Massage and facial professionals share the best treatments for going on vacation

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If you’re planning a relaxing vacation, one thing that’s probably high on your list is a trip to a spa. you are not alone – statistically found that the spa industry is expected to expand globally from $95 billion in 2021 to more than $185 billion by 2030.

With so many deals available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about which treatments to invest in when you’re away. We asked skincare experts what their go-to services are when they’re on a well-deserved vacation, and their tips on what to keep in mind when booking a spa on the go.

You may want to skip the facial

Skincare is booming all over social media, with new treatments always on the horizon. A vacation is the best time to prioritize your skin care with a facial, right? Maybe not.

Olivia Pipalaa master Hydrafacial and SkinCeuticals esthetician, says to err on the side of caution. “The last thing you want to do while traveling is try something new with your skin (because) you don’t know how your skin (will) react,” she told HuffPost. Plus, she says location matters. “If you’re traveling somewhere tropical where sun and sand (are) primarily your vacation, be very careful with exfoliating treatments because your skin can be compromised by sun and salt water exposure.”

If you book a facial, proceed with caution

When you book a service, the spa often pairs you with the esthetician. But Angela Caglia is a celebrity esthetician and founder of Angela Caglia Skin Care, suggest asking the most experienced esthetician.

“Many hotels will hire new estheticians and pay them by the hour, so it’s important to ask for the most in-demand or experienced esthetician at the time of booking. This is more important than the facial itself because the esthetician can guide them to the facial that is best for them,” Caglia said.

Shani Darden, a celebrity esthetician and founder of Shani Darden Skin Care, says products matter, so don’t be afraid to ask questions about what will be used during your service before start. “If you’re an active breakout person, you don’t want comedogenic products like oils on your skin that might just make your existing condition worse,” Darden said.

Go for a massage

For all our skin care experts, massage is the one-size-fits-all solution. “While on vacation, I like to indulge in body treatments such as massages, body scrubs or even mud baths,” said Pipala. Why? She says the skin on our body is more resilient than the skin on our face, so she’s more willing to try new things for the body. She adds that for sensitive skin types, travel can wreak havoc on the skin with environmental changes, flight stress and jet lag.

Lymphatic drainage is a top pick for Pipala as she claims it can be great for stress relief and improving blood flow, subsequently easing swelling.

“I usually go for a (deep tissue) massage,” he said Dr. Jennifer Levinea dual board certified plastic surgeon who chooses to pursue her beauty training.

For Darden, deep tissue massage is her go-to. “(Deep tissue massages) help relax (my) back, arm and neck muscles, which can get sore (and) tired if I’m doing facials all day.”

And, there’s an added bonus: The Mayo Clinic found that a one-hour massage lowers cortisol and helps the body release serotonin you feel good hormone.

If you’re on a budget, consider a spa day pass

Spa days can get expensive. After booking a week-long trip, a massage or facial may not be in the cards. However, if you’re on a budget but still want to experience the spa, Levine has a suggestion. “Often, spas will offer a day pass to enjoy some of their other services, such as steam rooms, saunas, jacuzzis, etc.,” she told us. “The environment is an experience in itself. Having that day pass allows you to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and engage in certain activities that you normally don’t have time for or don’t make time for without receiving some sort of cosmetic service.”

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