topic Re: Tipping at a MediSpa? in Community Chat

Tipping at a MediSpa?

wonderfulworld — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 13:24:48 GMT

I have rosacea and am having laser done at my Derm's spa attached to her office. The do regular facials and things there, also.

While at the desk making my appointment I noticed a stack of small envelopes on the counter. By the receptionist there were a few envelopes with names of the staff person...a tip in there I presume.

The laser treatments (3) are $600.00. Am I expected to tip on top of that?

Do you? I had this done years ago by a nurse and there was no tipping that I recall (same place).

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

Desertdi — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 13:33:29 GMT

@wonderfulworld I get Voluma™ at a med spa.........also a high-priced treatment. I "assume" the gratuity is "priced in".....or it would be a couple hundred extra for a separate tip. Mine is done by an RN......... I don't know anyone else who indulges in this "frivolity", so I have no one to ask what the local custom is. di

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

Bri369 — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 13:36:14 GMT

I think it depends if it's a nurse or an aesthetician doing the procedure.

I wouldn't tip a nurse. If it's an aesthetician, I would tip whatever you feel comfortable giving.

That's just my opinion. Tipping is discretionary...

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 13:38:16 GMT

The way I look at it is, if your treatment was prescribed/ordered by your PCP, then I probably wouldn't tip. I mean, you wouldn't actually tip a doctor so why this? However, I do go to my local chiropractors office for massages with their staff massage therapist once a month, purely of my own accord. The massage itself is $35/30 minutes, which I don't think is bad at all. In that situation, I do leave a tip.

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

Grouchomarx — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 13:45:32 GMT

I have been to a med spa twice. Both times a nurse did my Botox. The first time I did not tip. The second time I was in Manhattan and I asked at the front desk, is tipping appropriate. They very enthusiastically said YES of course, everyone does it. So I did tip 20%. Not sure what I would do for a much more expensive procedure though. Certainly not 20%. I know some med spas include it in the price.

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

SilleeMee — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 13:45:58 GMT

I have never tipped my laser tech. I've been going for laser treatments for a long time. The laser place is an actual medical clinic where they do medical procedures and there is nothing 'spa' about it. They do have a cosmetics and skin care store located inside that clinic but it's not owned or operated by any of the medical staff there.

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

chrystaltree — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 13:48:20 GMT

It's a medical treatment so I would not even think of tipping. If you had that exact same treatment done in the Dermatology department of your local hospital, would you leave a tip? Well, there's no difference.

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

Allegheny — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 13:54:14 GMT

It will be interesting to see the responses you receive. We tend to tip for everything now a days. Tipping for receiving a procedure in the treatment of a medical condition does not seem appropriate. It would be like tipping for physical therapy.

I am thinking if the laser therapy was recommended and solely elective on the part of the patient a tip could be considered. Personally, I wouldn't fret about it. They are probably providing the envelopes as a courtesy for customers who are coming for facials, etc.

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

PilatesLover — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 16:28:07 GMT

I wouldn't tip, the pricing is outrageous. Furthermore I don't tip my doctor or APRN.

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

wonderfulworld — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 16:33:38 GMT

I would not have given it another thought except I saw those envelopes. Not real subtle is it?

I am not sure of the qualifications of the woman who does the laser. Just had her first name on her tag.

Thanks to all of you for your replies. Maybe at my last treatment I will ask the gal at the desk. I had to pay the whole $600.00 in advance.

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

SahmIam — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 18:53:19 GMT

I don't tip at MediSpa's. IMHO, they are owned and run by a MD (at least where I live, it's the law). I don't tip ANY medical professional so I'm not tipping at a facility run by a doctor.

My son was prescribed Botox. The woman who we use at the hospital ALSO works at our local MediSpa one day a week. I don't tip her at EITHER place. Why would I?

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

StephfromIdaho — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 18:13:07 GMT

No. No tipping

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

chrystaltree — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 19:11:01 GMT

@Allegheny

I agree. The tip envelopes are for the facialists or the girls who do waxing. Still, begging for tips like that is tacky and unprofessional because it puts patients like the OP in a difficult position.

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

SilleeMee — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 19:50:20 GMT

This is how I see it...

If I go to a medispa to have traditional salon or day-spa type services then yes I would tip for those. But not for laser treatments...I would not consider most laser treatments to be traditional salon variety. However, some laser hair removal services might warrant a small tip, considering the high cost of that type of service.

Re: Tipping at a MediSpa?

wonderfulworld — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 21:34:11 GMT

I really appreciate all of your replies and thoughts on the subject.