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Home » How To Guide » Select a Day Spa »
How to select a day spa
| How-To-Tips |
Here are some guidelines on spa etiquette from The Day Spa Association.
• Arrive on time or early for your appointment to enjoy the facility.
• Allow the therapist to perform a service as reserved and timed.
• Give the therapist feedback as to your comfort and special trouble areas.
• Relax … that’s generally why you are in the spa.
• Don’t be afraid to allow others to “do for you.”
• Understand that you may be silent or quietly talkative.
• Share public space respectfully with other spa-goers.
• Do not bring children and leave them unattended.
• Find out ahead of time if gratuities are included or not.
• Do not bring a cell phone. If you must have it with you, be kind to others and turn it off.
• Give honest feedback to the therapist, owner, receptionist, etc., as a reputable spa cares to know if your spa experience was satisfactory. |
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When your mind, body and spirit are crying out to be pampered, refreshed, rejuvenated, nurtured and recharged, seek out a day spa. Finding the right spa for you might sound like a simple task. What’s not to like about pampering and relaxation? The variety of spa services available nowadays certainly sounds enticing. From hydrotherapy to scalp treatments, the choices are endless. But to those less familiar with spa culture and terminology, selecting a spa can be confusing.
Spas are not just the realm of women anymore. Denise Soto of Soto Salon and Day Spa says, “More men are venturing in for spa services for a number of reasons… and returning. They’ll come in for a therapeutic massage to either relax or correct a ‘weekend athlete’ condition. For those who spend a lot of time outdoors, either on the links or on the job, facial treatments and products can protect their skin from sun damage.
“Runners, and those who spend a lot of time on their feet, have begun to realize the benefits from pedicures. Hands are almost as important as your smile if you’re dealing with the public. If you work with your hands a lot, you want to take care of them. There’re all sorts of reasons that men – and women – come into the spa for treatments.”
Check the basics
In addition to services that meet your needs, there are some other things to look for when choosing a spa, The Day Spa Association says. A spa should be licensed and employ licensed aestheticians and therapists. It should feature professional spa products with which aestheticians and therapists have received training.
The spa itself should be a clean, safe, calming and nurturing environment. It should have private treatment rooms for each client receiving a personal service, showering and changing facilities for women and men, and spa robes and shoes for all sizes. Staff members should be licensed estheticians and therapists.
The estheticians should be trained in the use of any professional spa products or techniques. There are many treatments to choose from. In addition to the standard Signature Facial, they may offer La Stone Therapy Facial, Waxing, medical treatments, such as Micro Peel, Acne Treatment and Microdermabrasion treatments.
Also, the women might want a make-up consultation, and there’s even an exclusive facial for men. The massage therapists should offer the following techniques: Swedish, Therapeutic, La Stone, Aromatherapy, Lymph Drainage, Reflexology and Couple’s Massage.
Some other body treatments might be Soft Pack Body Wraps, where you will be floating weightless in a pressure-free cushion of water. You will experience features such as consistent temperature control with as much as ten times the product absorption rate as other methods. As the warmth of the thermal wrap and the waterbed-like environment promote total relaxation, the nutrients hydrate the skin and revitalize the body and mind. Add a massage to your Soft Package treatments, and you’ll be in “spa heaven.”
Tips for first-timers
Other tips for first-time guests include arriving on time or early for your appointment, to enjoy the facility. You may be asked to fill out a form regarding any medical conditions, which is also important.
Once you meet your therapist, be sure to let him or her know your comfort level and any problem areas you might have. Let her know if the pressure is sufficient. Some people enjoy deep-tissue, while others prefer soft stroking. Since this is your massage, you get to choose what’s best for you.
Tipping and feedback
Afterward, it is appropriate to tip your therapist according to your experience. The rule of thumb in day spas is 10 percent to 20 percent of the cost of service. Spas usually provide an envelope at the front desk when checking out for you to place the gratuity into it with the therapist’s name. You do not have to carry money around with you and worry about this while enjoying the spa facilities. You might want to check first whether the gratuity is included in the fee.
And don’t be afraid to give honest feedback to the therapist, owner, receptionist, etc., as this is a service business and your satisfaction is critical.
If it’s your first visit to a spa, the most important thing is to relax, The Day Spa Association says. That’s generally why you’re in a spa. Enjoy, benefit and allow others to “do for you.”
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