Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/78523
Embrace Silence Noise is an obvious mood killer within the spa room, and the greatest potential for intrusive noises comes during transitions. Your voice should be used only when necessary, and should not be above a murmur. If your client is a talker, at the start of the treatment, you could simply say, "We are going into quiet time now. This is for you to get the best out of this treatment, and for me to focus and give you my best. However, please tell me if anything during the treatment is distracting or uncomfortable." Music, too, should be soft and soothing. Alternatively, you might want to offer headphones or allow guests to listen to their own music. Another way to ensure quiet time is to eat and go to the bathroom before starting a service. A growling or bubbly stomach can be distracting. Never chew gum, no matter how discreet you think you are. It is traditional to end some Eastern services with the sound of a bell, singing bowl, or small gong. Just be sure to save them for the end of the service, let the client know what is coming, and avoid a heavy hand. Avoid heavy feet, too. Squeaky, sticky, or clicky shoes can sound unpleasant as you move around the treatment table. Always prep supplies before the service. Turning jar lids and scooping out product wastes time and momentum, and is a potential noise source. With prepared materials, there should be less audible clinking and shuffl ing, and more time with hands on the client. Transfer a premeasured amount of product into disposable cups or onto small applicators, cotton rounds, or waxing sticks. After use, place items on a towel, not a hard surface, so they will not make a noise when you put them down. When using warm or cold stones, avoid knocking them together or putting them back in the container in the client's presence. Few sounds are more annoying during a treatment than clicking stones. Remove them one by one from the client by pressing down on the stone slowly and gently, releasing, and turning the stone like a doorknob as it is removed. Then place it softly on a towel. Slow Down The slower your actions are in the treatment room, the better, as long as you stay within the allotted time period. Avoid having any clock visible to the client; stay on track using a watch or small, inconspicuous clock (make sure it does not tick). To help a client get into the zone, instruct her to take a few breaths, clear her mind, and try to be present-focused. Tell her she is in a timeless area. Mindfulness isn't just for the treatment itself; during transitions, be sure your intent is focused on carrying the client to the next phase of the service. 20 ASCP Skin Deep September/October 2012