Massage Cream Benefits and Tips
What would massage be without the help of a lubricant? Pretty dry and not all that pleasant. For most types of massage therapies, it is a necessity to have a favorite oil, lotion, gel, butter or cream on hand to deliver a quality, effective, relaxing experience. Today we are going to discuss one of the newer additions to the massage lubricant family—massage cream. We’ll cover the benefits of massage cream as well as some tips on how to choose the right one for your practice.
Massage cream has several benefits—some that it shares with other massage lubricants and some that set it apart from them. Here are some of massage cream’s wonderful attributes:
- It creates a great glide: As previously mentioned dry massage can be unpleasant and downright painful at times. Massage cream acts as a lubricant letting the massage therapist’s hand glide effortlessly over the client’s skin. What’s great about massage cream is that you can choose different levels of friction: a cream with more friction for deep-tissue work and a cream with less friction for work that involves a lot of effleurage.
- It doesn’t need to be reapplied as often: Due to its thicker consistency, massage cream typically does it job with less application when compared to massage oil and massage lotion. You not only save time, you also save money since you won’t have to purchase as much product.
- It’s a marvelous moisturizer: When applied to the skin, massage creams act as a protective barrier keeping moisture in the skin instead of allowing it to evaporate. This is important, especially in the winter months when skin tends to be dry and flaky. You can also purchase massage cream that has extra hydration properties to treat parched skin.
- It doesn’t stain: Good news! You won’t have to toss those sheets and towels if they come into contact with massage cream. Massage cream does not stain fabrics the way oils typically do. You’ll spend less time treating your massage linens and more time with your clients.
Now that you know some of massage cream’s benefits, how do you go about choosing the best one for your practice? Here are some tips to follow:
- Create a list of “wants” and “don’t wants” when deciding on a massage cream: Because there are so many types of massage creams available in stores and online, it is good to keep in mind the attributes you absolutely need in a massage cream (like extra hydrating, certified organic, pain relief) and what you absolutely don’t need (like scent or parabens). This will allow you to quickly pare down the long list of available creams and let you choose the best one for you.
- Don’t get stuck in a massage cream rut: You might be used to purchasing your favorite massage cream in bulk and not giving it a second thought. But you might be missing out! Change it up once in a while. There might be something better out there that you haven’t tried. One good tip is to change massage creams with the season. You can go with a lighter cream in the summer and then switch to something thicker and warmer in the winter.
- Ask your clients, family, friends and colleagues for their input: Ask around to find out what other therapists are using. Do they have a favorite brand? Have they found a new massage cream that is simply amazing and you just have to try? What about getting some feedback from your trusted clients? Ask them what they like in a massage cream and vow to try it on them next time.
- Don’t be afraid to talk about the superiority of your product: You want your clients to know if you are using the best type of massage products on their skin. Advertise that you use only certified organic massage cream that is paraben-free and contains ingredients grown by indigenous people and packaged and processed in an eco-friendly manner. Showcasing this will show your current clients that you care and it will also drive new business your way.
Massage cream is really a great selection when choosing a massage lubricant for your practice. This moisturizing, long-lasting, non-staining, money-saving product will make your clients and you happy. Don’t get into a massage cream rut: Be sure to explore different types of creams and ask your clients and colleagues for their input.
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