What to Wear to a Massage: Proper Massage Etiquette

Co-authored by Elexis Mendez and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: October 10, 2025 Fact Checked

Going in for your first massage? Get ready for some rest and relaxation! But heading into a massage can leave you with a lot of questions, such as what do I wear to the appointment? How much clothing do I take off during the massage? In this article, we’ll give you all the dos and don’ts when getting a massage, including what to wear and how far to undress. For all the massage etiquette you’ll need, read on!

Things You Should Know

Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your massage^{[1]
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Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor

Expert Interview} that you can easily take off and put back on.
Dress down to your comfort level during your appointment. You can leave your undergarments on during your massage, or you can go bare.^{[2]
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Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor

Expert Interview}
Take a shower beforehand, and be sure to drink plenty of water. Eat a snack, but try to avoid heavy meals.
Talk to your massage therapist about your goals for the session,^{[3]
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Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor

Expert Interview} and don’t be afraid to speak up during your appointment.

1

Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your massage.

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Pick an outfit that you can quickly take off and put back on. Sweatpants, athletic shorts, and baggy T-shirts are all a great choice to wear to a massage.^{[4]
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Elexis Mendez
Massage Therapist

Expert Interview} For a high-end salon, try something like a jumpsuit or a romper. Avoid wearing anything tight or form-fitting, since you’ll likely be covered in lotion or oil after your appointment.^{[5]
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- Wear comfortable undergarments^{[6]
  X
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  Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
  Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
  
  Expert Interview} that you wouldn’t mind getting oily. Even if you take off your underwear during your appointment, they might still get some massage oil on them when you get dressed afterwards.
- Wear sandals or shoes that you can easily kick off before your appointment, or if you have socks on, feel free to take them off, as bare feet are essential for receiving a massage, no better feeling than your poor aching bare feet being massaged!

2

Put your hair up.

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Get your hair out of the way of your neck and shoulders. Bring a scrunchie or a clip with you to secure your hair before your appointment. Plus, this will keep your hair from getting oily or greasy as your massage therapist works on you.^{[7]
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- Some massage therapists will massage your scalp as part of your appointment. If you don’t want them to touch your hair or massage your scalp, just tell them ahead of time.

3

Come fresh-faced.

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No need to wear makeup, as it's likely to get smudged on the massage table. There’s no need to get super ready for a massage—this is all about your relaxation. Stick to minimal makeup if you’d like to do it, or just come with a fresh face.^{[8]
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- Some massage therapists will massage your face, but you can ask them not to if you’d prefer them to avoid it.
- Similarly, avoid using fake tanner before a massage appointment, since it will likely get smudged by the lotion or oil your therapist uses.

4

Dress down to your comfort level.

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Wear as much or as little clothing as you’d like during the massage.^{[9]
X
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Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor

Expert Interview} When it’s time for your appointment, feel free to take off some, all, or none of your clothing.^{[10]
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Elexis Mendez
Massage Therapist

Expert Interview} Most people dress down to their underwear for the first time, while others are completely fine being naked under the massage blanket.^{[11]
X
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Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor

Expert Interview}^{[12]
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Cleveland Clinic
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Go to source} A massage is all about your comfort, so do what feels right for you and your body.
- Rest assured that your massage therapist will keep your body covered up the entire time. If they’re not working on a particular area, it will stay covered up underneath a blanket or sheet.^{[13]
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  Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
  
  Expert Interview}
- If you don’t want to take any of your clothes off, let your massage therapist know.^{[14]
  X
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  Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
  Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
  
  Expert Interview} They can modify the massage to meet your comfort level.

5

Take a shower beforehand.

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Do a quick wash at home so your body is clean before your appointment. It’s polite to do a hygiene check before coming in for a massage. Clean your body with body wash, and put on some deodorant before coming in.^{[15]
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- Don’t use any heavy fragrances, like perfume or cologne, out of respect for your massage therapist. Strong scents could be overpowering during your appointment.
- Don’t worry about shaving any body hair if you don’t want to. Massage therapists have seen all sorts of body types, and they definitely won’t judge however much or however little body hair you have.

6

Stay hydrated before your session.

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Drink water throughout the day before your massage. Massages can be dehydrating, so sip on water to keep your fluid levels up. However, avoid guzzling a whole bottle of water before your appointment—it will probably just make you have to pee during your massage.^{[16]
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- Make sure you drink plenty of water after your massage, too.

7

Eat a snack, but not a heavy meal.

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Try not to get super full to avoid any discomfort. You’ll probably be lying on your stomach for at least part of your massage appointment. Feel free to eat like normal throughout the day, but don’t chow down on a huge feast right beforehand. Otherwise, you might feel a bit uncomfortable.^{[17]
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- Don’t drink any alcohol before your appointment, either. Massages are meant to be relaxing and peaceful, and being inebriated could lessen that effect.

8

Silence your phone.

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Put your phone on silent to avoid distractions during the massage. Before your appointment, your massage therapist will likely direct you to a chair or cabinet where you can put your personal items. Be sure to put your phone on silent so it doesn’t ring during your appointment.^{[18]
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- Your massage therapist will likely play some relaxing music during your appointment.

9

Speak up and ask questions if you have any.

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Communicate with your massage therapist^{[19]
X
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Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor

Expert Interview} before and during the massage. If it’s your first massage, you’ll likely chat with your therapist about what your goals are for the session and any spots that have been bothering you. During your massage, feel free to speak up and ask them to adjust the pressure or move to a different area.
- No need to feel awkward—your massage is all about you! Your therapist wants you to speak up so they know you feel comfortable and relaxed.

10

Ask your therapist to avoid certain areas if you’re sensitive.

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If you feel uncomfortable being touched on a specific body part, speak up. Some people don’t like to have their feet touched, while others are very ticklish in certain areas. If there are any spots you don’t want them to work on, let them know beforehand.^{[20]
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- “My back is super ticklish; could you avoid that area if you can?”
- “I’m not a fan of anyone touching my feet. I’d love it if we could skip that area.”

11

Take a nap during your massage if you’d like to.

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Massage therapists are used to people falling asleep during appointments. Don’t feel pressured to talk to your massage therapist. If you fall asleep during the massage, great! And if you don’t, that’s fine, too.^{[21]
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- Don’t worry about any other bodily functions that might happen during your massage, either. Drooling, snoring, passing gas—your massage therapist has seen it all, and they know how to handle things professionally.

12

Plan to tip for your massage.

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A tip isn’t necessary, but it’s considered polite. After your massage when you’re checking out, there will likely be a tip option. It’s customary to tip 20%, but you can adjust that based on your experience.^{[22]
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Expert Source

Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor

Expert Interview}
- If you had a really great experience, feel free to tip more than 20%. You can also write a stellar review on the massage therapist’s website to bring them more business.
- You can also bring cash to tip your massage therapist directly.

13

Respect your massage therapist.

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Don’t talk about sex or make them feel uncomfortable in any way. You may have heard jokes about “happy ending” massages before, but those jokes usually aren’t received well by professional massage therapists. Treat them with respect and behave appropriately so you’ll both have a pleasant experience.
- Even joking about sexual acts is enough to get you kicked out of some massage therapist's offices.

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What should I do if I feel very uncomfortable with the massage?

Ruby

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Tell the massage therapist. They should pause immediately. You can either tell them what specifically makes you feel uncomfortable and they can modify what they are doing to make you feel more comfortable, or you can ask to stop the massage altogether, if you prefer.

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Are the butt gluteal) muscles included in a full body massage?

massagetherapyofnh

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In a full-body massage, the butt (gluteal) muscles are typically included, especially if the client requests it. These muscles can hold tension and stress, and massaging them can alleviate discomfort and promote relaxation. However, the therapist will always respect the client's comfort and boundaries, ensuring a professional and comfortable experience. Communication between the client and therapist is key to tailor the massage to the individual's preferences and needs, including whether or not the gluteal muscles should be included in the treatment.

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Tips

Have any questions about your massage before you go in? Call the spa and ask to speak to the therapist. They’ll likely be happy to answer any of your questions.

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