Spa Treatment Tips

Learn More About Spa Treatments

If you do just a little bit of homework before you book your spa treatment, you can make sure to make the most out of it. Here are tips for optimizing your pampering time.

Whether the spa setting is super luxurious or cheerfully modest—here are some tried-and-true tips for getting the most out of your spa experience. Let’s start here by first looking at the following factors and how they relate to spa services:

Medical conditions — If you have any type of medical condition, be sure to mention it when you book an appointment. Certain treatments may not be advisable for you. Also, tell the technician if you’re wearing contact lenses before you have a facial.

Mixing activities and spa-going — On the day of treatment, try to stay out of the sun and avoid alcoholic beverages. Also don’t schedule a physically demanding endeavor after a spa appointment. When in doubt, contact the spa to ask whether it is advisable to engage in a particular activity prior to your appointment.

Lock up your valuables — In order to avoid all worries and stress, leave all jewelry and valuables in the hotel or resort’s safe and don’t bring them with you to the spa.

Nudity — The idea of going au naturel is very scary to some people, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying the spa. If modesty is an issue, call the spa in advance to discuss its policies and suggestions. Some treatments can be done while you’re fully clothed, but others (such as hydrotherapy) are best received in the nude. Facilities such as the sauna and the whirlpool may be enjoyed either in a bathing suit or with no clothing at all.

Proper Attire — In addition to a swimsuit, bring attire for other activities you plan to enjoy: light, comfortable attire for fitness classes, gear and boots for hiking, and sneakers for exercise class along with another pair of comfortable shoes. At some spas, clothing and equipment (such as boots) are available for purchase.

Shaving — If you must shave, do so at least two hours before your scheduled appointment, particularly if you’re a man receiving a facial or a woman receiving any kind of scheduled bodywork.

Using shared facilities — Before entering a soaking pool, swimming pool, or whirlpool, always shower. When enjoying the sauna or steam, always sit on your towel and wear the plastic shoes provided by the spa. Women should not shave their legs in the steam room.

Perfume — Because the emphasis should be on relaxation and because others may be allergic, it’s best not to wear perfume to exercise classes.

Smoking – For the most part, smoking is not allowed at resort/hotel spas. If it is, there are usually designated areas where you can smoke.

Children — A spa is a great place to get a little alone time, so it’s best to not to bring children under 16. You can usually leave small children in the care of a sitter/nanny or under the supervision of the children’s program-both of which many resorts offer-during your treatments. If children are with you, be attentive to their safety as well as their impact on the comfort and relaxation of others. (NOTE: Many Spas in Orange County have strict policies about Children and are adult only)

Cell phones — Leave phones and pagers at home or in your room; or turn them off before entering the spa.

Conversation — In the relaxation room and elsewhere, keep conversations at a low volume.

Eco-awareness — Being respectful of your environment is part of the spa experience. Use only the number of towels necessary: washing them uses water and electrical, which are limited resources in some communities. If you spend time in nature, don’t leave any trash behind.

How To Get The Most From Spa Services:

Please read the following spa treatment tips and advice, as you are guaranteed to enjoy and receive more health & beauty benefits from your spa treatments, as a direct result of educating yourself.

1. Know which spas are the best — Since there are many top notch spas, you should really try to see what makes them special. If you are going to go to a spa, you might as well go to the best.

2. Review the spa menu online — book your spa treatment in advance. If it is listed as a featured destination here on Beach Spa Resorts.com you will always find a link in the “descripton” to the resort’s spa treatment menu. You will likely find some new types of massages and treatments that you’ve not seen before. Some special treatments book up quickly. So, if you are dreaming of having a seaside massage, you should book it in advance so that you’ll be sure to get it, especially if you book your spa treatment services over a weekend. Sometimes you can find deals by combining treatments; an example would be a deep tissue massage, along with a facial and herbal wrap. Most spas do have these “signature” spa treatment packs.

3. Prepare for sticker shock. For starters if you are staying at a seaside resort you have already figured out they are more costly than a hotel 10 miles inland. These beach hotels usually cater to the more affluent traveler, therefore the beach hotels feel justified in charging steeper rates. You get what you pay for generally, so on a more positive note, this is where your very best spas and massage therapist and beauticians prefer to work. These beach spa hotels only vhire the best of the best that have been thoroughly checked out for their backgounds, degree, prior recommendation and so forth. The hotel 10 milesw inland may send you somebody claiming to know massage, yet has no formal training or experience. What do you think would be the difference in user experience? Yes, a day and night difference. Again though, the spa treatments at beach spa hotels will seem high if you are new to the spa scene. Once acclimitized to these spas, you will become aware that most of these spas stay competitive, therefore similiar in pricing.

Forbes Magazine reports that the average cost of a massage at a day spa is $88 as compared to $138 at a resort spa. Upon having a recent 60 minute massage the cost was $115 plus 18% gratuity. Worth every penny of it by the way!

4. Know what is included with your treatment — and if your treatment includes any complimentary services. Usually they do. Sometimes the spa menu will detail any extras, but it is always a good idea to ask what is included in your treatment when you book it. For example a treatment may include the use of their resort’s state of the art fitness center and perhaps a hydrotherapy area along with a complimentary body scrub. If you had not known this you may have shown up simply on time to your appointment, whewreas you could of relaed there two hours prior to your appointment and really have been prepared.

5. Gratuities – How are they processed? You do not want to be left in an awkward situation. Be sure and ask if there are any additional fees or add-ons that you should know about when you book your treatment. By knowing aproximately what you will be leaving with your spa therapist allows you to show up with just this and not be worried about carrying around a purse.

If you receive multiple services — from different people (a massage therapist, a facial esthetician, etc.), leave a separate tip for each of them.

6. Know what you should wear. This suggestion may sound silly, but if you know what to expect before you go, you’ll be better prepared. For example, in the hydrotherapy area of the Spa Grande, it was perfectly normal for people to walk around in the buff or in a swimsuit. If you are a modest person, you might be more comfortable wearing your swimsuit. So, it is always a good idea to ask what you should wear so that you will be prepared for the spa’s policy on attire and etiquette.

7. Allow plenty of time for getting to your spa appointment. If you get to your appointment ahead of time, you will be able to relax, sip some water or tea, and prepare to enjoy your treatment. The last thing you would want to do is to be rushed or late for your appointment. If you get to your appointment ahead of time, you will be able to relax, sip some water or tea and prepare to enjoy your treatment. The last thing you would want to do is to be rushed or late for your appointment.

It’s crucial to drink plenty of it before, during and after your visit. Water hydrates the body’s tissues on a cellular level, prompting the system to cleanse itself and function with fluidity. Just as you would want to hydrate before a workout, well-watered muscles (including those of the face) respond better to the activating pressures of massage, allowing the therapist to work more deeply.

8. Sufficient hydration — encourages the removal of toxins. Flushing your system will reward you with compliments on how great your skin looks, how well rested you seem, etc. Drink up.

9. Eat Lightly — The days preceding your visit can help prepare you mentally and physically for your treatment. Cutting back on (or eliminating) sugar, caffeine and alcohol and hard to digest foods like red meat will prime your system to detoxify with ease. You’re also likely to feel lighter, happier about your body and more in tune with yourself. Plus, it increases the likelihood of your “staying clean” afterward, to extend the bliss of your visit and more fully reap its rewards.

10. Pay in Advance — By dealing with finances up front, you can just drift out afterward. Allowing a 15 percent tip is fair to include in advance (although some spas include it in the cost of the service), but you may want to have extra bills on hand to say “thank you” for an extraordinary experience. You can simply leave the money in an envelope with the front desk on your way out.

This method also eliminates the stress of sales pitches while you’re trying to relax. As interested in a new skincare regimen as you may be, it is within reason to ask your therapist to note her recommendations in writing and give them to you when you leave. This way you can consider purchases calmly following the session or at another time when you’d rather shop.

11. Learn to Relax — Relaxing the muscles and settling the mind are a great assist to your therapist. Even if you’re dead tired when you hit the table, it’s not always easy to relax (although practicing the first tip-spa often-can help free you of any anxiety or unease). Various mind-over-matter techniques like deep breathing and visualization come in handy and help bodywork go deeper. Relaxing helps keep your mind in your body or at least in the room.

Focusing on one’s breath is the essence of meditation, as well as the apex of many forms of exercise. In addition, to help nervous or newly arrived clients, many spas are now weaving guided visualization directly in with the treatment/massage. In some cases it’s basic training, but in others it really is a mechanism to help you become present ? It can also assist in the healing process.