Spas are increasing their customer base by decreasing the permissible age for spa treatments. Spas are turning their attention to the teen brigade and are offering some very novel treatments too; these include ice-cream themed treatments and tiaras for teen girls to tie their hair with while they are being pampered. The minimum cost is $100.

It’s an interesting societal phenomenon, if consumer goods and services all around are targeting the young adults then why should the spa industry lag behind.  More interestingly, spas maintain that they are only responding to a consumer demand for treatments meant for the young adult. They say that they are often faced with queries from mothers who wish to share their spa experiences with their daughters.

Of course, if spas can get the kids to develop a liking for their pedicures, scrubs, and manicures they are assured of a loyal clientèle for a very long time.

The spas have very conscientiously come up with regulations that restrict treatment above a certain age -  namely 13 years and also not all treatments are available to the kids. Parents are required to sign a release form and at least one adult needs to accompany the kid. So, if you wish to indulge your kid once in a while you can always offer him/her some spa treatment but do see that you pick up a spa that follows the rules.

The concept of the metrosexual man may not be very old but men have always secretly enjoyed being pampered and groomed by hands not their own (and preferably a woman’s). Of course unlike women who don’t need any kind of an excuse to surrender themselves to a spa treatment a self-respecting man would perhaps think up a reason for visiting a spa. It could be anything from a remedy for jet lag to getting the body ready for an important family function.

One reason for the traditional discomfort of men with the spa environment has been that there have not been too many men talking about it, even the brochures and ads released by spas display women having a good time. Men have been neglected more or less. Therefore men actually find the environment of a spa a little alien, they may bond over a beer with perfect strangers but men in a spa would feel a little out of their element, particularly if they do not know the rules and etiquettes to be followed. Of course, the bottom line is that men is that men consider the whole spa thing to be too feminine BUT they DO want it. Keeping this in mind, spas are now redoing their interiors and giving them a masculine feel and also coming up with some decidedly masculine treatments such as golfer’s massage and sports massage.

Yahoo News! | Spa Finder 2006 Readers’ Choice Awards >>>

Arizona’s Miraval, Life in Balance spa was chosen by readers of Spa Finder as their “favorite spa” in North America.

Other favorite spas around the world include:

> Sante Winelands Hotel and Wellness Center in Paarl, South Africa
> Chiva-Som in Hua Hin, Thailand
> Brenner’s Park Hotel & Spa in Baaden-Baaden, Germany,
> Kurotel Longevity Center and Spa in Gramado, Brazil.

MSN Editors pick their Top 10 hotel spas >>>

I’d love to have the assignment of picking the best hotel spas in the country! Here’s MSN’s editor picks. I’ve been to a couple of these — which I’d judge top as well. The only problem with going to an exceptional spa, is that the rest of your spa experiences always fall a bit short.

MSN’s Top 10 Hotel Spas

> Aqua Spa at the Delano - Miami Beach, Fla.
> Canyon Ranch Spaclub at the Venetian - Las Vegas, Nev.
> Center for Well Being at the Phoenician - Scottsdale, Arz.
> The cliff Spa and Salon - Snowbird, Utah
> Lake Austin Spa Resort - Austin, Texas
> Peninsula Spa - New York, N.Y.
> Salish Lodge Spa - Snoqualmie, Wash.
> Spa Bellagio - Las Vegas, Nev.
> Spa Claremont - Berkeley, Calif.
> Spa Mystique - Century City, Calif.

MSN | 25 things you can do to take off 10 years or more >>>

Preventions asked dozens of scientists studying aging, which changes deliver the biggest payoffs. Here are the top ones:

> Stay lean
> Take supplements: alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine
> Skip a meal
> Get a pet
> Get help for what hurts
> Eat fruits and vegtables
> Read the entire list with details >>>

The Rewards of Relaxation: Why Slowing Down Is Healthy | MSN >>>

Are you busy ALL the time? Consider this: aimlessness provides a significant payoff. You problem-solving mind functions better, your pulse rate slows, blood pressure drops and your relationships can benefit. Full article >>>