What Do I Wear to my First Massage? - Massage FAQs
So glad you asked! Here is the very short answer: As long as you are covered by the sheet when we return to the room, the details are a matter of your comfort.
If you come to our shop, you will likely hear this: When I leave the room you will disrobe to your level of comfort. Everything from completely clothed to completely nude is normal, and anywhere in between is fine. About half of folks leave their underpants on, you will be draped modestly during the entire massage. If you’re not sure what we mean by “draped,” check out this helpful massage draping time lapse.
Some folks snicker when I say that "completely clothed" is normal. One of my favorite clients of all time heard the above speech on his first visit. When I returned, I found that he had removed only his shoes and lay there in his button up flannel shirt. This was his level of comfort. I did a different sort of massage through clothing, but we were both comfortable.
The important thing to remember is that no matter what you are comfortable with, draping will be used. I can't speak for all states, but in Missouri, draping is mandatory. Massage is about warming the muscles, so in addition to modesty, the sheets and blankets we use preserve heat.
So no, you cannot lie bare on top of the sheets and blankets. I have run across a few clients who claim that it is “very American” to be so concerned with privacy and modesty. Well yes, that's where we are.
When we say "you will be draped modestly" what do we mean? Well, we use a sheet and a blanket or a towel to cover your body, and generally, uncover only the part of the body we are working on. This means that when we work on ladies’ arms, the sheet will be just below the collar bone; for men, just below the breast bone (sternum). Some ladies feel more comfortable wearing a bra or a sports bra during their session. Some of the work we do might be a bit less fluid, but your comfort is more important than our convenience. For the front and back of the legs, we drape at about where a swimsuit would hit. For the back, we pull the drape back to the level of underpants. If we wouldn't see it on an American family beach, we don't see it in the massage room.
Underneath the sheet, whether you leave your underwear on (or not) is up to you. However, there are some reasons you might want to leave them on.
If you are having IT band issues, your hammies are tight, and/or you are hoping your massage therapist will do lots of assisted stretches, leaving your drawers on makes it easier for the therapist to move your leg around without an uncomfortable breeze.
If you prefer that your massage therapist work on your glutes through fabric, that’s a-okay. We can work through fabric OR avoid any area that you'd rather not have us work on. Just say so.
You don't want to miss an opportunity to promote Uncle Frank's used car business, and those Uncle Frank Boxers are the BOMB!
If you have chilly feet you might leave your socks on during the massage. If you have long hair, putting it in a ponytail or bun on top of your head is helpful. If you don't want us to touch your head, please let us know. Some folks don't want to have to fix their wig, and we understand. A hair cap or bandanna can help keep things in place if this is a concern.
So that's it, in a nutshell. If we've missed anything, just ask! Send questions to:
solarismassage@gmail.com