Offensive body odor.

[Miss Information]

What do you say to someone who has offensive body odor? How do you let customers know that they need to be clean before they come to a session?

 

[Beach Blondie]

Lewis, make it part of your general business policy.  Do you have sheet of your policy guidelines you give to clients?  If not, you could put a blurb into your client intake form.  Let your clients know that just as you are expected to provide clean sheets between each client, wash your hands before and after each client, and to be clean yourself, that you require your clients to be clean as well.  Dirty, germy clients could be a health risk to you.  I don't have a problem with clients who just come from work (even though feet get stinky in dress shoes), but I would never work on someone who just came from a workout, or didn't shower that day because they knew they were coming for a massage and would shower later.  That's just gross.  Make it part of your policy, and enforce it.  You have the right to refuse treatment if someone comes into your office filthy.  If you lose the client, so be it...they're not clean!

 

[Hurdy]

eewwww - don't know what to tell ya on that one.  I have a client with the most horribly stinkiest feet known to man.....I have to put a dab of Vicks Vaporub under my nose when she comes in  (I get queezy from it, its that bad)  I havnt had to deal with B.O. (I am sorry you have!) so I am interested to hear how others have approached this situation before.   Good post.

 

[kallijean]

Offensive body odor.

Depending on what part stinks, you may be able to cover it up. With feet, you could offer a quick "foot cooling treatment" in which you apply a base oil with peppermint and spearmint essential oils (learned this from Mimi) blended in it, then start the massage. If it's everywhere, you may have to just come out and start telling him/her to shower beforehand. I've only had one client like this, and luckily they only came in once. The only other problem I've had were feet, and I have a nice lotion to mask that.Maybe press the issue of having a nice exfoliating body scrub, in which you have one bucket of warm water, a lufa, some body wash that somewhat invigorates the skin, and give them a quick (really quick, try to BS it into a spa treatment) wash? Then go over them with a warm towel, and begin the massage? Let them "try it for free" the first time, and maybe charge them for it if they enjoy it?

 

[Pompal 09.]

Ewww, Seforum.xxxg, that's like sticking your hands into someone ELSE's dirty bath water!  If a person is stinky, would you want to come in contact with it in concentrated liquid form?  LOL!Good suggestion though!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Offensive body odor.

Well, you don't really 'have' to touch them, the lufa can touch them at all times. It may be nicer than telling them "You stink, buddy. Go home and take a bath. USE SOAP!" ;D

 

[dolphin]

Offensive body odor.

Dori I think I'd be offering a special treat... just because you want to try a "new product" a "free aromatherapy foot soak" before their massage... LOL Let them soak for 5 minutes before their session while sipping a cup of tea or drinking a glass of ice water with a slice of fresh lemon. Tell them it's a $10 value. LOL (A touch of Spa never hurt anybody... guy or girl.)

Personally it's smokers that get to me. The toxins just seem to exude from their skin. Honestly I fell like I need a shower after giving them a massage! I sometimes ask if I can add some "Aromatherapy" to their massage today as a special treat (no charge).

I believe there's a thread on the board that mentioned something about a bowl of moist towels being put in the room for the client to use either before the client's massage to "freshen up" or after the massage to "remove oil" from their skin before getting dressed to go back to work. I think it was Jill (Sagetherapist) who got me thinking of the bowl of towels! LOL Personally, I thought that was a nifty idea.

One could even use those disposable "bath in a bag" type things that they often use at hospitals. (Sort of like a baby wipe for adults.)

 

[Heaven Cant Wait]

maestra,

I had forgotten about that thread... she had lemon scented towelettes individually wrapped, I think.

Jill, can you come to the rescue?????