The Good Oil
For those of us of a certain age, do you remember the Castrol TV ad with the catchphrase “oils ain’t oils”? Well the same can be said for massage oil. We all know it can be expensive to start up and run a new business so you may look at areas where you can cost cut and make savings. Your massage oil should not be one of them and here’s why:
You get what you pay for
Vegetable oil, olive oil or cheap supermarket body lotions may seem less expensive than professional massage products, but you do get what you pay for. Food-grade oils and inexpensive lotions can leave clients feeling greasy, dry or sticky, not to mention smelling like a tossed salad! Professional-grade massage products leave skin feeling moisturised and healthy.
Therapeutic value
Professional massage products are specifically designed to maximise the benefits a client receives from treatment. Non-professional products can mean an inferior therapeutic experience. Watery lotions or overly thick oils may diminish your ability as a therapist to diversify the techniques used during a massage. Professional products provide versatility in terms of texture, workability, glide and absorption, allowing you to choose the products most appropriate for meeting different therapeutic goals.
Natural ingredients
The ingredients in lower quality products are often non-hypoallergenic and contain synthetic fragrances instead of essential oils. In addition, low-quality products require frequent re-application compared to those intended for professional use, which have been designed to account for such variables as dry skin, body hair and massage technique.
Happy wash day
An added benefit of using professional products is that many are structured to wash out of linens easily, while vegetable oils, nut oils and cheap lotions are not. This often results in stained and rancid smelling towels and linens, which are both unsightly and expensive to replace.
The real costs
The real cost difference between professional products and lower-quality products is insignificant when adjusted for each massage session, especially when one considers the difference it can make in the client’s experience and may determine whether or not that client comes back.
Whether you choose an oil, balm or lotion, professional massage products are actually more cost effective, longer lasting, have a nicer end-feel for the client and more effectively facilitate the therapeutic goals of massage therapy sessions.