13 Things That Happen Behind the Scenes at Spas
Any reputable spa should measure up to the qualities on this list.
Anyone who’s worked a desk job knows the tight pain that sets in around the neck and shoulders after hunching over a computer all day. Your massage therapist is familiar with that too, because they’re trained to read your body for signs of tension, said Alma Custodio, who has worked in massage therapy for 20 years and currently oversees the Catamaran Spa in San Diego, California. A good therapist will talk to you before the treatment to find out what problem areas you’ll want addressed, but they’ll also get a feel for where you physically hold your stress as they work on you. Getty Images
A treatment at a good spa will make your worries float away like vapor in an essential oil diffuser. Your mind should be at ease from the moment you enter and meet your provider to the time you step back out into reality. Of course, that isn’t always the case. Better You talked to professionals who have worked in the spa industry for over 70 years combined to find out what makes an immersive spa experience, and the standards any spa you go to should meet. Keep reading to find out what goes on behind the scenes of the best (and worst) spa experiences. Getty Images 
Sandra Alexcae Moren, who has worked in and consulted for spas for over 50 years, has toured spas everywhere from her hometown in Alberta, Canada, to Las Vegas and Oman. She said the staff is always very open to her request. Moren believes strongly that clients should be their own advocates, and thinks asking for a tour is the perfect start for doing so. “It’s for people to be responsible to themselves and have personal power about who they go to see,” Moren said. “It’s all about health and safety, first and foremost.” Getty Images 
Moren has toured spas everywhere from her hometown in Alberta, Canada, to Las Vegas and Oman. She said the staff is always very open to her request. Moren believes strongly that clients should be their own advocates, and thinks asking for a tour is the perfect start for doing so. “It’s for people to be responsible to themselves and have personal power about who they go to see,” Moren said. “It’s all about health and safety, first and foremost.” Getty Images 
A liquid disinfectant on its own doesn’t cut it, Moren said. Reputable spas use an autoclave, a heated pressure chamber specifically designed to sterilize metal tools. The same machines are used in doctor’s offices and piercing studios to keep materials clean. The best way to find out if a spa has an autoclave is to ask to see it for yourself. Getty Images 
OK, this isn’t behind the scenes as much as it’s right in front of your face, but you might miss it if you blink. In order to keep track of how much and how often a product is used, spa employees often pour product into an individual container for each treatment. But when you enter a room for a facial or any other skin treatment, the products should be in their original packaging, Moren said, only transferred into individual containers after your specialist analyzes your skin. This ensures the specialist took the time to select products that suit your skin type, not the complexion of the last client on her table. It also prevents the spread of germs and maintains the product’s freshness. Getty Images 
Anyone who’s worked a desk job knows the tight pain that sets in around the neck and shoulders after hunching over a computer all day. Your massage therapist is familiar with that too, because they’re trained to read your body for signs of tension, said Alma Custodio, who has worked in massage therapy for 20 years and currently oversees the Catamaran Spa in San Diego, California. A good therapist will talk to you before the treatment to find out what problem areas you’ll want addressed, but they’ll also get a feel for where you physically hold your stress as they work on you. Getty Images 
Moren cautioned that because providers get paid by commission, they will try to sell unnecessary products or recommend extraneous treatments to clients. For example, when a client books a facial for the first time, they should go with the the most basic option because they need their skin analyzed. A facialist shouldn’t recommend anything more than the basic facial until they’ve performed the analysis. She also warned against facialists who try to sell clients an entire line of skincare in one go. “Start off with a cleanser and day or night cream, and book another appointment for a facial in four to six weeks,” she said. That way, the client has time to see how their skin reacts to a few product changes, rather than a dramatic overhaul. Getty Images 
The harsh fluorescent lights in an office space are far from calming—so they have no place in a spa. “I’ve had to fight with architects because they want to put lights in the ceiling,” Moren said. “I go, ‘Are you crazy?’ Clients lie down and look up at the ceiling. Put beautiful sconces on the wall instead.” If the room’s lighting is dim, she said, she uses a magnifying glass to clearly assess clients’ skin and perform treatments. Getty Images 
The spa is the perfect place for couples to unwind together…provided the unwinding is rated PG. Moren said employees have to be extra vigilant about watching the steam room, because it’s the go-to hookup destination in any spa. But doing the deed in a sauna isn’t just disrespectful to employees and fellow spa guests; it’s also unsanitary. Getty Images 
There’s a reason why so many relationship experts recommend giving your partner a massage—the soft, kneading touch can be a major turn-on. While you can logically recognize the difference between a sexy massage and a spa service, your body doesn’t always keep up. Moren said that when a person gets an erection during a massage, there’s a pressure point on the side of the ankle that massage therapists are trained to touch to, uh, make it go away. But don’t try this at home: “The only therapists that can actually do it should be trained in it,” she said. Getty Images 
Custodio said the average career span for a massage therapist is only seven to 10 years. Massage Magazine estimated the number is closer to six. “Massage therapists can hurt their back and shoulders from bending over, or they can get carpal tunnel,” Custodio said. “If you want to make this a career, you have to have a self-care practice. Otherwise, it won’t last.” Practicing Qi Gong and exchanging services with coworkers has helped Custodio remain in the profession for 20 years. Getty Images 
In between prepping for their next client, spa employees often exchange services amongst each other. At Custodio’s spa, she and her staff give each other massages while they’re off-duty. Most spa treatments are hard on employees’ backs; think about how a facialist bends over to inspect every pore, or how a masseuse leans down to put all her weight into a massage. If employees don’t go to each other for massages, they could accidentally injure themselves on the job. Getty Images 
Many spas, including Catamaran, use table warmers and candles to keep clients toasty when they’re lying on the treatment table. Some technicians rub hot oil on their clients before they begin a massage. That’s at least partly because keeping the body warm staves off anxiety. Combined with massage, it’s almost impossible not to sink into a deep state of relaxation. Getty Images 
Custodio and her team wrap their clients in towels using the same swaddling method that parents use to wrap up their babies. “It invokes the feeling of safety,” Custodio said. “It goes back to being a baby, or being encased in the womb.” She also makes sure that only the body parts she’s working on are exposed. When she moves to a new body part, she puts the towel back over the last area. That keeps customers comfortable and retains their body heat, an anxiety-reducer. Getty Images
