Thalgo News issue 5 - spring 2011 - Leisure Opportunities

While we are focused on looking to the future, THALGO’s heritage is
also one of its greatest assets. With that in mind, let’s take a look back
at THALGO’s history and the inspiration for the brand: the sea...
THE ORIGINAL MARINE
BEAUTY AND SPA BRAND
Based in the South of France, THALGO
has over forty years of expertise in
drawing on the riches of the sea to
develop highly effective skincare products
and exceptional professional beauty
treatments.
THALGO was founded back in 1964 when
a French pharmacist conducted research
into utilising marine algae to treat medical
and cosmetic concerns. His initial aim was
to manufacture seawater and algae-based
products to alleviate skin conditions such
as scarring, eczema and psoriasis.
The name “THALGO” is an amalgamation
of “thalassotherapy” and “algae" and
was first registered in 1968. Ever since
the 1800s, treatments using seawater and
algae-based products have been highly
popular in Europe and have long been
recognised for their amazing abilities
to treat wide-ranging problems such as
arthritis, rheumatism, skin conditions and
blood circulation disorders. The French
coined the term "thalassotherapy",
which is the treatment of the body
using seawater. It is considered to be
so beneficial and effective that it was
prescribed by doctors in France as a
medical “cure”. Sadly, thalassotherapy is
not available in the UK primarily due to
the considerable financial implications of
building an authentic thalassotherapy spa
(it must be next to the sea so that vast
quantities of seawater can be pumped
into the spa).
Initially, thalassotherapy used crushed or
pulverised seaweeds, which were then
made into poultices, in its therapies. The
breakthrough came in 1966 with THALGO’s
development of “Micronisation” and the
subsequent registration of a process
patent and a medical patent. The scientific
explanation of Micronisation is that
with conventional pulverised marine
algae, the tough and rubbery cell walls
are simply flattened, liberating little more
than their pigments, while Micronisation
THALGO has the
widest range of
marine skincare
to meet any skin
or beauty concern
“explodes” the algae cells, allowing the
dissolution of their mineral salts and trace
elements in water. THALGO’s signature
treatments such as the 3 Algae Wrap
using Micronised Marine Algae form
part of the thalassotherapy cure at many
thalasso centres.
There are 25,000 different species of
algae. THALGO uses many different
types in their product ranges, which
contain high proportions of vitamins,
minerals and trace elements known for
their detoxifying, healing and rebalancing
properties. The algae are harvested off
the coast of Brittany only at the equinoxes,
when nutrients are at their maximum.
In 1975, the Simone Weil directive came
into force, stating that only a chemical
engineer or a pharmacist could make and
sell cosmetic products, creating a strong
demand for professionally-made products
for beauty salons.
With this new directive in place and
the continuing success of the MMA
innovation, from 1978 onwards THALGO
branched into the cosmetology field
with the introduction of plant, fruit and
protein-based lines.
In 1981, the Laboratory and production
moved to Roquebrune-sur-Argens in the
South of France and THALGO recruited
its first overseas distributors - with Thalgo
UK as one of the first.
Today, THALGO has the widest range of
marine skincare to meet any skin or beauty
concern, whether it is detox, firming, antiageing,
rebalancing, purifying, weightloss
or simply relaxation.
THALGO is currently available in over 500
outlets in the UK, including Hoar Cross
Hall, St David’s Spa, The Scotsman in
Edinburgh and Harrods Urban Retreat.
Worldwide, THALGO is available in over
20,000 outlets in 90 countries, with over
500 resort spas.
THE SEA AND US
Our bodies have a remarkable affinity with the sea. Evolutionists believe life began in
the sea, and the first living organisms were single cell blue algae. What’s more, our bodies
are made up of roughly 70% water and if you compare blood plasma with seawater, their
make-up is virtually identical. This goes a long way to explaining our bodies’ remarkable
affinity with the sea and therefore the effectiveness of marine ingredients.
Algae are super-plants with incredible nutritional properties
One of the best ways to get the benefits of marine ingredients even when you’re not
by the sea is THALGO’s range of nutritional supplements.
SPRING 2011 THALGO NEWS 15