Day spas differ from beauty salons in a number of ways.  Day spas generally offer more services that salons and there emphasis is on skin care and relaxation while the average salon is more concerned with hair styling and cosmetics.  Some upper echelon salons may offer waxing, many salons limit waxing services to facial hair.  Most salons cater primarily to women.

Unlike beauty salons, day spas cater to both male and female clientele.  They off services like body waxing that may not be available in all beauty salons.  While they often offer hair styling and facial cosmetics, these are not the main emphasis at day spas.  They are geared more toward improving the appearance by improving the clients state of well being.

Waxing is a service which takes considerable time and space and which requires a specially trained and licensed cosmetologist.  Spas generally have the facilities to perform this type of service better than salons.  It is also possible for men to receive this service at a spa.  In many cases salons are so geared toward women that men feel uncomfortable receiving services at one.  Spas are less gender specific allowing men to use their services without embarrassment.

The most common areas for waxing on women are the legs, underarms, bikini area and face.  Men are more likely request waxing for their back and chest, and occasionally their legs if they participate in certain sports.  Body builders often remove all their body hair for competition and waxing is the most effective method for removing body hair.

Massage is a service that is almost never offered in salons.  Some high end gyms may offer the service, but the best place outside a medical facility to find massage services are day spas.  Most day spas offer a variety of different therapeutic massage therapies performed by trained licensed massage therapists.  Each technique has a separate purpose and it is best to discuss the various techniques with your massage therapist before deciding which on is best for your needs.

Massage therapy is typically performed in a private room or area.  Some days spas may offer couples massage where a couple shares a room, but not a therapist.  Massage therapists are highly trained and are gaining acceptance as medial professionals.  They undergo extensive training and education in anatomy and related topics.  Massage therapist can help manage pain, relieve tension, improve sinus drainage, relieve head aches and back aches.

For pregnant women, prenatal massage can relax muscles making labor easier, reduce hypertension associated with pregnancy and promote a general feeling of well being in the expectant mother.  Day spas go way beyond beauty.  There is some medical evidence to support massage as a bona fide medical treatment for a number of conditions.  Massage is considered a holistic treatment but is also gaining acceptance in mainstream medicine.

Day spas offer more services geared more to health and well being than either salons or gyms.  If you want to look and feel beautiful, consider spending a day at a spa.  You'll be happy you did.