Our upcoming Green Scene ("Mayan Marvel," September 2010) contains helpful tips on how to detect greenwashing when perusing "organic" product labels. That's when companies try to unjustifiably tout a product's environmental virtues.
As John Vater, co-ower of Spa Adriana in Huntington, New York, warns, "The big print giveth and the small print taketh away."
Here's some information about avoiding this pitfall:
Read labels with a discriminating eye. John and his wife, co-owner Adriana Vater, caution spa professionals against taking a product label at face value. "If the packaging claims it doesn't contain something, you should ask yourself what's there to do that ingredient's job," Adriana says. "Every component of a product has a purpose, and sometimes a so-called 'green' ingredient is just as offensive as the original."
Educate yourself. The Vaters say it's important to develop an understanding of how product ingredients work. "With today's Internet access, you can quickly look up the chemical composition of any item," John says.
It's not always easy going green. How do you ensure that your spa's environmental initiatives result in real, positive change? Send your ideas to Katie O'Reilly, associate editor, at koreilly@creativeage.com.
Across the nation, sympathy poured out to the residents who were evacuated from or lost their homes during the recent Southern California wildfires. In San Diego, scores of evacuees took temporary shelter at Qualcomm Stadium, where they received stress relief from the massage therapists and acupuncturists who donated their services. Dana Stallings, co-owner of relief participant Spa Velia, says the response was so overwhelming that some volunteers were turned away.
“It was wonderful that there was such an outpouring of support from the community,” she recalls. “However, at times it left us feeling useless in contributing to the greater good.”
So, Spa Velia employees—some of who were evacuated themselves--quickly found another way to contribute their talents and services. They’re currently visiting local fire stations to offer on-site massages to weary firefighters. Even though the situation has abated significantly, they’re still on the front lines and very busy,” says Stallings. “We want to make it convenient by going to them instead of the other way around.”
Spa Velia plans to provide additional support to these firefighters by creating spa packages specifically for them. Stallings says the spa has received a huge number of inquiries from clients who want to purchase gift certificates for the firefighters who saved their homes and protected their families.
“The response from our clients and communities has been tremendous,” Stalling says. “We’re committed to doing whatever it takes.”
We hope to hear more about the creative ways in which day spas in the region are contributing to the Southern California fire relief effort. Email us dayspamagazine@creativeage.com.
Across the nation, sympathy poured out to the residents who were evacuated from or lost their homes during the recent