Choosing a Spa Treatment

Massage or salt glow? Facial or body wrap? How do you decide among all that spa has to offer? Choosing just one treatment option from a menu of spa services can be daunting, but it’s something you have to do if time or money is at all a concern. The reality is that most of us can’t spend a full day and thousands of dollars basking at a resort spa, so choosing one service is usually required. The decision will come down to what you want to get out of your time at the spa, your comfort level with the spa environment, and how much you’re willing to spend.

Know your options

Spas offer a long list of services, but these can usually be broken down into four categories: massages, facials, body treatments, and spa salon services. The massage category includes traditional Swedish rub downs as well as more innovative therapies, like reflexology, which focuses solely on the feet. Facials are treatments for your face that can be targeted for specific skin problems, like acne, dryness, and aging skin. The broad category of body treatments includes services like body scrubs, wraps, and polishes; these can be designed to moisturize, firm, detoxify or exfoliate the skin. Finally, spa salon services include manicures, pedicures, hair treatments and waxes.

Identify your goals

There’s got to be some reason why you have an urge to spend time and money at a spa. You may just want to relax. You could want to find out what all the fuss is about when it comes to spas. Or, maybe, you’re dying to try a new treatment that you’ve heard about. Identifying exactly why you want to go to a spa will help you choose your ideal service. If relaxation is your prerogative, then you should steer in the direction of a massage treatment. If you have skin problems, a facial or body wrap is more in line with your needs. If you just want to get a taste of the spa world, a classic treatment like a massage or facial is probably your best bet.

It’s easy to take advantage of salt treatments at home. Your spa probably sells pre-mixed scrubbing products that are suitable for use once a week. If you’d prefer to mix your own scrub, however, feel free - a salt glow isn’t difficult to make. The most important thing to remember is to use sea salt, not table salt. Find some coarse sea salt, mix it will olive oil, and add cornstarch. Then, add an essential oil to give the scrub a scent. Voila! You’ve got your own scrub!

Some spa treatments require you to be nude. Ask yourself if you would be okay with being naked during a treatment; if you are at all hesitant about nudity, it would be better to schedule a treatment that can be performed with the clothes on. You won’t enjoy your experience if you’re constantly worried about being naked. In general, body treatments require the most nudity. Massages are typically performed in the nude as well, but these aren’t as exposing because of the draping techniques used. In a massage, your private areas should remain covered at all times.

In all treatments that require nudity, your therapist should leave the room as you undress. She’ll also cover the parts of your body that aren’t being worked on at that moment. You can leave your underwear on during a massage too, and in body treatments, disposable underwear are sometimes provided.

Body treatments tend to me more uncomfortable for customers concerned with nudity because they involve a lot of movement and water, both of which aren’t conducive to good coverage. The bottom line: stay away from body treatments if you don’t want to be seen naked. Traditional massages could work if you’re okay with your back exposed. To be completely safe, however, opt for a treatment like a facial or clothed massage service, like Thai massage or reflexology.

If you have a tendency to feel claustrophobic in tight spaces, then a body wrap may not be right for you. These involve tightly wrapping the arms, legs and torso in a cocoon of fabric and products. You won’t be able to free yourself from the wrappings, and the therapist sometimes leaves the treatment room during the soaking period. If the idea of these makes you nervous, don’t choose this service.

Decide on a price range

Before you look at a spa’s menu of services, it’s a good idea to know what you’d like to spend on a treatment. Choose an upper limit to what you’re willing to spend and promise yourself you won’t go over that number. Keep in mind that spa treatment aren’t cheap; a standard 50-minute massage will cost about $80 to $100 at most spas.

Make your selection of spa treatment

With all of the above factors in mind, it’s time to choose which spa treatment you will enjoy . If you still have no idea what you’d like, go with a foolproof Swedish massage. These treatments are ideal for beginner spa patrons; they’re gentle but provide loads of relaxation benefits. Over the next few times you return to spas, opt for different treatments. Once you’ve experienced a treatment from each category of spa services, you’ll know what you like best. Then, choosing will no longer be so overwhelming.