If you are planning a relaxing vacation, a visit to a spa is probably at the top of your list. You are not alone – Statista found that the global spa industry is expected to grow from $95 billion in 2021 to over $185 billion by 2030.
With so many treatments available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you can’t decide which treatments to invest in while you’re on the road. We asked skincare experts what treatments they like to indulge in on a well-earned holiday and what they recommend when booking a spa treatment while you’re on the road.
You may want to skip the facial
Skincare is a trending topic all over social media and there are always new treatments on the horizon. A vacation is the best time to prioritize your skincare routine with a facial, right? Maybe not.
Olivia Pipalaa master esthetician with Hydrafacial and SkinCeuticals, advises playing it safe. “The last thing you want to do when traveling is try something new with your skin (because) you don’t know how your skin will react,” she told HuffPost. Plus, she says, location matters. “If you’re traveling to a tropical location where sun and sand are your main vacation, be extremely cautious with peels, as your skin can be damaged by sun and salt water exposure.”
When booking a facial, proceed with caution
When you book a service, the spa often assigns you a beautician. But Angela Caglia, a famous beautician and founder of Angela Caglia Skin Care, suggests asking for the most experienced beautician.
“Many hotels hire new estheticians and pay them by the hour, so it’s important to ask for the most in-demand or experienced esthetician when booking. This is more important than the facial itself, as the esthetician can advise them on the facial that will work best for them,” said Caglia.
Shani Darden, a celebrity beautician and founder of Shani Darden Skin Care, says products are important, so don’t be afraid to ask questions about what will be used during your service before it starts. “If you’re someone who actively has rashes, you don’t want to use comedogenic products like oils on your skin, which could only make your current condition worse,” Darden said.
Go for a massage
For all of our skincare experts, a massage is the go-to treatment. “When I’m on vacation, I like to treat myself to body treatments like massages, body scrubs or even mud baths,” says Pipala. Why? She says the skin on our body is more resilient than that on our face, so she likes to try new things for the body. She adds that if you have sensitive skin, traveling can wreak havoc on your skin due to the change in environment, the stress of flying and jet lag.
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Lymphatic drainage is Pipala’s first choice as she claims it is excellent for Reduce stress and blood circulation is improved, which in turn reduces swelling.
“I usually opt for a (deep tissue) massage,” shared Jennifer Levinea double-certified plastic surgeon who chose to do her beauty prep while on vacation.
Darden also prefers deep tissue massages. “(Deep tissue massages) help me relax my back, arm and neck muscles, which can become sore and tired from facials throughout the day.”
And there is another advantage: The Mayo Clinic found that a one-hour massage lowers cortisol levels and helps the body release serotonin, which Feel good Hormone.
If you are on a budget, consider a spa day pass
Spa days can get expensive. After booking a week-long trip, a massage or facial may not be in the cards. But if you’re on a budget but still want to experience the spa, Levine has a suggestion. “Often, spas will offer a day pass to use some of their other services like steam rooms, saunas, hot tubs, etc.,” she told us. “The setting is an experience in itself. With this day pass, you can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and participate in some activities that you might not normally have time for or be able to make time for without getting a cosmetic treatment.”
