What should I avoid before a spa treatment?
Here's what you want to skip before your spa day in Athens:
The day before:
That second glass of wine at dinner (trust me, your muscles will thank you)
Sitting out by the pool all afternoon (sunburned skin and facials don't mix)
Shaving the area you're getting massaged (gives you tiny irritations you can't even see)
The morning of:
Your usual cloud of perfume or cologne (it clashes with the oils therapists use)
Three cups of coffee before noon (you're trying to relax, remember?)
Hitting the gym right before your appointment (inflamed muscles are harder to work with)
Right before you walk in:
Walking in without using the bathroom first (massages really get things moving)
Showing up with a full face of makeup for a facial (you're just wasting your own time)
Show up 10-15 minutes early, drink some water, wear comfy clothes. That's really it. Your therapist handles everything else.
Ready to actually enjoy your spa day?
Preparing for Your Spa Visit in Athens GA: What to Avoid Before Your Treatment
So you finally did it—you booked that spa appointment in Athens GA you've been thinking about for weeks. You're already mentally checked out, counting down the days until you can actually relax. But here's something most people don't realize: what you do in the 24 hours before your appointment can completely change your experience.
I'm not talking about anything crazy complicated here. Just some simple things to avoid that'll help you get way more out of your massage, facial, or whatever treatment you've got scheduled.
Think of it as setting yourself up for success—because honestly, there's nothing worse than paying good money for a treatment and then realizing you could've had a better experience if you'd just skipped that extra cup of coffee or remembered to take off your makeup.
What to Skip 24-48 Hours Before Your Appointment
Look, I get it. You're not thinking about your spa appointment two days out. But these few things actually matter for your results.
Skip the alcohol. Even just a couple drinks the night before leaves your tissues dehydrated. When you're dehydrated, massage pressure feels way more uncomfortable, and your body can't flush out toxins as well. Ever wonder why you feel extra sore after a massage when you had wine the night before? That's why.
Stay out of the sun and tanning beds. UV exposure messes with your skin barrier. If you've got a facial or body treatment scheduled and you just spent the day tanning, your esthetician has to completely change their plan. Chemical peels? Off the table. Deep exfoliation? Nope. You end up with a gentler treatment because your skin literally can't handle the good stuff when it's compromised.
Don't shave or wax right before. This creates these tiny micro-cuts in your skin that you can't even see. Then massage oils, steam, and exfoliants hit those areas and it's just uncomfortable. Wait at least 24 hours after any hair removal. And honestly? Your therapist doesn't care about your body hair. They're looking at your shoulder knots and trigger points, not whether you shaved your legs.
Hold off on trying new products. I know that new serum just arrived from Amazon and you're dying to try it, but wait until after your facial. Introducing a brand new product right before a professional treatment is basically asking for a reaction. Your esthetician is already using stronger active ingredients than what you have at home.
We see this all the time—someone comes in for a facial after spending the day at Lake Herrick or Memorial Park. We can still treat them, but we have to dial everything back. They miss out on the deeper benefits they're paying for. Here's a helpful guide on common spa mistakes people make without realizing it.
Day-Of Mistakes That'll Mess Up Your Experience
What you do the day of your appointment matters just as much, if not more.
Don't eat a huge meal within 2 hours. Picture this: you're lying face-down on a massage table with a full stomach from that Five Star Day burrito. The therapist applies pressure to your back, which pushes on your abdomen. Not fun. You're dealing with nausea, acid reflux, the whole nine yards. Eat light at least 2-3 hours before, or just have a small snack if your appointment's during your normal meal time.
Easy on the caffeine. That third espresso might be getting you through your morning at work, but it's working against you if you're trying to relax later. Caffeine amps up your nervous system. It makes you jittery and restless when you're supposed to be settling into that healing, parasympathetic state. One cup in the morning is fine if your appointment's in the afternoon.
Skip the intense workout right before. Your heart rate is elevated, your muscles are already inflamed, your body temperature is up. It's physically harder for your therapist to do their job when your body is in workout mode.
Those inflamed muscles don't respond as well to the techniques that are supposed to release tension and improve circulation.
Leave the perfume at home. Your signature scent competes with the therapeutic aromatherapy oils your therapist picks out specifically for your session. Plus, strong fragrances can trigger headaches—for your therapist, for you, or for other clients in nearby rooms. Save it for after your session.
Real talk from working with Athens athletes and UGA gym regulars: schedule your massage at least 3-4 hours after your workout, or better yet, on your rest days. Your muscles respond so much better when they're not already inflamed from training.
What NOT to Do Right Before You Arrive
These last-minute things might seem small, but they make a bigger difference than you'd think.
Use the bathroom before you leave home. Massage gets your lymphatic and circulatory systems moving, which naturally makes you need to pee mid-treatment. Having to interrupt your session kills the relaxation and wastes time you're paying for. Just go right before you head out.
Come with a clean face if you're getting a facial. Showing up with a full face of makeup means your esthetician spends 10-15 minutes just removing it. That's 10-15 minutes that could've been spent on extractions, massage, or actual treatment. You're literally paying for makeup removal. Come fresh-faced or with just minimal makeup.
Don't show up stressed and rushed. When you're frazzled from Athens traffic or running late from back-to-back meetings, your body is flooded with stress hormones like cortisol. Those directly work against relaxation treatments. Your body needs time to downshift. Plus, if you're late, your therapist might have to cut your session short to stay on schedule for the next client. Following basic spa etiquette includes giving yourself enough time to actually relax.
Leave your valuables at home or in the car. Yeah, we have secure lockers, but why bring your laptop or expensive jewelry if you don't need to? Less stuff to worry about means you can actually focus on relaxing. Leave your wedding ring at home if you're comfortable with that.
Massage vs. Facial - What's Different?
Different treatments need slightly different prep. Here's what matters for each.
For massage appointments:
Skip body lotion that morning. Your therapist's professional products work way better on clean skin. That Bath & Body Works lotion creates a barrier that either reduces how effective the treatment is or makes your therapist use twice as much product to get through it.
Don't eat 1-2 hours before. Deep tissue, sports massage, even Swedish massage—they all involve direct work on your abdomen and body weight during certain positions. A full stomach makes this really uncomfortable.
Tell your therapist about injuries and sensitive spots before you're on the table. Don't wait until they hit that old shoulder injury to mention it. That intake form exists so you can get customized care that actually addresses your issues.
For facial appointments:
Take out your contacts if you're getting eye treatments, sinus work, or steam. Steam, pressure around your eyes, and lying flat can make contacts shift around or just feel really uncomfortable.
Stop using retinoids, AHAs, and chemical exfoliants 2-3 days before chemical peels or microdermabrasion. These products thin out your skin's protective layer, which means you can get unexpected sensitivity during professional treatments.
Our intake forms ask about recent exfoliant use because we've had Athens clients get really uncomfortable when they're using retinol at home and then come in for our professional peels. We adjust accordingly to protect your skin, but it's better to just plan ahead.
What TO Do Instead: Your Simple Prep Checklist
Alright, enough about what not to do. Here's your actual game plan for every spa visit in Athens.
Two days before:
☐ Drink plenty of water (shoot for 64+ ounces daily)
☐ Get decent sleep (7-8 hours helps your skin and muscles recover)
☐ Stay out of the sun and don't try new skincare products
Day of your appointment:
☐ Eat light 2-3 hours before your session
☐ Keep it to one cup of coffee in the morning
☐ Wear loose, comfortable clothes you can easily change out of
☐ Plan to show up 10-15 minutes early so you're not rushed
Right before treatment:
☐ Hit the bathroom
☐ Turn your phone completely off (not vibrate—OFF)
☐ Take off jewelry and contacts if needed
☐ Let your therapist know about any concerns, pressure preferences, or sensitive spots
Screenshot this checklist and check it before each appointment. Book your Athens spa appointment and see what a difference good prep makes.
Your Questions Answered
Can I shower before my appointment? Yeah, absolutely. A quick shower without heavy products is actually a good idea. Just skip the exfoliating scrubs and thick body lotions. Your therapist provides everything you need during treatment.
What if I messed up and did something on the "avoid" list? Call the spa before you come in. Nine times out of ten, you can still get treated with small adjustments. We're pretty flexible. We'd rather know ahead of time than find out mid-session. I've treated plenty of people who had wine the night before or forgot they got sunburned at yesterday's UGA game. Communication fixes most things.
Should I shave my legs before a massage? Only if it makes you feel more comfortable. Therapists genuinely don't notice or care. We're trained professionals focused on your muscles, trigger points, and getting results. This goes for anywhere you're worried about—underarms, bikini area, whatever. We're looking at your body mechanically, not aesthetically.
Can I bring my phone into the treatment room? Most Athens spas have lockers and really don't want phones in treatment rooms. The whole point is creating a relaxation environment for everyone. Notifications, vibrations, the urge to check your texts—all of that prevents you from actually experiencing your treatment. Give yourself permission to disconnect for 60-90 minutes.
What about my period—should I reschedule? Nope, not at all. Lots of people find that massage actually helps with cramps, lower back pain, and hormone-related tension. Facials aren't affected by your cycle whatsoever. Just mention to your therapist if you have any specific concerns about positioning or pressure. We work with bodies in all their natural states—it's literally what we do.
Look, good preparation gets you better results, saves time during your appointment, and helps you actually get what you're paying for. Most of these "mistakes" are totally fixable if you just communicate ahead of time. Don't stress if you accidentally did something on the avoid list—just call and let us know.
I work with Athens professionals all the time—people juggling demanding jobs at UGA, local hospitals, downtown businesses. Self-care can feel like just another task on an already overwhelming to-do list. But honestly? Showing up prepared takes less than five minutes and completely transforms your experience from "that was nice" to "wow, I actually feel different."
Ready for a spa experience that's actually stress-free and gets results? Call us at (959) 400-9242 or schedule online today. We're at 435 Hawthorne Ave Suite 800, and we're here to help you leave all that everyday stress behind.
