We carried out a consumer survey at the Good Spa Guide recently* and discovered which treatments readers most want when visiting a spa. Please note that respondents could choose more than one treatment.
Here are Good Spa Guide readers’ most popular spa treatments…
Manicures and pedicures (38 per cent)
More than a third of respondents said they want a manicure and/or pedicure during their spa visit. We weren’t surprised, as these beauty treatments offer instant pick-me-ups with visible results. It feels great to return home with smooth and pretty hands as evidence of your spa-ing. Or to show off your healthy feet and polished toes in sandals! There are mood-enhancing benefits to manicures and pedicures too: the process of having your hands and feet exfoliated, moisturised and polished can be very relaxing. Some therapists will use reflexology or gentle massage to enhance your experience.
Make the most of your manicure or pedicure by …
Not planning much else for the rest of the day. Spa-grade polish can take up to 12 hours to dry completely, so you may want to avoid stuffing your feet into socks or bodging up your nails doing work. Gel polish hardens instantly under UV light, of course, but we won’t tell anyone if you don’t …
Body treatments (49 per cent)
The term body treatment covers a wide range of procedures (including wraps, scrubs and soaks). Most of these achieve the powerful double feat of being relaxing and invigorating. Nearly half of respondents said they would like a body treatment when they visit a spa, and we wholeheartedly support their decision. Whether you’re being wrapped in algae, scrubbed with salt, or floated in a bath of milk and honey, a body treatment is almost an essential component of the perfect spa day.
Make the most of your body treatment by …
Having a sauna or steam bath beforehand. This will relax you, open your pores and soothe your muscles so you can benefit fully from the experience.
Facials (64 per cent)
Sixty-four per cent of our respondents said they would choose to have a facial during a spa visit. We’re with you. Every day your face is the most visible and most exposed part of you (you hope!) and it deserves pampering. As with body treatments, there’s a big variety in the facial treatments available. We say a good facial should leave your skin feeling cleaner, fresher and more radiant.
Make the most of having a facial by …
First reading this Good Spa Guide feature on choosing the right one.
Massage (90 per cent)
It’s official: massage is the most popular spa treatment. Ninety per cent of respondents said they would choose to have a massage during a spa visit. We think this is a great result. Massage is more than just me-time: it’s the one treatment consistently backed by research for its health-giving benefits. These benefits include relieving stress-related conditions to helping the rehabilitation process after injury. While there are many types of massage therapy, the general principles are usually the same: massage relaxes tired muscles, stimulates blood and lymph circulation and encourages your body to produce endorphins, the ‘feel good’ chemicals.
Make the most of your massage by …
Giving yourself time and space before and afterwards to relax. You may feel achy, sleepy, dehydrated or completely energised, but going with the flow will allow your body and mind to feel the full benefits of massage.
Happy spa-ing!
*Survey carried out in September 2014.
Serene Spy
16th January 2015
Spy Likes:
Soft fluffy robes, imaginative vegetarian food, products that combine luxury with strong eco credentials and spas which look after their therapists’ wellbeing too.
Spy Dislikes:
Showers that aren't spotless, snootiness and having to get dressed for lunch.
