FOR many Nigerians, visiting a Spa is the exclusive of the rich, and most about enhancing facial beauty or having a luxurious massage. Consequently, majority of citizens look away from it, thereby denying themselves of its numerous health benefits.
However, a Spa therapist, beauty and wellness specialist and Chief Executive Officer, Beauty Secrets Spa and Training Centre, Dr Deborah E. Omale, disagrees with this school of thought, blaming it rather on ignorance and the prevailing socio-economic factors.
She describes Spa as beauty exercise beyond skin repair and lightning.

Having been in the business for over a decade, she said there is equally a medical Spa in additional to the beauty aspect of it.
For her, it is not every skin or health problem that requires a visit to a conventional hospital.
“There are some issues you just need to see a nutritionist or gynaecologist for, who are knowledgeable in a medical spa and hormonal replacement therapy.
“Some people have gone further to the hospital because a lump was noticed during Spa, which would have been difficult to discover early enough. Others also receive nutritional advise during Spa session. So, for Beauty Secrets Spa and Training Centre, it is not just all about physical beauty affairs but also medical”, she said.

Omale had started off as a beauty Spa specialist but about five years ago, she delved into medical Spa, bringing on board, doctors, including gynecologists, nutritionists and acupuncturists, and introducing a lot more services beyond the basic.
She encourages Nigerians to occasionally visit the Spa to ease off pent-up energy and be happy.
“So, when unhappy, visit a Spa and a session with a gynecologist examining your hormonal level and advising accordingly will make your energy high again.”
While admitting the economic situation as a serious factor, Omale however believe that if one can service his or her car regularly without waiting until it is totally broken down, it is equally necessary more important to visit a Spa occasionally for a massage without considering the cost.

“It is very essential that we take care of ourselves, and one of the ways of doing so is by visiting a Spa”, she said.
Speaking on efforts by Spa operators to educate citizens on its health of benefits , Omale explained her personal communication drive through social media platforms.
“We have various social media platforms for beauty secrets. We have dermatologists explaining the various skin types, associated skin problems and treatment.”
To her, the awareness campaign is yielding results as more Nigerians are gradually accepting the trend.
According to her, “patronage has been encouraging recently as more Nigerians are beginning to identify with the Spa culture.

“We have been doing this for the past 11 years, and this is our third branch, meaning that the business is growing.”
With over 100 families in her pay list, she said the business of beauty is expanding, declining earlier impression that Spa is only for rich people.
“In terms of cost, it is same thing as going to see a medical doctor. If you are walking into any private hospital, you are expected to pay consultation fee, pay for test and then, the treatment, but when it comes to Spa, people are yet to fully give it the seriousness it requires. It is a sector that was overlooked for long.”
She also complained of lack of regulation, stressing that most people open Spa shops without operational certification or ample knowledge of the field. She warned that operating a medical Spa requires permission from the government and a visit to the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council Secretariat for proper registration.

To train the younger generation of beauticians, Omale said the Beauty Secrets Academy is not leaving any stone untouched towards making her facility a one stop-shop for inclusive Spa training, especially for youths, who are coming on board to acquire skills in different areas of Spa.
Speaking on how she has been able to balance her role as a wife to a pastor and beauty business without attracting skepticism, she said knowledge is increasing about the personality of God and what it means to be religious.
“There was a time that watching television was considered sinful, but the world is getting so advanced daily. Today, many people connect with God without being physically present in church but through the television.”
She added that with amazing staff, she balances her religious obligations, home front and business without sacrificing one for another.
“There are great people around. So, it is easy to balance. I am also very time-conscious, and my priority is my family. I create time within which to be with my children, and when I need to study and prepare for preaching, I ask God for inspiration, and then, write down what I hear. So, I am not the one doing that. It is God.

About her journey through beauty business, Omale admitted being influenced her mother, who operated a hair-dressing salon when she was growing up.
“When I close from school, I will go straight to the salon to meet her and from the salon, we all all go back home together. So, imagine doing that for so long. At a time, I operated the salon as though it was mine. There is hardly any part of my business I don’t know about.
Even if I am employed as a nutritionist, I would have studied a bit. So, I started with knowing the business and liking it.
“I had set up a small salon in my 300 Level, where my friends do their hair and nails. It was inevitable that I ended up in this career line.”

For Omale, venturing into the Spa business afforded her the opportunity to fill the gap in beauty business. By incorporating every aspect of beauty in her business, she is always ready for customers and clients of every class and status.
“I wanted to fill the void in the beauty industry – one going to different places for different beauty and health needs.
For aspiring beauticians, Omale admonish them to be intentional and be the best they can.
“Just be your own unique version. That is all.”
And for her potential clients, she says: “If visiting the Spa makes you happy, then, go ahead. If taking care of your pimples and acne will increase your confidence. Why not do it? She asked.