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Zara Horner

THERE ARE FEW things  more enjoyable than being pampered and preened at a spa. Until you get back outside and have  to battle the crowds, the traffic and pore-clogging pollution on the journey home.

Then there's the risk that those not-quite-dry nails will be spoilt as you reach for your wallet, that the de-stressing  will start to quickly unravel,  and that your just-scrubbed skin will all too soon look anything but.

Little wonder that a growing band of women - and men - are opting for home visits from therapists.

'It's a case of demand and supply,' says Discovery Bay-based beautician Gillian Bredbury. 'More  clients want the convenience of a home treatment. It really saves time for busy working parents.'

Bredbury says  mornings are the busiest  times, when mothers take time out for a treatment after the school run.'After normal working hours is another busy period, and weekends.'

Central-based therapist Shabnam Shahana Parveen agrees that more people are choosing the convenience of a home visit. 'I've seen a lot of changes in the industry in the past 12 years,' Parveen says.

'People lead such busy stressful lives now. Having a therapist come to your home when it's convenient to you is time-saving. A treatment can be completed  more quickly.  It's also  more relaxing as there's no rush to get home.

'Fridays and Saturdays are  the busiest days, as people prepare for the weekend or enjoy some 'me-time'.'

Bredbury says she's also seen some changes during her 15 years in the industry.  'An obvious one is that people no longer see such treatments as being for special occasions only. Women used to  book a treatment only if they had a wedding or party to go to - perhaps if they were going away for the weekend or on holiday, and wanted to look their best.

'Nowadays, people are more interested in their appearance and wellbeing. Many have weekly appointments.'

Manicures and pedicures are top of  the treatment lists, says Celia Lee, owner of Jade Nails in Central, who also does home visits. 'Getting your nails done has always been popular in Hong Kong, but in the past, it was mainly among the well heeled,' says Lee. 'In the past eight years or so there's been a big change and just about anyone and everyone is taking better care of their hands and feet.'

Lee thinks this  has a lot to do with the introduction of acrylic and gel nails. 'Artificial nail sets can make anyone's hands look beautiful,' she says. 'Acrylic and gel nails are long-lasting and easy to care for, which is good news for mothers,. Younger girls are attracted to them because they're trendy and fun. You can go  wild with nail art.'

Discovery Bay resident Debbie Hiley  enjoys regular home treatments. 'Even before having children, I preferred having  a therapist come to me,' Hiley says.

'Now I have children around, it's even more convenient.  The kids  can play at home while I'm having my treatment in the next room.'

Hiley has regular six-weekly appointments, mainly for waxing. Apart from the convenience of home visits, she says  many people prefer the privacy.

Parveen agrees - especially when it comes to treatments such as  Brazilian waxes. Bredbury says waxing is her most popular home treatment. 'Wherever there's hair, I can wax it.  It's the most popular method of hair removal now - for women, and men.'

Hiley says some women also prefer recovering at home. 'Some treatments require scrubbed skin and leave a bare face, or big red patches if you've had your eyebrows waxed. I know some ladies feel uncomfortable at the prospect of bumping into anyone without their usual make-up.'

Hygiene is another consideration.  'I have several friends who prefer to have  a therapist come to their homes because that way they can use their own towels, face cloths and pillows,' Hiley says.  'The prospect of lying on the public towels in a spa puts them off.'

Home treatments mean you don't have to  make small talk either. 'Even when you have an appointment  and arrive on time, you're often left waiting for the therapist and end up having to chat to whoever else is  waiting,' says Hiley. 'With a home visit, my therapist arrives, does the business and leaves.'

Bredbury  says home visits are also good value. 'It's HK$180 for a half leg wax, HK$150 for a bikini wax, HK$100 for an eyebrow wax and HK$320 for a facial, which takes about an hour and a half,' she says. 'My deluxe pedicures and manicures cost HK$320, take an hour and a half, and include a glass of champagne to top off the enjoyment.'

Parveen says almost any spa  treatment can be done at home. 'I can do all waxing procedures, body scrubs, fruit bleaches, even anti-ageing and acne treatments,' she says. 'I use ayuverdic products, which are  popular and safe.'

Home treatments and therapies are no longer just for women. 'Men are becoming as interested in skin care as women,' says Bredbury. 'A man's facial is  similar to a woman's, except men often have sensitive skin due to shaving.'

Products are similar, she says, although different fragrances are added. Many women book their partners in for treatments, not just for the benefits of improved skin, but to help them to relax after a busy day.'

Parveen agrees that men like home treatments.  'They're more aware of their well-being now and much more body conscious,' she says. 'They want to take care of themselves. I get calls from men all the time asking for appointments. They're particularly interested in the eye-brow threading procedure. But I only treat ladies. Maybe I should change that.'

Gill Bredbury, tel: 9037 2487

Shabnam Shahana Parveen, tel: 2369 3378/9561 2241

Celia Lee, Jade Nails, tel: 2520 2606



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