First Time At The Spa?

Alt text: woman and baby at the spa with robe

It’s been a rough week, and you decided that it’s time to visit the spa. Visiting a spa for the first time can be a celebratory event, that needs to go down smoothly. Otherwise, the first bad experience will lead you to believe that a spa is not for you, whereas others will tell you that the benefits of a spa are something everyone can enjoy.

Most common spa procedures include:

• Massage therapy
• Aromatherapy
• Lymphatic drainage
• Sauna
• Hot tub, etc.

The first time is a milestone for everything. To make sure that your first visit to a massage therapist or a spa center goes well, you will need a professional guide explaining steps to take to make sure that everything is intact, and meets your expectations.

Choosing the place

You don’t want to choose the wrong spa place. You might think that getting every massage is relaxing, or sitting in every sauna is nice, but unprofessional and incorrect massage techniques and practices can lead to severe damages of the body and mind.

What to consider when choosing a spa center:

The price

Don't go for the budget option because of the low price. And don't go for the highest price on the market because you correlate price with quality.

The area

The location is vital while choosing the place for hygiene procedures. Choose a nice, calm and noise-free neighborhood, where you won't be afraid to walk out relaxed and untroubled.

The professionals

I don't need to remind you that visiting a professional for such procedures is vital. Remember, a bad massage is not safe. Professionals have the experience to know how to treat different body and skin types.

The hygiene

A clean, orderly, professionally equipped, and fresh spa center is what attracts the mind. Take a look at how they handle hygiene and cleanliness at their center. Do they use proper cleaning detergents? Do they change the covers of the equipment regularly? Do your research!

The equipment

And finally, you need to see what equipment they are using. Rigid massage tables and chairs are ticking bombs for a client. Make sure they have high-quality massage tables, modern hot stone massage kit, and supportive massage chairs. And when it comes to the tables, you may find they use either portable massage tables, or stationary spa tables.

Choose by considering:

Rating of the place

Feedback is important. That's why Facebook and other social media platforms have options to give companies ratings. Take a look at their Facebook page and see what the previous customers are writing. But be cautious about fake reviews or malicious reviews.

Another great way to see the ratings is the TripAdvisor app or website.

Friend's advice

Don't forget to ask your friends and family members about their experiences. It is your friends and family that are more likely to tell you the true details about their visit to the spa center. Maybe they even loved the masseuse/masseur so much that they can recommend them to you?

You never know what you’ll find out if you ask around for opinions.

Choose the treatment you want

The first time visitors go to the spa center they will often go for a regular massage. Not knowing what other spa services they might need or not having sufficient information about the benefits of each service might lead you to this mistake as well.

You can go with a full body relaxation procedure or choose one of the below:

Massage

The most popular massages are:

• Swedish massage
• Deep tissue massage
• Anti-cellulite massage
• Hot stone massage
• Aromatherapy massage

Facials

Perhaps the second most demanded procedure is facial treatment. We love to treat our facial skin like royalty, and spa centers have everything to make that happen.

Here are some of the facial treatments you might like:

• Anti-age facial
• Deep cleansing facial
• European facial

Talk to the professionals first. They will take a look at your skin and determine its’ type, but be sure to communicate with them if there is something more about the difficulties or tendencies you are experiencing with your skin.

Body treatments

Body treatments are easy to do at home, but don't you want to see how a professional does it?

These treatments include:

• Body scrub
• Body mask and wrap
• Pedicure and manicure

All these can be combined in one body treatment. After a gentle body scrub with salt scrubs and mud wraps, a body mask can be applied. And while your body is absorbing the hydrating mask, you can go for a pedicure and manicure. And, as a side note, it always makes us smile when someone who has never had a pedicure or manicure comments afterwards on how much they enjoyed it!

How to get ready

Every salon, spa, and health center has its own etiquette, and your first time might feel a bit awkward because you don't know how to act in such situations. (In fact, the same can be said for the first time you do just about anything.)

Don't worry. The staff will be there to assist you and show you what to do. But before you go for a full spa day, there's some preparation you need to conduct first.

Prepare your body

Keeping in mind that these are just suggestions, and they may affect people differently.

First, get a good nights sleep (preferably 8-9 hours) and relax your body. Drink a full glass of lemon water first thing in the morning to start up your body and boost your metabolism.

Don't engage in anything too stressful or energy consuming. And some people decide to lay off their regular cup of coffee also.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Take a light vegetarian diet for one day to cleanse your body.

Drink at least 1.5 liters of water and eat citruses if possible. It will help you to hydrate your body and don't let it run out of fluids.

Prepare your mind

Our minds play tricks on us, and even when our bodies are fully relaxed, our minds can still be running various operations. Turn off your brain for a while and let your body take the lead.

• Take a stroll in the park and breath fresh air.
• Listen to your favorite music (calm).
• Breathe - actually breathe! Take deep breaths and feel how relaxed your mind is.

Take your relaxed mind on the procedures and don't let anything disturb your peaceful state.

How to act in the spa center

Again, with etiquette!

Remember to follow the rules of the spa center and listen to the staff.

But also don't let yourself stress too much about what is proper etiquette. Speak up about your needs and feelings. Don't be shy to point out something that you find uncomfortable, and awkward touches.

Let them change the temperature in the room if it's too cold or too hot. Don't be too shy to ask for another fragrance of the massage oil.

How to find the best spa deals?

Lucky us, spa deals and promotions are all over! Budget options, promotions and sale days are present in every spa center so choose wisely.

• Go for off-season treatments

If you are planning on a spa vacation, the off-season is an excellent budget option. Do you know how off-season sales and promotions work with the garment and fashion industry? Same works for the spa industry.

• Subscribe to email newsletters

Once you or your friends find the best spa, you can subscribe for their email newsletter listing and get information about promotions immediately. Maybe you will get a coupon or two.

• Check the deal and coupon websites

We have websites full of coupons and deals from different industries. You can search for promotions on such sites and cut the digital coupons. They have cash back, discounts and other various deals to lower the price of your visit to the spa.

• Join the rewards program

Many businesses today have loyalty programs. So do spa centers. They have rewards for regular customers: free visits, 10%, 20%, 30% or more discounts, bring a friend day, etc.

• Let the students do the work

Often when spa centers train new staff (students), they offer low price treatments for the customers who are willing to let the students work on their bodies. The same can be said for career colleges.

It's not a bad thing to give a newbie the chance to start their careers, and who knows? Maybe you will be going back to them again?

What effects does a spa day have?

If a relaxed body and mind is not enough benefit for you, then here is something you should know about the benefits of spa treatments:

• Spa treatments and massage therapy help reduce anxiety and de-stress your body.
• Facial treatments, body scrubs, and body wraps can help rejuvenate your skin.
• A whole body and mind relaxing therapy session will help you sleep better for several weeks.
• It's widely known that massage can help you relax your muscles and reduce the pain in joints, neck, head, and stomach.
• It can help you with weight loss. It's not the first thing to try, but anti-cellulite massages and full body drainage treatments will help you clean your body from toxins.
• Massage therapy will aid you in blood circulation and fluid and lymphatic flow. Massage therapy has even been used to help with hair loss and improving scalp blood circulation.
• A whole spa day will make your skin and hair look radiant, because of lost toxins and extra fluids of your body.
• These treatments will promote extra and long-lasting happiness.

Enjoy your first relaxing spa experience

It doesn't matter if it is your first time visiting a spa center or if you are already experienced, it is always a treat to lie down on a massage table and relax for a bit.

Treat yourself and relax for even one day. Once you try it out, you will want to make it a regular occasion.

NOTE: The statements made in this post have not been evaluated by the
FDA and are the opinion of the author based on their own research and
experience. Your results may be different.