Naked or not naked?

[Nakedornotnaked]

Please settle an argument between DH and I about nakedness when having a professional massage...

YABU - Of course you should be completely naked when having a professional massage, the towel covers your bits. The massage therapist has seen it all before and doesn't need clothing getting in the way and it's not like they're gonna be massaging your bits anyway

YANBU - Of course you don't get completely naked, you keep your underwear on underneath the towel. The massage therapist does not want to accidentally touch your bare bum/genitals as they work their way up your legs

You definitely keep your knickers on.

It’s always depended on the massage type I’ve gotten, but when having a whole body deep tissue massage I’m fully naked and covered with a towel, as they massage my bum

Thanks all.

This debate came about because I have back issues and DH keeps telling me to get a massage. But I won't because he said you have to be totally naked. That level of vulnerability isn't for me. I'd be so anxious I'd come out more tense and knotted up than when I walked in.

My back issues cropped up during a family gathering at which several relatives also advised I have a massage. My dh piped up with "she won't go cos she doesn't want to be naked" at which relatives replied with "but you aren't naked, you keep your underwear on!"

A mortified dh, who has always been getting down to his birthday suit for a massage, now refuses to believe you should wear underwear and that all the relatives are wrong, to save his own embarrassment and integrity. Because in his words "that makes me a creepy weirdo and these women masseuses must have thought I'm a pervert!"

He won't be happy with these results, but I'm sure he'll take solace in knowing a few of you go totally nude too 😆

If you have back issues a normal masseur may not want to massage you. I’d go to a physio for a therapeutic massage who shouldn’t inadvertently make things worse! If it’s just your back you want massaged it makes no difference whether you wear pants, leggings or nothing as the towel will be totally covering your bottom half. Just let them know you’re not bothered if oil goes on your clothes

Always naked. These are professional masseurs/masseuses and have no interest in my bum. They just tuck the towel away as necessary.

Only savages wear underwear for a massage - the kind of people who wear swimsuits in a sauna!

I'm on nhs waiting lists to see both a physio and a pain management specialist. Been on them a long time already with nobody able to give me any rough timescale of how much longer I should expect to be waiting.

I saw a private osteopath for a while but it only made things worse. I was in tears after my last session. She caused me additonal pain that led to time off work (I'm self employed, don't work don't earn) so never went back. And that kind of money for regular private treatment isn't easy for us to afford. So the odd massage here & there was recommended.

But if its only going to make things worse, I'll avoid it. I've already lost enough time off work due to these issues.

"The only reason not to keep your pants on is if you don't understand that a massage is just that, and it's not a sex act... I'd assume anyone not wearing pants is hopeful of a happy ending."

You should really get out more, @anotheruser173 That's the most ridiculous thing I've read on here (this morning at least.)

Im shocked at this. The first professional massage I went to asked me to get completely naked so I did and have done ever since now I'm wondering weather it wasn't expected for me to do that.

I’ve always been provided with paper pants but also pack a clean pair of knickers in the event pants aren’t supplied and I get oil on the ones I wear for the massage.

DH only ever got one massage and was provided with paper pants. However, I don’t know if they gave him womens ones in error or what happened. The pants were a small thong that contained nothing. He was totally freaked out when the masseuse started folding the towel as his bits were not contained and he was so worried she’d think him a perv. He called time on the massage and I found him after completely stressed out with more knots than when he arrived.

The place we were in wanted to check all was ok after he ended the massage early so I just explained that he was embarrassed and didn’t want to cause offence. They assured me it’s all looked after very carefully (not sure what that means) but he’s never been for a massage since. I think if forced into one he would keep his jeans on like another poster.
men do have more to contain than women so I can see it would be awkward. I guess buying a pair of specific pants if they get massages regularly would sort the problem?

Paper pants !

Yep. Would never take my drawers off for a massage.

Trained massage therapist here… Unless your therapist specifically states otherwise, please, please keep your pants on!

We can work around them, pull them down to work the glutes area if needed. But it’s not pleasant to have someone unexpectedly naked on your table. There’s no reason to have your genitals exposed during a professional massage… I once had a man do this to me and it really creeped me out!

You keep your pants on!!! Never naked.

The therapists may give you paper pants to wear if they are doing a body scrub or something that might be messy.

What kind of massages do you have?! I have never wanted or needed a therapist to massage any areas that are usually covered by my pants, thank you.

I’m now wondering about all the accidental exposure going on 🫣what are you all doing during your massages? I’m just laying there with a sheet draped over me. when I reposition the sheet is held up and the masseuse turns their head. All other times the sheet is moved to only expose the body part that is being worked on.

I did have one where it was a little more robust due to a knot in my glute. But even while lifting one leg up and working on the knot there wasn’t accidental exposure. I’ve never been offered paper I think the only time you are offered them is for a Brazilian wax. Maybe it’s different depending on location?

Depends on where- as part of a spa day you may be in wet swim wear so all off. Also in my experience the massage therapist usually indicates what they prefer eg "I'll leave you to undress but leave your knickers on if you wish, put your clothes there"

Everything off.
Even socks, dear.

I always ask and they normally say something like “everything off or whatever you’re comfortable with”. OP, even if your masseur is happy with total nakedness, you can keep your pants on. However not sure a massage is a great idea if you have a back injury.

I get regular massage, always naked.

His jeans?!

Agree!

My neighbour is a massage therapist, very experienced (she's 53) and says no pants is the norm.

A professional masseur won't mind either way, wants you to be comfortable and relaxed and will make sure your dignity is protected.
Sometimes a female masseur will request males to keep pants on to prevent any "misunderstandings" but with females either is usually fine. A few may have their preference but most will work with what suits you best.
I've been involved in the health/beauty industry for years and had many many massages.

To the PP who said no pants means you expect a sex act, this is entirely wrong and a silly stereotype.

I'm getting very annoyed reading some of these replies. Never ever assume you can go completely naked! I am a massage therapist and have been for 15 years. To begin with I used to say I didn't mind because I'm not looking and the underwear can get in the way. But over the years I have had some really uncomfortable experiences. There's only been maybe 2 men that made me feel uncomfortable but quite a few women. I once had a lady who wanted me to spend ages on her inner thigh. She moved the sheet off and had nothing on and her leg was spread and I saw everything. I was very young and not experienced enough to say how uncomfortable I was! Now I know this is rare but this should never happen. You often get women stripping off as soon as they get in the room when you are trying to do a consultation, it's rude, I don't want to see your boobs while I'm asking medical history.
Where I work there are alot of young girls and the other day a man insisted on being naked. The therapist didn't see anything but it is a complete lack of respect and not professional at all.

I've had all sorts of massages including intensive glute work from my sadistic physio, and never needed to or been asked to remove my pants.

I'm a bit shocked that some people just whip off all their gear without at least having a conversation with the therapist first, and feel really sorry for the therapists.

Really pleased to hear from actual massage therapists. My DH is thoroughly mortified and has vowed to never be totally naked at a massage ever again. If he ever has a massage ever again! He insists there has never been an instance where his genitals were exposed, but he hates the thought he could have made any massage therapist feel uncomfortable.

I now feel more comfortable knowing I'm not actually expected to.get naked if I attend a massage, and that the therapists would generally prefer it. And never in a month of Sundays would I start stripping off while the therapist was still taking medical history, discussing my treatment and hadnt actually instructed me to get undressed. How unbelievably disrespectful.