Complete Guide to Spa Equipment and Products for a Relaxing Experience

1. Chapter 2:Spa Equipment and Products

2. Dry Room Equipment • Massage tables • Padding—single/multiple layer, soft/firm • Covers—usually vinyl • Accessories • Shelves and extenders • Sit-up features and bolsters • Stools for therapist and clients

3. Dry Room Equipment—(cont.) • Basic linens • Massage sheets—various materials and colors • Face cradle and bolster covers—enhance sanitation • Towels—warmth, draping, product removal • Blankets—warmth, nurturing • Linen storage—closed container

4. Dry Room Equipment—(cont.) • Hot towel heating units • Hot towel cabinet (cabbi)—6- to 72-towel units • Hydrocollator—towels and sheets • Hot stone heater—lower cost alternative • Soda cooler—easily kept near the treatment table

5. Dry Room Equipment—(cont.) • Product warmers • For lotion, stones, seaweed, mud, and so forth • Never microwave • Treatment bars are expensive but handy. • Paraffin warmers • Professional unit preferred • Accurate temperature control important

6. Dry Room Equipment—(cont.) • Body wrap materials • Heavy wool blankets—detoxification wraps • Thermal “space” blankets—prevent loss of body heat • Wrap sheets—hot or cold wet wraps (never flannel) • Body wrap plastic and Mylar—for messy products

7. Dry Room Equipment—(cont.) • Body-warming equipment • Heat lamps—hanging and freestanding • Electric table warmers—heat sheets pretreatment • Table pads—extra softness and warmth • Fomentek water bottles—lie flat on treatment table • Microwavable packs—external heat during treatment • Booties and mitts—electric or microwavable

8. Dry Room Equipment—(cont.) • Spa clothing • Comfort and modesty • Disposable undergarments • Robes and slippers • Hair protectors

9. Dry Room Equipment—(cont.) • Other dry room supplies • Reference library—dictionary, drug books, Internet • Clock—stay on schedule, monitor application times • Storage area—extra supplies and soiled materials • Wastebasket—foot pedal operation • Music system—relaxation and enjoyment

10. Wet Room Equipment • Tubs • Foot soaking—simple basins to full pedicure stations • Soaking—high sided and roomy • Whirlpool —massaging jets of water • Hydrotherapy • Primary type of tub in spa setting • Air and water jets

11. Wet Room Equipment—(cont.) • Showers • Handheld shower and wet table—product removal • Standard—less costly, less control • Swiss—multiple jets of water surround client • Vichy—rain-like; product removal and treatment • Scotch hose—strong stream of water for therapy

12. Wet Room Equipment—(cont.) • Specialized environments • Steam room—sweating; aid respiratory conditions • Steam shower—shower-like steam room • Steam cabinet—promote product absorption • Steam canopy—detoxification, product absorption • Sauna—perspiration for detoxification

13. Wet Room Equipment—(cont.) • Guidelines for purchasing and maintaining equipment • Durability—Professional equipment lasts longer. • Manufacturer—years in business, warranties • Consumer reports—experiences of credible users • Return on investment—Consider payoff time.

14. Spa Product Categories • Cleansers—remove impurities, prepare for treatment • Toners/astringents—complete cleaning, restore pH • Exfoliants—remove trapped debris, smooth, stimulate • Treatment products • Sometimes called “masks” • Usually applied for specific purpose or treatment goal • May benefit muscles, reduce stress, or increase energy

15. Spa Product Categories—(cont.) • Moisturizers—usually applied at the end of a session • Occlusives—reduce moisture loss • Humectants—hydrate skin • Emollients—restore oil

16. Important Spa Product Terms • pH—level of acidity (below 7) or alkalinity (above 7) • Antioxidants—prevent cell/DNA damage by free radicals • Botanicals—plant extracts used for therapy • Fragrances—enhance smell, naturally or synthetically • Natural ingredients • “Natural” not regulated in cosmetic industry • Natural products often contain synthetic ingredients .

17. Know the Products You Use • Try products before using with a client. • See if a product can be removed easily. • Determine if a plastic cover is needed for moisture. • Practice transitions from one product to the next.

18. Creating a Spa Environment • What clients see • Color—impact on behavior; cultural appropriateness • Window treatments—privacy, light, style • Lighting—dim for work, bright for cleaning • Walls—artwork to medical information • Decorative items—shelves, tables, baskets, and so forth

19. Creating a Spa Environment—(cont.) • What clients hear • Footsteps (annoying echoes from hard floors?) • Music—should be therapeutic and relaxing • What clients smell • Ambient odors from treatment products, smoke • Therapist’s scented products, breath

20. Creating a Spa Environment—(cont.) • What clients taste • Water available before, during, and after treatment • Posttreatment snacks for nourishment • What clients feel • Heat and cold • Textures • Therapist’s hands

21. Spa Accessibility and Functionality • Entrance and reception—accessible, friendly, neat • Undressing/dressing space—private, secure • Bathroom—with cleaning and grooming products

22. Planning a Spa Treatment Room • Design for the type(s) of treatment • Flexible • Cost-effective

23. Chapter 2 Wrap-Up • Convey professionalism. • Quality equipment • Quality lubricants and other spa products • Tasteful interior design • Visit spa shows for demonstrations. • Have a clear and informed plan.