A first time spa experience can be intimidating for anyone, but it
seems that men are especially daunted by the notion that their first spa
treatment could result in embarrassment due to not having a full grasp
on the protocol for attending the spa. SpaFinder has put together an
etiquette guide that can be applied to almost anyone, but focuses
particularly on the concerns men have before treating themselves or
being treated to a great day at the spa!
Arrive early
It is best to arrive 20-30 minutes before your treatment. This gives you time to enjoy the facilities that might be available to you, as many spas have steam or fitness rooms for spa-goers to use freely before or after treatments. Naturally, after relaxing your muscles during a massage you won’t want to hit the fitness room where they will tighten back up, so arrive early to check out the exercise facilities or begin to unwind before your treatment in the relaxation room.
Shave before your facial
To get the full benefits of a facial it is best to give your aesthetician full access to your face. A clean shave will allow for your entire face to be treated with the same care. Areas that are prone to irritation from razor burn and ingrown hairs are issues that your aesthetician can treat during your facial.
Shower before your massage
Another reason to arrive early is to have time to take a shower before your treatment. You will want to have that clean, fresh feeling before you enter your treatment room, and your massage therapist will appreciate it as well!
Turn your cell phone off
Keep your mobile on silent or turn it off completely. Although you may not be bringing your phone into the treatment room, it is still best not to have it buzzing or ringing in the locker room.
It is best to arrive 20-30 minutes before your treatment. This gives you time to enjoy the facilities that might be available to you, as many spas have steam or fitness rooms for spa-goers to use freely before or after treatments. Naturally, after relaxing your muscles during a massage you won’t want to hit the fitness room where they will tighten back up, so arrive early to check out the exercise facilities or begin to unwind before your treatment in the relaxation room.
Shave before your facial
To get the full benefits of a facial it is best to give your aesthetician full access to your face. A clean shave will allow for your entire face to be treated with the same care. Areas that are prone to irritation from razor burn and ingrown hairs are issues that your aesthetician can treat during your facial.
Shower before your massage
Another reason to arrive early is to have time to take a shower before your treatment. You will want to have that clean, fresh feeling before you enter your treatment room, and your massage therapist will appreciate it as well!
Turn your cell phone off
Keep your mobile on silent or turn it off completely. Although you may not be bringing your phone into the treatment room, it is still best not to have it buzzing or ringing in the locker room.
It is important to be open with the person who is giving your massage, facial or other treatment. Discuss sensitivities, injuries, and chronic problems that can be addressed through your treatment. If you have health concerns, it is a good idea to discuss them with your doctor and with the spa staff when making your appointment.
Underwear is optional
The most important part of your spa experience is your absolute comfort. If you don’t feel comfortable removing your underwear before a treatment, don’t! While many people feel comfortable in the buff under the sheet or towel cover during their treatment, some prefer to keep their undergarments on.
Avoid lotion before waxing
Applying lotion or body creams before the wax will make it more difficult to remove strip wax. Skip the heavy moisturizers before a back or chest wax and the whole experience will be a little smoother. Don’t forget to let your waxing technician know if you are using and ingestible or topical skin medications as these can increase sensitivity to waxing.
Tip your technician
A 15-20% tip is appropriate for your aesthetician or massage therapist. Remember that this person has given you an hour of their expertise!
The most important part of your spa experience is your absolute comfort. If you don’t feel comfortable removing your underwear before a treatment, don’t! While many people feel comfortable in the buff under the sheet or towel cover during their treatment, some prefer to keep their undergarments on.
Avoid lotion before waxing
Applying lotion or body creams before the wax will make it more difficult to remove strip wax. Skip the heavy moisturizers before a back or chest wax and the whole experience will be a little smoother. Don’t forget to let your waxing technician know if you are using and ingestible or topical skin medications as these can increase sensitivity to waxing.
Tip your technician
A 15-20% tip is appropriate for your aesthetician or massage therapist. Remember that this person has given you an hour of their expertise!
Spa etiquette can be a source of anxiety for first-time spa-goers,
but it's easy once you know a few basics. Here are some basic rules of
spa etiquette to help you know what to expect and feel at ease. For
more information, here's a video on spa etiquette.
Turn Off your Cell Phone.
You can't relax if you're answering calls, checking emails, and texting. And neither can the person next to you. This even goes if you're getting a pedicure. Bring a book or magazine instead.
Arrive On Time.
What time that is depends on what kind of spa it is, whether you've been before, and what kind of experience you want to have. Ten or 15 minutes can be enough for a basic day spa without amenities like locker rooms, robes, steam and sauna. You may need a few minutes to fill out paperwork the first time.
You don't need to get there too far in advance if all you're going to do is take your clothes off in the treatment room. Just leave yourself plenty of time to get there.
There's nothing more stressful than racing to a massage. Better to get there a little early and relax than to get there late and miss part of your treatment.
Get there AT LEAST twenty to thirty minutes sooner if it's a larger, upscale day spa, a resort spa, a hotel spa, or a destination spa. There may be people in front of you, and you need time to fill out paperwork, get a tour of the facilities, change into your robe, and enjoy amenities like a steam room or hot tub.
Ask about the amenities when you make your appointment and think about what you would like to experience.
Time to unwind in the steam room or hot tub? It will help relax you before your massage. A dip in the resort spa's pool before you change into your robe and slippers? An exercise class? There's a lot of variations, so you want to know what the spa offers before. If you get there ten minutes before your appointment, you're just shortchanging yourself.
Take a Shower.
If there's a shower in the locker room, it's nice to use it before your treatment. It will freshen you up before your treatment. This step is especially important if you've spent time in a hot tub or pool, which has chlorinated water. You wnat to get those chemicals off, not have them massaged in.
Speak Up About What You Want.
When you make a massage appointment, the receptionist will generally ask if you male or female massage therapist. If you don't have a preference, you are more likely to get a male as many people prefer female therapists. Massage therapists are trained to respect boundaries and use proper draping techniques, so either should be fine.
During the massage, feel free to speak up on anything you would like to be different -- more pressure, less pressure, quieter music, a blanket if you're cold, turning the table warmer off. Your comfort is the most important thing, and your therapist is there for you.
Stay In Your Spa Nudity Comfort Zone
Massage is usually done nude, but you are covered with a sheet at all times in American spas. Only the part of the body being massaged is exposed. You can keep your underwear on, but it might limit the therapist's access to muscles that could use some work.
If you’re just starting out and know you have some anxieties about being massaged by a stranger, ask the receptionist about treatments where you keep your clothes on.
To Talk Or Not To Talk.
You can talk during the treatment or be still, as you choose. The therapist should follow your lead. If you're not talking and the therapist won't be quiet, you can say something like, "I'm just going to zone out/be quiet/rest for a little while." The therapist will get the hint. In general, try to use a quiet "spa voice" when you talk anywhere in the spa.
Getting Up From the Treatment.
You don't have to jump up instantly, but the therapist likely has another client after you so don't linger too long. Most therapist now say "I'll wait outside the door," so you are aware.
Read the rest of this article by Anitra Brown,
Turn Off your Cell Phone.
You can't relax if you're answering calls, checking emails, and texting. And neither can the person next to you. This even goes if you're getting a pedicure. Bring a book or magazine instead.
Arrive On Time.
What time that is depends on what kind of spa it is, whether you've been before, and what kind of experience you want to have. Ten or 15 minutes can be enough for a basic day spa without amenities like locker rooms, robes, steam and sauna. You may need a few minutes to fill out paperwork the first time.
You don't need to get there too far in advance if all you're going to do is take your clothes off in the treatment room. Just leave yourself plenty of time to get there.
There's nothing more stressful than racing to a massage. Better to get there a little early and relax than to get there late and miss part of your treatment.
Get there AT LEAST twenty to thirty minutes sooner if it's a larger, upscale day spa, a resort spa, a hotel spa, or a destination spa. There may be people in front of you, and you need time to fill out paperwork, get a tour of the facilities, change into your robe, and enjoy amenities like a steam room or hot tub.
Ask about the amenities when you make your appointment and think about what you would like to experience.
Time to unwind in the steam room or hot tub? It will help relax you before your massage. A dip in the resort spa's pool before you change into your robe and slippers? An exercise class? There's a lot of variations, so you want to know what the spa offers before. If you get there ten minutes before your appointment, you're just shortchanging yourself.
Take a Shower.
If there's a shower in the locker room, it's nice to use it before your treatment. It will freshen you up before your treatment. This step is especially important if you've spent time in a hot tub or pool, which has chlorinated water. You wnat to get those chemicals off, not have them massaged in.
Speak Up About What You Want.
When you make a massage appointment, the receptionist will generally ask if you male or female massage therapist. If you don't have a preference, you are more likely to get a male as many people prefer female therapists. Massage therapists are trained to respect boundaries and use proper draping techniques, so either should be fine.
During the massage, feel free to speak up on anything you would like to be different -- more pressure, less pressure, quieter music, a blanket if you're cold, turning the table warmer off. Your comfort is the most important thing, and your therapist is there for you.
Stay In Your Spa Nudity Comfort Zone
Massage is usually done nude, but you are covered with a sheet at all times in American spas. Only the part of the body being massaged is exposed. You can keep your underwear on, but it might limit the therapist's access to muscles that could use some work.
If you’re just starting out and know you have some anxieties about being massaged by a stranger, ask the receptionist about treatments where you keep your clothes on.
To Talk Or Not To Talk.
You can talk during the treatment or be still, as you choose. The therapist should follow your lead. If you're not talking and the therapist won't be quiet, you can say something like, "I'm just going to zone out/be quiet/rest for a little while." The therapist will get the hint. In general, try to use a quiet "spa voice" when you talk anywhere in the spa.
Getting Up From the Treatment.
You don't have to jump up instantly, but the therapist likely has another client after you so don't linger too long. Most therapist now say "I'll wait outside the door," so you are aware.
Read the rest of this article by Anitra Brown,
Is it your first time at the spa? Relax! This article will walk you through the basics.
If going to a spa for the first time makes you nervous, you're not alone. Many people have their first spa experience when they get a gift certificate to a day spa . Some people don't even use the gift certificates because they're anxious about what will happen and the finer points of spa etiquette !
The biggest area of concern is taking your clothes off for a massage. Don't worry! Modesty is always preserved during massage . You can keep your clothes on for certain types of massage, like reflexology . And the truly shy can always get a facial or a spa manicure and pedicure.
When It's Your First Time At the Spa
* Ask for a tour before you book an appointment. The spa may or not be able to accommodate you, but it's fair to ask. Here's how you can tell if it's a good spa.
* When you book your appointment, tell them it's your first spa visit. They should take time to answer any questions you have.
* Feel free to ask questions about which spa treatments would be right for you. The most popular are massage, facials, body treatments and spa manicures and pedicures.
* When booking your spa treatment, they will ask if you have a preference for a male or female therapist.
What Happens At The Spa
* Arrive at least 15 minutes earlier, more if you want to enjoy facilities like hot tubs and steam rooms.
* Check in at the front desk and remind them it's your first time.
* You should be shown where your locker is and how it works. This should have a lock on it. If they haven't already given you a robe and slippers, they are inside.
* Change and enjoy facilities that help you relax for your treatment, like the steam shower, sauna or hot tub.
* A hot shower before your massage is always a good idea. It's essential if you've had a dip in the hot tub. (You need to shower off the chlorine.)
* Go to the waiting room (sometimes called a meditation room) a few minutes before your treatment is scheduled to start.
* The therapist will come and pick you up when your appointment is scheduled to begin and escort you to the treatment room.
* In the room, the therapist will instruct you in how to get on the table -- face up or face down -- and leave the room.
* If you're getting a massage, you will take off your robe, hang it on a hook, and get underneath the towel or sheets.
* The therapist will knock before reentering. Here is more about what happens during the massage, and how to get the most from your massage.
* At the end of the treatment the therapist will leave the room while you put your robe back on, and wait outside for you to emerge.
* You can return to the meditation lounge to rest, or proceed to your next treatment.
Read the rest of this article by Anitra Brown,
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