Most US spas provide robes and slippers at check-in, so you do not need to arrive in special clothing. For a massage, you undress to your comfort level and lie under a draped sheet. For a facial, you remain clothed. For pools and saunas, bring a swimsuit. This guide covers what to wear, what the spa provides, and what to expect across the most common spa services so you know exactly what you are walking into.
What to Wear to a Spa: Arrival Attire
There is no formal dress code for arriving at a day spa or medical spa. Comfortable, easy-to-change-out-of clothing is the practical choice -- anything you would wear to a casual appointment. Avoid arriving in a formal outfit that you will need to manage around a treatment robe.
Practical arrival choices:
- Leggings, jeans, or casual pants with a loose top
- Shoes that slip on and off easily (you will be given slippers)
- Minimal jewelry -- you will store it in a locker anyway
What to avoid:
- Heavy fragrance or perfume (disrupts the treatment environment and affects therapist sensitivity to your skin during a facial)
- Self-tanner applied within 24 hours of a facial (interferes with skin assessment)
- Retinol or exfoliating acids applied within three days of a facial (the esthetician should have advised this, but it applies to products you use at home too)
If you are coming directly from a workout, most spas have a shower available in the changing area. Using it before your treatment is good practice, particularly for a massage.
What Does a Spa Provide? Robes, Slippers, and Lockers
At most US day spas and medical spas, the following are included with any booked service:
| Item | Typically provided? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Robe | Yes | Worn from changing area to treatment room |
| Slippers | Yes | Foam or terry, worn throughout your visit |
| Towels | Yes | For shower, pool, or sauna use |
| Locker | Yes | Usually a key or code-lock system |
| Shower access | Yes (most) | Available in the changing area |
| Swimsuit | No | Bring your own for pools, hot tubs, sauna |
| Disposable underwear | Sometimes | Offered for body wrap or scrub treatments |
| Hair ties | Sometimes | Bring your own to be certain |
| Basic toiletries | Often | Shampoo, conditioner, body wash in shower |
Resort spas and luxury facilities typically provide more (branded toiletries, hair dryers, the works). Budget day spas may provide robes and slippers only. When in doubt, call ahead and ask what is included.
Massage Undressing Norms: What to Expect
The question most first-timers are too uncomfortable to ask out loud: how much do you actually take off?
For a standard Swedish or deep tissue full-body massage, most clients undress fully. This allows the therapist to work across your back, legs, and gluteal area without clothing barriers. However:
- You are covered by a sheet at all times except the area being worked on
- Licensed massage therapists are trained in draping technique -- one section uncovered at a time
- Leaving underwear on is completely acceptable and common
- You make this decision privately in the treatment room after the therapist steps out
For a targeted massage (back and shoulders only, legs only), you only need to expose that area. A back and shoulder massage requires your shirt off; you keep pants on and there is no draping of the lower body.
The practical rule: undress to the level where you are comfortable, and tell your therapist what you are wearing (or not wearing) before the session begins. A therapist who knows you are keeping underwear on adapts their draping immediately. A therapist who discovers it mid-session also adapts, but the initial communication makes the session smoother.
Tell your therapist before they leave the room, not after
After the intake and before the therapist steps out for you to undress, say one sentence: "I am going to keep my underwear on" or "I would prefer to stay partially clothed." This 10-second conversation eliminates the awkward adjustment mid-session and ensures the draping approach is set correctly from the start.
Facial Appointments: Do You Stay Clothed?
For a standard facial, you remain fully dressed below the shoulders. The esthetician works on your face, neck, and sometimes the upper chest (decollete) while you lie on your back. You will be asked to lower a bra strap or tank top strap for neck work, and a drape covers the exposed area.
No undressing is required or expected for:
- Classic or basic facial
- HydraFacial
- Chemical peel (light or medium)
- LED light therapy facial
- Microdermabrasion
- Gua sha facial
Your hair will be pulled back and covered with a headband or spa wrap to keep it out of the treatment area. Bring a hair tie as backup if you have long hair.
Thai Massage and Sauna: Special Clothing Considerations
Thai massage is unique among common spa modalities because you remain fully clothed throughout the session. Thai massage uses guided stretching and pressure point work rather than oil-based techniques, so clothing is not a barrier. Loose, comfortable clothing -- yoga pants, athletic leggings, a t-shirt -- is the correct attire. You do not use the robe or undress for Thai massage.
For a full description of what to expect, see our guide on what to expect at a facial for facial-specific context or how to prepare for your first massage for massage-specific preparation.
Sauna and steam room: Wear a swimsuit in shared sauna and steam room facilities at US spas. In the sauna, sit on a provided towel on the bench for hygiene. Transit to and from the sauna in your robe and slippers.
Some standalone sauna studios (particularly those operating in the Scandinavian tradition) are clothing-optional or nudity-required in some areas. These facilities post this information clearly and are less common than standard day spas in the US. If this is relevant to your visit, check the facility's specific policy before booking.
What to Pack for a Full Spa Day
A full spa day -- multiple treatments plus access to amenities -- requires a bit more preparation than a single appointment:
Essential to bring:
- Swimsuit (for pools, hot tub, sauna, steam room)
- Hair tie (especially for facials)
- Booking confirmation
- Health information relevant to treatments (injury, pregnancy, medications)
- Tip money or card authorization
Optional but useful:
- Flip flops (the spa-provided slippers are foam; you may prefer your own in shared shower areas)
- A change of clothing for after (you will smell like massage oil)
- A small bag for carry-on items if you want to keep your phone accessible for photos in non-restricted areas
Leave at home:
- Valuables beyond a single payment card (lockers are secure but why take unnecessary risk)
- A full makeup bag -- you will not want to reapply immediately after a facial
- Strong cologne or perfume
For a detailed cost breakdown of what a full spa day typically runs, see our spa day cost guide.
What to wear to a spa and what to bring
The spa provides a robe, slippers, and towels. You bring a swimsuit if using pools or saunas, a hair tie for facials, and your booking confirmation. For a massage, undress to your comfort level -- fully or underwear-on -- and the sheet handles the rest. For a facial, you stay clothed. For Thai massage, wear loose comfortable clothing and skip the robe entirely. The only real dress code at a US spa is a swimsuit in shared water areas.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to undress completely for a massage?
No. You undress to whatever level you are comfortable with. Most clients undress fully for a full-body massage; others keep underwear on. A licensed massage therapist drapes you with a sheet throughout the session, uncovering only the area being actively worked on. You are never fully exposed at once. If you want to keep clothing on, tell your therapist at the start and they work around it.
What do spas provide for clients to wear?
Nearly all day spas and medical spas in the US provide a robe and slippers upon check-in, included in the service price. Most also provide towels, and some provide disposable underwear for body treatments. You do not need to bring special clothing for most standard spa services. For treatments that use oils or mud, the spa-provided robe and disposable draping protect your clothing.
Can you wear your own underwear during a massage?
Yes. Wearing underwear during a massage is completely acceptable and common. Your therapist drapes around it the same way they drape around any clothing. Inform your therapist before the session starts so they can plan their draping approach. For a full-body massage, keeping underwear on may limit some glute and hip work, which your therapist will note and work around.
What should you bring to a spa day?
For a standard spa appointment, bring your booking confirmation and any health intake information requested. If you plan to use pools, saunas, or steam rooms, bring a swimsuit -- most spas do not provide these. A hair tie is useful for facials. Avoid heavy jewelry; leave valuables at home or use the provided locker. Everything else -- robe, slippers, towels, basic toiletries -- is typically provided.
What do you wear in a spa pool or hot tub?
A swimsuit is required in shared spa pools and hot tubs at US day spas. The robe and slippers the spa provides are worn in transit between areas, not in the water. Clothing-optional pools are rare in US day spas and explicitly posted where they exist. Bring your own swimsuit; spas do not typically rent or provide them.
Do you keep clothes on for a facial?
Yes. For a standard facial, you remain dressed from the waist down. The esthetician works on your face, neck, and sometimes decollete while you lie on a treatment table. You may be asked to lower a bra strap for neck work; a provided drape covers anything exposed. You do not need to undress for a facial the way you would for a massage.