Body wraps, body scrubs, scalp treatments… all of these popular services are in high demand among spa clients, accounting for a significant portion of any spa’s booked services and revenue. Traditionally, such services have not been considered showerless spa treatments, as they have been largely restricted to spas with facilities such as Vichy showers, wet tables that require drainage, slanted floors and tiled walls. Many spas, of course, do not have the size or budget for such facilities, and hence have traditionally been restricted in their ability to offer these treatments.
Thankfully, such limitations are no longer an obstacle. With a few simple protocol adjustments, some basic tools and minimal expense, even spas that lack wet room facilities are now able to provide almost any type of treatment.
SHOWERLESS SPA TREATMENT ADJUSTMENTS
The following traditional “wet” treatments can be customized into showerless spa treatments in a dry room with minor adjustments to their protocols, explained below. Variations can be made on these customized protocols to suit preferred techniques of the therapist. Many educational courses and textbooks explain showerless spa treatment protocols in full detail.
Body Scrub
- Prep a massage table with a layer of sheets, towels and a plastic wrap, in the order they will be removed. Drape client with towel or sheet (as you proceed through the treatment, you will expose each body part as you are working on it while keeping the rest of the body covered).
- Begin with a full body dry brushing (optional).
- Follow this with application of a sugar or cream based scrub or polish on each body part being treated, following manufacturer instructions.
- Remove product with warm steamed towels. When finished with one side, have client turn over to repeat on the other side.
- Apply moisturizing lotion to the body.
Body Wrap
- First, exfoliate the body, following Steps 1-4 of the body scrub protocol.
- After exfoliation, apply a warm gel-based body mask, and cocoon the client in plastic for approximately 20 minutes.
- During this time, an add-on treatment can be performed, such as a scalp or facial massage, mani-pedi or even reiki.
- Unwrap the client one section at a time, and use warm, moist towels to remove product from the body.
- Massage nutrient-rich moisturizing lotion onto the body.
Scalp Treatment
It may seem that a scalp treatment that utilizes oils must naturally require a sink or shower facility, however it can be performed without these facilities with just a few minor adjustments.
- Position the client on a spa table in a supine position with a clean towel under their head.
- Rub a small amount of a relaxing essential oil blend in your hands. Hold your hands above their face and have them take several deep breaths to inhale the aroma.
- Perform a scalp, neck and décolleté massage (and face massage if desired) utilizing the essential oil mixture and other oils selected to benefit hair and skin.
- Instruct the client to leave the oil on for about 30 minutes and wash the hair out at home with a mild shampoo (skipping conditioner unless absolutely necessary), letting the hair dry naturally.
Any of these showerless spa treatments can be incorporated as add-ons to a standard massage service.
Competence in any modality requires practice. Perfecting wet-room techniques without wet-room equipment is no different. Partner up with a colleague and practice performing these showerless spa treatments on each other before using the techniques on your clients.
“Many products today are designed to work in either a dry or wet room setting”
Product Selection
Many products today are designed to work in either a dry or wet room setting; exfoliators and finishing products are formulated to retain their moisture, so they do not dry out during treatment.
For showerless spa treatments, the key is to utilize products that are easy to remove with a wet towel. Sugar based products may be preferable over salt scrubs for showerless spa treatments, as sugar’s small granules melt away easily when wrapped in a hot towel, which also allows for easier cleanup. Also, choose products that are easy to wash out of linens used in treatment and avoid ingredients that leave stains, such as mud, so you don’t have to constantly replace sheets and towels.
Don’t make the costly mistake of using too much product in the treatment room, as the skin can only absorb a certain amount of product at a time. One gallon of scrub should last for approximately 40 showerless spa treatments. Avoid waste by pre-measuring out one ounce of product into a small cup for each treatment.
A New Dimension
Without a doubt, adding wet-room treatments to a dry room only spa enhances the service menu, offering a wider selection of treatments for clients and an additional revenue stream for the business — a definite win-win!
Judicious product choice and use, good organizational skills and handson workshops are the keys to perfecting your showerless spa treatments and adding another dimension to your practice. After all, client satisfaction has little to do with whether a treatment is done in an actual wet or dry room, but rather how well the treatment is performed.
Materials Needed
- Pans and bowls of various sizes to accommodate towels, lotions and oils
- Body brushes
- Towels
- A towel warming device
- Infrared heat lamps and product warmers for pampering enhancement
- Plastic for wrap treatments
- Wrapping blankets and plastic covers for treatment tables
Treatment instruments should be organized and consolidated to control mess and enable the therapist to work efficiently. A mobile spa cart with inserts keeps all supplies organized in one place, and can easily be moved around the treatment table during the service.
