How COVID-19 has accelerated innovation in the spa industry

For years, marketing campaigns targeting the spa industry have emphasized a product’s physical appearance. Sleek finishes and eye-catching design have often been paramount when purchasing equipment, while science has taken a back seat.

Some would argue that this has been a blind spot in the spa industry for years.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need to prioritize proven science so that staff and guests remain safe. Spas can no longer overlook medical education, and this new era has illuminated the value of certifications and the importance of verifiable green manufacturing.

Medical-grade solutions inside a treatment room are no longer a luxury—they are a necessity. As a result, innovation that normally would have taken years has instead taken just a few months. 

Spa directors, for example, now care deeply about understanding regulatory requirements for a quality management system specific to the medical devices industry (ISO 13485) and are seeking to add medical-grade accessories to their facilities. 

In addition, spas need affordable solutions to the other challenges associated with COVID-19. With guests and staff hyper-sensitive to the cleanliness and disinfection, what is a spa to do with an outdated, damaged massage table? How will guests react to being in a spa with cracked face cradles or stools?

Oakworks, which since 2008 has equipped hospitals and healthcare professionals with FDA-listed equipment, has been a leader in innovation during the pandemic. The medical-grade, ISO-certified equipment it offers to spas comes with the same certification used in hospitals. It provides the safety that will protect a spa’s investment in new equipment.

One unique challenge facing spas today is how constant disinfection wears down the tops of tables. That’s why Oakworks created replaceable tops that provide the feel of a new table at a fraction of the price. Also, Oakworks tables are seamless, which prevents bacteria from penetrating the foam—another innovation adapted from the medical market. Its medical shield can be used for facials, manicures and pedicures.

Though the demands now facing spas are intense, the industry is meeting the challenge by innovating and making upgrades that will enhance the guest and staff experience for years to come.

The team at Identity Hospitality, brings an aggregate of over 100 years of industry experience, geographic diversity and global perspective to any client engagement. Each individual brings professionalism and depth to their respective roles, with established expertise in the leisure, hospitality, retail, wellness, spa, salon, fitness and club industries.

Website: identityhospitality.com

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 760.916.5882