Your First SPA Massage – How to Prepare and What to Expect?

Massage is an excellent form of relaxation, providing a moment of respite and regeneration, while also being an effective way to alleviate certain ailments. However, many people, especially before their first visit, ask themselves: do I need to prepare for it in any special way? We explain whether your first SPA massage requires special preparation and answer the most common questions about the visit, so you can enjoy the benefits of treatments stress-free!

Going for Your First Massage? Learn the Basic Rules

Massages are extremely popular as a way to relax and improve the condition of both body and mind. The treatments bring many benefits – they support blood circulation, reduce muscle tension, alleviate pain, enhance circulation, reduce stress, firm the skin, and relax, calm, and improve mood.

Despite the increasing number of new SPA clinics, massage salons, wellness centers, and even masseurs offering services at clients' homes, there are still many people wondering how to prepare for their first massage, what to bring, or how to dress. The answer to the main question posed in the title is: in the vast majority of cases, neither the first nor subsequent massages require special preparation, but it is worth familiarizing yourself with a few basic tips that will help you fully enjoy the treatment.

One of the key aspects is hygiene. It is recommended to take a warm shower before the massage – this can be done at home or at the salon. A shower cleanses the skin of sweat and impurities, and additionally helps relax muscles and soften the skin, which increases the effectiveness of the massage. Many salons offer the possibility to use a shower just before the massage begins, which further enhances the comfort of the visit.

Regardless of whether this is your first SPA massage or you are planning another treatment, remember to avoid heavy meals before the visit. A massage performed lying down can cause discomfort or even nausea in such cases, making it difficult to fully relax during the treatment. To avoid this, it is best to eat a light meal about 1.5 hours before the massage. After the treatment, you may feel hungry, so it is good to have a healthy snack with you. Don’t forget about water – replenishing fluids after the massage will help you fully enjoy its benefits.

Do You Need to Prepare the Same Way for Every Massage?

There are many types of massage – besides classic or relaxation massage, you can opt for therapeutic, sports, hot stone massage or Shiatsu massage, allowing you to tailor the treatment to your current needs and expectations. Some of them may use different massage techniques, which means that preparation for the treatment may (but doesn’t have to) vary depending on the chosen option.

For example, before a therapeutic massage, test results may be needed to help tailor the therapy to your ailments – so it is worth bringing them with you, especially if this is your first visit. If you choose a facial massage, which relaxes muscles and improves skin oxygenation, proper prior cleansing of the skin is essential, and sometimes also the performance of a peeling. Proper preparation helps you get the maximum benefits from every type of massage.

If you are unsure whether your chosen type of massage requires special preparation, it’s best to consult with the salon or the masseur. This way, you will get all the necessary information and tips to prepare for the treatment. At Klekotki Sento SPA, we will gladly answer your questions, explain what the massage involves, and dispel any concerns, so your experience is as comfortable and pleasant as possible – especially if it’s your first visit to the SPA.

We will also help you choose the right treatments tailored to your needs and expectations. In our Japanese SPA, we offer exceptional stay packages with massages, including:

• SPA Rhythm Package with the signature Hatchi massage, sound acupuncture, herbal therapy, and a jacuzzi session;
• SPA Mindfulness Package with Shiatsu massage, a cleansing ritual with poppy seeds and herbal therapy;
• SPA Tenderness Package with Lomi Lomi massage, a candlelit bath and herbal therapy;
• SPA Femininity Package with facial massage, a Japanese buckwheat Furako bath and herbal therapy.

How to Dress for a Massage?

Very often during the treatment, the person receiving the massage remains in their underwear, and their body is carefully covered with a large towel, exposing only the parts currently being treated. SPA salons often provide disposable slippers and special underwear, meaning you don’t need to bring anything with you. However, it is worth wearing comfortable and loose clothing that does not restrict movement and will be easy to put on after the massage, even if your skin is covered with oils or other cosmetics. This will ensure your comfort both before and after the treatment.

Contraindications to Massage – When Is Massage Not Recommended?

Although massage brings many benefits, not everyone can use it – there are certain health contraindications that may exclude the possibility of undergoing such treatment. These include primarily:

• broken skin (also after surgical procedures),
• acute skin inflammations and skin lesions,
• cancer,
• feverish states,
• thrombotic conditions,
• high blood pressure,
• atherosclerosis,
• varicose veins,
• aneurysms,
• infections.

Although pregnancy excludes most standard massages, this does not mean that expectant mothers have to give up on a moment of relaxation. Many salons offer special massages designed specifically for pregnant women. Properly selected techniques bring relaxation, relieve tension, and improve well-being, all in a way that is safe for both mother and baby.

If you are not sure whether a particular massage is suitable for you, it is worth consulting your doctor or talking to the masseur. In many salons, clients fill out a short health questionnaire before the first treatment. Thanks to this, the specialist can assess your health status and ensure there are no contraindications to the massage, allowing for safe and comfortable use of the treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Your First SPA Massage

Wondering how to prepare for a massage? Here are answers to the most common questions!

How to Prepare for Your First Massage?

Neither your first nor subsequent massages usually require special preparation. Remember to eat a light meal no later than 1.5 hours before your visit and take a warm shower to cleanse your skin of impurities. If this is your first visit to the SPA and you have additional questions or doubts, contact the masseur or salon staff.

How Should You Dress for a SPA Massage?

When going for a massage, opt for comfortable, loose clothing that does not restrict your movements. During the treatment, you will be provided with special disposable underwear and slippers.

Which Massage Should You Choose to Start With?

It depends on your needs, preferences, and any ailments – many people choose a gentle relaxation treatment or a slightly more intensive classic massage for their first massage. If you don’t know which massage will meet your expectations, consult with the masseur or salon staff.