It is important to offer guests who are suffering from cancer and/or compromised health a safe place to escape, de-stress and treat any physical/mental ailments they may be experiencing. We spoke with experts in oncology esthetics for their insight into safely treating all clients, including those with health conditions.
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It is important to offer guests who are suffering from cancer and/or compromised health a safe place to escape, de-stress and treat any physical/mental ailments they may be experiencing. We spoke with experts in oncology esthetics for their insight into safely treating all clients, including those with health conditions.
1. What are important reminders for working with oncology patients in the spa?
-Becky Kuehn, founder, Oncology Spa Solutions: Prioritize safety (understand their condition and medications), practice compassion (treat with proper education, empathy and the care you would want for yourself) and use critical thinking (tailor each service to meet their unique needs). Discover why they came, how you can help address their concerns and have some fun. Remember, they came to see you to feel better, relax and enjoy themselves.
-Emily Stutzman, in-house esthetician, LaFlore Live Probiotic Skincare: It’s important to maintain open and compassionate communication. Encourage the patient to share how they are feeling during the treatment and be ready to adjust based on their feedback. If you are considering working with oncology patients, it’s important to make sure you, as the professional, can cope with the emotional aspect that can come with treating these clients.
-Shawna Rocha, director of education, Hale & Hush: When working with oncology patients in a spa, it's essential to create a soothing and supportive environment. Ensure the room is free of fragrances, with soft materials like gentle face pads, towels and robes. Provide comfortable bedding, wig stands and pillows for added ease. Practitioners should approach with empathy, kindness, and care, maintaining a gentle approach. Treatments should be adapted to meet the specialized needs of oncology clients, with extra time scheduled to allow for a more relaxed and unhurried experience.
-Julie Bach, Global Wellness Institute, Wellness for Cancer Initiative: First and foremost, we need to think about our guests as guests. An individual touched by cancer is a person just like any other person. They are not a group of people or to be defined by their disease. This is called “othering” – making someone different from you and me. And, perhaps they don’t feel or want to be different. They may or may not identify with cancer. They may identify more with being a young mother or something else. All guests should be treated the same whether they have cancer or not. We adapt our spa treatments for the whole person and everyone has something going on. As chairperson for the Global Wellness Institute's Wellness for Cancer Initiative, I have tried to ensure that we reframe the conversation by not labeling a person by their disease.
Related: How to Confidently Craft Oncology Spa Services
2. What are the safest treatments to provide to oncology guests?
-Kuehn: While hydration and calming services are often ideal, oncology clients will have diverse needs and conditions. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. By understanding their specific challenges, you can tailor and personalize your services to best support them.
-Stutzman: Opt for hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and non-irritating products. Oncology patients often have sensitive skin due to treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, so it's crucial to avoid anything that could cause irritation. This includes manual exfoliation or treatments that tug at the skin.
-Rocha: The safest treatments for oncology guests focus on providing comfort and symptom relief for medically compromised skin. Hydrating therapies, relaxation techniques, and stress-relief treatments are key in promoting healing. It’s important to use products with ingredients specifically safe for oncology clients to avoid irritation. Additionally, treatments should aim to improve self-image and offer a sense of normalcy, helping clients feel cared for and supported throughout their journey.
-Bach: The safest treatment is one that is provided by an oncology-trained therapist and is personalized to the guest that is sitting in front of you. We should not have oncology spa treatments on the menu. By offering the cancer service on the menu, you have defined a person and diminished them into one or a few services, compared to a larger percentage of the menu that might be just as appropriate. Individuals want to feel normal. There is not reason to define them in this way. We suggest to put a purple ribbon symbolizing cancer with a simple statement: “Our therapists are trained to adapt your service for a variety of conditions including pregnancy, sports injuries, cancer and more. Please let us know when booking.” The treatments that have the most evidence are massage and yoga. Skin health is emerging as newer treatments are creating skin conditions. But, the impact that you can have on your client's skin is only as beneficial as your brand partner. Your brand partner should have actual experience with their product and cancer patients vs. theoretical knowledge of what might be okay. This is the safest route to go when it comes to skin care. Individuals don't have the extra time and may not be able to handle the stress of a having a reaction to the product.
3. How can spas tailor services for health compromised guests?
-Kuehn: Begin by providing additional staff training and implementing a comprehensive consultation form to assess clients' needs to determine the most suitable action plan. Next, focus on offering specialized services, creating a safe environment with enhanced safety protocols and using appropriate products. Providing excellent follow-up care will further ensure success, build trust and attract new referrals and clients.
-Stutzman: Cancer treatments can be exhausting. Offer shorter, more relaxing sessions, and be prepared to adjust or stop the treatment if the client feels fatigued or is experiencing skin irritation. It’s also important to ensure that all treatments are gentle and soothing. Use soft touch and light pressure to avoid causing any pain.
-Rocha: Spas can tailor their services for health-compromised guests by offering products that are safe for oncology clients and creating an environment that caters to their specific needs. Holistic options, such as alternative therapies, should be readily available. Advanced education in oncology esthetics is crucial, as well as building strong relationships with physicians and specialists. Spas should also establish referral programs for wig experts, functional medicine practitioners, dieticians, massage therapists, hair stylists, camouflage makeup artists, tattoo artists and acupuncturists to provide comprehensive support for these clients.
-Bach: Pros should take a comprehensive course to understand how to conduct a client consultation and discuss what is going on with the client as a whole person. Communicate in a way that is not medical, but rather is approachable, asks open questions and is empathetic. A comprehensive training will teach you how to use critical thinking to adjust and personalize your service to your client - cancer-related and not cancer-related.
