What to bring to a massage and what to wear

You're standing by the wardrobe and your massage is a few hours away. The same question keeps circling your head: what should I actually bring? Do I need my own towel? Should I wear something specific? Arrive on an empty stomach, or after eating? It's completely natural. When you go somewhere for the first time, you want to turn up prepared.

Here's the news that unties that little knot in your stomach. You need almost nothing for a massage. Really. Towels, underwear, clothing for a Thai massage and a welcome tea are all waiting here, ready. Even so, a few small things can turn a pleasant visit into a completely carefree one. From comfortable trousers to when you last ate. Let's walk through what to actually bring, what to wear and what you needn't worry about on a first visit.

What to actually bring with you

Let's start with the best part: a list that is remarkably short. Everything is prepared here at the salon, so you'll get by with barely more than yourself.

• Yourself and the wish to rest. That's the main thing. Everything else is just the cherry on top.
• A gift voucher, if you have one. If you're coming on a gift voucher, bring it along. A photo on your phone is perfectly fine.
• A hair tie if your hair is on the longer side, so it doesn't get in the way during head, neck and face work.
• Glasses instead of contact lenses, if lenses bother you lying down with your eyes closed. Not essential, just for comfort.

And what you don't need to bring? Towels, sheets, disposable underwear and comfortable clothing for a Thai massage. You'll find all of it here, fresh and ready.

What to wear (and what underneath)

The route to comfort is simple. Come in whatever feels good on you. The ideal is loose, comfortable clothing that's easy to slip out of and pleasant to slip back into afterwards: joggers, a hoodie, a soft T-shirt. Nothing fancy, no tight belts or buttons.

What happens next depends on the type of massage:

• For a traditional Thai massage you stay clothed. The work is done through light clothing that doesn't restrict movement. If you don't have anything suitable, we'll happily lend you a comfortable set. You needn't worry about a thing. We've described exactly how a Thai massage works step by step.
• For oil massages you're given disposable underwear. During an oil or aromatherapy massage you lie covered, and only the part of the body being worked on is ever uncovered. Discretion is a given.
• Underwear? Whatever feels right. Some people keep it on, some don't. Both are perfectly fine and no one gives it a second thought.

Eating, drinking and arriving on time

A few small things around timing and your stomach make a surprisingly big difference to how much you enjoy the massage.

• Don't come completely empty or overfull. A lighter meal about 1–2 hours beforehand is ideal. On an empty stomach you can sometimes feel a little weak; on a full one, lying on your front isn't exactly comfortable.
• Drink well. A glass of water before the massage does your body more good than coffee. Save the alcohol for another time and skip it entirely before a massage.
• Arrive 10–15 minutes early. You'll have time to change calmly, pop to the loo, settle in with a welcome tea and leave the rush at the door. Turn up at the last minute and you'll rob yourself of a little of that calm.

This is just the essentials. The full run-through, from sleep to mindset, is in the article How to prepare for a massage.

First time? What not to worry about

If this is your very first massage, more questions are probably running through your head than they would on your tenth visit. That's completely normal. A few of them worry people needlessly, yet have a rather simple answer:

• "Do I need to be in perfect shape?" Not at all. No one is concerned with imperfections or unshaved legs. We're here for you to rest, not to be judged.
• "What if I don't know how to lie?" Your therapist guides you the whole time — she'll tell you when to turn over and how to settle comfortably. There's nothing to guess.
• "Can I say it's too strong for me?" Absolutely, and it's welcome. We can adjust the pressure, the room temperature and an extra blanket at any point. Your comfort is part of the massage, not an interruption.
• "And if I just want to lie quietly?" Of course. Chatting isn't required — plenty of guests stay silent the whole time and simply sink into the calm.

And if you're unsure which massage suits a first visit best, the article Which massage is right for me will point the way.

Hygiene, valuables and a few extra small things

Finally, a few practical tips that aren't posted on any door but, from experience, are genuinely appreciated:

• Leave valuables at home. Expensive jewellery, watches and unnecessary cash are best left safely at home — one less thing to worry about, and nothing to get in the way.
• A shower before rather than after. Arriving fresh is pleasant for both you and your therapist. After an oil massage, on the other hand, let the oil soak in and save the shower for home, so you get the most out of the care.
• Skip strong perfume. In a calm setting, and especially with aromatherapy, the gentle scent of the oils comes through far better than a heavy fragrance.
• Phone on silent. Those few dozen minutes belong to you alone. The world can wait a while.

And that's all there is to it. As you can see, "preparation" is mostly about leaving your worries at the door. The rest is on us, from the towel to the tea.