Who said spas are for women? Male queues get longer

By Smitabalram Kumar
BENGALURU: Men form 50 per cent of clients at many of the city spas; boys in their 20s frequenting these luxury joints for facials, hair spa and body massages.
A day at the spa seems to be emerging as a highpriority affair for Bengaluru's menfolk. The city's top spas are observing this new trend and men, experts say, could be more knowledge about treatments than women.
And, to cater to their surging need, the city's spas are tailor making uber-luxurious treatments for them, keeping the male spa aficionados on a high.

The JW Marriott spa on Vittal Mallya Road recently observed this dramatic change in their guest list. General Manager Parul Thakur says, "Earlier, women constituted a significant customer base for spas. Recently, more men have begun to visit spas. They are more aware of health and wellness. Men form 50 per cent of our clients here."

Likewise with the Ritz Carlton spa here. "Men are becoming increasingly open to the spa experience because they recognise the value of looking good and staying fit. The proportion of male spa-goers has shot up and over 60 per cent of our guests are male.They are realising that spa is no just for pampering. It's a necessity in order to stay physically fit," says spa director Nittaya Lokesh.

Their male clients pamper themselves with body mas sages, facials and express treatments. Their spa décor in itself is an indulgence with glamorous private suites with vanity beds and mother-of-pearl wall inlays. And male spa junkies are loving it.

Agrees Manjul Gupta, founder of Bodycraft Spas and Salon chain, "There was a time when massage was meant for the old or the overweight". "Men were not actively involved in beauty and wellness. Only their career mattered. There is a change. To combat high stress levels and strenuous work-outs at the gym, men too like to indulge in relaxing spa treatments. In fact, a lot of boys in their 20s have started visiting spas for facials and hair spa besides body massages."

Interestingly, men have specially taken quite a fancy to facials. Anutha Shetty Umrigar, owner, The Palms Spa in Bengaluru, observes: "We receive more men than women for anti-ageing and whitening facials. Men are very image-conscious these days. In fact, many come straight from work and take up the three-hour men's special treatment complete with scrub, massage and facial."

Anutha's spa, famous with Bollywood celebrities at its Mumbai chapter, has even a tailored menu for men that has concept facials and luxurious scrub options like mandarin and mango, lemongrass and green tea, to milk, honey and white chocolate.

One spa junkie, who wished to remain unnamed, wondered why one should be surprised that men frequented spas. He said: "I don't believe spa was a woman's domain. Historically, the concept of 'maalish' was meant for men, to remove body ache and for relaxation. Today, men with money dig luxury and quietitude. So, we head to a luxury spa for a more evolved experience."