Spa industry intelligence researcher Intelligent Spas has teamed up with international spa consultant Maggie Gunning to create the Professional Spa Treatments Manual, which outlines its method for "highly consistent" spa treatments.

Julie Garrow, managing director of Intelligent Spas, said the guide can help reduce training costs, as well as assisting spas in the pre-opening phase gain a faster time to market. In existing spas, the approach also claims to increase client loyalty and allow for easier treatment delivery for multi-skilled therapists.

The Professional Spa Treatments Manual aims to help make training staff easier and details 31 spa treatment procedures across water, massage, body, face, nails, hair and extras (including waxing). Supporting verbal scripts, product lists and process maps are also included to help guide training and implementation.

"The emphasis on 'highly consistent' procedures helps spas focus on client-side delivery, streamlining operations and getting new therapists out on the floor quicker, when treatment room occupancy is important and every cost saving helps in our very competitive industry," said Garrow.

Gunning – who is also a fully qualified aesthetician in face and body treatments – added that spa employees are usually happier if they have clear guidelines and processes to follow.

"In my experience, a spa therapist typically delivers a variety of treatments," she explained. "With 'highly consistent' procedures in place across the spa menu, it helps employees perform to the highest standards. Guest satisfaction can contribute to employee satisfaction and appreciation for a job well done. In the long run, this can lead to higher employee retention, thereby keeping human resource costs manageable and improving the bottom line."

The book is available for immediate download in both editable Microsoft Word and secure PDF file formats via the Intelligent Spas website.