Spa Safety and Sanitation

How can you tell if a spa provides a safe, sanitary environment? One of the best ways is to take a tour. (Just ask politely.) Keep your eyes open for “red flags” that indicate unsanitary conditions in the spa.

* Look at drains in wetrooms and showers. They should be clean and free of hair.

* Look to see how implements (spa instruments) are cleaned between uses.

* Look at wet rooms and body treatment rooms. If a facility is not scrupulous in cleaning, these rooms will show it.

* Make sure all wraps being used are disposable or completely sanitized after each use. ASK about the sanitation process. 

* Ask if pedicure equipment and hydrotherapy tubs are self-sanitizing or find out how they are sanitized. If the technician cannot quickly describe this process to you, that is not a good sign.

* Look for double dipping – a real no-no. This means that the technician uses an implement to take product out of a container, puts it on the client, and then sticks it back in the container. This contaminates the product.

* Make sure hand and foot bowls are being cleaned between uses. It takes at least 15 minutes to adequately disinfect these bowls between clients.

* Make sure wax pots are clean and watch for double-dipping. A new spatula should be used each time more wax is taken out of the pot.

In evaluating a spa, feel free to ask questions about the spa, the therapist, and the treatment before you book an appointment. It’s also important to observe how you and other customers are treated – another indication as to whether you will have a good spa experience.