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Spa
FAQ |
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- Do spas cater for men?
- Yes! Although the majority of clients at spa's still
do tend to be women, this is a decreasing majority...
Large numbers of men have now discovered the benefits
of going to a spa to unwind or kick start a healthy
lifestyle. Some spa's that are located at lodges or
resorts have leisure and sporting facilities, including
golf courses near by or on the property that will
suit men wanting a more diverse spa experience...
Most spa's cater for men and women, and usually offer
treatments specifically for men. This means that a
spa can be a great getaway for a couple who want to
relax together and take some time out from daily life.
Are facial treatments only for women?- No!... Men are becoming more conscious of their
appearance, health and skin. That is why you will
find that most spa's have special facials targeted
for men and their skin. Because men tend to neglect
their skin, a facial is highly recommended.
Why do I pay more for single person occupancy than
sharing with another person?- Most rooms in a destination spa have either two
single beds or one double bed. Which means they can
accommodate two people... If you book one of these
rooms for single use, then the single supplement is
charged so that the lodge/spa/resort doesn't lose
too much revenue.
Can I go alone?- Yes! A large number of people do go by themselves.
It is often the best way to get the most out of your
relaxing break, not having to worry about anyone but
yourself. Most spa's are used to this and you certainly
will not be the only one.
What about my comfort?- When you take a spa treatment, it is your time....
So tell the therapist what makes you feel comfortable,
whether it is the room temperature, the amount of
massage pressure, the volume of music or even the
therapist themselves.
What if I have questions about the treatment?- We encourage you to communicate any questions or
concerns you may have concerning your body treatment
with your spa therapist. This open communication will
raise your comfort level, allowing you to receive
full benefits from the treatment. Let your therapist
know if you prefer a deep massage or a soft touch,
and don't be afraid to tell your therapist if they
are massaging to hard or too soft.
What if I am menstruating? Can I still participate
in spa services?- For almost all services that is not a problem.
What if I am pregnant? Can I still come to the spa?- Absolutely! A spa gives you the perfect opportunity
to relax. It is safe for you to indulge in massage,
facials, reflexology and esthetic services. Most spa's
have treatments specifically for pregnant women...
It is important to always inform your therapist that
you are pregnant before beginning any treatment.
Are there any medical conditions that would prevent
me from receiving certain treatments?- Yes! Certain conditions such as high or low blood
pressure, heart disease and diabetes are not suitable
for certain treatments. If you have a condition which
you have questions about, please speak to your therapist
about your concerns.
Does waxing hurt?- Many people are surprised to find that it does not
hurt as much as they expected. It feels like a bandage
being pulled off. The pain is minor in some areas
and much more painful in other more sensitive areas.
The sting lasts a split second, and may feel tender
when touched for the next few hours. Your body adjusts
with continued waxing, so each session becomes less
painful and is finished more rapidly.
If you are planning to have a Bikini wax, schedule
it in the middle of your monthly cycle, not directly
before or during. It is an uncomfortable procedure,
but the therapists do try and make it as painless
as possible... By using baby powder and good technique,
a therapist can significantly lower the amount of
pain that comes from the waxing. Also you can prevent
sensitivity, and minimize redness and swelling by
taking an over the counter anti-inflammatory 45 minutes
before your appointment. (please note: If you have
a medical condition, please consult your pharmacist)
Also see 'sugaring' in the glossary
of spa terms.
How long before hair reappears and how long does the
hair have to be before waxing?- After your first waxing, the results can last 3
to 6 weeks depending on the individual's hair re-growth.
In most cases the hair growth is minimal during the
first week or two and noticeably increases in the
third and fourth week... Heat also stimulates hair
growth, so hair grows quicker in summer than in winter.
With regular waxing the length of time between treatments
will increase and the hair gradually becomes finer.
Eventually some hair never grows back. It is generally
recommended that your hair be at least 7 millimeters
minimum before you have a wax.
What is the difference between hot waxes and cold
waxes?- Good hot waxes melt just above body temperature
so the wax can be applied easily and thinly over the
skin... As the wax hardens, the hair is embedded in
the wax so it is removed with it's root when the wax
is ripped off.
Cold waxes are available in pre-coated strips which
can be pressed directly onto the skin. The hair sticks
to the wax and is then removed with the quick pull
back action.
What guidelines should I follow to minimize irritation
and possible break-outs after waxing?-
- Avoid the sun immediately after waxing. Recently
waxed areas are prone to hyperpigmentation (permanent
darkening of the skin) if exposed to the sun.
- Avoid heavy exercise for at least 24 hours.
- Avoid saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools and other
heated sources for at least 48 hours.
- Do not use exfoliating products (AHA's, scrubs,
etc.) and loofahs for at least 24 hours.
- Avoid tight clothing especially in the waxed
areas... tight clothing can cause irritation and
ingrown hairs.
- Routine waxing helps the skin get accustomed
to the procedure and may minimize irritation.
- Products are available that can be applied topically
to avoid in-grown hairs and conditions the skin
for better waxing results.
When should I not have a massage?- You should not be massaged if it could make an underlying
medical condition worse, and you don't want to pass
something contagious to your therapist. If you are
unsure whether a minor condition should prohibit you
from having a massage, it is best to consult with
the spa or your doctor ahead of time. If you have
a chronic medical condition, check with your doctor
before proceeding.
If you have the following conditions, you should not
have a massage:
- Fever
- Any type of infectious disease
- Systemic infections
- Severe cold
- Fracture, bleeding, burns or other acute injury
- Liver and kidney disease
- Blood clot
- Pregnancy induced diabetes, toxemia, preeclampsia/eclampsia
- High blood pressure (unless under control with
medication)
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Open skin lesions or sores (therapist may work
around them if localized)
- What do I do when the therapist
doesn't stop talking?
- The complaint that is heard most often is... "the
therapist talked nonstop." It outnumbers other
complaints by a wide margin. No one enjoys being confrontational
and having to say "Will you please be quiet..."
It makes us appear uptight, unfriendly, or snobbish.
Here are a few suggestions to help you address this
delicate situation:
-
- 1) Tell the therapist, before she begins, that you
are looking forward to an hour of "quiet"
because you've managed to escape the noisy office/home/dorm
for an hour;
-
- 2) Ask the therapist if she has headphones and
meditative music available, and use them;
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- 3) if the session has begun and the therapist is
talking too much, interrupt with a soft laugh and
say "I'm sorry, what you're doing is relaxing
me to the point my mind is drifting... What a treat...
Do you mind if sit here quietly for the remainder
of the session while you work your magic?"
What do I do if my
therapist is late or the room has not been properly
cleaned after the previous client?- The most appropriate thing to do is to quietly,
calmly, and immediately ask for the spa's director...
Explain your concerns in a polite and calm voice.
Ask what can be done to remedy not only this situation,
but to assure your future business. You will almost
always find that if you quietly address the problem
at the time it occurs, you will get far better results
than if you sit and simmer about it for a week, and
then complain.
How do I stop a forceful product
sales pitch?- You never need to say "I can't afford it"
unless that's what you want the therapist to know.
Getting an "up sell" (increasing the profit
to the spa by selling products) is a frequently heard
complaint (the other being chatty therapists).
If a therapist begins to give you a sales pitch during
treatment, interrupt her and say the following:...
"Thank you for your concern, but, I really need
this next hour to be all about relaxation, I prefer
not to think about purchases, just now. I'll be happy
to take any brochures you give me at the end of the
treatment, however."
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- If a spa receptionist or other staff member is a
little pushy at the front desk when you pay for your
service, a follow-up comment works equally well: "Thank
you, but I make it a policy never to purchase products
during or after a visit. I prefer to evaluate the
treatment and then return within a few days to make
any purchases, or purchase them online once I've seen
how my skin reacts to the treatment. Have you any
brochures I can take with me?"... Or, "if
you recommend this product so highly, do you have
a sample set I can try, before I purchase?" This
is simple, polite, and always works.
What is ear candling?- Ear candling is an ancient remedy that has been
used for centuries by many different cultures and
is very popular throughout Europe. This remedy is
non-intrusive and has a number of benefits.
First of all the "candle" used in this
treatment is actually not a candle at all, but a
tapered hollow tube approximately 10"-12"
in length. Most commonly made of muslin which has
been dipped in wax (beeswax or paraffin), wrapped/shaped
into a slender hollow tube, which then hardens into
the desired shape... Note: The taper at the end
of each candle is such that the candle can in no
way enter far enough into the ear to damage the
ear drum.
During treatment the candle is gently inserted
into the ear canal, with an ash guard at the base,
then it is lit at the large end. The practitioner
will monitor and trim the burning candle as it slowly
burns down over the course of 10-13 minutes. Afterward,
the candle is removed and usually cut open to show
some of the wax residue which has gently been removed
from the ear.
The benefits include relief of wax build-up, hearing
problems, ringing in the ears, sinus problems, headaches,
and even infection.
The only contra-indications are if the ear drum
is perforated, or if there is an advanced ear infection
present... How often is ideal? It takes approximately
24 hours for our ears to replace the protective
coating of wax once it has been removed. Consequently,
a daily treatment would not be advisable. Consult
with your practitioner for their recommendation,
and use your common sense.
- I am a larger than
average woman. How can I be sure the spa can accommodate
me on a massage table, or that the robe will fit?...
Do you have any tips to avoid embarrassment?
- These questions are asked quite frequently, both
by spa guests who consider themselves larger than
average, and, by spouses who say "I'd like my
husband to come with me to a spa, but he thinks the
robe won't fit or he won't fit on the table, so he
won't go."
Many larger guests prefer to bring their own robe
to the spa in order to assure comfort and fit. This
is perfectly acceptable. If you consider doing this,
invest in a large, comfortable, white terry robe
which you keep neat and clean (and even reserved
for this purpose). You'll blend right in. Don't
worry about matching the robes given out by the
spa -- in fact, when you bring your own, it will
be easier to take it away with you without the spa
being concerned you've mistakenly taken theirs.
Therapists are trained to work on bodies of every
size, shape, and age and treat them with equal dignity
and respect... Massage tables are meant to accommodate
larger bodies, and sheets drape and cover the body,
providing privacy.
With that said, if you still feel that are your
size is a hindrance to spa treatments, please, call
the spa in advance and ask them outright, over the
telephone... Tell them your height and weight (truthfully)
and inquire what services can be provided to you.
You will find spa personnel to be completely open
and accommodate you in the best way possible, and
they will know in advance which table will be best
for you, which room is the most spacious if you
feel claustrophobic, and what treatments are most
recommended. Help them help you, by expressing your
needs in advance. They will appreciate your having
provided the information necessary to address your
well being, and you will avoid any awkwardness you
may feel, after you arrive at the facility.
The spa industry is aware of different body types,
each needing its own special care and all needing
pleasure, pampering, and lessons for self-care.
All equipment is designed to be comfortable for
every body type and size. The typical massage table
is designed to hold around 1500 pounds. Hydrotubs
are big and deep. So no need to worry!
When you get to a resort spa or even a day spa,
look around and you will see an entire range of
bodies. Some are thin, some are not, some are old,
some are young, some are pregnant, some are on walkers,
some clients are rich, some are poor, some are shy,
some are outgoing. The point is that everyone is
there for the same purpose.
- Who do I tip and how much?
- Tipping etiquette in any service-oriented industry
(domestic services, hair and nail salon services,
restaurants, and spas) remains fairly standard. For
good service to a spa technician who performs services
such as facials, massage, pedicures, and body work,
budget a 15-20% tip for good to very good service.
This may mean you have to save a few more dollars
before you schedule your next treat, but both you
and the spa provider will reap the benefits.
Don't hesitate to inquire of the spa staff, when you
book your appointment, about tipping policies. The
simple solution is simply: Call and ask! They may
tell you that gratuities are included in the spa package,
or that you may include tips as part of the charge
on your credit card, which the Spa will then distribute
to the personnel afterward, or that small envelopes
are left at the front reception counter, which you
may use at the end of your visit.
The only time I would recommend keeping some dollar
bills tucked into your spa robe is for coat-check
and shower-check attendants. Tipping a few dollars
to someone who hands you fresh towels or gives you
back your clothes makes you feel nice, and is appreciated
by the attendant.
The only instance where it is acceptable to NOT leave
a tip with the provider, or include one on your credit
card, is when you felt the service was shoddy, unprofessional,
or your needs or requests were not met (providing
they were reasonable to begin with). In those instances,
however, quietly ask for the manager and explain that
you are not leaving a tip for the manicurist who made
your cuticles bleed, or, to the massage therapist
who hadn't picked up dirty towels or wiped down the
moist table from the last visitor; or, if you felt
the staff was rude without cause. Be prepared to quietly
describe the situation and the names of the parties
involved.
Finally, don't forget the hotel or resort concierge,
or spa concierge. A particularly helpful front desk
person who always manages to slip you in with the
therapist you like, or handles your last minute needs,
or just makes your visit more pleasant, would welcome
a tip as well. A concierge spends a great deal of
work making the guests' stay more pleasant and they
are often overlooked since they do not render the
treatment.
Should I tip for a hot tub?- You are not required to tip for the use of a private
hot tub, without an attendant involved. However, it
is appropriate to slip a nominal tip ($2.00 - $5.00
is customary) to a towel or beverage attendant when
using a private portion of a hot tub room, or relaxation
room. However, without an attendant, and without a
service being rendered, no tip for use of the hot
tub is required.
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- Are there any spa
services I should not receive due to certain health
conditions?
- Yes. If you are pregnant or have circulatory disorders
such as hypertension or any heart ailment, you should
refrain from using whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms
or aromatherapy sauna cabinets. In addition, certain
treatments which employ the use of low voltage currents
are not recommended. Muscle toning and cellulite treatments
also present some contra-indications for some visitors.
Most spas will have a health form which you must complete
before undergoing these treatments. Please complete
your spa health form carefully so that your therapist
can safely make recommendations for you. 
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