Produced by renowned spa equipment supplier Gharieni, Celliss is a therapist-free body contouring device that targets cellulite and aids weight loss.

Billed as a 100% touchless experience, Cellis is operated by an intuitive touch-screen that enables users to personalise and begin their treatments with just one touch, no therapist required.

The device uses Gharieni’s patented Total Slimming System, which consists of 96 three-centimetre nozzles that target the adipose tissue on the buttocks, hips and abdominals with percussive movements to smooth and tone the skin and enhance the silhouette.

Sessions can last up to 30 minutes and users can choose from 10 targeted experiences depending on their needs.

Sammy Gharieni, founder and CEO, Gharieni Group

“Touchless treatments allow spas to offer exceptional experiences while still delivering on strict hygiene regulations,” says Gharieni Group founder and CEO Sammy Gharieni.

“The idea to create an experience that doesn’t need a therapist isn’t new for us,’ he adds. “This is why we created a 100% hands-free technology like Celliss. The current Covid-19 situation reinforces the desire for contactless treatments, which is why Celliss is a perfect treatment solution.” Gharieni Celliss costs €43,950 (£37,000). www.gharieni.com/celliss

THE VESSEL Sensync

US wellness company Sensync offers virtual reality (VR) experiences in The Vessel – a VR pod that is designed to ‘displace guests from the burdens of their mind and unlock new approaches to restoration.’

Providing clients with what is described as a ‘deep-brain massage’, The Vessel simultaneously delivers stereoscopic visuals, audio input, scent, vibroacoustics, wind and temperature effects to distract guests from goal-directed thoughts and allow for uninterrupted cognitive restoration.

Dr Alex Theory, co-founder and CEO, Sensync

“While traditional massage may offer benefits for aching muscles, they are not designed as a treatment for the mind or overall mental health,” says Sensync’s co-founder and CEO, Dr Alex Theory.

“Sensync’s immersive sensory experiences are designed to take guests on journeys that capture the attention in such a deep manner that they pull mental resources away from thinking.

“The Vessel’s unique technology delivers critical benefits such as improved attention, stress reduction and mood enhancement.”

The Vessel is currently installed at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu in Ko Olina, Hawaii. A single unit costs $98,000 (£71,000/€82,000), with discounts available on bulk orders of 10 or more. www.sensync.net

ZEROBODY Starpool

Starpool’s Zerobody combines a dry flotation bed with a meditation app that claims to regenerate the mind and body in just 20 minutes.

Originally designed to make wellness more accessible in corporate settings, the Zerobody system consists of a heated water mattress that creates the sensation of floating by gently cradling the body, making the user feel weightless.

The Zerobody app, developed to be used in conjunction with the bed, features meditations developed by neuroscientist Nicola De Pisapia as well as breathing exercises created by freediving champion Andrea Zuccari.

Benefits of the experience include stress and pain relief, improved sleep quality, heightened relaxation and muscle recovery.

Riccardo Turri. CEO, Starpool

“Zerobody is a unique solution to regenerate your body and mind through an innovative dry float system: you don’t need to undress or get wet, you just need to lay down and let it go,” says Starpool CEO Riccardo Turri.

“This innovation is the result of Starpool’s commitment to people’s health and wellness. We started from the existing research about traditional floatation and studied for years to develop a solution to guarantee the maximum expression of relaxation in many different fields of application.

“Wellbeing is a psychophysical condition based on the balance between body and mind. We at Starpool have always been convinced of this. With Zerobody we want to push this further, with an approach intended to redefine the very concept of wellness.”

Clients include the Aquaria Thermal Spa in Sirmione, Italy; Strøm Nordic Spa in Quebec, Canada; and Alma Clinique in Geneva, Switzerland. Prices are available on application. www.starpool.com/en/products/ floatation/zerobody

SENSORA LIGHT THERAPY Anadi Martel

Developed by physicist Anadi Martel, who has studied the therapeutic effects of light for more than 40 years, Sensora Light Therapy is a multi-sensory, immersive experience combining light, vibration and sound therapies.

It was designed to promote healing through light as it positively interacts with the body’s bio-rhythms, such as breathing and heartbeat.

A computerised system that requires no operation by staff, Sensora features 20 LED light sources that are projected onto a large, circular screen as clients listen to a special soundtrack in a reclining chair equipped with transducers that convert the sound into physical sensations.

Anadi Martel, developer, Sensora Light Therapy

“Sensora offers a pure light experience of exquisite beauty, bringing peace to the mind and balance to the autonomic nervous system,” says Martel.

“It supports the body’s homeostasis and has been clinically proven to help the brain rest, reducing stress and inducing deep relaxation. Its mood-uplifting effects are beneficial for a wide variety of issues including insomnia, chronic pain and depression.”

Current clients include The Javvu Spa at Amilla Fushi, Maldives and prices range from $25,000 (£18,000/€21,000) to $50,000. www.sensora.com/sensora_e.html