Not sure what to expect when getting your first massage? Want to know what happens after you put the robe on? Well, although we’ve given you our singing rendition of spa etiquette, LaVida spa – with participating locations in Detroit, Chicago and Charlotte, is here to ease your anxieties with this short, straightforward video. We hope it will provide all our spa newbies with some insight into what your first experience will be like. Let’s dim the lights, put on some relaxing music and watch the video:

Don’t you feel better now? Spas are there to make the customer relaxed. Massages can be customized to fit your needs so be sure to communicate with your therapist what you are looking to gain from your experience. Don’t be afraid to tell them if they are applying too little or too much pressure. Also, if you find a therapist who you enjoyed, be sure to book them for your next appointment to continue that relationship.

LaVida‘s $50 Spa Week treatments (varying from location to location) include:

• 60 Min Spa Week Special, includes Hot Stone Massage with Soothing Aromatherapy Session
• 60 Min Custom Facial with Glymed Plus Peel, choice of 5-Berry Pigment Control Peel or Chocolate Power Skin Rescue Peel, includes Cleansing, Masque, Moisturizer and Massage
• 60 Min LaVida Signature Sea Salt Glow Exfoliation with Mineral Rich and Therapeutic Salts from the Dead Sea
• 90 Min LaVida Treat, includes 30 Min Custom Facial with 60 Min Relaxation Massage with Hot Towels and Aromatherapy Body Creme
• 75 Min Ease into Fall Package, includes Eyebrow Shaping, 60 Min Signature Facial with Decollete and Arm Massage

Check the $50 Directory on Spaweek.com for LaVida Massage spas near you (and other massages to suit your fancy too!)

Your job next week consists of one major priority: relax as much as possible. To put your mind totally at ease and prepare you for your week of $50 treatments, here is a guide addressing the most commonly asked spa and Spa Week etiquette questions. For the Musical version of the guide (and the answer to your #1 question: “Should I get naked at the spa?”) watch our music video first. ;)

1. Book in advance and share information ahead of time

Most spas don’t accept walk-ins, especially during Spa Week when they’re at their busiest. Book your appointment beforehand and be sure to let the receptionist know if you are pregnant, have any special needs, allergies or medical conditions. By offering this information ahead of time, the spa will be fully prepared to accommodate you upon your arrival.

2. Mention Spa Week and the treatment offered

To avoid any confusion, mention Spa Week and the treatment you’d like while booking your appointment. Spas only offer two or three treatments at a Spa Week discount but they offer dozens of others at full price so be specific and request an appointment for the treatment as it’s listed on spaweek.com.

3. Request a Male or Female therapist upon booking

If you’re booking a hands-on treatment such as a massage, body wrap, or scrub, be sure to request a therapist based on your comfort level.

4. Know the spa’s cancellation policy

Most spas have a 24-hour cancellation policy, but find out just in case. If you violate their policy, the spa is legally permissible to charge you for a partial or full amount of the treatment.

5. Arrive at the spa 15 minutes early

For many, a spa visit is the ticket for a bit of R&R. Arrive at the spa earlier than the time of your appointment so you can unwind and clear your mind before beginning your treatment.

6. Wear casual attire

If you’re coming from the office, bring casual clothes to wear after your treatment. You may walk in feeling stiff and stressed, but you’ll leave feeling refreshed and revitalized, so bring something comfortable to wear post-treatment.

Showing off your ring in the sauna: A spa faux pas!

7. Wear as little jewelry as possible

Take off all jewelry during your spa treatment. Most spas will not accept responsibility for items that are lost or stolen, so leave all unnecessary valuables at home. Know that even a locker with a padlock is not a guarantee against theft.

8. Speak Up!

Is the pressure okay? Is the water too hot or cold? Are you comfortable? Remember, your therapist isn’t a mind reader. If there is anything they can do to make your experience more pleasurable, don’t be afraid to let them know.

9. Limit consumption of food

Try not to eat for at least an hour before the treatment

10. Avoid consumption of alchohol on the day of the treatment

Alcohol consumption and spa treatments are similar in one aspect: the dehydration factor. Avoid any alcoholic beverages if you are planning a trip to the spa.

11. Drink plenty of water

A spa treatment often releases toxins from the body, so be sure to drink plenty of water before and after your treatment to keep yourself properly hydrated. This also comes into play if you plan on using spa facilities such as a steam room, sauna, or whirlpool.

12. Turn off your cell phone at the spa

As a common courtesy to other guests at the spa, please do not speak on your cell phone, and turn off any mobile devices during your visit. (However, it is GOOD etiquette to check into the spa on Foursquare and tweet about your #50dollartreatments before and after. If you enjoyed your treatment, the spa will appreciate all your mentions!)

13. Tax and gratuity are not included

Standard gratuity is 15-20% of the ORIGINAL spa treatment cost. Even though the spa is giving Spa Week customers a discounted treatment, your therapist is still doing the same amount of work. If you are unsure of the original price of the treatment, don’t be afraid to ask. While you are not required to tip, it is common courtesy and a great way to show your therapist that they did an exceptional job.

Now go enjoy your trip to the spa! If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to tweet us or email me at michelle at spaweekmedia dot com.

You love going to the spa, but for some, the thought of stripping down to nothing in front of a complete stranger still makes people nervous. Rest assured, the spa is the one place on earth where you can be 100% comfortable and able to let all of your inhibitions go. Some say the best way to learn how to swim is to just dive in, so that’s what we’re going to do here. We’ve placed a few of our West Coast/Chicago Spa Week $50 treatments on the naked scale and rated them from Modest Molly (1) to Naked Nelly (5), measuring the average of how naked spa-goers usually get. If a 5 sounds intimidating, just remember: there are always paper panties.

50 Min Acai Berry Body Scrub and Wrap (Naked Level: 4) - With this treatment after your therapist scrubs you down and rids your body of dead skin and toxins, you’re wrapped up to let the ingredients finish off the task. WELL Spa at the Platinum Hotel, 702.365.5000

Toning Synergie Massage for Cellulite (Naked Level: 3) – A few minutes of courage will work wonders for how you’ll look after the fact. Using a Dynatronics vacuum machine this treatment smooths out cellulite, as it stimulates circulation and lymphatic drainage. All Star Lake Spa, 425.462.2960

45 Min Spiced Apple Cider Pedi (Naked Level: 1) – This treatment is not very naked at all. You’ll have to show a little leg while you get your feet moisturized in an invigorating whirlpool bath. Oregon’s Grand SalonSpa, 503.644.2800

50 Min Citrus Lavender Salt Scrub (Naked Scale: 5) – A salt scrub treatment only works one way – naked! You have to take it all off so that your therapist can shave off all the dead skin cells to reveal your clear layer of skin underneath. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, 602.431.6485

50 Min Aromatherapy Body Polish (Naked Scale: 4) – To get your body to its full glowing potential, you have to be brave and let your therapist work your body from head to toe.  The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, 480.513.5145

45 Min Package: 30 Min Vichy Shower, with 15 Min Scalp Massage (Naked Scale: 5) – Vichy shower is considered one of most freeing spa treatments. You lie down on flat spa bed, and allow water from a shower head to cleanse your skin. Beach Massage and Day Spa, 310.322.2333

Laser Hair Removal of the Brazilian Bikini (Naked Scale: 3) – You know the drill. Of course this fares high on our scale as you’ll have to get naked in the most private place. Lunaris Medspa & Weight Loss Center, 310.371.9900

50 min Kohler Bath (Naked Scale: 5) – This is one of the most bare treatments you can find. We guess you can call this the cousin of the Vichy shower, the Kohler Waters Spa, 630.323.7674

50 Min Deep Tissue or Swedish Massage (Naked Scale: 4) – A milder route to go for those of you who rather leave a little on. Let your therapist work the kinks out leaving your bottom half covered. Chocolate For Your Body an AVEDA Family Salon Spa, 312.226.0777

65 Min Customized Signature Facial & Brow Wax, Including Décolleté, Neck, Arms and Hand Massage (Naked Scale: 1) – The only body part that has to be free of any coverage is your face. Your esthetician will allow you to slip under a spa robe for better relaxation. Facelogic Spa – Las Vegas, 702.531.3223

“Is it okay to get fully naked? Do I have to take off my bra?”

Well, Miss Manners we ain’t and Dear Abby we dare not imitate, but when it comes to getting naked at the spa, did you know there are faux pas that can bring down the bliss?  Yup. . . that’s right, as gung-ho as we are about your birthday suit, many fear that their spa time might turn crude, rude or downright lewd. Click here to learn more about #SpaWeekGossip.

So to help keep your spa time sublime this upcoming Spa Week—Sept 13-19 (West Coast/Chicago) Oct 11-17 (everywhere else)—this week on #SpaWeekGossip we’re baring it all:

- the 411 on all the spa do’s and dont’s to up your relaxation quotient
- the ultimate spa “uniform” for everyone (Hint:  You were born in it)
- funny and outrageous things we’ve witnessed at the spa
- how to be nude without feeling spa-wkward

AND where better to broadcast than LIVE from the spa? That’s right, in a groundbreaking Twitter party move, @ArtoftheSpa and @SPAWEEK will be live chatting during a spa treatment. And how much clothing do you think we’ll be wearing?

You guessed it. This week’s #SpaWeekGossip will be celebrating the world release of our first-ever music video… if you haven’t watched I Get Naked At The Spa, scroll down and enjoy.

Tune into the live broadcast HERE tomorrow from 2-3 PM EDT as you tweet away during #SpaWeekGossip.

Michelle from @SPAWEEK will be getting a massage at Spa Merge in NYC and streaming live here:

Candy from @ArtofTheSpa will be getting a facial at Yolanda Aguilar Beauty Institute & Spa and streaming live here:

Details:

What: Spa Week & Art of the Spa’s #SpaWeekGossip

When: Wednesday, September 8th, 2 pm EST / 11 am PAC

Where: On Twitter with hashtag #SpaWeekGossip or

For easier chatting (hashtag entered automatically for you) tweet on either:

Tweetchat.com or Tweetgrid.com

Topic: Spa Etiquette – The Naked Truth

Who: @spaweek @artofthespa & YOU!

Experts and Panelists:

@healingspas Wellness Lifestyle Aficionado

@hanky_panky_LTD Premier Panty Giveaway Sponsor

@markthespaman Die hard Spa Enthusiast

@BrianSmithRocks Star of Spa Week’s new music video, I Get Naked At The Spa (below)

@SpaHeiress The Beauty behind the Repechage Seaweed Dynasty

@etiquetteexpert America’s leading etiquette expert, author of BUSINESS CLASS, and founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach

BONUS!

WIN: We’re going to be giving away 3 pairs of crystal studded SPA WEEK Hanky Panky thongs (the Premier Panty to take off during Spa Week) to the top 3 tweeters of the party!

So  don’t be shy – arm yourself with your most pressing (even embarrassing) questions about getting your spa on – and join us at the spa.

Michelle (Spa Week Daily) & Candy (Art of the Spa)

Video accompaniment:

I Get Naked At The Spa

Image courtesy of momlogic.com

♫ People always seem to have questions about going to the spa…

First and foremost: How naked should I get?

We want you to relax like royalty. We doubt that you would want to read a full spa manual, so we’re just going to take the questions one verse at a time. Spa Week presents its first ever music video to help you do just that.

Enjoy as we undress the supreme spa etiquette question.

I Get Naked At The Spa

Written and performed by: Rock Comedian Brian Smith

Produced by: Scheme Engine

Special thanks to Deva Spa, the filming location. Note: Deva is a non-tipping spa, so they are a rare exception to that etiquette rule.