We bloggers are always writing eloquently about how it’s important to look after ourselves and that you can and should do nice things for yourself. We swap ideas on how we can give ourselves an instant lift and make ourselves feel happier in our own skin. When we read through the contributions, we see again and again – either directly or by reading between the lines – that a visit to the beauty therapist seems to be considered just as important a part of the beauty routine as a visit to the gym or hairdresser. I love reading about these things, but hand on heart, how many of you have actually been to a beauty therapist? And more than once? And why do we not go more often?

I can count my visits to the beauty therapist on one hand. I should also point out that being in the business, I do know a lot of beauty models and people in the cosmetics industry who will recommend facial treatments but who themselves have never set foot in a beauty salon. And this is what inspired me to write this contribution, because I’d love to know who feels exactly the same way as me.

The first rational reason why we don’t go to beauty salons is probably the cost. Why should I pay out that money every four to eight weeks for a facial exfoliation, mask and eyebrow pluck? If you look at the actual costs of the treatments, however, you’ll realise that they often do not amount to much more than a haircut or the monthly fee for the gym (which we often don’t take as much advantage of as we should anyway), cosmetics and beauty products. You could of course argue that you get more out of these things or a new pair of shoes or the pullover that you’ve been eyeing up for ages than you do out of 45 minutes in which a stranger puts their hands on your face. Moreover, there’s a tendency to feel that the treatment itself is probably not worth it anyway.

All these are understandable arguments. But when I talk to fellow ‘sufferers’, the clue to the crucial factor that determines whether or not we go to a beauty salon is actually contained within what seems like a neutral phrase at first glance: ‘45 minutes in which a stranger puts their hands on your face’. Every seeming blemish and taint is laid bare under the bright lights of the beauty salon, each blackhead, every bump, wrinkle and facial hair! And of course, you’d no doubt rather conveniently forget one thing here – this is exactly why we go! To get rid of blackheads and bumps, soothe our faces and of course to get rid of superfluous facial hair.

When we visit the hairdresser (which is an equally intimate experience, given the disasters that can happen with a new cut or hair colour!) or the nail salon, an activity that has become ‘established’ over the past few years, we tell ourselves that there is still a physical distance between us and the person providing the service. With beauty therapists or a masseuse, however, it’s a different matter.

One thing is certain: going to a beauty salon once probably doesn’t ‘give’ you anything. Except what? Well, except it gives your skin a completely new feel and lets you enjoy pure relaxation that radiates from within. A few individual tips from professionals might help here. If you follow what your trusted beauty therapist does religiously, you can replicate treatments at home using simple materials and enjoy the benefits a bit longer, as well as spoil yourself at home. Well, until your next visit in eight or nine months’ time, once your brain has managed to persuade you once more that you thoroughly deserve the affordable luxury of 45 minutes’ worth of relaxation and some extra care and attention from time to time.

There are just as many reasons for as there are against. And actually, there’s really no need for uncertainty or to find some way of surmounting the problem. Doing something for yourself now and then has nothing to do with vanity. And I should also heed my own words and do it again myself soon. And so should you.