Lotus Touch Nut-Free Massage Lotion

The quality of ingredients used in the massage oil, lotion, or cream that you use on your clients can make a big difference in the health and comfort of your skin and your clients’ skin. Since your hands are constantly immersed in massage oil throughout the day, it’s important to make sure that the ingredients are nourishing your skin and not causing your skin to react, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Certain chemicals or ingredients, such as nut oil, can cause negative reactions for yourself or your clients. Since sensitivities vary for each client, it may be a good idea to avoid common allergy-inducing ingredients and opt for products that use only natural ingredients, free of parabens and other man-made chemicals. You’ll not only be doing your clients a favor, but you’ll be doing yourself a favor as well.

OneTouch Massage is a distributor for two brand name product lines designed for therapists looking for all natural or nut-free oils: Lotus Touch and Bon Vital. These companies take pride in their products as they strive to meet the developing needs of today’s massage therapists and bodyworkers.

Lotus Touch Oils

One of the most common reactions to massage lubricants is caused by nut oils. With the increase in nut allergies in recent years, more and more therapists are searching for nut-free oils. Lotus Touch responded to requests from therapists by developing a completely nut-free line of massage oils, lotions, and creams. But instead of stopping there, they raised the bar higher by using only the purest, most natural ingredients in their products, including the finest seed oils, botanical extracts, and essential oils. Their products never contain nut oils, mineral oils, direct alcohols, or man-made chemicals that can dry out and irritate the skin.

Bon Vital Naturale Oils

In response to the need for all-natural massage products, Bon Vital launched the Naturale line—an all natural and organic line of massage lotion, oil, cream, and gel. These products include natural preservatives rather than synthetic preservatives such as parabens. The result is a formula that offers all the healing and enriching benefits of natural, organic ingredients. The Naturale line is unscented to accommodate clients who may be sensitive to fragrance.

Massage table warmers from OneTouch

OneTouch Massage table warmers are available with a soft cotton or thick fleece cover. Our customers recommend them for both professional and home use. With a temperature control and timer, you won’t have to worry about forgetting to turn it off. You can set the warmer to stay on as long as you need it, from 1 to 8 hours.

See what our customers have to say about the OneTouch Massage Table Warmer and Fleece Warmer Pad:

“I have had the same one for about 6 years and it just went out on me last month. Good enough to buy another one.”
- Broadway Staff (Grand Junction, Colorado)

“I suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee and hip so I constantly use a heating pad. Unfortunately my last one finally died and when I went to repurchase I found the new ones all had 2 hour limits on heating before turning off. I found this cozy pad online and thought I’d give it a try.

It shipped quickly, fits my bed great and DOES provide warmth all through the night. I keep mine on for 8 hours and while it’s not as super hot or concentrated like a heating pad, it does get my whole leg at once and, as a bonus I hadn’t thought about, is great on my back as well.

My cat loves it as well as she is always on my side now…

All in all, I love this product and would definitely purchase it again…and probably will.”
- Erica Sullivan (”works long hours in the ER”)

“I love this warmer. It warms up quickly & stays in place on the table. I would be glad if the cord was longer but other than that it is perfect.”
- Charlene J.

“The multiple temperature control is a nice feature. Fits snugly to the massage table.”
- Angela A.

“I have been using this table warmer for a little over a month now and so far it is wonderful! It does take a little time to warm up, so I try to get it turned on about 15-20 minutes before starting a massage.”
- S. Mitchell

“I really like this table warmer. The multiple settings work great for different heat preferences of my clients. It works like a charm and I would recommend this product.”
- “lovetoshop”

If you care properly for your massage table, the upholstery should last for many years of use.

When it comes to sanitizing your massage table, choose your cleaning solution carefully. Many of the oils and alcohols found in cleaning agents can harden the upholstery over time and eventually cause it to crack. With constant exposure to the harsh cleaning agents found in most sanitizers, the upholstery becomes less supple and is more easily scuffed or torn.

It’s best to skip most commercial cleaning solutions altogether and instead clean your table using mild soap and water. Then rinse the table surface with clean water to remove all traces of soap.

Despite how carefully you clean and maintain your massage table, the materials—including the upholstery—will eventually deteriorate with time. But with the right care and gentle cleaning, your upholstery should last for many years of use.

OneTouch Massage is now carrying Lotus Touch massage oils, creams, lotions, and gels. These professional supplies are completely nut-free to accommodate clients and therapists with sensitivity or allergy to nut products.

Lotus Touch Therapeutic Oil Gel

The following products are available through OneTouch Massage, with prices starting as low as $11.99 (free shipping):

1. Therapeutic Oil Gel – All the glide you need without the residue! No greasy clients. No sticky hands. Try it on clients who have previously avoided oil. Available in 1 gallon and 8 ounce sizes.
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2. Hydrating Rich Lotion – The perfect lotion for deep tissue massage. Ideal balance of slip with control and low glide. Fragrance free for blending with aromatherapy oils. Available in 1 gallon and 8 ounce sizes.
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3. Multi-Purpose Cream – This 3-in-1 massage cream applies like a luxurious cream, turns into an oil, and absorbs like a lotion for the best of all worlds. It offers glide, friction, and control all in one. Available in 1 gallon and 16 ounce sizes.
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4. Moisture Rich Cream – Specially designed for modalities that require maximum glide and minimum friction. Fragrance free for use on face and hands. Available in 16 ounce sizes.
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5. Ultralight Oil Complex – Blend of 5 high quality seed oils. Superior glide and diversity for all types of massage. Available in 1 gallon and 8 ounce sizes.

Clean your massage table warmer gently by hand
and allow it to air dry.

Since a table warmer is an electrical unit, you should NEVER throw it in the washing machine or immerse it in water! It should be gently cleaned by hand and allowed to air dry.

Follow these instructions to clean and dry your massage table warmer:

How to Clean a Table Warmer:

1. Before cleaning, make sure the hand control is set to the OFF position.
2. Disconnect the electrical cord from the power outlet.
3. Spot clean by wiping the soiled area with lukewarm water and a neutral detergent or mild soap solution.
4. Wipe again with clean water.
5. Blot away excess water by compressing the wet area between two dry towels.
6. DO NOT allow water to drip on the control unit.

How to Dry a Table Warmer:

1. Drape the massage table warmer over a clothesline and allow it to drip dry.
2. DO NOT use clothespins or clamps.
3. DO NOT dry with a hair dryer or heater.
4. When hanging, make sure to position the hand control so that no water will drip onto the control unit.

There’s a wide variety of professional massage lubricants available on the market today: oils, lotions, gels, creams, body butters, analgesics, and more. Some lubricants are specially formulated for specific modalities, while others work well for a number of different modalities. The following table includes general guidelines for matching lubricants to their respective modalities. As always, check with the client for allergies and sensitivities before using any massage lubricant.

Natural Organic Massage Cream by Bon Vital

Since massage cream offers both lasting glide and ample resistance for a wide range of massage techniques, there’s no need to switch lubricants if you change your technique in the middle of a massage.

You can move seamlessly from light touches to deeper, more penetrating techniques, concentrating on areas of the body that need specialized attention while gliding easily over others.

Massage cream is an all-in-one lubricant that fits the varied needs of your clients and your techniques. If you’re looking for a multipurpose massage lubricant for your practice, this may be it.

Clients appreciate the non-greasy texture and the added hydration, leaving their skin refreshed and moisturized. These features are especially important for clients who don’t have time to shower immediately after the massage or who suffer from dry skin.

Most therapists also appreciate the non-greasy, moisturizing properties of massage cream, since it makes cleanup easier for your own skin and for your linens.

Consider using an all natural and organic massage cream that is unscented to accommodate clients with sensitive skin. Then add a few drops of essential oils to a small amount of massage cream for clients who appreciate the aromatherapy experience and whose skin is tolerant of fragrance. Using an unscented massage cream as the base allows you to customize the aromatherapy oils for each client.

Premium 100% Cotton Massage Sheets and Headrest Covers

Choose the Right Massage Lubricants

It’s easier to prevent stains in the first place than to try to get them out after the fact. Choose high-quality massage oils, lotions, creams, or gels that are completely water soluble for easier cleanup. Lubricants that absorb easily into the skin generally leave behind fewer stains, simply because there’s no excess lubricant left to absorb into the sheets.

Choose the Right Massage Sheets

The quality of the sheets is another factor in preventing stains. 100% cotton sheets release stains more readily than polyester linens or cotton-poly blends. And if you’re worried about how your sheets will look after a few bouts with massage oil, choose light-colored massage table sheets. They show stains far less than dark colors. Patterned sheets are another slick trick for hiding oil stains. Also, remember that the dimmed lighting in the massage room helps hide light stains, so don’t stress too much over pristine-looking linens.

Wash or Soak Sheets Immediately After Use

Soak the massage sheets immediately after use and wash them as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the greater the chance that the stains will set and the harder it will be to get them out.

Add a half cup of vinegar to the load to help disperse the oil. Pre-treat larger stains with detergent, vinegar, or other stain-fighting agents. Large oil stains and makeup stains may need to be soaked overnight.

Shake out the sheets before transferring them to the dryer and take the sheets out of the dryer before they are completely dry. This keeps the sheets from getting wrinkled and saves you the hassle of ironing.

Related Posts

• For more tips on caring for massage linens, see the post on Caring for Your Massage Linens.

When you’re working with clients with sensitive skin or allergies, knowing which massage oils to use can make the difference between a blissful massage and a miserable experience for you and your client.

Every so often you may encounter a client with sensitive skin or allergies. How should you handle these situations, and how can you know which massage products to use on their skin?

Most likely you already ask about allergies and sensitive skin on your client intake form. But if the client hands you the form at the beginning of the massage session, it won’t do you much good to find out that the client requires nut-free massage oil and all you have on hand is an almond-based oil.

A better idea is to ask new clients about allergies and sensitivities when they call to set up an appointment. Even though you request this information on your form, it’s helpful to know beforehand what the client’s specific needs are. The client may forget to mark sensitivities on the intake form. Asking this question twice shows that you care about their needs, and it lessens the chance of the client forgetting to report an allergy. The extra effort may save you from running into problems later on if the client’s skin reacts to your standard massage oil.

For clients with sensitive skin, use unscented, hypoallergenic massage oils or creams. If the client is allergic to nuts, use a nut-free alternative such as jojoba or grapeseed oil. Ask the client what lubricants they have used successfully before and that they know are safe to use on their skin. If the client is unsure, try using jojoba or grapeseed oil, as both of these oils are considered non-allergenic for virtually all skin types.

Keep in mind that each individual’s skin may react differently, so test the lubricant in a small area and wait several minutes to check for a reaction before using the lubricant on a larger area. Clients with ultra-sensitive skin may feel more comfortable bringing in their own oil for massage. Use only as much massage oil as necessary and wipe off any excess oil with a warm, damp cloth.

Always keep a bottle of fragrance-free, all natural massage oil on hand for clients with sensitive skin. You may even want to replace your standard massage oil with an all natural one. Natural and organic massage oils enrich the skin—both for your clients and for you as the therapist. Your skin is in constant contact with the lubricants you use every day. Don’t neglect the quality of your massage oil. Your skin will thank you for it.

Lubricants aren’t the only concern for sensitive clients. Scented linens and detergents with harsh chemicals can also irritate the skin. Wash your massage linens with natural laundry detergent—no synthetic preservatives, toxins, bleach, or fragrance added. Air dry your linens, if possible.

The more care you take in choosing natural products that enrich the skin, the happier your clients’ skin—and your own skin—will be.