First-time clients often feel apprehension about how much clothing to remove before a professional massage. The decision to undress is flexible, depending on your personal comfort level and the type of session booked. The professional setting operates under ethical guidelines designed to ensure client comfort and safety, built on trust and clear communication.
Client Choice and Draping Standards
The amount of clothing you remove is always a personal decision. For full-body treatments, many clients choose to undress completely or leave only their underwear on, but removing everything is never required. You are welcome to keep on any clothing that makes you feel more at ease, such as a bra, tank top, or shorts.
Regardless of your choice, “draping” is used throughout the session to maintain modesty and warmth. This professional protocol involves covering your body with a large sheet or blanket from the moment you lie down on the table. The sheet is securely tucked to prevent accidental exposure, functioning as a visual and physical barrier.
The therapist will only uncover the specific body part they are actively working on, such as a single leg, arm, or your back. Once work on that area is complete, it is immediately re-covered before the therapist moves to the next section. Sensitive areas, including the chest, genitalia, and gluteal cleft, are always kept covered by the drape. This adherence to draping standards ensures privacy and appropriate boundaries are maintained.
Variations Based on Massage Modality
Clothing expectations change significantly depending on the style of massage you receive. Modalities that use oil or lotion and require direct skin contact, such as Swedish, Deep Tissue, or Hot Stone massage, typically require undressing. Clothing is impractical for these types of bodywork due to the application of oil and the need for gliding strokes.
Many other therapeutic styles are performed with the client fully clothed. Compression and stretching techniques, like those used in Thai massage, require the client to wear loose, flexible clothing, such as yoga pants and a t-shirt. Modalities focused on pressure points, like Shiatsu or Reflexology, are also often done while you remain clothed. For reflexology, only the feet and sometimes hands are typically exposed.
Practical Steps for Privacy and Communication
The session begins with the therapist explaining the procedure and clarifying your preferences regarding clothing and draping. The therapist will then leave the room so you can undress privately and position yourself comfortably on the table beneath the top sheet. This provides an uninterrupted moment for you to prepare.
The therapist will knock before re-entering the room, confirming you are ready and under the drape. During the session, they will give precise instructions, such as when to turn over, while holding the sheet securely to ensure continuous coverage. Once the massage is complete, the therapist will step out so you can get dressed privately. You should feel empowered to speak up if you are uncomfortable, too cold, or wish for an adjustment to the pressure or draping.