Respect the Profession: Tackling the Sexualisation of Massage and Wellness Services
If you work in massage, beauty, or holistic therapy, chances are you've had at least one experience that made your skin crawl. The text asking about "extras" or "uncovered massage". The client who arrived expecting something very different from what you offer or who ignored your guidance to leave underwear on and get under the towels. The online enquiry that was clearly fishing for sexual services.
These aren't isolated incidents. They're a pattern that affects professionals across our sector every single day and mainly affects massage and waxing services.
At Salonpreneur Magazine, we think it's long past time to address this head-on. We've launched an industry-wide survey to gather evidence, document experiences, and build a case for real change. Because massage therapists, beauty professionals, and wellness practitioners deserve the same basic respect as any other professional business or service provider.
Take the survey now - your experience matters, and your voice can help shift the conversation and educate the public on our services.
The Root of the Problem
The sexualisation of massage and wellness services didn't originate within our industry. It's a cultural confusion that's been amplified by how search engines work and how adult services are advertised online.
Terms like "body-to-body massage," "uncovered massage," or "sensual massage" appear in adult directories, but they also bleed into legitimate business listings, creating a minefield of misunderstanding. For professionals, the result is unwanted sexual propositions, uncomfortable conversations, and in some cases, genuine safety concerns.
We most often couldn't be clearer about what we actually do: we provide professional beauty, health and wellbeing services. We are not in the business of sexual services. Any request or assumption to the contrary isn't just a "miscommunication" - it's harassment.
Professional Massage Is Not Sex Work
There's an important distinction that needs to be stated plainly:
Professional massage therapists, holistic practitioners, and beauty professionals work within strict ethical and professional frameworks. We're trained to support physical and mental wellbeing, reduce pain, manage stress, and improve quality of life and we do this through our professional services.
Sex work is a separate industry involving consensual adult sexual services.
They are not the same thing. Confusing them puts legitimate, professional practitioners at risk, damages the reputation of the salon and wellness sector, and creates a blurred line for the public. Under UK law, including the Equality Act 2010 and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, professional therapists have every right to refuse service, report inappropriate behaviour, and set clear professional boundaries that excludes people who cross these lines.
Why We're Doing This
Through our survey and the feature we're publishing in January, we're working to:
Gather hard data on how widespread this problem actually is
Educate the public about what professional massage and therapy services involve
Give professionals practical tools to protect themselves when working alone or in mobile settings
Promote safety guidance from organisations like the Safer Salon Geek and Suzy Lamplugh Trust
Push for better industry standards and clearer public messaging
This isn't about shaming anyone. It's about creating a culture of respect and understanding that protects professionals and educates clients.
For the Public: What You Need to Know
Looking for a Professional Massage
How do I find a professional massage or wellness practitioner?
Look for:
Professional qualifications and insurance
Membership of recognised bodies (FHT, BABTAC, CThA, NHBF etc.)
Clear service descriptions and transparent pricing
Professional use of social media/website etc
Professional communication and booking processes
Absence of sexualised language or imagery
Looking for a Sexual Service
What is a "body-to-body massage"?
This is a sexual service term. It is not part of legitimate professional massage therapy.
Professional massage therapists use their hands, forearms, elbows, or specialist tools. We do not use our bodies in the way this phrase implies. If you're looking for a genuine therapeutic massage, avoid any provider using this terminology unless they're explicitly advertising adult services. If you're looking for the term your searching please avoid contacting anyone advertising and providing professional massage services - it is not acceptable.
Are "uncovered massage" or "sensual massage" professional services?
No. Professional massage therapy follows strict standards around draping and client modesty. You will always be covered with towels or sheets, with only the specific area being treated (such as leg, arm or back) exposed at any time.
Any service described as "uncovered," "sensual," "nude," or similar is not legitimate or professional massage therapy.
Can I ask for a "happy ending" or make suggestive requests?
Absolutely not. This is sexual harassment.
Massage and wellness professionals are qualified therapists providing healthcare services. We are not sex workers. Making inappropriate requests can result in you being refused service, reported to the police, and banned from premises. This isn't a grey area - it's harassment, and it's taken seriously.
This section is for anyone searching for massage or wellness services. If you've ended up here because you searched for certain terms, please read this carefully.
How can professionals protect themselves?
Use professional-only contact methods. Where possible, never give out personal phone numbers
Keep all booking communications and client details documented
Follow lone-worker safety protocols (the Safer Salon Geek, Sam Blake, is an industry specialist and nationally the Suzy Lamplugh Trust has excellent guidance)
Display a clear professional conduct policy on your website and booking materials
Don't hesitate to refuse service or report threatening behaviour to the police via their non-emergency protocols
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong during an enquiry or booking, it probably is.
Be Part of the Solution
If you've experienced inappropriate approaches, sexual propositions, or harassment in your work as a beauty, massage, or wellness professional, we want to hear from you.
Complete our anonymous survey — it takes less than 10 minutes and will help us build an evidence base for change.
Share your story confidentially for our January feature, if you're comfortable doing so.
Spread the word among your colleagues and networks. The more voices we have, the harder we are to ignore.
This is about reclaiming respect for our sector and making it clear that our work is exactly that — professional work that deserves professional treatment.
