What is the Difference Between a Spa and a Day Spa?

Implementing a good self-care routine has been clinically proven to reduce stress, improve anxiety and depression, improve concentration, increase happiness, improve energy, and much more. If you are looking to up your self-care, a spa will be the best place to start. Spas allow you to take a break from everyday stress and responsibilities. The whole idea is to take some time to yourself to completely relax, while being pampered.

What’s the Difference Between a Spa and a Day Spa?

Many people think that traditional spas, medical (med) spas and day spas are the same, but there is a clear difference between each. Day spas are used for clients to attend and improve overall wellness with treatments centred around beauty. It is generally non-invasive, non-surgical treatments found at day spas, such as:  

• Massages
• Facials
• Waxing
• Body therapies

These treatments can usually be done fairly quickly and are done to relax and rejuvenate clients.

Pampering is the primary goal of day spas, including here at Unique Day Spa.

Traditional spas usually sit within a hotel or larger spa complex which offers overnight stays as part of the package and med spas are primarily used for the health of the body, such as the skin. Treatments found at med spas are minimally invasive and non-surgical. The treatments offered are at a more intensive calibre than those offered at day spas. The following are common treatments offered at med spas:

• Facials 
• Skin peels
• Acne and scarring
• Body contouring
• Injectable neurotoxins and fillers
• Photorejuvenation
• Microneedling
• Laser skin resurfacing
• Hair removal
• Laser vein treatments

What Type of Spa should I Attend?

The type of spa you should attend depends completely on why you’re going. Your why will determine what treatments you want/need and therefore, which spa you’ll need to attend. If your end goal is to feel generally more relaxed or to get pampered, a day spa will be the best option.

We also believe that day spas, like Unique Day Spa here in Dublin, are perfect as they allow our visitors to relax and unwind without having to commit massive amounts of time to travel or staying overnight.

Some people may benefit from a combination of day spa and med spas, especially if you want to be pampered but also have some more specific goals.

7 Types of Spas

Did you know that there are multiple types of spa?

Day Spa:

A day spa is the most common and well-known type of spa. They offer various types of health and relaxation treatments that clients can get on a daily basis, such as facials, massages, body scrubs, steam rooms, saunas, and much more.

At Unique Day Spa we’re proud to offer high quality day spa offerings to our clients from around Dublin and the rest of Ireland.

Medical Spa:

Medical spas often offer treatments that are specific to a goal and are supervised by doctors, such as laser resurfacing, filler, botox, hair removal, anti ageing treatments etc.

Destination Spa:

Destination spas are similar to day spas, but the main difference is that clients usually stay for longer periods of time (usually 2-7 days). Destination spas offer treatments, gym/exercise, educational programs, and diet programs for their clients. When attending this type of spa, clients may feel like they’re going on a holiday.

Hotel/Resort Spa:

These spas are usually located in hotels and resorts and can be important for clients, especially those who travel for business and are often stressed by their daily lives. Again, these spas are similar to day spas, and the purpose is to offer healthy options for customers who want treatments such as massages, facials, scrubs, and saunas.

Cruise Spa:

Similar to hotel and resort spas, cruise spas hotels and resorts, cruise ships also have spa treatment centres. Some clients who have booked cruise trips may want to add to their trip by participating in various spa activities, such as facials, massages, body scrubs, etc.

Mineral Springs Spa:

These kinds of spas offer an on-site source of natural mineral, thermal or seawater used in hydrotherapy treatments. Medical evidence has indicated that relaxing in a hot mineral spring not only feels fantastic, but also does your body good.

Airport Spa:

Some airports also offer spa treatments to customers. This can include oxygen therapy and chair massages. Massage chair sessions usually last around 15 minutes, but customers can request longer treatments. Massage chairs target specific muscles and use several kinds of strokes to relieve pain. This can be very beneficial for those who have to travel often for work.

Now that you know the main differences between the types of spas, you can make an informed decision about the best option for you. Spa treatments are not only a great way to relax and unwind, but they can also help treat various medical conditions. Everyone can benefit from a spa in one way or another.

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For more information on what we do here at Unique Day Spa in Dublin, click here.

If you would like to book in or contact our team click here.