Spa days are generally thought of as being more of a girls’ day out—but spa services for men are a growing trend.

According to research from the International Spa Association, in 2005 29 percent of spa-goers were male, and by fall 2017 that number had grown to 49 percent.

The goal of spa therapies for men, and how men approach spa therapies, is usually different from the way women interact with spa therapies. Most men want treatments that are effective, cost-efficient, and make them feel invigorated and youthful.

Focusing on the health benefits of spa services is a sure way to show the public that tension-free muscles, stress relief and detoxification are not confined to a gender but are for everyone.

Try these spa techniques for men:

Facial

A facial is a great treatment for men to try first, especially if they are nervous about the spa experience.

Men often use fewer products on their face than women. Advertising a facial for a man could be more effective if described as a post-sunburn treatment or as protection from the sun.

Once they’ve experienced a facial, they will realize how relaxing and calming it can be.

Sauna and Stream Room

What could be more luxurious and invigorating than a room filled with swirling steam and heat? Saunas differ from a steam room because they use dry heat as opposed to moist heat.

Both are popular types of treatment with men for various reasons.

Steam and sauna have a long tradition in many cultures, from Turkish baths to Native American steam lodges, and the heat can feel like the best kind of self-indulgence. If a client is new to heat treatment, he will find the sensations immensely appealing.

Similar to massages, heat is associated with the relieving of muscle tension from sports, exercise, a stressful week or bad posture. A good sauna or steam room will warm the muscles before a deep massage and make the pressure more effective.

Saunas are more effective for muscle relaxation and lowering blood pressure, whereas steam rooms help with overall body detoxification.

Also popular today are infrared saunas, which use infrared light to create heat.

The heat from sauna has such various health benefits as reducing the healing time for damaged tissue, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerve endings.

The heat can also increase the blood circulation and vasodilation of blood vessels, speed nitric oxide and healing oxygen to necessary areas, aid in cell regeneration, stimulate detoxification and weight loss, and increase energy levels, stamina and mental clarity.

Body Wrap/Mud Bath

Although men are typically not as concerned about soft and fragrant skin as are women, a healthy, healing touch is often welcomed after a hard week’s work.

A body wrap or mud bath with a refreshing, clean smell such as patchouli vetiver or vanilla may hit the spot. You could possibly create a product that soaks into the skin and doesn’t have to be …READ MORE