Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/148952
The welcoming ritual—really a minitreatment in itself—encourages clients to leave their mental and emotional baggage at the door. Create a Welcoming Ritual Unfortunately, clients often don't find the level of relaxation they seek until the last few minutes of a service. This isn't your fault. It takes time for an overstressed person to relax. If the process begins when they walk through your door, they will be better prepared to relax once they are on the treatment table. The welcoming ritual—really a minitreatment in itself—encourages clients to leave their mental and emotional baggage at the door. Not every esthetician will be able to fit this complete ritual into his or her work environment and schedule, but you can adapt or incorporate parts of it to suit your own situation. When the client arrives, greet her by name and shake her hand with both of your hands (cupping your free hand over hers). Your movements and speech should be soft and calming at all times when with a client. Moving and speaking just a little slower than normal can have a very calming effect on others. Offer lemon water or tea. After intake forms have been completed, guide the client with a gentle touch on the arm to a comfortable chair and footstool in a waiting area. This waiting area should be private, not part of the main spa entrance. An attractive folding screen can create a private space in a small area. Here, you will have the guest remove her shoes and socks before you apply warm, damp towels to her feet. Applying the towels and then using them to wipe the feet with very slow movements only takes seconds, but is an intensely meaningful act—washing the feet of a guest has ancient roots in many cultures and religions. Gently place your client's feet in a pair of soft spa slippers and ask if she has any final questions about the upcoming treatment before you "go into silence." Explain that the treatment will be quiet, apart from any feedback she may need to give you to increase her comfort during the service. Give the client permission to let go and disconnect—all has been handled. Next, you will guide the client to begin conscious relaxation in the time remaining before her treatment. Rest the Mind The pace of modern life is like a dimmer switch: we dial it up on some days and down on others, but for many people there is never an option to completely turn it off. To learn to do this, a conscious effort must be made. Cognitive awareness exercises can help with mindfulness—the art of being present in the moment. A typical exercise is to place a single raisin in your mouth and try to make it last for an hour. During that time, focus only on the raisin: its taste, its texture, its size and weight, the way it turns in your mouth. Using a shorter time period, this is a technique that can be suggested to clients who are interested in meditative relaxation before treatment. Get connected to your peers @ www.skincareprofessionals.com 13