Head for a spa to beat summer heat

As the mercury continues its unrelenting upward climb this summer along with haunting problems of dry and sunburnt skin and increased lethargy as well as dullness, people are heading to the nearest spa to beat the heat and gain rejuvenation.

Industry reports indicate a growth in the spa industry in India. Currently valued at Rs 137 billion the industry with a compound annual growth rate of 30% is estimated to grow to Rs 510 billion by the year 2014, according to a 2010 report by Frost and Sullivan.

Seeing the rising demand, spa centres coming up now even in smaller towns and cities are offering a wide range of summer special and beauty special treatments to customers.

"Facials are now a passe and more people are trying out new spa therapies this season to beat the heat and to get flawless, glowing de-tanned skin," says Siddharth Shankar, Director, Mystic salon and spa based in the capital.

"As people are getting more cautious and aware of their body care, they are demanding more than just routine beauty treatments" adds Shankar.

VLCC spa centre''s Beauty Head Shobha Sehgal feels that Cleopatra bath is a must try for those who are tying the nuptial knot this summer.

"It is a wonder bath which treats the skin exposed to the rigorous environmental hazards,"says Sehgal.

Sunburns being the usual problem with the onset of summer, an anti-tanning massage is seen to be the hot favourite pick among the office goers and students.

"For anti tanning the best spa treatment is the vedic ritual, which is a combination of scrub and massage and lasts for about two hours. The process of scrubbing helps in removing the tanned dead skin thereby enhancing the blood circulation.