Differentiating a Salon and Spa – Understanding Their Variances
2/6/2015

Many people interchange the terms salon and spa, using or considering them as one, but these really are different types of businesses. Today, several services of each business may overlap, although it offers a distinctive experience to those who visit a salon, and to those who visit a spa. A spa experience is like an all-day experience of relaxation and pampering, while a salon experience involves only a certain service for beautification.

Hours of Service

The prime difference between a salon and spa is the hours of service. A visit to a spa means several hours or an all-day experience of relaxation, while a visit to a salon means several minutes, an hour or a few hours. While inside a spa and under its services, clients are usually offered with complimentary services like refreshments, appetizers, a light lunch, some alcoholic beverages, champagne, or wine. Otherwise, there are no such compliments, just the necessary service to be paid. Thus, the time of service in a spa takes longer than that in a salon.

Ambience and Atmosphere

When it comes to the size of both businesses, you will notice a huge difference in size. A salon is normally smaller compared to a spa, considering the small private rooms wherein the specific services and treatments take place aside from the main room or lobby. Some spas even have outdoor lounges or a big waiting area for succeeding clients. The equipment found in spas is also bigger like sauna rooms, whirlpool tubs, showers, and sometimes a pool, whereas salons basically have chairs, big mirrors, hair dryers, autoclaves for manicure and pedicure purposes, a small receiving area, and other small tools and equipment.

Services Offered

The services offered in a salon and spa also differs relatively, although a few of their services may overlap. Salon services cover a wide array of beautification services; including hair care, nail care, and skin care. Spas usually provide more extensive services like spa treatments, facial ad body massage, tanning, full body-wraps, aromatherapy, and many other treatments that are not found in salons. Of course, the price tags of services in a salon and spa also vary, as spa services are more costly than the services provided in salons.