Small Business Opportunity: Anti-Aging Spas Are Forever Young

From Darrell Zahorsky, former About.com Guide

In today's image conscious society, aging gracefully implies using various methods to stay forever young. Anti-aging spas offer an aging population a chance for rest, rejuvenation, and reversal of the signs of aging. According to the International Spa Association, the spa industry generates over $10 billion yearly. Spas offering the latest in age fighting procedures such as botox injections, chemical peels, and collagen injections, can expect a healthy business.

About.com Spa Guide, Anitra Brown recommends for those entering the business to realize “..there is a lot of anti-aging technology out there, and some of it works and some of it doesn't. The machines can be expensive, so research it to make sure you're buying something that is really effective. It helps to have a passion for skin care -- and enough training to know how to sort out the claims. It's important to believe in the services you're offering.”

If you have a great idea for serving the anti-aging market and are short on capital, consider the "$10,000 Boomer Business Plan Competition." Put your idea through the rigors of business planning to finalize the opportunity and gain access to small business financing.

Driving Force: An aging baby boomer society combined with powerful "stay young" imagery from the media creates this booming business. "Anti-aging products demand in the US will grow 11.1 percent annually, propelled by a stream of new and improved products that offer health and appearance enhancing benefits. Fastest gains are projected for memory improvement and sexual dysfunction/impotence products, while botulinum toxin and pharmaceutical active ingredients lead gains by chemical," as reported by The Freedonia Group Anti-Aging Report 2007.

Risks: The birth of any new industry brings about regulatory and legal risks. Just as fitness companies have been restricted in making specific claims around their business, the same level of ethics applies to the anti-aging business. The FDA regulates this industry and any entrepreneur considering this market would be wise to investigate the legal and regulatory aspects of the business and avoid false claims.