Spa Smarts

Whether you’re planning a trip to a destination spa or just spending time at a day spa, we suggest checking up on the facility before making your reservations. Give the spa a call and ask a few questions: How long has the spa been in business? Is the facility licensed by the state and are the therapists and technicians licensed as well? You can also request a tour of the facility to look for any red flags that would indicate an unsanitary environment. Some things to keep an eye on:

• The drains in showers and wet rooms should be clean and hair-free. (If a facility is less than sparkling, it will be most evident in the bathing areas.)


• Non-disposable tools should be cleaned between each client.


• All body wraps should be disposable or completely sanitized after each client.


• Towels, robes, and slippers should be kept in a closed cabinet and should smell fresh.


• Receptacles for used towels and robes should not be left overflowing.


• Watch for double dipping. If a technician uses an implement, like a wooden stick, to remove skincare products or wax from a jar and then touches the client with it, a fresh stick should be used to dip again.

Consider your comfort and safety at a spa, where you experience more personal treatments like massages, wraps, and facials.

• Be aware of how you and other customers are treated. If the technicians ignore clients’ requests or are bullying, leave immediately.


• Although some spas leave clients alone in treatment rooms during body wraps, facial steaming, or hydrotherapy baths, it’s really best for the therapist to remain with you to ensure that you are comfortable at all times.


• A good aesthetician will ask about your home skin-care regimen and may recommend some products after the treatment is over, but she should not pressure you to buy products during the treatment.


• Therapists and technicians should follow the client’s lead in regard to how much talking happens during a treatment.


• Massage therapists should consult the client about the level of pressure applied during a massage.


• Do not wear valuable jewelry to a spa; it invites temptation from others when you have to remove it.

Nail Salon Know-How

Local nail salons are some of the worst perpetrators of sanitary sins. The biggest culprits are whirlpool pedicure chairs. “The problem is the filter,” says Deborah Storrz, COO of Dashing Diva Franchise Corp., which operates nail salons in New York, California, North Carolina, and soon in New Jersey. “Bacteria, dead skin, and blood collects in the bath’s filter, which should be thoroughly cleaned between each customer. However, that rarely happens.” Dashing Diva doesn’t use whirlpool baths, but if you go to a shop that has them, be sure they issue each customer a fresh plastic liner for the basin and if they don’t, bring your own.

Other worst offenders are tools like files, buffers, cuticle pushers, nippers, and pumice stones (the use of credo knives is prohibited by law in New Jersey). “The best defense against contracting an infection from dirty tools is to go to a salon that uses a fresh file and buffer for each client and autoclaves their metal tools,” says Storrz.

Autoclaving—the same powerful disinfection method dentists use—means that each set of tools is thoroughly sterilized and packaged to keep them that way. The technician then opens a fresh package in front of each client. If your salon doesn’t autoclave its tools (most local shops don’t, due to the high cost), Storrz suggests bringing your own kit. “At the very least,” she says, “all salons should use a double hand-sanitizing technique, in which both the nail technician and the client apply an antibacterial gel before touching each other.”

Horror-Free Hairstyling

It may surprise you to learn that most hair salons are inspected for sanitary conditions only once a year and, just like at nail salons and spas, microscopic organisms, viruses, and bacteria can thrive on combs, brushes, clips, curling irons, towels, robes, shampoo capes, shampoo bowls, and even chairs. The next time you go for a cut or color touch-up, take a look around to see if your stylist makes the grade.

• Trash cans used for hair clippings should have lids.


• Shampoo bowls, drains, and hair strainers should be clean and free of the previous clients’ hair.


• Just like at a spa, clean towels should be kept in a closed cabinet and used-towel receptacles should be emptied frequently.


• The workstation should be clean when you sit down: no hair on the floor, counter, or chair, and absolutely no food around the workstation.


• There should be an antibacterial container for used combs and brushes, and the clean tools should be kept in a sterile environment, not mixed in a drawer with previously used tools. If you’re concerned about the cleanliness of your stylist’s tools, bring your own.


• The stylist should wash his or her hands between each client.


• The stylist’s fingernails and clothing should be impeccable.


• A clean towel or neck strip should be placed on each client before the shampoo cape.
  

Spa Etiquette

Visiting a spa is all about pampering yourself, but that shouldn’t infringe on the comfort of others. Follow these helpful hints to avoid being a spa-zilla.

• Arrive 15 minutes early so you can relax before your treatment begins. Remember that if you’re late, your treatment time will be shorter. When your treatment is over it’s polite to vacate the room within ten minutes. Most spas have relaxation rooms, steam rooms, or saunas where you can continue to unwind.


• Shower before entering a soaking pool or whirlpool and sit on your towel in the sauna or steam room. It’s also important to wear the plastic shoes provided by the spa at all times for your safety and the safety of your fellow patrons.


• If you’re visiting a spa with friends or family, keep your voices low when chatting so others can relax.


• Gratuities are usually not included in the cost of treatments, and a minimum of 15 percent is customary for good service (you can leave more or less, depending on how pleased you were with the therapist). The tip should be left at the reception desk at the end of your visit. If one therapist provides several services, tip on the total cost of all services.