When you go to receive a spa treatment, whether at a salon/spa, med-spa, destination spa, or otherwise, do you know what to look for in the provider? Do you know what makes a good esthetician or massage therapist? Do you know if you’re getting your money’s worth? Many of you most likely are going to get a nice relaxing treatment and as long as you leave more relaxed than when you came in, you’re good with that. Others of you might be looking for results and perhaps go regularly for treatments. Regardless of what your reason, it is good to know what to look for in a provider. Following are just a few things to think about the next time you go for a treatment.

1. When you went for your treatment, did they give you a chart to fill out? Next to sanitation, the health screening is probably the most important aspect of a spa service. For any treatment, even the simplest, it is important for the provider to ask for the client health history, and more important for the client to give it. Answer all of the questions you are asked. In addition to ensuring client safety, knowing the client’s date of birth, occupation, previous spa experiences, home care history, etc. will allow the provider to fully understand the client and therefore give the best experience possible.

2. Did the provider fully explain the experience you are about to receive and how to prepare for it? Whether or not the client is receiving the treatment for the first time, the service provider should fully explain what is about to happen, and how the client should dress, or undress, as the occasion requires. The provider should explain how the client should lay on the bed. For new clients, this takes the fear and anxiety out of a new experience and gives the client the comfort of knowing that the provider is confident and has the best interest of the client in mind. It’s also just good basic customer service.

3. When you went into the room, was it sanitary and did the provider sanitize or wash their hands before touching you? Aside from the fact that sanitation is the law, it is just good common practice for the provider to engage in sanitary practices. For the esthetician it is important to have a sanitary station, sanitary products, and sanitized hands. After all, they will be touching your face so make sure they either sanitize their hands or wash in front of you. For both the esthetician and massage therapist, notice if the linens are fresh and devoid of stains. It is the client’s right to have a sanitary environment, and to ask questions that will give peace of mind. Don’t be shy about making sure you are comfortable with the environment.

4. Before the treatment, did the provider address the reasons you are there? You filled out the chart. Now it is the provider’s responsibility to address it. You should get the feeling that they looked at it and have an idea why you’re there. They should also go over your concerns, if any, and talk about any contraindications (reasons that could cause you side effects or harm) you might have. If you are a repeat client and previously filled out a chart, they should ask you if anything has changed. Furthermore, if you’ve previously mentioned any points to the provider, they should have noted them in your chart. If you are a returning client and the provider has neither looked at your chart nor recalled previous discussions, then this provider is not interested in your safety, or in providing maximum customer service.

5. During the service, did the provider talk constantly? Did they talk about themselves or complain about their place of employment? This is a no brainer. The experience is about the client. An esthetician should be talking for about the first 15–20 minutes of a facial. They will be finding out about your skin, explaining their findings, and describing their plan to address your concerns. Unless the client specifically indicates that they wish to talk or be spoken to (to, say, ask about a particular product being used), then it is quiet time for the client to relax. If the provider is talking about themselves or their place of employment, that is unprofessional and should be cause for concern.

6. After the service, did the provider meet you and escort you to the front? The client experience should not end once the service has ended. The provider should escort the client to the front, readdress the reason for the visit, answer any questions the client may have, and recommend home care, if appropriate. If the provider leaves you to your own devices at the end of a treatment, you should wonder how much they care about you as a client, and whether they are interested in seeing you again. If you are a guest in someone’s home, and the host tells you to let yourself out at the end of an evening, what would you think? Are you coming to visit them again? Probably not.

7. Finally, did everything make sense to you? You are the client. You are educated and know what you want. If you didn’t get the best experience possible, and felt like the provider was completely focused on you and your needs, then they are not the one for you. If you didn’t feel like the provider went above and beyond and you did not get your money’s worth, then they are not for you. Do not settle for mediocrity. Spa service providers are a dime a dozen. The good ones, on the other hand, are harder to find. Now you know what to look for.

Did you know you can rate a business on Velvetbell.com? If you recently had a spa experience, please rate your service keeping in mind the criteria above. You can help your favorite service provider by writing a rave review or save an unknowing customer by warning them of your own bad experience. Just visit Velvetbell.com, find the business, and click “reviews.” If a business you have visited is not participating with Velvetbell.com, please email us and we will contact them about joining the network.

Dear MD: You have a few options here. If you feel your hair is brittle, try a protein- or keratin-based treatment once a week. Redken, René Furterer, and Joico all have protein products, and Farouk has a keratin product. These will help strengthen and reduce breakage to your hair. Also, “skinny hair” can get weighed down with conditioners, so go with a spray-on conditioner after you shower. And lastly, for heat protection, there are silicon-based products made specifically for your hair type that are not too heavy. If you go this route, be sure to only use a pea sized amount and work it thoroughly throughout your hair avoiding the roots. As well, a spray thermal protector is a good way to go. Many brands are creating lines specifically for thermal protection, such as Farouk’s CHI line or most styling products by René Furterer. But be sure to use products made specifically for fine hair. Have a great hair day!

Sandra Semaan, Beauty Editor

Submit your questions about skin or hair to our Beauty Editor for the March newsletter.

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