Maintaining massage hygiene is essential for both the therapist and the client to ensure a safe and pleasant experience. One of the primary concerns is preventing cross-contamination, particularly when using creams and oils during the massage. To achieve this, therapists should always wash their hands thoroughly before and after each session. It is also important to use disposable or single-use items whenever possible, such as gloves or applicators, to minimize direct contact with products.
Additionally, therapists should avoid dipping their fingers directly into cream containers; instead, they should dispense the product onto a clean surface or use a spatula to transfer the cream. Proper storage of massage products is crucial. Store creams and oils in clean, sealed containers to prevent contamination. Regularly checking the expiration dates of these products is also necessary to ensure their effectiveness and safety.
Furthermore, maintaining a clean workspace is vital. This includes sanitizing surfaces and equipment after each use and ensuring that linens and towels are laundered regularly. By adhering to these practices, massage therapists can significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination and promote a hygienic environment for their clients.
Can we talk about double dipping?
When I say “double dipping”, probably what comes to mind is potato chips and carrots sticks. Or maybe the famous Seinfeld episode where George commits the faux pas of double dipping at a party. Most people would not think about how to properly give a massage hygiene!
In the massage world, we have our kind of double dipping and it’s just as disgusting!
Also, like the more familiar double dipping mentioned above, the person who commits the foul is often totally unpredictable and equally as oblivious to their sin.
So what constitutes double dipping in the massage world? I’m referring to what can happen when a massage therapist is using a sizable container /can/ jar/ tub of cream (or some other preferred goop) as their primary, sole dispenser. What’s the problem?
It’s the same double dipping concept. If a therapist is dipping into a large container full of goop, then rubbing it on a client’s body, then going back to the same container to scoop out a little bit more, and back to a body, this is double dipping!
Why does it matter and why is it gross?
Think about it: whatever dirt, germs or other nasty stuff might be on any given client’s body is getting onto the therapist’s hands. Those hands are then going back into the container each time the therapist reaches for more. The very moment that happens, we have what is called cross-contamination.
Before you know it you’ve got quite a little bacteria stew going on in that container. Imagine how that can build over time as more and more clients are contributing to the contamination with each double dip. And then imagine that getting rubbed into your own skin! Gross!
As I mentioned earlier, The offending therapist who does this will often surprise you. I have seen therapists with 20 years of experience do this very thing. I have also seen it happen a lot in some of the Asian foot massage type of places.
Unfortunately it’s one of those things where once you become aware of it, it’s impossible not to notice or be a little grossed out by it when you see it happening.
I actually used to enjoy seeing this strong Asian man who would give me a great foot massage at a little acupressure place, but he had this fancy mentholated ointment he would use on the feet.
Unfortunately it was in one of those large communal cauldrons of microbes and eventually I decided I did not want all of those germs on my feet. Instead I brought my own little container for him to use. He didn’t really get it but we made it work.
It’s very easy to work around the issue and maintain massage hygiene conditions.
Therapists have three great options.
- Provide a small portion in a separate container for each use and feel free to double dip as desired. Dispose of any leftovers.
- Use a spoon or dispenser to transfer small amounts for immediate use. Most people learn from their mistakes when told why they are wrong.
- Use a pump!
If you see a therapist making this mistake, consider telling them. People often learn from being informed about their errors.
Together we can end of the scourge of double dipping massage therapists!! Please share this article – if it makes just one therapist re-think what they are doing you will have done a good deed for the massage profession!
