How To Create the Best Spa Environment

Aaaaahhh the relief and relaxation that a spa service can bring! Just thinking of it makes us want to pick up the phone and book our appointment. The best of the best estheticians know the cherry on top of an amazing service is the relaxing spa environment they have created for their clients. In our opinion, environment can make or break the whole experience. So how do we make it perfect for our clients and keep them coming back for more? Do a walk-through of your spa starting at the front door. Ask yourself what you see, smell hear and feel from entry to exit.

Do you remember going to the mall and walking by Hollister? It's one of those stores before you saw it you smelled it. It was a very enticing smell that was unique to that brand. It drew people in and made them want to make a purchase. You are your spas brand and how your spa smells can influence your client's emotions greatly. Decide on a signature scent for your spa. Do you want it to be floral, citrus, sweet, earthy? It's important to try to find something that everyone would like. Test the scent out on your family and friends and ask for their honest feedback. Don't choose anything to powerful, it should be subtle. Be very careful to choose smells that trigger allergies. My favorite essential oil to diffuse is, "Young Living's, Stress Away". Give it a try!

Next let's talk about what your clients see in your spa. Clutter brings the feeling of stress to the environment. Whatever style you decide to decorate with, make it sends a clean message to your client. Your spa represents you and the way you do business. Let them know you are organized, and they can relax and unplug in your space without distractions. Counter tops in treatment rooms should not be stocked with supplies. Color choice can influence the mood and neutrals tend to be the most appreciated in the spa environment but that doesn't mean you can't incorporate a more stimulating color. Use invigorating or bold colors as statement pieces. Lighting is also important to ambiance. Turning off the overhead lights and using lamps, sconces, and diffusers will create a peaceful affect.

Now lets talk about noise pollution. The obnoxious sounds you may hear in a spa often include loud voices, squeaky chairs and banging of equipment. Most of these annoyances are in your control but if you find yourself in a noisy space, you'll want to be prepared. Have music and a white noise maker in all of your treatment rooms. Do not play music through your phone because the quality isn't very good and if you pick it up during the treatment, your client will know. Definintley invest in quality speakers. Choose music that matches the treatment. For example, if you are doing a lash extension set or waxing, play pop or yacht rock. For facials and massages choose a slower tempo with classical instruments or nature sounds.

White (fan), pink (rainfall) and brown (ocean sounds) noise have been proven to soothe the brain. Most clients appreciate the background noise as it helps them tune out distractions. I have worked in a few different noisy spaces including a busy hair salon, next to a restaurant and next to a busy parking lot. My trusty water fountain to the rescue! I love turning on the water feature sound, spa music and an air filter on all at once and my clients do too.

Be mindful of your spa's temperature. You will most likely be warmer than your client since you are running around using lots of energy. Your client's temperature will drop as they are laying down so it might be nice to have a bed warmer. Ask every client if the temperature is okay in your treatment room and be willing to adjust it for them. This will make them feel very taken care of. You never know what small detail you are addressing for them that another provider has overlooked.

Special consideration should be given to your furniture. Make sure you have enough comfortable seating for your guests. Your treatment table is where your client will spend the longest amount of time, so make sure every inch of their body feels gently supported. You may have to invest in bolsters and extra bedding for layering the bed or chair. Invest in high quality sheets. The brand "Comphy" in our favorite here at Skin Biz Girls. They are soft and wash really well. We buy the oversized twin size and thy cover large massage tables nicely.

Designing the best environment for your clientele is fun and really impacts the bottom line of your business. Make choices based on what you like but be sure to get input from existing clients or industry experts. If you need a little help with this aspect of your business just reach out to us, we're here to help. The image below is one of our favorite treatment rooms.