medical services. Others said nonmedical programs addressing adjacent concerns were driving visits. A small number were working with medical or wellness providers.
Semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide are prescription medications with specific FDA-approved uses; they are not ordinary spa retail products. FDA also warns unapproved compounded GLP-1 products do not undergo its premarket review for safety, effectiveness and quality. The agency has recently increased scrutiny of misleading claims and mass-marketed compounded alternatives.
A spa can respond meaningfully without becoming a prescribing practice. It may refine intake questions, strengthen referral relationships, review product claims,
Peptide Names Spa Leaders May Hear
PEPTIDES ARE NOT ONE UNIFIED WELLNESS CATEGORY. Some are approved medications, others are supplements or cosmetic ingredients, and some are unapproved compounds promoted online. A spa’ s appropriate role differs with each.
1 Semaglutide: A GLP-1 receptor agonist used in approved prescription products for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. A spa’ s nonmedical role may include supportive care, accommodations and referral.
2 Tirzepatide: A dual GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for diabetes, chronic weight management and certain cases of obstructive sleep apnea.
3 Liraglutide: An earlier, daily GLP-1 medication approved for diabetes and chronic weight management.
4 Collagen peptides: Hydrolyzed collagen sold as a dietary supplement. Spas may encounter it through retail, food-and-beverage or skin-health programming.
5 GHK-Cu: A copper-binding peptide used in some skincare and scalp-care products. Topical cosmetic use should not be confused with injectable administration.
6 BPC-157: Promoted online for recovery or healing but not FDA-approved for those uses. Its popularity illustrates the need for careful sourcing, claims review and medical referral.
WHERE SPAS MAY FIT: Spas can support education, body comfort, skin and scalp care, stress reduction and the emotional experience of physical change. GLP-1-based therapies should not be marketed as spa treatments for mood or emotional well-being.
SECOND-QUARTER SNAPSHOT
Growth Continues— With Pressure Points
THE JULY 2026 ISPA SNAPSHOT SURVEY gathered 287 responses covering second-quarter business performance.
Among spa respondents, 62 percent reported year-over-year revenue growth, with the largest group seeing gains of one to nine percent. Profit performance was more mixed: Fifty-one percent reported increased profit, while 40 percent experienced a decline. Guest traffic remained positive overall, with 57 percent reporting increased spa visits.
Staffing continued to affect operating capacity. Nearly half of spa respondents focused on filling existing vacancies, while only 17 percent added new positions. Members frequently cited shortages of massage therapists, reception employees and attendants.
Resource partners also reported generally stable or improving conditions. Fifty-nine percent experienced revenue growth, 68 percent reported growth in new accounts and 56 percent reported increased repeat clients.
Explore the complete results Log in at experienceispa. com and visit the ISPA Research Library to access the July 2026 ISPA Snapshot Survey: Quarterly Performance— Second Quarter Results.
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