Medically reviewed by Poonam Patel, RN-BSN, CPNP

Massage Gloves Buying Guide - What You Should Know

Getting a massage is meant to be a relaxing and serene experience, but there's nothing worse as a client than arriving for a deep tissue massage and seeing that the massage parlor that doesn't look clean and feel hygienic.

As there is a lot of skin-to-skin contact involved in sensitive areas, massage therapists should make sure to take certain precautions for their own safety, and the safety of their clients as well.

These precautions can include properly washing hands, using clean linens, cleaning and disinfecting any equipment involved in the process! But above all, wearing gloves can be highly beneficial in reducing risk and improving hygiene during skin-to-skin contact with your client.

Why Should Massage Therapists Wear Gloves?

There are many great reasons for you to incorporate medical gloves into a massage therapy session. Massage gloves can reduce the risk of transmission of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms between you and the client. This is especially important with an intra-oral massage and when working on areas that are prone to sweating or that have open wounds or lesions.

Wearing gloves also protect the massage therapist, seeing as this line of work involves being in contact with oils and other substances that may be harming, drying, or irritating skin over long-term use.

Disposable gloves can also offer a high level of comfort for both the massage therapist and clients, as there is no concern about hygiene, and adds to the aura of relaxation around the parlor.

Do Gloves Affect the Quality of the Massage?

Of course, experiencing a therapeutic massage with or without gloves will feel slightly different when in contact with the client's body and face, depending on the different techniques applied by the massage therapist.

However, many clients may not notice or care about this difference! In fact, many will probably feel safer due to the barrier gloves create between their skin and their therapists.

Best Gloves to Use for a Massage

There are many different features to look for when choosing the kinds of gloves for massage therapy, mainly the material, size, thickness, and dexterity level.

The most common gloves that massage therapists use are disposable nitrile gloves or latex gloves. These gloves are typically made of a thin, flexible material that allows for ease of movement and dexterity while performing massage techniques.

Nitrile being a thin material is a great benefit, as thin flexible gloves provide a similar tactile sensation to the therapist's bare hands, while thicker gloves may feel slightly more cumbersome or less sensitive.

They are also designed to be durable and tear-resistant, which helps to prevent punctures or tears during the massage session. Nitrile gloves are the more popular choice, given that they aren't likely to incite a latex allergy, which can cause some people skin irritation or other allergic reactions.

Regardless of the type of gloves used, however, it is important for massage therapists to choose massage gloves that fit properly and are comfortable to wear, as this can help prevent hand fatigue or discomfort during long massage sessions! If the gloves don't fit properly, it might lead to tears or gaps that let in bacteria.

WellBefore and You

WellBefore has a wide range of high-quality nitrile gloves for your massage parlor! Available in a wide variety of sizes so your hands are always comfortable and protected. We offer multiple color options such as blue, pink, and black, offering the ability to assign specific colors to certain oils or tasks.

A massage therapist choosing to wear gloves should keep in mind they need to be changed between clients and disposed of properly to prevent cross-contamination, so you have to look into the quantity you need, based on the frequency and volume of massage sessions you perform. Buying nitrile gloves in bulk can often be more cost-effective than purchasing smaller quantities.

Frequently Asked Questions