Tipping esthetician?

[Scuba]

The buffet tipping thread inspired me to ask about a situation I encountered last week. I’ve been having brown spots (ie sun damage) removed from my face every year or so except for 2020 due to COVID. I used to go to my dermatologist to have it done. I had to pay out of pocket as it was considered a cosmetic procedure.

We moved two years ago, and in our new city, dermatologists generally don’t do cosmetic procedures such as brown spots removal. I went to an esthetician recommended by my dermatologist and was shocked to see a tip % screen as I paid. The procedure cost around $350 and the minimum tip option was 15%, unless I wrote in a “custom tip” or selected “no tip.”

If I go for a facial or massage, I expect to tip and tip well. However, tipping someone $50 on a procedure I had never before been asked to tip for was kind of shocking to me. After the appointment, I googled it and learned that for these types of procedures, people don’t tip if a doctor performs the service, but if an esthetician does it, tipping is not unusual but is not necessarily 15-25% like a meal tip.

If you have any minor cosmetic procedures done by an esthetician, do you tip and if so, do you give a set amount or base it on a % of the bill?

 

[Aerides]

Yikes no. I'd look around for a derma that has their in house aesthetician, that's how mine works. Previously I've had that/similar done by my actual dermatologist, who was with the cleveland clinic. Not a setting I'd imagine tipping in!

The in-house aesthetician at my derma does laser and bbl stuff for spots, broken capillaries, etc., and should require specific licensing beyond a facialist. These are the same folks one would use I think for botox and fillers? Either way, no, that's got to be a well paid profession and a tip sounds crazy.

Besides, with spot removal and laser treatments, it's weeks before you see the results, and often need 2-3 sessions.

 

[zinger1457]

Last time I went to the dermatologist was given fluorouracil to treat keratosis and it did a great job removing brown spots, under $50 for a tube of cream.

 

[pjm-7]

I have wondered about this. I am currently having sun damaged spots removed by an esthecian. The office is separate from a regular dermatology practice and one of the dermatologists has her office there. I have never been asked to tip. Even though this is considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance I see this as ancillary medical care (maybe akin to personally consulting a dietician or physical therapist). I consider them professionals and do not tip.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

I would say No Tip and never go back to them again! America seems to be becoming a "Begging for Money" state. Whether it be Hardware stores, supermarkets, they all seem to be asking for money at the till, and then there are those that stand outside and Beg. Yes, it is begging as that is what it is.

Giving should be a private and personal thing as it has always been in our family. One should not have to broadcast who one gives to, and there should not be a "special" Tuesday to do it on.

 

[Sunset]

My Uncle told me at Thanksgiving he used to tip the cops because they would do good work catching him speeding.
This was many years ago.

One time, he told the cop he only had $10, so the cop told him drive around the corner, the cop came around the corner and gave him $5 change.

My few interactions with Police have not suggested tipping, so this might be one of the few professions left where tipping is not normal

 

[NgineER]

I am assuming that the tipping options are built into their small business square or cash register by default, and I assume the business likes it as people tend to tip if there is a prompt to do so.
I feel stingy when I press no tip when I don't think there is a need for it, but still do so.

Paying cash gets you around that interface as I've only seen it come up when you whip out your credit card.

 

[Gumby]

Slightly off-topic, but this is the first time in my life that I have ever heard of such thing as an esthetician or about the services they provide. I really do learn something new here every day.

 

[tmm99]

Slightly off-topic, but this is the first time in my life that I have ever heard of such thing as an esthetician or about the services they provide. I really do learn something new here every day.

Well, I knew aestheticians existed, but I thought they just did facials. I didn't know that dermatologists and estheticians removed age spots. I wouldn't be happy if I was presented with tip options for a treatment I used to get from a doctor.

One thing I like about getting massages in Canada is that tips are not expected. Massage treatments are considered like medical treatments (referred to as "massage therapy"), classified in the same category as physiotherapy, acupuncture, chiro adjustments and naturopath. I believe most company insurances here cover massage therapies (up to 80%, 90%, etc up to so much per year).

 

[Born2BRetd]

My massage therapist does not accept tips. I went to a med spa for a while and the nurse did not take tips but the aesthetician did.

 

[Gumby]

Well, I knew aestheticians existed, but I thought they just did facials.....

To be honest, I'm not entirely clear on what a facial is either, other than having something to do with your face.

 

[Aerides]

To be honest, I'm not entirely clear on what a facial is either, other than having something to do with your face.

It's fabulous. If you've ever had a massage, imagine that, but just for your face. With lovely smelling cleansing and moisturizing products. Then when you are super relaxed, they basically take tweezers to your nose and squeeze out blackheads and make you question the whole idea. Then back to more soothing stuff.

 

[tmm99]

Make sure that you don't use any retinol products before getting a facial. (That should have been a pre-treatment question!) My first and only facial put my face in a big mess. (The skin around my eyes peeled off!!)

 

[Chuckanut]

My Uncle told me at Thanksgiving he used to tip the cops because they would do good work catching him speeding.
This was many years ago.

One time, he told the cop he only had $10, so the cop told him drive around the corner, the cop came around the corner and gave him $5 change.

My few interactions with Police have not suggested tipping, so this might be one of the few professions left where tipping is not normal

I would guess there are ethics laws that would forbid tipping any public servant. If not, there should be. Otherwise, they open themselves up to charges of bribery.

 

[Sunset]

Make sure that you don't use any retinol products before getting a facial. (That should have been a pre-treatment question!) My first and only facial put my face in a big mess. (The skin around my eyes peeled off!!)

That is Shocking

 

[travelover]

My Uncle told me at Thanksgiving he used to tip the cops because they would do good work catching him speeding.
This was many years ago...........

Tipping cops is so yesterday. Now, corporations [-]buy[/-] tip whole legislatures.

 

[swakyaby]

I would be surprised too if I saw a tip question on the electronic payment pad that you had to answer in order to pay the aesthetician’s services. I’m not sure how I would respond to that. If he/she were under the employ of the dermatologist, it would feel different than being in an independent practice. It would feel like tipping the dental hygienist at the dentist’s office. I’m one of those who feels somewhat annoyed when grocery store credit card readers ask for donations before you can pay, so I’m with ShokWaveRider on that. I think if I chose “no tip” though, I would feel awkward returning to that aesthetician.

 

[fh2000]

I went to a store to pick up a cellphone cable. The cashier software prompted tipping option. I hit no tipping. I wonder how many customers would actually tip.

 

[jollystomper]

I do not get the angst over the"tipping" indicators appearing on more and more places beyond restaurants. Just hit "no tip" if you do not want to tip. If they glare or snarl or whatever, just smile, wish them a good day, and take your future business elsewhere.

 

[MC Rider]

My Uncle told me at Thanksgiving he used to tip the cops because they would do good work catching him speeding.
This was many years ago.

One time, he told the cop he only had $10, so the cop told him drive around the corner, the cop came around the corner and gave him $5 change.

My few interactions with Police have not suggested tipping, so this might be one of the few professions left where tipping is not normal

Had "a friend" give a cop $20 years ago to complete the traffic stop.
I read this post and says, reminds me of 1980's Chicago where that happened.


Then I see your sig line, you are in Chicago. I guess some things never change.

 

[Scuba]

Thanks for your responses. I wasn’t comfortable with the tipping, but I have gotten good results from my visit. If I try another provider in the future, I will ask about the tipping policy in advance.

 

[Amethyst]

We are all so different from one another! I've had two facials in my entire life, at well-known spas, and absolutely hated the experience. Even reading a description of it grosses me out. Can't stand people handling my face, especially when they go tap-tap-tap on it with their fingers. Just want to get up off the table and run away.

I do love a massage, though, which is much more intimate than a facial.

It's fabulous. If you've ever had a massage, imagine that, but just for your face. With lovely smelling cleansing and moisturizing products. Then when you are super relaxed, they basically take tweezers to your nose and squeeze out blackheads and make you question the whole idea. Then back to more soothing stuff.

 

[Amethyst]

The only "esthetic" things I get are haircuts and the occasional massage and laser leg hair treatment. None of these are in actual medical establishments.

I tip for all of the above. I have read that tipping is expected.

 

[Amethyst]

Well, our mail carrier, a public servant with excellent benefits, solicits tips every year via a Christmas card in the box. As if. I do his job for him 2-3 times a year - re-delivering mis-delivered mail to neighbors. Yesterday, I reluctantly re-delivered what was obviously a tin of cookies

I was a public servant for 39 years, and never got any tips from customers, lol.

I would guess there are ethics laws that would forbid tipping any public servant. If not, there should be. Otherwise, they open themselves up to charges of bribery.

 

[Dtail]

Tipping cops is so yesterday. Now, corporations [-]buy[/-] tip whole legislatures.

Well, I think the practice of "tipping" cops still goes on in Mexico.