What happens at Korean spa?
You will get naked, put your stuff in your locker, & take yourself + your bin into the spa area. Once in the spa area you have to take a shower before using any of the facilities for sanitary reasons. Once clean, you have 30 minutes to do whatever until your name is called to be scrubbed. Korean bathhouses, known as jjimjilbangs, have specific etiquette: Upon entering, remove your shoes. Undress completely in the gender-segregated locker room before entering communal areas. Wash at the shower stations.First things first, you take a shower before using any of the facilities. Complimentary body wash, shampoo and conditioner are provided, so scrub up before hitting the baths. In korean spa culture, they take their hygiene and cleanliness very seriously.
What is the difference between a Korean spa and a regular spa?
Korean Spas: These are built around holistic healing and communal wellness. The focus is on full-body rejuvenation through various heat therapies, hydrotherapy pools, and exfoliation treatments. Traditional American Spas: These emphasize individualized luxury and pampering. Jjimjilbangs are integral to South Korean culture, offering relaxation and health rituals. Proper etiquette, like shoe removal and thorough cleansing, enhances the bathhouse experience. The experience includes soaking, scrubbing, and sauna sessions that promote wellness and skin health.
What is the etiquette for Korean spas?
Korean bathhouses, known as jjimjilbangs, have specific etiquette: Upon entering, remove your shoes. Undress completely in the gender-segregated locker room before entering communal areas. Wash at the shower stations. Use the baths, saunas, and other facilities without loud conversation. Koreans view hygiene in high regard, and the fact that every facility within the bathhouse is shared among the visitors makes showering a custom for everyone so that everyone enters the pools in a clean state.Are there same-sex areas inside a Korean bathhouse? Most jjimjilbang have two distinct areas: the baths, which are same-sex only, and the sauna areas, which are communal.
What should I avoid before a Korean spa?
If you’re a person that shaves, try to avoid doing so the day or two before a scrub or it might be irritating on your skin. Plan to wear comfortable clothing – it’s a great way to extend your feel-good spa experience when you have to finally get dressed and leave after a day of relaxing! Here are a few pro tips to be followed that will help you make the most of your spa day: Have light meals before your spa day to keep comfortable during treatments. If opting for exfoliation, skip shaving 24 hours before to avoid skin irritation.The most common spa treatments are massages, manicures/pedicures and facials. However, you might also see offered such treatments as a body scrub/exfoliation, a fingers or toes file & polish (like a mini manicure or pedicure) or a scalp massage.Research the qualifications and credentials of the spa’s staff, including massage therapists, estheticians, and wellness practitioners. Look for spas that employ licensed professionals with extensive training and experience in their respective fields to ensure that you receive safe and effective treatments.
How much to tip at Korean spa?
In beauty salons, spas, or massage parlors, tipping is not expected. Prices already include the cost of service. If you receive exceptional service and wish to show appreciation, a small tip is acceptable but not necessary. For example, a $70 massage typically warrants a tip of $10–$15. If you’re using a coupon or promotional discount, etiquette suggests tipping based on the original price of the service—not the reduced one.A good rule of thumb for tipping in the massage industry is between 15% and 20% of the total service cost, which is the standard practice in the broader service industry. This range is widely accepted as a standard gesture of appreciation for satisfactory to excellent service, and is a perfectly acceptable tip.Even though there is no fixed amount, the standard tipping range for massage therapy typically falls between 15-25% of the session cost. The lower end (15%) is generally acceptable for a good experience, while 20% is more common for exceptional service.In general, tipping norms suggest leaving 15% to 20% of the service cost as a gratuity. This range is standard across many wellness centers and spas. However, personal experiences and service quality can affect this baseline. For instance, if you receive exceptional care, consider tipping towards the higher end.Many people tip around 15-20% of the massage cost. For example, if your massage costs $100, you’d tip $15 to $20. This range is a good starting point and is commonly accepted across different settings: at-home or mobile therapists, franchise spas or clinics, or an individual massage therapist.