Should I tip in this situation? It's a little complicated.
February 22, 2020 10:37 AM Subscribe
I signed up and pre-paid for for 3 facial (IPL/photofacial) treatments last fall. This was at a skincare salon, not a dermatologist. I wasn't sure whether I should include a tip, but thought I'd figure it out and tip on the last one, if I did. Then it got a little more complicated.
When I signed up for the IPL treatments, tipping hadn't occurred to me, probably because they're the kind of things I could get from a dermatologist, where tipping wouldn't be appropriate. And they didn't do anything to imply that a tip was expected, but there was a line for a tip on the receipt. Since I was having 3 treatments over 3 months, I decided I'd figure it out before the last one.
They stressed that I should have the 3 treatments a month apart, but as close together as possible, so either have all 3 before or after I went away for several months. We scheduled them for before I left.
The first one went really well - I was very happy with the results. The second one didn't have much noticeable effect, but the aesthetician said that was typical, and that the third one would have the most effect. But the salon ended up having to cancel the last treatment, because of a problem with their equipment. They gave me a different kind of treatment, with no charge, which I thought was really nice, as well as scheduling the third IPL for after I get back. But as far as I could tell, the free treatment had no effect at all. I'm thinking it's at least somewhat likely that they'll recommend 2 more IPLs, after the one I've already scheduled.
So I'm wondering - should I tip when I get back and have the third IPL? As well as whether tipping in general is appropriate for that kind of thing? And how much, if so? The IPLs are US$300 each; the aesthetician is clearly a trained, experienced, and not low-paid worker. This is a whole new world to me, and I don't know the rules.
When I signed up for the IPL treatments, tipping hadn't occurred to me, probably because they're the kind of things I could get from a dermatologist, where tipping wouldn't be appropriate. And they didn't do anything to imply that a tip was expected, but there was a line for a tip on the receipt. Since I was having 3 treatments over 3 months, I decided I'd figure it out before the last one.
They stressed that I should have the 3 treatments a month apart, but as close together as possible, so either have all 3 before or after I went away for several months. We scheduled them for before I left.
The first one went really well - I was very happy with the results. The second one didn't have much noticeable effect, but the aesthetician said that was typical, and that the third one would have the most effect. But the salon ended up having to cancel the last treatment, because of a problem with their equipment. They gave me a different kind of treatment, with no charge, which I thought was really nice, as well as scheduling the third IPL for after I get back. But as far as I could tell, the free treatment had no effect at all. I'm thinking it's at least somewhat likely that they'll recommend 2 more IPLs, after the one I've already scheduled.
So I'm wondering - should I tip when I get back and have the third IPL? As well as whether tipping in general is appropriate for that kind of thing? And how much, if so? The IPLs are US$300 each; the aesthetician is clearly a trained, experienced, and not low-paid worker. This is a whole new world to me, and I don't know the rules.
I would always tip 20%, on every treatment.
posted by something something at 1:18 PM on February 22, 2020 [8 favorites]
posted by something something at 1:18 PM on February 22, 2020 [8 favorites]
Hmm. I don't think of laser therapy as a treatment that is similar to a facial or massage for example and would also be questioning this. I recently had a laser treatment, with an MD, at a cosmetic dermatology/spa kind of place and of course didn't tip. I also wouldn't tip if a PA or NP or RN did it either, because I don't tip medical professionals for their services.
Call up the spa and ask them. The receptionist/person who handles the payments will probably be able to answer this better than we can. I do agree it's a gray area and not a clear cut thing where you straight up tip 20% (for a $900+ medical service!).
posted by namemeansgazelle at 3:43 PM on February 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
Call up the spa and ask them. The receptionist/person who handles the payments will probably be able to answer this better than we can. I do agree it's a gray area and not a clear cut thing where you straight up tip 20% (for a $900+ medical service!).
posted by namemeansgazelle at 3:43 PM on February 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
I don’t tip on IPL or botox. When I pay there’s no line on the receipt for a tip, and I consider it more medical than spa. YMMV.
posted by katypickle at 4:43 PM on February 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by katypickle at 4:43 PM on February 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
I also have never tipped for IPL, as it's more of a medical appointment, and there's never been a line for a tip.
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 6:25 PM on February 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 6:25 PM on February 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
I've never tipped for medical dermatology, though I always tip for facials at spas. This is just my own personal experience, but your question is in part why I do not go to salons/spas for medical procedures even if they are aesthetic in nature.
If the work is taking place at a med spa, they likely can't take off the tip line from their receipt, it's programmed on there. They can't choose to suppress it.
posted by juniperesque at 1:04 PM on February 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
If the work is taking place at a med spa, they likely can't take off the tip line from their receipt, it's programmed on there. They can't choose to suppress it.
posted by juniperesque at 1:04 PM on February 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
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It is standard to tip salon personnel after each treatment. It seems like you have had the same person do your treatment each time, but that isn't always the case at many salons.
You should tip regardless of how effective the treatment was, assuming that the worker showed up and did their job. If you are unhappy with the results, talk to management. There are a variety of reasons the results may not be as you expected, including things that have nothing to do with the effort and skill of the esthetician.
Most salon staff are not employees, they are contract workers. They likely do not have any benefits and are relying on tips not as fun extras but as part of the income they use to feed themselves and pay their rent.
20% is common, 25% is nice especially if you want to establish an ongoing relationship with a particular professional. 15% is the least you should do, unless something under the person's control was very, very wrong (e.g. they were abusive, in which case you should talk to management).
posted by nirblegee at 12:19 PM on February 22, 2020 [9 favorites]