Questions about Body Hair

[jaygirl]

O.K. I think I've read through enough of this board to believe that this subject has not been discussed......perhaps I'm wrong.....Anyway....
I'm talking about BODY HAIR.
I'm a beast. I've seen MUCH worse but I've got a fair amount of back hair. It disturbs me, its host, so I can only assume that it would disturb a MT. My question is.....does it disturb/gross you out?
I'm also afraid that it would be distracting by pulling, etc. I've never had a massage before and that is one of the main reasons. (The other being the extra 50 lbs. I'm sporting these days.) Very embarrassed... Should I have the wifey shave me down prior to a massage? Use Nair? Is it an issue at all? Will the lotion/oil reduce/eliminate any pulling? I would probably prefer a male MT as I'm sure/assume that they would be less grossed out by the unsightly back forest....(Also want to support the male MT community.)
What is the general consensus among the MT community?

Subject line editted by moderator to clarify topic

 

[Leuco]

It doesn't gross me out, its just hair. However, it can be harder to massage through but that is an oil issue.

I did notice you stated you didn't feel comfortable with your body hair. Why not wax it then?

Just don't let hair prevent you from the benefits of massage!

 

[nihangshah]

Try a clothed technique such as Shiatsu. No hair pulling, and deeply relaxing.

To answer your question though: no it doesn't "gross me out." Heh. It can make certain techniques more difficult, but it's not really a problem.

 

[Fitch]

I strongly agree with Shiatsu.

Hair does not gross me out either, nor do I find it disturbing. As far as distracting, my concern is always for the client's well being and I certainly wouldn't want to pull hair. Communication between yourself and the therapist is key.

 

[lois b]

Hair doesnt gross me out either. May sound strange to some but I like how it feels on my hands. I find it [hair] gives me more grip especially on the back.
As far as the weight issue,doesnt bother me either. My clients are who they are ,50 pounds underweight or overweight, I am not judging you while you are on or off my table.
I think I can speak for all of us in saying we treat our clients with compassion and respect no matter what body issue they have.We have pretty much seen it all and almost nothing phases us.

 

[britaniisaurusrex(:]

It doesn't bother me. Nor does sporting some extra weight.

But, you may want to let your MT know ahead of time, in case they'd prefer to work with an oil. Personally, I can work with lotin or oil for a hairy client, but that's not the case for everyone. So, it may be something to mention.

Where are you located? Maybe we can help hook you up with a good MT.

 

[@l!$h@]

Neither the hair nor the weight are problems here.

What concerns me with your post is more that it disturbs you.

It disturbs me, its host, so I can only assume that it would disturb a MT.

Do not be worried about what a massage therapist will think. A true professional will have no problem still giving a great massage. But if you can't be 'at peace' with the issue than perhaps you might explore some options.

I am not extremely hairy, but I still prefer to trim. It's much easier to do than shaving or waxing or any type of hair removal and you can quickly and easily do it any time you want. I picked up an inexpensive trimmer at a local store. It's great. It not only came with the shaving attachments, but a beard trimmer and a nose hair trimmer. So it has been worth the $30 I paid for it. Plus with trimming vs shaving or waxing you don't get the itchy grow back phase.

Again let me say that I mention this for your own happiness with this issue - not as a MT saying to shave or trim. If you can find a way to be happy and embrace your natural body hair, great! But if not, there are options that may make you happy too.

 

[easy cleaning]

As for being "grossed out" by body hair, I don't think any reputable MT would be grossed out. It's just hair.

Ditto.

Personally, I don't understand why "society" on the whole thinks that hair is gross. It's just hair.

t102

My hubby has a hairy back and I massage him all of the time.

Your MT may need to use more oil to avoid hair being pulled

I use a nice thick cream and I've never had any problem pulling the hair on either backs or legs or arms.

As for the extra weight, don't let that bother you at all. No reputable MT should judge you for your physique

Agreed! We massage all sizes, shapes and ages. No judgements will be made.

Angie

 

[Helpp]

Neither the hair nor the weight are problems here.

What concerns me with your post is more that it disturbs you.

It disturbs me, its host, so I can only assume that it would disturb a MT.

i completely agree! it's not an issue at all and i ALWAYS feel bad when clients are uncomfortable about both situations. i don't know how to help people see that it *truly* doesn't bother me/us!

and i also agree with please - do not let it stop you from receiving a massage!
good luck!
amanda

 

[T a r a n]

Not a question about erections......

(The other being the extra 50 lbs. I'm sporting these days.)

Wanted to pop back in here and say that I missed this statement the first time around. Weight is not an issue with me...honestly, I don't think most massage therapists look at the body that way anymore (as in thin, fat, etc). With the exception of how to help make the client more comfortable with positioning for the session, etc. Massage therapy school is very enlightening on many levels and sheds a whole new perspective of how to view the body and its amazing function & movement, none of which is judgement on an individual's weight.

 

[MissWeirdo]

jonnah.schmang

Thanks for posting. I concur with everyone who has posted thus far. One of the benefits of massage is that it fosters the client to become more comfortable with his/her own body. Opposed to the vanity pics of models and stars, the average body is often overweight. I know of no MT who is uncomfortable working with larger clients. While the amount of body hair a client has may alter the course of the massage (techniques, etc.), again, I know of no MT who is 'grossed out' but hair.

If, however, you would feel more comfortable (at least for the timebeing), you may wish to pursue Brian's suggestion of getting a trimmer.

As a personal note, I'm also carrying a bit more weight than I like and I'm also kinda on the hairy side. I trim, but only for my own comfort (especially during the summer months), not for the benefit of the MT.

Lastly, allow yourself to receive types of bodywork. You (and your body) will be glad you did!

 

[Miss Sexy McTopheavy]

Someone said to me the other day "So, there have to have been a few clients that have grossed you out, huh?" I stopped and thought for a second, running over in my head those bodies I've seen, the big and small, the hairy and hairless, moles, unwashed, old and young, tattoos, scars, lumps and bumps and rolls and I said, quite truthfully that I could not think of a thing that has bothered me so far about anyone's body.

(I'm also an aesthetician and get to extract blackheads, whiteheads and pustules!! And I'm not grossed out by that either! Believe it or not, I've got a male client who comes in a few times a year for back facials - really oily skin and large blackheads and I LOVE working on his back because it's so damn easy!! Speaking as an aesthetician, you might want to consider having your back waxed but ONLY if you're really bothered. I have male clients that come in for it, you don't get any stubble and it comes back less each time. When done correctly, it's not that bad.)

I can't say I've ever heard anyone locally in our field say they've ever been bothered by a client's body. I am so constantly amazed by the human body that I don't pay much attention to the exteriors. I really don't think you should let it stop you, it's going to matter not at all to the MT.

 

[good guy]

No issues with hairiness or weight. Sometimes smell issues when people fail to use deodorant or wash their feet, otherwise no problems.

Did have one practice client during school whose hair was so coarse that it literally cut my fingers doing certain techniques. I adapted the techniques for his body, and we got along just fine after that.

 

[Marbella Lotus]

The only thing that grosses me out in a client is a nasty personality.

 

[Pompal 09.]

A client having a hairy back doesn't bother me at all. As has been said several times, it can just make certain work a bit more difficult, but not impossible.

What bothers me more is a waxed or shaved back (or legs) with a couple weeks regrowth. The stubbles cause my hands to feel raw afterward. And, that's not a being grossed out issue, it's just painful for me.

So, all in all, I say bring on the hair!

 

[DC Maximus]

Hairy bodies don't bother me either. I have one client who has quite a bit of extra body hair who prefers oil to lotion during the massage. Otherwise he loses a bit of bodyhair during the massage which is uncomfortable for him. :massage:

 

[purplecrazyy]

Hello . I have no issues at all with body hair, or folks with a little "extra" to them. What makes a great appointment for me is how they treat me, or people in general. Not so much their appearance, as long as they're nice, and are clean, I'm good to go.

If they smoke heavily, the smell of cigarette smoke on them is gross (almost nixed an appointment earlier today for that reason), but size or hair? Na.

 

[Boudicca]

I was glad one day when a feller with extreme psoriasis kept on his shirt. I could easily feel the thick scaly plates on his back that was uncomfortable under my elbow with the shirt as a barrier. Can't imagine what it'd have been like bare.

I've seen some old crustycracked feet with yellow nails that took away my appetite, but hair or fat or lack of either has never been an issue.

 

[.Vibrant1.]

I was glad one day when a feller with extreme psoriasis kept on his shirt. I could easily feel the thick scaly plates on his back that was uncomfortable under my elbow with the shirt as a barrier. Can't imagine what it'd have been like bare.

I've seen some old crustycracked feet with yellow nails that took away my appetite, but hair or fat or lack of either has never been an issue.

Yikes, psoriasis bothers you? I have issues with eczema and psoriasis and I'd hate to think that my MT is grossed out by it. It's *not* coneforum.xxxious.

I work a lot with the elderly, so have seen all the feet and toenail issues that exist, too. I don't care. My feet are getting older by the minute, too, and who knows what they'll look like in another 50 years? I figure I'm going to wash my hands properly after every client, anyway...and there isn't a set of feet out there that I'd eat off of.

Most MTs are looking at the muscles. Don't worry about the hair on your body, the size or shape of your body, or any other surface issues. If one therapist has a problem with something, just find another therapist. There are plenty of us to pick from!

 

[shuay]

and there isn't a set of feet out there that I'd eat off of.

: : :

Oh my! :yikes: That made me chuckle.

I'm still coming to terms with the "three second rule" whereby food dropped on the floor for less than three seconds is fair game...........

Face it folks. Everyone has something that weirds them out, but some of us just deal with it. Or not.
I remember asking my Dr. as she removed my "port" out of my upper chest after six months of chemotherapy if anything grossed her out (this was an in-office procedure using a local anesthesia, and I was sweating bullets - hence my attempt to make stimulating conversation with her. I desperately needed distraction.)

She paused momentarily, the scalpel poised above ground zero, thinking.
"Yes!" she replied. "When my kids baby teeth get loose, and they want me to pull them, that really creeps me out!". :?:

I just didn't get how someone could do all sorts of gory surgeries, and be grossed out by wiggly teeth? :?: But there you have it.........we all have our quirks. As RofS said, hopefully your MT is professional and gracious, but if not, there's a lot of us out there to chose from.