Frequently Asked Questions
Massage Questions
You can expect mutual respect, courtesy, professionalism, confidentiality and dignity between you and the massage therapist.
At your appointment, you’ll be draped in a sheet, towel or blanket and will only expose the area being massaged. We’ll never expose your breasts, genitals, gluteal cleft, or any body part you request.
At the beginning of the massage, your therapist will ask how comfortable the pressure of your massage is.
You can ask for either a full-body massage (for general relaxation) or a customized session focusing on specific parts of your body. And remember, your comfort matters. Feel free to talk with your therapist as much, or as little, as you wish.
Yes. Our licensed and insured massage therapists each have over 10 years of experience and practice safe, ethical and effective treatments. They undergo an in-depth orientation, follow in-house training and continuous (CEU) online and in-class sessions to maintain their license status.
This varies from person to person. If you are just looking for some occasional relaxation, then a session every 3-6 weeks may be fine for you.
However, if you are looking to address a specific condition, then it is recommended to go more frequently at first and then slowly taper down to a maintenance schedule.
Sometimes more frequent 5-10 session, in 60-minute sessions can be effective until your goals are met and a maintenance schedule is in place.
Frequency of sessions should be discussed with your massage therapist after your treatment when he/she has a better hands-on understanding of your particular muscular issues.
Your massage may qualify for insurance coverage, however all billing and claims would need to be handled with your insurance provider directly as Hot Hands Spa does not deal with medical insurance at this time.
Check with your insurance provider to learn about your coverage benefits and how to process any claims as each policy varies.
Facials Questions
A basic facial will work to cleanse your pores, exfoliate dead skin cells, and treat common skin concerns with a custom mask.
Each facial will begin with a consultation from your esthetician to determine the right kinds of products for your skin type.
Essentially, a facial treatment usually includes steaming, exfoliation, and extraction. Other providers will incorporate facial masks, peels, and facial massages. It essentially depends on the package you purchase and your provider.
Your skin may react viscerally to retinoids and face acids … Purging will occur in a more defined area where you frequently breakout.
Skin purging usually looks like your typical blackheads and whiteheads,. They may appear as small, red swollen bumps on your skin that are similar to a breakout.
Acne happens when your pores get clogged with dead skin, sebum, and bacteria. This clog happens deep within your skin and takes some time before reaching the surface. When you start using a new skincare product with certain active ingredients, your skin will react with an increased cell turnover.
Skin purging is also more common with products aimed towards clearing acne-prone skin, such as our Detox Mask since it is a fairly intense pore-cleansing exfoliation. Similarly, our Soothing Mask exfoliates and cleanses while loading your skin up with yummy antioxidants. The Detoxifying Mask uses a special blend of clays to naturally pull dirt and toxins out from deep within your pores. Long-term, this is amazing for preventing clogged pores and breakouts, leaving your skin smooth and clear. When the Detox Mask first starts working its magic, however, the toxins in and under your skin are going to be pulled out and may manifest as blemishes. This simply means the pimples that were lurking beneath the skin, ready to make themselves known, will appear a lot faster once you speed up the cleansing process.
This depends on a few factors including your skin type, the condition of your skin and your skin care goals. We can discuss the best on-going care plan with you at your appointment.
The healthy glow immediately achieved following a facial should last typically 48 to 72 hours, as the skin is deeply hydrated and circulation has been boosted allowing fresh blood to bring new nutrients to the cells.
our goal is that my patients will still look better than if they had never had facial rejuvenation. An important point to remember is that sustaining a healthy skin lifestyle can help extend the longevity of facial results. This includes eating a balanced diet, consistent use of sun protection, and continued use of our Dermalogica skin care products.
As with most procedures, a more personalized approximation of how long your facial results may last can be provided by a board certified Aesthetician, Your consultation should focus on the individual characteristics of your Skin challenges in the context of your facial rejuvenation goals.
Waxing Questions
Please shower before your appointment. We won’t spell it out… you catch our drift. (in a pinch, wet wipes are a lifesaver!)
Hair must be a quarter of an inch (about 10-14 days of growth) to adhere correctly to the wax.
Resist the urge to shave between sessions. Shaving chafes the skin and creates sharper, coarser hair!
Gently exfoliate the night before or take a warm bath to prep the skin before your wax. Having a warm bath or shower before your wax can soften your skin allowing for easier hair removal. We also recommend exfoliation the night before as this removes dead skin build up around and in the follicle again aiding in easier and more thorough removal. We suggest gently dry brushing OR using a gentle exfoliating scrub or acne cleanser.
Chill. Come to your appointment as relaxed as you can. Like a lot of things in life, the anticipation is often worse than the actual event. Don’t listen to friends who tell you their waxing horror stories. They don’t come to us! Youtube videos and movie scenes with screaming ninnies will only get your knickers in a deeper twist. This is your experience and we want it to be a good one!!
Take a deep breath. We often ask clients to take a few deep breaths and to try to relax their muscles once they get on the waxing table. Don’t worry—it really doesn’t hurt that much. And trust me, we want you to come back, so we won’t do anything to traumatize you!
Know that it gets better. We get that first timers don’t know what to expect. My advice is to acknowledge that the first one will be the most uncomfortable, especially if you’ve been shaving prior to it. However, it doesn’t have to be the worst thing you’ve ever done. Most of the time, people leave our room pleasantly relieved that the wax wasn’t nearly as bad as they expected. Every wax after the first one gets easier, especially when your hair starts growing in finer and we weaken that horrid follicle!
Medicate if you must. if you’re concerned about the potential for pain, take a couple of advil 20 minutes before your appointment. Some clients feel this takes the edge off.
Remember, it will be over before you know it. Being fuzz-free is so worth a couple minutes of discomfort!
Depending on the density of the hair growth, your waxing appointment will take between 15-30 minutes, for first timers allow 30 minutes. A little painful, yes, but with swift strong hands and an efficient therapist by your side, it will be over very quickly and the results are well worth it.
Many women believe that specific hair removal methods can result in the hair growing thicker and darker. This is a common misconception, especially when it comes to shaving. The truth is, no method of hair removal can influence thicker hair growth.
Welcome To Hot Hands Spa in Philly!
We’re here to help you make regular massages, facials, and other self-care treatments an essential part of your health and wellness plan!