Interview with Ms. Laura Gamboa,
Director of Corporate Education & Spa Development, Natura Bissé International
In a study carried out in partnership with Starlab, a neuroscience research institute, and the University of Murcia, an ally of EuniWell – the European University for Well-Being — Natura Bissé has carried out a groundbreaking neuroscientific study which was chosen to be presented at the Congress of the IFSCC* (International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists), to validate and quantify the power of touch at the spa and its capacity to affect people’s sense of well-being.
The study involved a signature Natura Bissé facial lasting 60 minutes and using no devices, just the exclusive massage techniques and skincare products. Instrumental measurements of brain and heart activity with medical devices were taken to be able to quantify the level of wellbeing, and in-vivo measurements were taken from macrophotographs of the volunteers’ skin before and after the treatment. Using the Visia imaging device, the measurements confirmed a visible improvement in the skin after just one session. This was complemented with a subjective assessment of the volunteers’ perception of an improvement in the appearance of their skin.
“With all this knowledge, we design optimized rituals that not only offer unbeatable results on your skin, but also make you feel radically better,” said Laura Gamboa, Director of Corporate Education & Spa Development, Natura Bissé International.
A specialist in bringing Innovation to Wellness, Spa & Retail with over 20 years of international experience in the Spa & Wellness industry, and with life-long experience of wellness integration in her personal life, Laura for the past 10 years has been a key part of the core innovation R&D team for product development & testing, and the global head of education and treatment creation for NATURA BISSÉ. Multicultural, multilingual and with a deep understanding of Chinese, Asian & Middle Eastern cultures, she is also an international spokesperson for the company and performs presentations all over the world. Laura is also member of the Mental Wellness Initiative from the Global Wellness Summit. SpaChina interviewed her.
What exactly is neuroscience? When did Natura Bissé begin to work with neuroscience?
Neuroscience is the study of the development, functioning and structure of the nervous system and its primary organ: the brain, and allows us to study how the brain reacts when our bodies are touched.
In 2016, we turned to neuroscience to analyze all the steps in our spa experiences in real time with the aim of detecting which ones produced more or less pleasure for the client.
And in 2020, we studied how to switch off daily stress in just 8 minutes with the help of virtual reality and mindfulness. These very positive conclusions resulted in the creation of The Mindful Touch experience.
Why did Natura Bissé carry out a neuroscientific study? What conclusions can be drawn from the results of this study?
Natura Bissé’s purpose is to enhance wellbeing using our cutting-edge skincare products along with the power of touch, thanks to our aestheticians’ well-trained hands. We wanted to scientifically prove that our treatments benefit people’s skin, their self-esteem and their inner state.
The results demonstrate the importance of the power of touch and self-care for overall wellbeing. The study confirms that going to the spa can contribute positively to people’s mental health capital and their individual empowerment, help reduce stress and increase personal resilience.
How can self-esteem and mood be measured? How is the index of wellbeing calculated?
Self-esteem was measured via a scientifically validated questionnaire to measure psychological wellbeing before and after a treatment.
Mood is done with a combination of objective instrumental measurements and subjective surveys taken before and after a treatment. The same measurements were also taken before and after a control session (with no treatment).
The improved sense of wellbeing (up by 67%) was calculated by an exclusive algorithm using artificial intelligence. Taking brain wave and heart rate measurements, the study measured the values of valence and arousal (pleasure/ displeasure) of 5 emotions (relaxation, activation, harmony, satisfaction and happiness). The algorithm uses all this information to calculate the Wellbeing Algorithm.
What does Natura Bissé use the data from its studies for? Did people really feel a mood transformation?
We use the results to adjust our spa rituals and design products and massage techniques that not only produce unbeatable results on the skin but also provide maximum relaxation and positive emotions at every stage of the spa treatment.
The subjective surveys confirmed what the instrumental measurements indicated: the volunteers stated they looked better and felt better about themselves. They also felt a greater capacity to achieve goals (sense of environmental mastery) only after the treatment.
Why is touch such an important sense? What benefits do touch and massage have on people?
Touch is one of the first senses that are developed and possibly the last to disappear. It helps us perceive sensations such as temperature or pressure and to judge the dimension of a space in relation to others and our surroundings.
Touch awakens some of the millions of receptors in our skin and stimulates the release of neurochemicals related to positive mood (serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin). Plus, every massage stroke reduces levels of cortisol, one of the hormones that is released as a reaction to stress. The release of oxytocin helps slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure, which in turn makes us feel calmer.
What role did artificial intelligence play in this study? Is it only Natura Bissé treatments that improve mood?
Natura Bissé’s partner in this study was the neurotechnology research specialist Starlab, which uses artificial intelligence as a working tool. In this case, AI was used to design the “Wellbeing Algorithm”.
The benefits of touch and self-care have been demonstrated in numerous studies, and the positive effects of massage are widely supported by science.
In any case, at Natura Bissé, we have measured our rituals, using our products and techniques designed by our Training team, which are included in all our protocols. For this reason, the specific data from this study are only applicable to Natura Bissé treatments, although a quality ritual in a professional spa always enhances wellbeing and good mood. For this reason, we always encourage people to visit and enjoy the spa.
What makes Natura Bissé treatments different from other treatments?
To start with, they are only performed using our professional skincare products, which include the maximum concentration of active ingredients to address all types of cutaneous needs. Secondly, we are the only brand that for over seven years has been designing our spa experiences based on our neuroscience knowledge. A group of experts analyze each and every movement and step to provide the best results and the maximum sensation of pleasure and relaxation, while boosting the results for the skin.
What is your plan for introducing the results of this study into your future treatments?
We will continue to use our studies for treatment creation, a perfect example of this is our recently launched “Pro-Youth Lifting Method by Natura Bissé” which includes guided breathing techniques, vagus nerve stimulation and exclusive relaxing and lifting maneouvers. It was designed to elevate overall wellbeing levels in a short period of time.
And of course, we are working to expand the benefits to other areas of expertise.
How do you see the China market in terms of accepting high technology?
China is at the forefront of technological innovation worldwide, quickly embracing novelty and new ways of doing things, so, I think there’s no problem at all for China to accept or develop high technology.
Can you define in a few words what the Wellbeing Algorithm is? What uses does the Wellbeing Algorithm potentially have for life in a wider context?
It is a way to quantify wellbeing based on instrumental measurements solely, projecting it into the circumplex of emotions (the model is based on Dr. James Russell) and understand the predominant mood. The Wellbeing Algorithm, for us, is a very effective tool to translate and visualize the scientific data.
These kinds of studies provide scientific evidence based on instrumental measures which has many applications in real life and the medical world, as now more than ever we want proof.
For Natura Bissé, our neuroscientific study has become a milestone and I am sure this is just the beginning of more evidence to come that will put spas at the center of humankind wellbeing.
