News & Politics

Advice to Help You Make the Most of a Spa Visit

Bring a hat, be considerate, and more.

Illustration by Ryan Snook.

Nobody told me I’d walk away from my wonderful facial with
glowing skin—and greasy hair standing on end. Nobody advised me how a
well-endowed woman was supposed to lie face down on a massage table
without uncomfortably crushing her assets.

I’ve learned to bring a hat
to wear after a spa treatment. Also, a rolled-up towel under your chest
can mean the difference between feeling pulverized and feeling pampered. Here are more tips.

Ask in advance what your service includes.
Facials often include a massage of the shoulders, neck, and arms. You may
not also want a massage on the same day.

Ask who is doing your massage. A spa may fail
to mention that you’ll be getting nearly naked with a therapist of the
opposite sex. If you’re ill at ease, request a different
therapist.

Don’t lie there—speak up. If you aren’t
comfortable, don’t suffer in silence. Ask for a pillow under your neck or
knees. Request that the music be turned down or the heat turned up. You
may get up to use the bathroom.

There’s naked and nearly naked. It’s your
choice whether to undress completely for a massage—keeping your underwear
on is okay.

You’re paying for a service, not a sales call.
It’s fine for a spa to offer free samples or a list of products used. But
you may decline purchasing them if you’re not interested.

Be considerate. Spa etiquette goes both ways.
Try to arrive 15 minutes early, showered, with your phone off, and ready
to relax.

Day Spas 2013 ››

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