While focusing on female empowerment,
let’s also take good care of “the other half of the sky” – men.
Men’s spa treatments are receiving increasing attention. By Fifi Kao
Men certainly don’t visit spas as frequently as women. However, in recent years, the number of men enjoying the spa experience has increased significantly, and for many spas, men now account for nearly 40% or more of their clientele. Men also often face great work and family responsibilities and can have busier schedules, so they benefit greatly from using the spa to relax and relieve stress, even from a brief respite during spa treatments. Additionally, men are increasingly focused on staying in shape and maintaining their personal health.
Although it is commonly believed that men don’t need to pay much attention to their appearance and that they face less pressure in this regard, this is not correct. We can see increasingly well-groomed men in various countries who are paying more attention to their personal appearance. This has nothing to do with their sexual orientation but is more about their own standards and the goals they want to achieve. Just like women, men also have very specific appearance standards and require regular care and maintenance.
Without further ado, we’re going to dive into and explore some most popular spa services for men.
What do men expect from a spa?
Men typically seek self-healing that provides a deep sense of relaxation or treatments that help alleviate muscle soreness caused by sports or fitness activities. The most successful male spa and treatment programs are not complex but offer simple and effective therapies that ensure a great feeling without being over the top or exaggerated.
Most men look for the following benefits at a spa:
Physically effective treatment: They want to feel a significant difference from when they enter the spa to when they leave. This could be relaxed muscles after a massage or soft and clean skin after a facial.
A more comfortable and effective spa experience: Some men really enjoy the comfort and health aspects of the spa, so they prefer having facilities like swimming pools, jacuzzis, infrared saunas, and steam rooms available. They tend to enjoy self-service health experiences more than women.
A feeling of renewal and refreshment: They want to feel rejuvenated, more energetic, youthful, and stylish.
Below is a breakdown of some most popular spa treatments for men.
Massage
Ninety percent of men will choose a simple and straightforward massage treatment during their first visit to a spa to decide whether they approve of the spa’s quality and service. It’s that simple and direct. A good massage will undoubtedly benefit anyone who tries it. Twenty years ago, men played golf; today, they regularly work out and run, activities that cause muscle tension and lactic acid buildup. A full-body massage not only relaxes sore muscles but also quickly helps to unwind and relieve stress from work or family matters. Massage treatments often include very comfortable scalp and foot massages. Many men report that after experiencing a massage, they have a better understanding of the importance of self-care and wish to try more different spa treatments to experience more benefits.
Deep tissue massage
Deep tissue massages are more often used to treat strains or injuries that occur due to sports. These are usually carried out by applying pressure slowly and deeply to the muscles.
These massages work very well in reducing the tension in the muscles and helping them to heal. They focus less on relaxation, and more on helping to treat injuries and muscle pain. Most spas that provide massages also provide deep-tissue massage options because research has proved its physical and psychological benefits.
Gentlemen’s facials
If a massage is an introduction to the spa, then facials are an excellent way for men to fully immerse themselves in the world of spa treatments and find the right way to pamper themselves. Men’s needs for skin health are increasing, and in some ways, they can be even greater than women’s. Modern men, regardless of their lifestyle, need to present a youthful, healthy, and radiant appearance. Facials are highly beneficial for the skin and also quite relaxing. Since men typically use fewer products on their faces than women, facials often have a more noticeable effect in hydrating the skin.
Most facials include deep cleansing, exfoliation, mask application, use of effective products and devices, and massage. Additional massages for the hands, shoulders, neck, and scalp can also be included.
For men, it is helpful if spa consultants and skincare experts provide recommendations on which skincare products to use right from the start. This guidance is particularly valuable for those new to spa facials, as they often don’t know where to begin but are eager to try.
Facials for acne-prone skin
For men with specific skin conditions or needs, facials can be selected to effectively address their skin type and concerns. For instance, if a man has sensitive or acne-prone skin, he can choose facials that are soothing or designed to clear out pores. It’s important to ensure that the spa does not use products that could irritate sensitive skin or exacerbate skin issues. Men should feel refreshed and confident that the treatment is beneficial for their skin.
During facials, offering home skincare recommendations can be valuable, especially for men who travel frequently. Such advice can also boost sales of retail products. It’s often helpful to suggest using products from the same line as the facial treatment. Men are likely to choose simple, effective skincare products to take home without hesitation.
Sauna and steam rooms
Saunas and steam rooms are commonly found in many spas and are extremely popular among male clients. According to a SpaChina survey, 76% of male guests will use saunas and steam rooms whenever time permits. These rooms offer numerous benefits, including cleansing, detoxifying, and relaxing. They are also effective in relieving muscle pain after exercise or gym sessions. Because these rooms are so widespread, most men do not shy away from them, making them one of the most popular spa treatments for men. Stepping into these rooms, men are eager to sweat out their stress and experience thorough relaxation after intense heat.
Hydrotherapy
Water-based spa treatments are becoming increasingly popular due to their relaxing nature. A SpaChina survey found that 92% of men prefer having their own private space in a spa, a significant difference compared to 43% of women. Men generally favor self-service water facilities. Hydrotherapy that effectively utilize water facilities are becoming increasingly popular among men due to their relaxing nature. Men find these treatments effective because they offer a degree of freedom and activity while relaxing the body. For example, treatments might include underwater high-pressure jets, tropical rainforest showers with varying water pressures and angles, and foot massage pools filled with challenging, pebble-covered pathways. Hydrotherapy offers many benefits, such as opening pores and cleansing the skin, toning skin and muscles, and improving circulation. Most importantly, who doesn’t enjoy playing in water? It’s a fun and relaxing experience.
High-tech equipment for immune enhancement
In recent years, men have increasingly sought hign-tech equipment that not only offer relaxation but also enhance immune systems and overall health. Among these treatments, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, cryotherapy chambers, and infrared saunas are favored for their potential health benefits.
Hyperbaric oxygen chambers: Treatment occurs in a pressurized chamber filled with safe oxygen. The pressure allows the body to absorb more oxygen, accelerating tissue repair, reducing inflammation, and boosting overall immune function. This therapy is especially suitable for men involved in high-intensity physical activities or those under significant work stress. It not only aids in recovery but also enhances the body’s ability to fend off diseases.
Cryotherapy chambers: This involves short-term exposure to extremely cold temperatures. Men using cryotherapy report improved muscle recovery, reduced inflammation, and increased energy levels. The extreme cold stimulates the body’s natural healing processes and enhances the immune system by releasing anti-inflammatory cytokines. This invigorating treatment is particularly suitable for those looking to support their immune system while enjoying the benefits of cold exposure.
Infrared saunas: Representing the top technology in infrared saunas from the past 30 years, this method is acclaimed as a high-tech solution for body repair. It uniquely combines far, mid, and near infrared wavelengths to penetrate the body 3.5-5 centimeters deep, heating the body from within, which improves sleep, stimulates circulation, enhances skin collagen synthesis, and boosts the immune system. It is popular among men for pre- and post-workout use, as it accelerates warm-up speeds, significantly improves endurance, and speeds up post-exercise recovery.
By incorporating these high-tech self-help treatments, men not only invest in relaxation but also in long-term health.
Other spa treatments men can enjoy
Men can also enjoy a variety of other treatments at a spa. These include:
Manicure and pedicure: Men’s manicures and pedicures include foot exfoliation, nail trimming, and, if desired, a clear nail polish application, or they can be left natural. Keeping nails healthy and tidy is important, and a manicure and pedicure for men are definitely worth trying.
Moxibustion and cupping: These are traditional Chinese medicine spa treatments that benefit many men. If you frequently experience localized pain, a heavy feeling in the body, or poor sleep, moxibustion and cupping can help you experience the healing benefits of traditional Chinese therapy.
Hot stone massage: This massage is excellent. Warm stones are placed on various parts of the body, working to balance energy flow and promote muscle recovery. This type of massage is very similar to acupuncture and moxibustion, with noticeable effects.
Body scrub: This treatment is very popular among men. If you have acne on your back or chest, want to avoid rashes and ingrown hairs, or simply want to enjoy a full-body exfoliation, a body scrub followed by a massage will provide a great experience.