Help Clients Back to the Spa with Soothing Back Facials

We are all going through an unprecedented difficult time.  According to one recent study, nearly 7 in 10 employees indicated in a survey that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the most stressful time of their entire professional career, resulting in marked increases in new prescriptions for antidepressant, anti-anxiety, and anti-insomnia medications.¹

As we know, stress can manifest or exacerbate back pain. Yet, recent findings from the American College of Physicians state that for this stress symptom, clinicians and patients are advised to opt for nonpharmacologic treatment that includes superficial heat and massage.²

As the summer approaches and people are getting out more, back treatments that incorporate gentle massage, steam, heat, and skin treatments to alleviate skin concerns such as breakouts or dryness can provide essential skin care and a powerful anti-stress treatment.  With some states requiring the wearing of masks throughout the treatment, these also provide a great gateway experience back to the spa or salon.

Back facials are also a great time to engage and resume your client’s skin care education. Proper education initiatives should not only result in revenues for additional facial services booked after the lifting of restrictions, but immediate retail revenues for at-home product recommendations that benefit both the face and body.

Considering new guidelines in wearing masks and social distancing in the spa and salon setting, back treatments offer all clients, including men and women, a great option to both destress while it provides an essential skin care service. The following is a classic protocol for back cleansing and massage that provides both sensory and skin care benefits to soothe and calm the client, and can be customized and updated for every clients’ needs.

Back Cleansing Facial Protocols

Benefits:

Deep cleanses and purifies the back area while helping to reduce stress

Recommended Use:

Every skin type

Frequency:

As needed

Time:

55 Minutes

Method:                                                                                                   

1. Have client lie down on the facial bed face down (wearing mask if necessary). Have steamer ready.
2. Take 3 pumps of the Hydra Refine® Cleansing Mousse and apply to the back and begin cleansing with an effleurage movement, under steam. Use fingertips or a rotary brush and begin massaging in the cleanser.

* (Please note: If client has severe breakouts, skip massage and brushing)

3. Remove cleanser with a hot towel infused with Custom Blend Purifying & Calming Essential Oils. Keep steamer on.
4. Take a spatula full of the Aqua Massage Cream and add 6 drops of Custom Blend Purifying & Calming Essential Oils. Massage the cream onto the back with effleurage movements.  Begin a 10-minute back massage under steam.
5. Take a spatula full of Honey and Almond Scrub*, Sea Spa Glow Natural Exfoliator with Dead Sea Salts, FUSION™ Matcha Lemongrass DEEP CLEANSE Face & Body Sugar Scrub or FUSION™ Chocolate Espresso INVIGORATE Face & Body Sugar Scrub, depending on the skin type and concern, and place in a glass bowl. Brush the mixture onto the skin and begin massaging in the scrub.

* You can mix this with equal amounts of buttermilk or yogurt for a thinner consistency, or blend with equal amount of Hydra 4® Cleanser or T-Zone Balance Cleansing Complex.

6. Remove scrub with a hot towel.
7. Put on a pair of nitrile gloves and began extractions if necessary. This procedure should take no longer than 10 minutes.
8. Apply appropriate Repêchage® mask (i.e. Sea Mud Perfecting Mask, Balancing Hydrating Mask, or Clear Complexion Mask, depending on the skin condition) and leave on back for 10 minutes. Remove with a wet towel.
9. Saturate 2 pieces of cotton squares with Hydra Refine® Astringent and apply to the entire back.

For problem skin conditions on the back, you may also use the Hydra Medic® Facial for Oily Problem Skin, follow the Hydra Medic® Protocol for the face and apply it to the back.

For full protocols, go to edu.learningwithlydia.com

1. https://www.ajmc.com/newsroom/how-has-covid19-affected-mental-health-severity-of-stress-among-employees
2. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M16-2367