Spa Etiquette
Is it appropriate to ask your aesthetician for a skin checkup?
NOT EVEN A LOVED ONE (OR YOU YHOURSELF) MAY BE AS FAMILIAR WITH YOUR SKIN as your spa technicians-the massage therapist, aesthetician, and the people who give you a manicure, pedicure, or scalp treatment. In addition to doing thorough self-checks and visiting your dermatologist regularly (see the Editor’s Message on Spa Guide), you can ask spa personnel to help keep watch over your skin.
In the course of providing services, they have a good opportunity to check out places that you can’t, such as your back, behind your ears, and your scalp. And they may be more aware of changes between visits. They can suggest you see a doctor if anything appears out of the ordinary, but aestheticians are not permitted to give a diagnosis.
“You can encourage spa professionals who give you a service to be observant,” says Kelly Costa Gravitt, a former spa director who is now a medical spa consultant. “Say, would you mind taking a look at my neck or face or chest, and call my attention to anything you think is worth nothing?” I’ll have it checked.” Costa Gravitt fervently believes that spas should support preventive health measures. If you need another reason to justify a spa visit, this is it.