alling all budding spa entrepreneurs: are you ready to take a dip into the wonderful world of relaxation and self-care? Starting your own spa business can be an incredibly satisfying venture, as you spend your time pampering your clients and creating a haven for wellness enthusiasts.
Just like any other business though, the spa industry has its own set of challenges and considerations, especially when it comes to ensuring the well-being of your clients. Although spas are often synonymous with tranquillity and relaxation, they can pose health risks due to the warm and humid environment, as well as adverse effects from equipment if not used correctly.
So before you dive headfirst into this exciting enterprise, we need to talk about three potential health risks that could be lurking beneath the surface of a new spa business. Let’s explore what they are.
1. Frightening facials
Facials, like any cosmetic procedure or treatment, have potential risks and dangers associated with them. This is especially true for new, aggressive or improper techniques, which can cause redness, swelling, burns, scarring, or even long-term damage to the skin.
It’s crucial to be well-informed about the potential risks and dangers associated with facials, as well as how to mitigate these. Failing to do so could result in serious consequences, including legal action taken against you. As the specialist spa insurance brokers over at Salon Gold note: “All it takes is for a client to have an adverse reaction to a product or treatment for your dreams to end abruptly. And when you face a compensation claim that you can’t afford, you wonder how you’ll ever make it out the other side.”
You should therefore perform a thorough pre-facial consultation before carrying out any treatment, Ogle Facial Skin Care School advises. “During this time, you have the chance to learn more about their medical history regarding the health of their skin, any diagnosis they’ve had for skin conditions, and any allergies that might cause a rash, itchiness or redness to occur.”
2. Sauna side effects
Ah, the sauna. We have our friends over in Finland to thank for the blissful heated bathhouse and its myriad benefits, including glowing skin, increased metabolism, and pain reduction, to name just a few. Unfortunately, however, it is important to note that the sauna may not be suitable for everyone.
While its effects are generally beneficial for most people, certain individuals, like pregnant women, people with heart conditions, or those on medication, should exercise caution or avoid using the sauna altogether. This is because its dry heat can reach as high as 85°C, which can cause skin temperatures to soar to 40°C in mere minutes, Harvard Health Publishing explains. And that’s not all — your heart gets in on the action, too. With the heat and steam surrounding you, your pulse rate can jump by an enormous 30% or even more.
Although avoiding the sauna may seem like common sense, not all customers are aware of the potential risks, or they may choose to ignore them. To ensure the safety of your customers and protect your business against any potential claims, it’s crucial to provide clear and comprehensive safety guidelines. These should be prominently displayed in the sauna area and communicated to customers before admittance.
3. Poolside slips and falls
“Walk, don’t run” is the number one rule for pool safety and always has been. This can be easily forgotten, however, by stressed spa-goers rushing to nab the best spot in the steam room — or altogether ignored by younger swimmers plunging into the pool.
Slips and falls can lead to severe consequences, including head injuries, broken bones, and, in extreme cases — drowning and spinal cord injuries.
Therefore, promoting a culture of safety and awareness is crucial to preventing these incidents. As a spa owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that everyone, even non-swimmers, exercises caution while in and around the pool.
“There are no swimming pool specific health and safety laws,” The Health and Safety Executive notes; “however, swimming pool operators must comply with their general duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the associated regulations.”
Therefore, before setting up shop, it’s strongly recommended to follow the rules shared in Health and Safety in Swimming Pools guidance, which lists information on pool equipment and features, lifeguards, emergency procedures, and more.
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