Poseidon's Riches - August 2014

There has been a lot of buzz about the benefits of seawater and seaweed recently. I see it on the television, in the newspapers, and it seems that more and more medical articles are finding that deep-sea therapies can provide much goodness to the body and mind.

Yet what might seem like a hot new topic is quite far from it. For centuries people around the world (including Japan, Italy and Greece) have sought out the therapeutic advantages of seawater. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks are often credited for understanding the curative properties of the ocean. Hippocrates—the father of western medicine—even recommended hot seawater baths to treat ailments and diseases, as well as for preventative purposes.

It was not until 1867, however, that therapeutic seawater immersions (and sea-based treatments) got a name of their own—thalassotherapy. Stemming from the Greek word for sea, thalassa, the term was coined by Dr. La Bonnardière to describe the use of seawater for healing and preventative measures, based on the belief that immersion in seawater revitalizes and cleanses the system. Used as a curing method, it has been found to firm and tone skin to reduce cellulite, stress, chronic fatigue, rheumatism, circulatory problems and to maintain overall wellness.

Thalassotherapy-inspired treatments

by Lydia Sarfati

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POSEIDON’S RICHES August 2014 • Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa

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spa | poseidon’s riches Beneficial properties of the sea A well established and regulated system for healing and prevention with a focus on health as opposed to well-being (thalassotherapy centers rely on their medical staff, nutritionists, hydrotherapists and physiotherapists), thalassotherapy, simply put, combines the use of the beneficial properties of the sea, including coastal climate, seawater, marine mud, seaweed, sand and any other substance coming from the sea. According to France Thalasso—a merger of the National Thalassotherapy professional syndicate and the international Thalassotherapy Federation—a thalassotherapy establishment must be within 1,000 m from the highest sea level, thus close to the sea, enjoy a marine climate (think sea breeze), use natural seawater in pools and individual treatments (France’s famed les Thermes Marins de Saint Malo pumps nearly 100,000 gallons of seawater daily for its seawater pools and baths) and use marine mud and seaweed in wraps, massages and other bodyworks services.

Today we are able to provide beneficial thalassotherapy-inspired treatments that are professional, and with clinically proven results for our clients. And you do not need to be located near the ocean to provide your clients with the goodness the sea has to offer.

Miracle plant The sea covers two-thirds of our planet.

The elements of seawater, particularly trace elements, can affect our metabolic levels.

Researchers point out the almost uncanny similarity between seawater and human plasma, our intercellular fluid. French biologist René Quinton discovered that human white blood globules—which die when taken out of their natural environment—continue to live in seawater. “In the internal environment of our system and only there,” wrote Quinton in Sea Water Organic Substance, “do we find the same mineral makeup, the same physiognomy, as that of seawater.” The human body, like the planet earth, is made of two-thirds water—which brings us to the plants beneath the sea.

Seaweed, a concentration of seawater—the first form of life, unicellular seaweed, appeared in the ocean more than 3 billion years ago— differs from terrestrial plants in many ways, but most importantly does not depend on the quality of the soil, and can therefore be up to 10,000 times richer in trace elements. There are more than 40,000 different species of seaweed worldwide—enough to cover every health and skin care concern. Roman women created the illusion of a fresh complexion with red seaweed based makeup; Aztecs made lake dwelling seaweed an important part of their diet, and today the Japanese eat on average 50 g of seaweed daily.

Rootless, the seaweed plant feeds through osmosis, absorbing minerals and vitamins from the seawater. Because of its feeding process, seaweed becomes a dense concentration of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, phytohormones and amino acids, thus making the miracle plant: anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-wrinkle, whitening, cytoprotective, anti-tyrosinase, anti-acne, antiinflammatory, and UV photo protective.

I personally grew up with the European tradition of going to a spa, which meant a place to “take in the waters.” Bathing was a part of my heritage and culture. Today I still take a nightly bath for 10-15 min. While your clients may not be able to benefit from the fresh ocean air or natural seawater immersions, if your spa has a whirlpool or bath, you can offer them seaweed and sea salt baths.

Page 74 • LNEONLINE.com Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa • August 2014

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Seaweed treatments

spa | poseidon’s riches

Seaweed and sea salt baths Seaweed baths made with kelp (Laminaria digitata and ascophyllum nodosum) provide hydrating, nourishing and antioxidant properties, including natural sources of 12 vitamins (including B12, C, E, K, and beta carotene), 18 amino acids, and 42 trace elements. The essential fatty acids help to maintain the skin barrier, while alginic acid (a polysaccharide) helps to lock moisture into the skin. Fill the tub with 101 °F (38 °C) water. Add 1 fl oz (30 ml) seaweeds and 16 oz of sea salt and allow your client to rest for 15-20 min. Follow the bath with a seaweed body cream massage. Sea salt baths are known for their ability to relieve muscle tension and aches, providing body detoxification and toning benefits—perfect for spas near gyms to help relax and detox clients after a workout.

Seaweed facials You can deliver the benefits of the sea to the face with a seaweed facial treatment. A soothing massage followed by a cooling and soothing fresh seaweed mask leaves the skin clean, refreshed, healthy and vibrant. Cayucos Aloha Spa in Cayucos, CA, offers the Seaweed Facial On The Go, an “express” treatment that rejuvenates, nourishes and hydrates the skin with the goodness from the sea (30 min, $55).

Seaweed bodyworks From scrubs and massages to masks, these services are perfect for relieving stress, invigorating sore muscles and imbibing the skin with the beneficial properties of the sea. The Thermes Marins de Saint-Malo offers a Seaweed Wrap, where a warm seaweed cream is applied on the body to reinforce the absorption of minerals from seawater treatment, and is washed off with seawater (25 min, $71). Alaya Spa, with various locations in India, features the Seaweed Thalassotherapy: Anti-Cellulite, a seaweed body contouring mask with a blend of four seaweeds (Laminara digitata, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculosus and Lithothamnium calcareum) that encourages slimming, firming and helps reduce the appearance of cellulite (60 min, about $60).

Whether you are near or far from the ocean, you can offer the unique properties of the sea to your clients with thalassotherapy-inspired treatments at your spa. n

Lydia Sarfati brought the beneficial tradition of seaweed treatments to the United States. She is the president and founder of Repêchage. She is an internationally recognized skin care expert with more than 30 years of experience in the industry, and has been quoted in multiple highly respected publications and appeared on television for her expertise. Sarfati is the honorary chair of EstheticsAmerica, CIDESCO USA and the Skin Care & Spa Council Director of Intercoiffure North America. She is the recipient of numerous prestigious industry awards, including LNE & Spa’s Crystal Award.

Email her at Lydia@repechage.com.

Page 76 • LNEONLINE.com Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa • August 2014