Happy 4/20, lovely Spa Community!
As New Jersey prepares to legalize recreational adult-use cannabis, this called out for a perfectly timed article on CBD treatments and products in the Spa industry.
First, let's recap : what is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the main compounds found in cannabis plants.
However, cannabis does not mean marijuana. Cannabis is the general
term under which all forms of marijuana and hemp fall. Until recently THC, was the most well-known cannabinoid due to its abundance in marijuana. However, as the second most prevalent cannabinoid in marijuana and the top non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in
hemp, CBD has gained major momentum over the past years. The legalization of its production explains why it has been booming particularly on the US market.
Unlike THC, CBD does not interact directly with the two classical cannabinoid receptors. This is why CBD does not cause any psychoactive effect, or feeling of “high”. However, according to the type of CBD used in a product (there are 3 types: isolate, broad-spectrum, and full-spectrum), there could be natural traces of THC occurring in the formula, at a very low percentage (which is the case of full-spectrum CBD).
So how does CBD interact with our body and skin?
CBD primarily interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, primarily clustered in the brain and central nervous system. Almost every organ of your body, including your skin and digestive tract, contains cannabinoid receptors. The endocannabinoid system primary purposes include neuroprotection, stress relief, immune response, and regulating the body’s general state of balance, all of these applying to the skin.
When this system is unbalanced, the skin can show overall inflammation causing redness, irritation, dryness or itchiness, blemishes…
CBD elevates levels of anandamide, which supports your body's own process to reduce inflammation. So the hype in the skincare and wellness industry.
How is CBD integrated into Spas?
In Spa and Wellness products, CBD is usually paired with other anti-inflammatory, soothing or calming ingredients such as arnica, aloe vera, allantoin, or cedarwood, lavender, and rosemary essential oils for a larger spectrum of action and greater efficacy for irritated, sensitive or sensitized skin, as well as for muscle recovery.
CBD has become an indispensable pilar in Spas, so make sure to offer CBD-treatments and homecare.
You can create a 360° experience, as with Raised Spirit's Aroma-diffuser and CBD Diffuser Oil or by adding water-soluble CBD to complement the traditional CBD massage add-on to a massage.
As for retail offers, no need to stick to only skincare or body products, you can really think out of the box for everything wellness, such as with the examples below:
CBD candles, bath bombs, bath salts , tincture-oils, edibles such as tea and gummies,
even for pets (I haven’t checked out the studies yet but it is worth a look).
Make sure this week to communicate on your CBD offers, through a special treatment menu, add-ons and retail shelf talkers. It is also the perfect moment to put together CBD-lifestyle gift baskets for upcoming Mother's and Father's Day!
What about quality & education?
A reliable brand should be transparent about the amount of CBD in mg that each of its products contain, the sourcing & the extraction methods, as well as its third-party testing.
It is also satisfying to see that more education support is being developed, such as Bellus academy program or Color up online class.
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