1st FotoFacial: Should I have tipped?

[Guest guest]

I mean this question in all seriousness -- I'm not being glib.

On Wednesday, I had my first FotoFacial treatment at the Cary Skin

Spa, and it was a pleasant, relaxing experience; quite unlike the

experience I underwent 2 1/2 years ago when I had my Photoderm

treatments (which nonetheless improved the condition of my skin and

were well worth the effort and expense.)

I guess that's because my Photoderm was done at a " clinic " , and was

therefore performed in a very clinical environment, all very cut and

dry, antiseptic and no-frills. Not to imply that the staff were not

very nice and pleasant; indeed they were.

But this was a spa. Unlike the clinic, this facility had me don an

anesthesic gel which greatly reduced the stinging sensation caused by

the laser. They also piped in soothing music, fetched me juice, and

treated me to a delightfully cool, citrus smelling gauzy 'mask' at

the completion of my zaps. " Contains essential oils, " my FotoFacial

practitioner informed me (for the life of me I can't summon her name.

She was trained by Bitter Jr., though.)

" Tell me, " I asked her in a conspiratorial whisper before the mask

drifted onto my face, " between you and me and the 2200 members of the

cea Support Board, is there some sort of rift or treatment

related rivalry going on between Bitters Sr. and Jr.? "

She shrugged and said, " Not to my knowledge. "

So there you have it. I promised you guys that I would get the dirty

lowdown on the Photofacial/FotoFacial conundrum, and I always deliver

on my promises.

For your edification: No apparent rift. No vicious professional

rivalry or past instances of puppy kicking. Just smiling bliss and

what appears to be familial harmony.

But back to the tipping question: Should I have tipped my

practitioner? I mean, the treatments are pricey enough ($400 each),

but I always like to do right by service people, having been a

service person myself. Did I commit a faux pas?

Later,

--Jillian

[Guest guest]

I mean this question in all seriousness -- I'm not being glib.

On Wednesday, I had my first FotoFacial treatment at the Cary Skin

Spa, and it was a pleasant, relaxing experience; quite unlike the

experience I underwent 2 1/2 years ago when I had my Photoderm

treatments (which nonetheless improved the condition of my skin and

were well worth the effort and expense.)

I guess that's because my Photoderm was done at a " clinic " , and was

therefore performed in a very clinical environment, all very cut and

dry, antiseptic and no-frills. Not to imply that the staff were not

very nice and pleasant; indeed they were.

But this was a spa. Unlike the clinic, this facility had me don an

anesthesic gel which greatly reduced the stinging sensation caused by

the laser. They also piped in soothing music, fetched me juice, and

treated me to a delightfully cool, citrus smelling gauzy 'mask' at

the completion of my zaps. " Contains essential oils, " my FotoFacial

practitioner informed me (for the life of me I can't summon her name.

She was trained by Bitter Jr., though.)

" Tell me, " I asked her in a conspiratorial whisper before the mask

drifted onto my face, " between you and me and the 2200 members of the

cea Support Board, is there some sort of rift or treatment

related rivalry going on between Bitters Sr. and Jr.? "

She shrugged and said, " Not to my knowledge. "

So there you have it. I promised you guys that I would get the dirty

lowdown on the Photofacial/FotoFacial conundrum, and I always deliver

on my promises.

For your edification: No apparent rift. No vicious professional

rivalry or past instances of puppy kicking. Just smiling bliss and

what appears to be familial harmony.

But back to the tipping question: Should I have tipped my

practitioner? I mean, the treatments are pricey enough ($400 each),

but I always like to do right by service people, having been a

service person myself. Did I commit a faux pas?

Later,

--Jillian