Q & A

Question 1:  What services are included in Spa Party Services and how are they priced?

Answer:

• Flash facials (20-30 mins/person) – cleanse, exfoliate, mask, moisturize, protect
• Brow Waxing (5-10 mins/person) – clean, shape-up with waxing and tweezers
• Short Massages (5-15 mins/person) – feet, hands, shoulder, scalp, back
• Long Massages (45-60 mins/person) – for small groups
• Chair Massages (10-15 mins/person) – for office/employee events, dinner/birthday parties, bridal showers

If you want just chair massage, pay the hourly rate for Chair Massages.

If you want to include non-chair massage services in your party menu, pay the hourly rate for Spa Party Services, then pick the services you want to customize the menu to your list of attendees.

However you want to structure your spa party, make sure you have good estimate on the number of attendees and the services they want so you will know how many hours and which type of service to book.  For more information, please click Bodywork & Waxing.

Question 2:  What do I need to consider before getting a facial or body peel?

Answer: Clients wanting facial or body peels must consider coming to our spa for a detailed skin consultation to determine if they are eligible for peels.  In a 30-minute session,  we will discuss with you your skin concerns, review your medical and beauty treatment history and possibly administer a patch test to make sure you can handle chemical peels.  Peels can be very effective to deal with certain skin conditions but they are not for everyone. Only through a skin analysis can we know the most appropriate treatments for your skin type and condition.  Oftentimes, peel alternatives may be a better route.  For more information, please click Facials & Peels.

Question 3:  Why are there so many bodywork modalities and how do I know which one is right for me?

Answer: Clients, especially those who have traveled widely both domestically and internationally and have experienced many types of massages, ask if we are trained to perform certain techniques so we list them on our bodywork menu.  However, in reality, a massage session is customized towards the needs of a particular client.  We put a price on a bodywork modality as a guideline based on how much extra effort (beyond what’s needed to do a relaxation massage) and additional training (beyond a typical massage school curriculum) required of the therapist.  You will be charged for the modality used predominantly in your session.  For example, if all you have is the usual stress and tension in your body and no injuries or medical conditions and you asked for a Swedish or perhaps a deep tissue massage, you won’t be charged for a massage you did not get such as a medical massage or lymphatic drainage massage.  You are paired with a therapist qualified to give you the massage most appropriate for your needs.  By providing the most updated information about your bodily conditions when you schedule your appointment and on your intake form and communicating to your therapist before, during and after your session are key to having a successful and satisfying experience at our spa.  For a description of each modality please click services menus: Bodywork & Waxing.

Question 4: Can I sit with my child during a service?

Answer: Of course.  We ask the parent or guardian to sign a consent form for a minor receiving service at our spa or at the client location.  The parent/guardian may stay in the same room while we perform the service on the minor.

Question 5: What do I do if I feel sick after a massage or facial?

Answer: Communicating with your service provider prior to getting a service is key to determine if you are well enough to receive the service.  It is critical to understand factors or medical conditions that rule out massage for you.  When in doubt, please review Massage Contraindications in the Blog section of this website.  You can also find it by typing “massage contraindications” in the Search box.

Even with a thorough pre-service consultation and precautionary measure during the service was taken, you may still develop a reaction to a chemical ingredient or massage movement that you may not have known before.  Therefore, communicating with your service provider during the service is also key to minimizing adverse reactions to the service.

If you still feel ill after a service and you have left our spa, depending on how severe your condition is, contact the spa and ask for advice (for a mild reaction such a rash) or in the case of severe reaction, seek immediate care from a qualified medical professional at a qualified medical facility.

It is important to remember that any service is provided to you with your expressed permission through your signed consent form.  It is your responsibility to communicate to your service provider your preferences or tolerance for the amount of pressure or certain movements during a massage/bodywork or ingredients during a chemical treatment whether it is a facial, peel or hair service (removal/waxing/shaving or styling).

Question 6:  How much clothing do I have to take off for a massage or facial?

Answer: As much or as little as you’re comfortable with and still allowing your service provider to administer the service to the body area.  This being said, we observe draping standards defined by our profession whether it is hair care, skin care or bodywork.  For example, getting a massage while uncovered is not acceptable at our spa or at the client location.  We uncover only the body part being worked.  For more information on draping requirements, please browse various sources listed in the Useful Links blog posting.

Question 7: What’s the difference between an LMT and RMP?

Answer: In Maryland, massage therapy falls under regulation by the The Board of Massage Therapy Examiners.  There are two levels of credentials: Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) and Registered Massage Practitioner (RMP).  An individual who is licensed (LMT designation) is required to have 60 hours of college credits and 600 hours of massage school credits.  LMTs may practice in a medical health care provider’s office, hospital, or other health care facility for the purpose of providing massage.  An individual who is registered [RMP] is required to have 600 hours of massage school credits.  RMPs may practice in non-therapeutic massage settings such as private businesses, health clubs and spas.  RMPs MAY NOT practice in a medical health care provider’s office, hospital, or other health care facility for the purpose of providing massage.   Both designations require proof of passing one of these exams: NCBTMB, MBLEX; and the Maryland massage therapy jurisprudence examination.   Click here for more info.