Along with choosing your spa treatment (and how you can make the most out of it), ensuring you and your skin are prepped and ready to go are also crucial to a fabulous spa experience.
We turned to spaQ’s Naomi Gregory, from spaQ Development & Operations, for her expert advice on getting ready for your next treatment:
Be Prepared: Remember that before your appointment there will be no need to touch up your hair or makeup. “Freshly washed hair or a blow-dry more than likely won’t stay that way by the end of your treatment,” says Naomi. “At spaQ, we provide shampoo, conditioner, hairdryers, brushes and straighteners should you need a fix post-treatment, too. It’s also important to note that if you skin is sunburned or any severe irritations is present, you should also consider rescheduling for a later time.”
Perform Your normal Skincare Routine: “Don’t do anything special before your treatment, and come in with what your skin would normally look like,” explains Naomi. “Preparing or cleansing the skin excessively alters the amount of oil or the hydration levels of the skin, therefore results of a skin analysis could be inaccurate.”
Know Your Skin History: If you have suffered from adverse reactions from any previous products and treatments, it’s important to mention this to your facialist/therapist before they begin. Naomi suggests that it’s also a good idea to think about your top priorities for your skin before you arrive. “This will allow you therapist to customise your treatment or recommend one that will cater to all of your needs,” says Naomi.
Take the Appropriate Steps Pre-Treatment: Follow Naomi’s top tips to prepare for each treatment …
Massage: If you have a chance to steam or sauna before a massage or body treatments, it will aid in relaxation and circulation and eases exfoliation.
Wax:
- Avoid sunbathing or tanning beds for at least 24 hours prior to waxing, as waxing can irritate sunburned skin.
- When scheduling your waxing appointment, keep in mind that earlier is better than later, as oil and sweat can build up on your skin throughout the day.
- If you use skin care products that contain AHAs, stop using them about four or five days prior to waxing.
- Try exfoliating one day prior to waxing, as the exfoliation removes dead skin cells, help to unclog pores, and also helps to release any ingrown hairs.
Manicure/pedicure: Rule number one is don’t forget to bring open-toed shoes, otherwise your pedicure will smudge. Also, if you get the chance, try to remove any nail polish as it means more time can be spent getting down to the good stuff!
