Chapter 2 Spa Equipment and Products Copyright 2015

Chapter 2: Spa Equipment and Products Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Dry Room Equipment—(cont. ) • Spa clothing – Comfort and modesty – Disposable undergarments – Robes and slippers – Hair protectors Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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. Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Spa Product Categories • Cleansers—remove impurities, prepare for treatment • Toners/astringents—complete cleaning, restore p. H • 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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Spa Product Categories—(cont. ) • Moisturizers—usually applied at the end of a session – Occlusives—reduce moisture loss – Humectants—hydrate skin – Emollients—restore oil Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Important Spa Product Terms • p. H—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. Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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. Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Spa Accessibility and Functionality • Entrance and reception—accessible, friendly, neat • Undressing/dressing space—private, secure • Bathroom—with cleaning and grooming products Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Planning a Spa Treatment Room • Design for the type(s) of treatment • Flexible • Cost-effective Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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. Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins