If you enjoy skin care you have probably had one. But, have you ever wondered if all the recommended add-ons you paid for were really worth it? If you have never had a facial treatment, expect to be offered one as part of your first spa experience.
So, what’s an add-on anyway? An add-on is an a-la-carte service intended to enhance your experience and make your skin glow. In this blog you’ll read all of the details you need to know about add-ons. What makes an add-on an add-on? When are they worth paying for? What should you expect when you have one and how much should you pay?
Let’s start with the basics. Think of an add-on as choosing a side dish with your entrée. Or if that analogy doesn’t ring true for you then consider add-ons like ordering cheese and bacon on your Shake Shack burger. It always costs a little more, but it sure tastes great! Add-ons are your spas equivalent to Shack Shacks bacon and cheese, without the grease!
Like your favorite restaurant, spas offer a huge array of different a-la-carte services; or in spa lingo- add-ons. Add-ons are intended to provide the client an option to address a specific skin condition or to fulfill a specific request of the client not included in the standard facial. Most facial services target a specific condition or skincare need. Think: anti-aging facials, acne facials or deep pore cleansing facials. The titles are generally pretty self-explanatory. But here’s the rub, most people have combination skin and focusing in on one area doesn’t address your faces overall needs. In comes the add-on!
It is not unusual to be offered 3 or 4 add-ons in one facial. And at an average of $50 each, your $200 facial becomes $400. So, are you getting what you pay for? Not always. There is only so much you can achieve in one facial session. At some point you reach the law of diminishing returns. Your skin can only absorb so much exfoliation, hydration and product.
So, what’s the right number of add-ons in a facial? “At my spa, we offer 1-2 add-ons in every facial,” explains Matthew Pruitt, owner of Skin Bar NYC. “Once you go beyond 2 add-ons you might not be getting much value, you’re just increasing the average sales price for the spa”, explains Pruitt. “Personally, I like extractions anytime I am having a service. My nose is prone to ugly blackheads and I look forward to facials to keep ‘em squeaky clean. So, if a facial such as diamondermbarasion or a deep peel doesn’t include extractions, I purchase an add-on. When I have a little extra in my budget I add a blast of pure oxygen as well”.
Your skin care specialist will recommend add-ons that are right for your skin after a thorough skin analysis. The condition of your skin should be discussed with you at that time, and a clear explanation why the add-ons are being suggested. You should always ask how much the add-ons cost. You don’t want to find out at check-out that the stem-cell booster you had was $200. Ouch!
Add-ons can range in price from twenty-five dollars all the way up several hundred dollars, which is a big spread in cost. That’s why it is important to ask the price of each recommended add-on. Make sure you really understand the benefit of that investment as well. A well advised add-on can make a real difference in how you look after your treatment. “At Skin Bar we offer free add-ons to our members. Our specially selected add-ons correspond to the season and enhance our client’s treatments. This month we are offering an oxygen boost add-on for every service our members have. If you’re having a facial you’ll leave with the dewy glow of a celebrity on the red carpet. If you’re doing laser treatments the oxygen boost will reduce redness immediately, speed up healing and cellular turn over. Complimentary add-ons introduce our members to new services they may otherwise never have the chance to try”, says Pruitt.
Add-ons don’t extend the length of your treatment. Unlike a massage that can be extended for a fee, add-ons are more clinical in nature, intended to enhance results, not spa time. So, be sure that what you agree to pay for is worth the price to you. If budget makes add-ons out of reach, don’t fret. Choose a facial that includes the following: skin analysis, extractions, exfoliation (either mechanical or chemical is fine), and a hydrating masque. If you choose a facial with these 3 steps included your skin is getting everything it needs.
If you have any questions about add-ons, feel free to contact Skin Bar NYC. If you would like to enjoy the benefits of membership and are a new client, try a trial membership today.
