Massage parlor patrons run risk of `superbug

As a practitionner, i think the minimum thing you should do is to follow the "rules":

"The department gave guidelines to massage parlor operators and clients in 2005 covering personal hygiene, disinfection of client's skin, environmental hygiene in work areas, and handling of instruments and equipment as well as management of contaminated items."


As patron, i always enquire before an appointment what is the necessary "tools" and either buy and bring them myself (most mani/pedi sets & tools can be purchased from Sasa & Bonjour at a v. reasonnable price - cheaper than a mani / pedi - for ShangHai pedicure, ask the master to bring an extra "knife, which you purchase / desinfect yourself - for facials bring your own blocked pores extractor (around 10 dollar in Sasa / Bonjour).

Always check that the bucket lining is new..

1st time you go for a massage, bring a (20 dollar Ikea) sheet and towel, if you have doubts about the hygiena

Always check that the staff actually wash hands 20 sec with soap before taking care of you / going out of toilet or offer them a take a bit of desinfectant han lotion.

Bring an extra dettol spay (to apply 10 min before use on tools / machines you forgot to bring / buy)...

should be fine with that.

PS : the towel stuff is after a bad experience following a waxing in India, the towel they used to rinse the sugar wax off your body had been used on all the previous customers.


If the staff complains, 1) you are the customer and can walk out anytime + complain to hygiene dept. 2) these safety measures protects them as they are protecting you...


BTW, i think a read an article a few month ago about Garlic extracts helping patients who had trouble getting rid of MRSA with usual antibiotic (used a combination of antibiotic + garlic based stuff - news.bbc.co.uk)