To wear or not to wear... Underwear?

Let’s talk about something that might feel a little awkward at first—what to wear (or not wear) under the sheets during your massage. If you’re new to massage, you’re not alone in wondering about this! It’s one of the most common questions clients have, so let’s go over what to expect and how to choose what feels right for you.

First and foremost: Your comfort is the priority.

You are always in control of what you wear (or don’t wear) during your session. While some techniques work best with direct skin contact, massage can absolutely be done over clothing or sheets if that’s what feels best to you. *Important reminder: You will always be covered appropriately for the duration of your session.

Your massage therapist may have recommendations based on your goals for the session, but ultimately, the choice is yours. As a Lomi practitioner, I love working with a half or quarter drape because it allows for long, flowing strokes from shoulders to toes. But no matter what, your modesty and comfort come first, and draping can always be adjusted to fit your needs.

Here are some things to consider when deciding what’s right for you:

Clothing Considerations Based on Your Massage Focus

If we’re working on your low back, glutes, legs, or hips:

• Removing underwear allows for the most seamless work in these areas, but it’s entirely optional.

• If you choose to wear underwear, rolling them down slightly below your tailbone can provide better access to key muscles.

• If you prefer to wear boxer shorts it can be difficult to work on your hamstring muscles. If you want to keep your undergarments on, consider wearing briefs instead or rolling up the shorts to your comfort level.

  
  

If we’re focusing on your shoulders, neck, back, or chest:

• Removing bras, binders, or other compression garments can allow for a better more fluid massage, but if keeping them on makes you feel more comfortable, that’s completely okay.

• If you’d like to keep your bra on we can work around straps or unhook/adjust things as needed. Just let us know what feels best for you.

• If you are wearing a head covering, it can make some work on the scalp and some of you neck more difficult. Just talk to your therapist about how we can best accommodate you. Once in your massage room, nobody except your massage therapist will enter the room.

If we’re working on your scalp:

• Allowing your hair to be free from clips, hair ties, and pins is most comfortable and allows for the most relaxing massage.

• Sometimes oil can get in your hair. If you are worried about this, let your therapist right away so that they can take precautions to avoid it. All the oils in our studio are safe and good for all hair types.

Common considerations:

• If you are lactating: Many clients find it more comfortable to leave a bra on during their massage. For those of you who would find this uncomfortable, please also know that we launder and properly sanitize all linen between appointments. We also have a vinyl massage table cover that makes it easy to sanitize, so you can rest assured there is nothing to worry about should you get anything on the sheets.

  
  

If you prefer to keep any clothing on, choose something you won’t mind getting a little oil on, breathable fabrics like cotton work best. If oil does get on your clothes, adding 1-2 cups of apple cider or white vinegar to your laundry can help remove it (this works wonders for our sheets, too!).

At our studio, we also provide a small towel and an all-natural oil busting spray so you can freshen up before getting dressed.

Feel free to come as cozy as you like, it is very common for our clients to arrive in or bring their PJ's or lounge clothes to change into before they leave.

The Bottom Line

There’s no right or wrong choice, only what makes you feel comfortable and supported. If you have any questions or specific needs, your massage therapist is always happy to chat before your session. Your massage is your time to relax, and you deserve to feel completely at ease from start to finish.