With hundreds of spas sprouting all over the country, choosing the right one can be a daunting experience when, in the first place, the very purpose of such a summer indulgence is relaxation.
Because a spa visit should be stress-free, here is a guide of what to expect and what not to expect from having a spa experience.
First things, first: Know what you want. Is it relaxation? Or rejuvenation? Do you wish for total wellness or just a pick-me-up?
After clarifying your own intentions, please be sure that your expectations are within the realm of what is possible. In short, do not expect you will end up looking like Angelina Jolie after a facial and rub-down in your neighborhood day spa.
The benefits, after all, go beyond what is visible to the naked eye. The cardinal rule: Listen to your body. After a reflexology session, is there lightness to every step? After a Balinese massage, have you achieved inner serenity?
Since visiting a spa, as most experts would aver, is similar to traveling to a foreign, unfamiliar country, it is best to prepare for the journey.
Since most spas offer brochures, read up on its services. Better yet, if you have friends who have actually tried it, ask for a spa review.
Some spas also offer tours to prospective clients. Take advantage of such a tour to get pertinent details (staffers are there precisely to help you) or to check out the facilities (its maintenance and facilities reflect their overall service and know-how).
With numerous day spas in the city, there is bound to be one near you.
Truth to be told, the salon day spa is where most people get their introduction to the spa experience. Think of it as spa for beginners. A salon day spa could offer such “mainstream” treatments as massage, facial, foot spa, hot oil and hairstyling, among other services.
The friendly neighborhood beauty parlor has, in fact, evolved into a one-stop mini-spa that could offer a little pampering for minimal costs.
World-famous makeup brand Elizabeth Arden actually had its start in the business as a day spa in 1910.
Another important consideration is just how knowledgeable are the spa owners and their staffers. Some would enroll in myriad seminars, and read just as many books on the subject, before opening a shop.
Indeed, the spa experience should be a yea-round activity if only for its health benefits.
