Let’s Talk About Gratuity Fatigue

Gratuity fatigue is real.

You have likely felt it. That moment when a screen flips around and you are asked to tip, even when no real service was involved. It is frustrating. We understand.

But when that same fatigue starts showing up in wellness spaces like ours, it becomes more than just about tipping. It becomes a misunderstanding of what care work truly looks like and what it takes to hold space for others.

What You Receive at Skin Is More Than a Service

Gratuity at Skin is required. Not just on your first visit. Not just for your provider. Every treatment is supported by an entire experience. You are welcomed by a trained concierge team. You are invited to enjoy our House, complimentary café offerings, and curated amenities that extend your time with us. And you are cared for by providers who are consistently training, growing, and refining their craft.

Behind the scenes, we offer continued education and training for our team at no cost. We also provide course correction and intentional programming when needed to ensure our standards stay high and our team feels supported. Guest feedback plays a big role in that process. We listen closely, adjust our rituals when necessary, and stay committed to learning, so that every experience reflects our values and grows stronger over time.

Why the Policy Matters

Yes, we have seen the reviews. Most of the negative feedback we receive is about our gratuity policy, not the quality of care. Many guests are used to gratuity being optional, and in most cases, that means providers receive five or ten dollars for services that can last up to ninety minutes. Meanwhile, many of us spend more than that on a coffee run. That amount does not reflect the time, intention, or energy being offered. This is not about guilt. It is about context. When we say that care work deserves to be valued, we mean it.

A Quick Note on History

In the United States, tipping became common after the abolition of slavery. Many employers in service industries, like railroads and hospitality, hired formerly enslaved Black workers and paid them little or nothing, expecting guests to cover their wages through tips. What started as a way to avoid fair pay became an industry standard rooted in inequality.

We do not ignore that history. But we also want to be clear, gratuity in wellness is different. In spaces like Skin, it is not about bypassing responsibility. It is part of how we protect and uplift the people doing hands-on, emotionally present care. We choose to pay our team well and ensure that their work is seen, valued, and sustained through a fair system.

So Why Not Just Pay the Team More?

We do. With the support of this policy, our therapists have the opportunity to earn between thirty and ninety-five dollars per hour. That level of income allows us to attract and retain skilled, present, and emotionally grounded providers. It also helps protect against burnout, which is incredibly common in this industry. Wellness and hospitality professionals experience some of the highest burnout rates. Financial stability is one way we care for the people who care for you.

We are not backed by corporate investors. We are a small, community-rooted business doing our best to build something sustainable for both guests and team.

Redefining Hospitality

To us, hospitality means honesty. It means protecting our team while offering a clear and elevated experience to every guest. Our gratuity policy is one of the ways we make that possible. If you have ever wondered why gratuity is required here, we hope this helps you understand our reasoning. And if you ever want to talk more about it, we are always open to the conversation.

Because building a new kind of wellness space means valuing the people who make it feel like home.

With care - The Skin Team