Expert Shares Basics Of Spa Etiquette

NY1 News, April 16th, 2007

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Are you to intimidated to go to the spa? Don't know what to wear or not wear, don't know how much to tip. Well relaxing should never be stressful, so NY1 caught up with spa expert Tessa Sphar at the oasis Day Spa to learn the basics of spa etiquette.

First the big question: Do you have to get naked?

“The nudity is not required. You should be on your own comfort level,” says Sphar. “For a facial, let’s say, you should take off the top, where the bottoms can stay on. During a massage you might want to take off a little more because it is more involved. At the same time you have robes and the therapist and aestheticians can definitely work around what you are comfortable in.”

On the way to the spa, you should wear comfortable clothes and try to leave your jewelry at home.

Whatever the service, the most important thing is that you speak up. When you book, let them know if you prefer a man or a woman and make sure to tell the therapist about any medical issues and the things you like and don't like.

Another tip: try not to shave before your spa service.

“Shaving is something, normally, most people would never think about, but if you are getting a facial or a body scrub or a body wrap you don't want any of your extremities to get irritated so definitely shave after the treatment,” says Sphar.

Also many services can leave you dehydrated, so it's a good idea to drink a lot of water that day and try to avoid alcohol.

Timing is another big issue. If you want to make the most out of your service, experts recommend getting there a little early, so you have time to settle in and decompress. If you show up late, your service will be cut short.

The big question a lot of people have is how much to tip. The answer is just like a restaurant 15 to 20 percent on the full cost of the service. So that means even if you have a coupon or a discount, you should still tip on the full cost.

The spa is supposed to be a soothing setting, so you will be asked to turn off your cell phone and to keep your voice down.

Now, if you need to cancel, make sure you know the spa’s cancellation policy. In many cases if you cancel within a certain period of time, you will be charged the full cost of the treatment.

So now that you know the rules, you can let off some steam and relax.

– Jill Scott