A day spa is a business which provides a variety of services for the purpose of improving health, beauty and relaxation through personal care treatments such as massages and facials. It contains facilities like sauna, pool, steam room and whirlpool that guests may use in addition to their treatment.

Typical Day Spa Treatments

Massage Treatments

· body massage

· foot massage

Beauty Treatments

· facials — facial cleansing with a variety of products

· waxing — the removal of body hair with warm wax

· body treatments such as body wraps, salt scrubs, etc.

· Manicures

· pedicures

Alternative Therapies

· aromatherapy

· moxibustion

· ear candling

· guasha (scraping)

A destination spa offers similar services integrated into packages which include diet, exercise programs, instruction on wellness, life coaching, yoga and accommodations where participants reside for the duration of their stay. A destination spa is a short term residential/lodging facility with the primary purpose of providing individual services for spa-goers to develop healthy habits. Historically many such spas were developed at the location of natural hot springs or sources of mineral waters. Typically over a seven-day stay, such facilities provide a comprehensive program that includes spa services, physical fitness activities, wellness education, healthy cuisine and special interest programming.

Some destination spas offer an all-inclusive program that includes facilitated fitness classes, healthy cuisine, educational classes and seminars as well as similar services to a beauty salon or a day spa. Guests reside and participate in the program at a destination spa instead of just visiting for a treatment or pure vacation. Some destination spas are in exotic locations or in spa towns.

Destination spas have been in use for a considerable time, and some are not used actively, but rather are historically preserved as elements of earlier history; for example, Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs in California is such a historically used spa whose peak patronage occurred in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Typical services include:

· Balneotherapy

· Body treatments such as body wraps, aromatherapy

· Cooking lessons

· Facials — facial cleansing with a variety of products

· Fitness consultation

· Hair spa treatment

· Ionithermie

· Massage

· Medical treatment

· Nail care (manicure), pedicure

· Nutrition counseling

· Skin exfoliation — including chemical peels and microdermabrasion

· Waxing — the removal of body hair with hot wax

· Weight loss

A resort-spa may also function as a day spa, if they allow access to patrons who are not guests of the hotel. Resort spas are generally located in resorts and offer similar services via rooms with services, meals, body treatments and fitness a la carte.