Tipping at a MediSpa?

wonderfulworld · ‎12-05-2012

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).

Desertdi · ‎03-13-2010

@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

♥Surface of the Sun♥

Bri369 · ‎11-03-2018

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...

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

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.

Grouchomarx · ‎01-23-2019

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.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

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.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

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.

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

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.