Ken Okuyama

Billed as the Ferrari of massage chairs, DreamWave’s new M.8 is the first in a line of technology-advanced and elegantly designed full-body shiatsu chairs.

It’s been created by Japanese designer Ken Okuyama, who drew inspiration from his automotive roots at Ferrari, Porsche and Maserati, to create a chair with groundbreaking capabilities, such as the Deltawave massage engine and Shiatsu Point Locator, with a refined aesthetic.

He says: "You have to design the whole environment, without that, the story doesn’t carry through."

In a nod to the supercar, rear swinging doors have been added for user convenience. "Getting in and out of a traditional massage chair can be a challenge for older users and anyone with back issues," says DreamWave founder Cliff Levin.

Okuyama collaborated with a shiatsu master to create "a personalised, immersive, sensory massage environment that allows for disconnecting, recharging and rejuvenating both body and mind".

The DreamWave M.8 has been described as "unapologetically luxurious" and recently received a coveted Innovation Award at this year’s CES consumer electronics show in Las Vegas.

KEYWORD: DREAMWAVE

The M.8 is described as "unapologetically luxurious"

The chair has rear swinging doors like the supercar

Benno Kirschenhofer

German sauna manufacturer Klafs has created Mollis, a textile solution for saunas designed to make the heat experience more comfortable for users.

Mollis, taken from the Latin word for ‘soft’ and ‘comfortable’, was in development for two years and features a series of mats, bolsters and cushions in a range of sizes and colours.

Made from Tencel fibre, an eco-friendly alternative to viscose, Mollis is designed to overcome the hot and wet environment of thermal experience while being practical, comfortable, hygienic, stylish and machine-washable.

Benno Kirschenhofer, corporate communications manager at Klafs, says: “Mollis, in every regard, is simply more than just putting a pillow in the sauna. Mollis will set standards in several respects: the textiles not only look good but are unrivalled in terms of comfort and handling, just like you always wanted in the sauna.”

KEYWORD: KLAFS

The range is designed to make heat experiences more comfortable for users

The material can withstand sauna and steamroom conditions

Gédouin-Lagarde

French marine skincare brand Phytomer has launched a professional facial spray that will become an integral step in all its treatments.

Called Marine Mist, the spray is formulated with Oligomer, a sodium-reduced seawater concentrate exclusive to Phytomer, and is designed to hydrate, refresh and revitalise tired skin.

The mist is subtly fragranced with woody base notes of amber, patchouli and musk, and floral top notes of cypress, mugwort and clove.

Mathilde Gédouin-Lagarde, director of marketing & communication at Phytomer, says: "The Marine Mist is an iconic Phytomer product that, as soon as you use it, transports you to the seaside. It is fresh, full of minerals, and is both revitalising and relaxing at the same time."

She adds: "I use it all day long: in the morning to wake my skin up, during the day for a boost of moisture and in the evening if I need a refresher before going out."

KEYWORD: PHYTOMER

The spray will become an integral step in all Phytomer treatments

Brian Paris

Billed as an industry first, the Living Earth Crafts’ app is available for free on both Apple and Android devices, and is designed to enable LEC customers from across the world to register their equipment with the LEC headoffice simply by scanning it. It also enables users to troubleshoot equipment issues and organise service calls directly with LEC’s service department.

Working with both new and old equipment, the app allows users to send video, images and other information directly to the customer service department. LEC says this will ensure faster response times.

Brian Paris, EVP of sales at the company, says: "This is a major leap forward for customer service in the spa equipment industry, by connecting directly to our equipment service experts, spas can expect dramatically improved troubleshooting and quicker warranty service response times, worldwide."

He adds: "This breakthrough underscores our commitment to provide the best service in the industry. We highly encourage all of our spa customers from around the world to download and begin using this invaluable app."

KEYWORDS: LIVING EARTH CRAFTS

Spas can use the app to organise service calls with a department directly

Riadh Bouaziz

RKF Luxury Linen, a leading, French spa supplier, has created Fouta, a range of hammam towels inspired by traditional Mediterranean cloth.

Fouta is a lightweight piece of patterned fabric that’s been used in traditional dress in the Mediterranean and Middle East for centuries.

RKF have put a luxe spin on the fabric for its new hammam towels which are made from 100 per cent cotton and are incredibly absorbent thanks to a sponge underside.

Riadh Bouaziz, chair and CEO of RKF, says: “RKF is all about customer experience. A terry towel is too heavy for a hot and moist hammam, our Fouta are as absorbent as terry towels but weigh less.” The towels are custom-created on a client-by-client basis, with existing clients including Al Manara, a luxury resort in Jordan and Le Palace at the Grand Hotel Kempinski in Switzerland.

KEYWORD: RKF

Fouta is lightweight and patterned

Michael Q Pugliese

Skincare brand Circadia has announced a partnership with The HydraFacial Company that will see two of its signature treatments, the Chrono-Peptide Booster and the ProTec Plus Booster, offered by HydraFacial providers worldwide.

Circadia’s treatments are based on chronobiology, the science of natural rhythms, and are designed to protect the skin from environmental damage during the day, while triggering internal repair mechanisms during sleep.

The formulations combine botanicals, stem cells and vitamins with peptides, and can be used to address skincare concerns such as ageing, acne and rosacea.

Michael Q Pugliese, CEO of Circadia, says: “Circadia is proud to utilise our innovative skin science and formulary expertise to deliver these exclusive boosters through the HydraFacial patented technology for exceptional results.”

HydraFacial equipment is used to cleanse, exfoliate and extract impurities while simultaneously delivering serums to the skin.

KEYWORD: CIRCADIA

The boosters protect the skin from environmental damage

Jean-Christophe Samyn

Vinotherapy company Caudalie has created a suncare collection to protect both the skin and the environment.

Consisting of five products, including face and body sunscreens and an oil spray, the collection uses patented ‘ocean protect’ formulas that were in development for several years.

Traditional chemical sun filters, including oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been eliminated from the formula, leaving only water-resistant and biodegradable filters which offer maximum UVA and UVB protection while reducing environmental damage.

The range is certified by the Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Ecology and bears the Ocean Protect eco logo.

Jean-Christophe Samyn, Caudalie’s UK & Ireland director, says: “We didn’t want to compromise between protecting the skin and protecting nature. For many years, Caudalie has been working on skincare formulas that give the senses an experience and are eco-friendly, and this new collection reflects that perfectly.”

KEYWORD: CAUDALIE

Caudalie has been working on the formulas for many years

Matteo Brusaferri

Wellness equipment supplier Lemi has launched two multi-functional treatment tables, the Portofino and Portofino Evo.

The company’s answer to demand for lower massage beds, the tables stand at 49cm (19.2”) tall, with adjustable height, and combine comfort and functionality for clients and therapists while optimising the work space.

Both feature electric motors to control the height, back, leg and headrests, as well as customisable mattresses (on request), storage drawers and fire-resistant antibacterial upholstery coverings. The Portofino features the American headrest and functions that return the bed to zero- and end-of-treatment positions.

Portofino Evo is ergonomically designed to support the client’s head, back and shoulders and features Lemi’s HBS stress relief system and integrated armrests.

Matteo Brusaferri, Lemi general manager, says: “Portofino and Portofino Evo are not just technical units, but a furnishing complement that harmoniously integrate into the workplace and increase usability.”

KEYWORD: LEMi

The ergonomic Portofino Evo boasts a stress relief system

Barbara Cooke

BC Softwear, a UK-based spa linen supplier, has introduced an eco-friendly robe made from a combination of bamboo and cotton.

The Bamboo Bathrobe boasts a ‘silky-soft’ texture and is hypoallergenic and incredibly hygienic, due to the antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal properties of the bamboo.

The robe is very lightweight, weighing just 500gsm and features a shawl collar, turnback cuffs, adjustable waistband and double belt loops. It’s currently available in white and extra large, with the potential for different sizes and colours to be added at some point in the future.

Barbara Cooke, founder & CEO of BC Softwear, says: “We introduce our products according to our customer’s needs rather than following trends and this super soft bathrobe was specifically requested by our customers.

She adds: “The product was put through rigorous testing to ensure it performs to our very high standards and will deliver our quality standards of commercial robustness and longevity.”

KEYWORD: BC SOFTWEAR

The ‘silky-soft’ robe is made from a mix of bamboo and cotton