What I Spied at ISPA

Without a doubt, one of the coolest parts of my job, as a spa industry educator, is the opportunity I get each year to attend the International Spa Association Conference, known as ISPA. The ISPA trade show floor is a virtual candy store for any beauty industry enthusiast, offering the latest and greatest goodies from the world of skin and body care, spa amenities and even fitness. These incredible products eventually make their way into spas and fitness centers all over the globe. In fact, some of these treats and treasures may already be on the shelves or on their way to local spas but, I wanted to give my Love Your Look followers an advance preview of some of the most interesting and innovative products that were featured at this incredible event.

Sure, ISPA always has the incredible assortment of beautiful bath products, aromatic candles, plush robes but, what I focused on was the newest and most cutting edge products.


PaloVia Skin Renewing Laser - www.palovia.com - $499
Fractional laser technology has been used by dermatologists worldwide for more than a decade. Now, for the first time ever, this same technology has been adapted and perfected for your use at home. Rigorous safety testing, which included hundreds of clinical study participants performing more than 7,500 eye-area treatments, contributed to an FDA clearance for the first fractional laser technology to treat fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.

Like traditional medical lasers the Palovia laser works by creating what we call a controlled injury to the skin’s sub-layers (dermis). Then the body’s natural healing process rebuilds that tissue with fresh, new collagen and elastin – the crucial building blocks of smooth, youthful skin. On real faces that means that after one month of daily use, users should see visible improvement in the lines around the eyes.

This claim is based 2 significant evaluations:
1) A panel of doctors specializing in dermatology and plastic surgery reported: noticeable reduction in wrinkles in 92% of participants after just 1 month of daily treatments.
2) After 12 weeks of treatments, 84% of participants agreed that the PaloVia laser appears to eliminate fine lines rather than just reduce their appearance

Its design includes many features that reinforce proper use – including “smart” sensors that work with the PaloVia Pre-Treatment Gel to verify skin contact, helpful audio and visual cues, and automatic shut-off to prevent help overuse.
The science behind this is sound so if you are a “gadget girl or guy” with crow’s feet ... you gotta have this thing but (depending on your level of sensitivity) there is some discomfort.


LIFELINE - www.lifelineskincare.com - MSRP: $190
Perhaps the most innovative product comes from a company called Lifeline. This company has taken a step away from their primary mission of: stem cell research to find cures for life-threatening illnesses, and they have applied one of their miraculous discoveries to the, annoying but non-life-threatening, problem of aging skin.

Lifeline’s multi-step patented process involves extracting peptides from living, but non-fertilized, stem cells (also referred to as: parthenogenetic stem cells) then encapsulating the peptides inside nanospheres. The formulation process is completed by adding antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to produce a high performance serum.
The result: Lifeline Recovery Night Moisture Serum (1 oz) which nurtures collagen and elastin and defends against free-radicals while you sleep. It retails at $190.00 so it is pricey, but if individual results come even close to their studies it will be worth every penny.

In a Mother Daughter study, researchers looked at fibroblast activity (these are the cells that essentially give birth to new cells) and they saw fibroblast activity increase by 1/3 in the mother’s which was actually higher than the daughter’s
They also saw massive increases in elastin (the substance that makes the skin springy) and types I and II collagen which increase skin firmness.

What I can tell you from my own usage (5 days and counting) is that the texture and density of my skin looks like it did 20 years ago. That rapid improvement will certainly keep me using it until my sample bottle runs out!



Delfin Spa - www.delfinspa.com - MSRP: $39.99
Slimming and cellulite products come and go every year, so what makes this product different? Delfin Spa’s Bio-Ceramic Shorts act as a thermal agent to an effectively reduce visible cellulite and leg circumference. Because of the characteristics of bio-ceramic fibers, the shorts can be made less bulky than traditional, thick neoprene shorts, with greater effectiveness. Therefore, Delfin Spa shorts are comfortable to wear and can be worn under typical everyday clothes.

The Company’s Claim: The value of bio-ceramic is that it reflects the body’s own naturally generated Far Infrared Rays (in the form of body heat) and generates FIR to provide a thermal benefit to areas under the shorts.

I personally, have put on a few pounds in the hip/thigh area over the last few months, so I wore them for nearly 5 days straight. I took pre-shorts measurements, and on the areas I measured I did experience a reduction ( in nearly every area I measured) by anywhere from 1/4 inch to 1-1/4 inch. Now, will it last when I stop wearing the shorts? I guess we’ll see. They are very comfortable, breathable and, if nothing else, a good way to skinny down long enough to squeeze into a tight dress or pair of pants that has mysteriously “shrunk”, if you know what I mean.