“Today’s wellness customers are more informed than ever, with access to a wealth of wellness knowledge at their fingertips. As a result, they expect a higher level of expertise and personalisation in every aspect of their experience. In a marketplace saturated with choices, innovation is key to capturing both their attention and loyalty,” says Dr. Nadine de Freitas, managing director of Les Nouvelles Esthetiques South Africa. “The entire customer journey, from start to finish, is just as important as the treatments themselves. Whether it’s cutting-edge technology, biohacking, or a mindful spa ritual, customers are seeking a holistic, seamless experience that connects every element.”
We explore some popular wellness treatments and trends.
1. Biohacking
Simply put, biohacking optimises the body’s performance through science-backed techniques or activities. These include cold plunges, red light therapy, nootropics (cognitive enhancers) and personalised supplements to enhance longevity, cognitive function, and physical performance. The world’s most famous biohacker, Bryan Johnson or “the man who wants to live forever”, uses his body to test techniques that may slow or even reverse ageing, including optimising sleep through tracking metrics; a plant-based diet combined with intermittent fasting; stem cell therapy to repair tissue; and gene editing therapy which involves boosting follistatin levels, a protein that regulates muscle growth and tissue repair. At Terre Paisible Medical Rejuvenation & Spa in Franschhoek, the approach is to reset the body at a cellular level so that it can perform at its peak. The biohacking programme they offer is a personalised wellness journey that includes hormone balancing, genetic analysis, metabolic rejuvenation, and gut biome health.
2. Infra-red therapy
Red light therapy is one of the biggest trends in terms of biohacks. You may be familiar with LED (light-emitting diode) light therapy masks that promote the production of collagen, reduce inflammation, and enhance cellular repair, but there’s another kind of light being used in saunas in different treatment. Infrared light directly heats the body and not the air like traditional saunas, meaning that you sweat at a lower temperature and can therefore stay in longer. The benefits include improved circulation and detoxification, muscle relaxation and pain relief, improved heart health, reduced blood pressure, and better skin health. Vivari Spa in Johannesburg has an infrared sauna cabin as part of its hydrotherapy suite. The Mandara Spa onboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships has a Thermal Suite, which includes an infrared sauna, steam rooms, as well as ice and snow rooms.
3. Cold therapy
Cold plunges and ice baths are no longer just for athletes – they’re now part of everyday beauty and wellness routines. A cold plunge involves immersing the body in ice-cold water, while cryotherapy exposes the body to extreme cold air for short periods. Both increase blood circulation and reduce inflammation in the body. Wellness centre Cryo by Coco has a Whole Body Electric Cryotherapy Chamber in its Cape Town space in Bree Street, as does Wellness Lab in Jozi’s Melrose Arch. Alternatively, hop into your pool this winter. Start with 30 seconds to a minute, gradually increasing to five minutes, before getting up to 10 minutes.
4. Vitamin drips
IV drips can be tailored to boost energy, skin health, and recovery. “Often, clients who struggle with chronic illnesses, gastrointestinal complications or stress and anxiety are not able to effectively absorb antioxidants and minerals through oral intake,” says Nicolette Wepener of Nix & Tee Aesthetics in Sandhurst, Johannesburg. “Vitamin drips allow us to address imbalances and deficiencies in our bodies much more quickly and effectively than ever before.” They should always be administered by a specialist and take about an hour.
5. Skinification
The skinification trend blurs the lines between makeup and skincare, with many beauty products – from foundation and lip products to even mascara – now infused with active ingredients that improve and enhance skin health while providing coverage or colour. All Sisley mascaras contain vitamin peptide, an active ingredient that makes lashes longer, thicker, and stronger. Clarins recently launched its Skin Illusion Full Coverage foundation, which combines make-up performance with an 80 percent skincare formula. It also includes low molecular weight hyaluronic acid to moisturise and plump, zinc gluconate to reduce shine, the smoothing micropatch vegetal and the protective Anti-Pollution Complex.
6. Skin boosters: the new injectables
There’s been a strong shift towards improved skin quality, addressing the various layers of the skin for improved tone, firmness, and glow. “Beyond aesthetics, healthy skin functions as a crucial barrier against environmental stressors, protecting the body from potential harm,” says Dr Tracey Garner of Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates at Cape Town’s Waterfront. This has seen a rise in skin boosters – injectable treatments designed to deliver deep hydration and improve overall skin quality. “Skin boosters work on multiple levels to improve skin quality by stimulating collagen and elastin production, restoring subdermal fat and enhancing deep dermal hydration for a smoother, radiant appearance, which reduces the visibility of fine lines and creates a youthful glow,” says Dr Garner. Designed to work from within, they are not the same as fillers, which add volume, structure, and contour to specific areas of the face.
7. Analog wellness
According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), this is all about “rediscovering the joy of offline living”. As more people are after a simpler life with fewer digital distractions, the rise in analog wellness activities continues – think vinyl records, physical books, film cameras, and crafts. Tapping into this, some wellness retreats offer guests the chance to completely disconnect and enjoy mindful activities to rediscover the therapeutic benefits of simplicity and stillness.
