Spa Tip: Don't Take a Shower Before or After Your Massage

Many people turn to massage therapy as a decompression and relaxing escape from a busy lifestyle. A massage can eliminate fatigue, relieve tension, and produce a feeling of being refreshed. Even with the increasing popularity of massage therapy, many of our friends and clients have a common question before and after a session. We often hear: "Do I take a shower or bath, before or after a massage?"

Many people feel a shower or bath after a massage is actually a healthy and normal thing to do. When in fact, it is quite the opposite. Whether you receive an oil massage, aromatherapy, or reflexology, the answer is to not shower before a massage or after. Leave a few hour buffer period before doing so.

When in the shower or a bath, the surface of the skin has increased blood circulation, which after a massage can lead to surface congestion. What this means is that the body can be susceptible to feeling faint after this.

Not only is a shower/bath before and after a massage an issue, but the same problem can occur after a cupping therapy session. After cupping, the skin is in a state of healing, making it more sensitive and fragile. Taking a shower or bath at this time can potentially lead to skin damage or inflammation.

So the answers here are to avoid showering and bathing for a few hours both before AND after a massage, cupping, or spa-type session.

Call or come visit us at Spa 505 in Massapequa for your much needed massage therapy today!