Massage, Tattoo & Body Art Items & Accessories | Clothes & Body Care

You may be just about to book your next massage, tattoo or body art session. Or you may be a message therapist or a professional tattooist looking for products for your business? Either way, here are some important tips and advice to consider to ensure you get what you are looking for.

A Brief Guide To Massage Services and Products
Massage has been around for centuries and used widely across different cultures. Many people choose to have a massage to relax themselves mentally and physically. Massage therapists treat their customers by stroking, kneading, tapping or pressing the soft tissues of the body, usually around the major muscles.

There are several types of massage.

Swedish massage � a common type of all over body massage
Deep tissue massage � good for treating deep muscular problems
Sports massage - used before or after sport or physical activity and to treat sports-related injuries
Neuromuscular massage - encourages the balance between the nervous system and muscles
Aromatherapy massage -- gentle form of massage used for relaxation
Reflexology - applied to points on the hands and feet with the aim of improving the health of other parts of the body
Shiatsu -- used to release body stiffness

Massage is now an accepted form of complementary medicine and is used most commonly to treat cancer patients to alleviate stress, anxiety, headache and even pain. Many cancer centres and hospitals in the UK now offer patients different types of massage therapy subsidised or free of charge.

Some Important Considerations
It is essential to choose a qualified massage therapist or practitioner. A qualified therapist will always start by asking you some general questions about your health, lifestyle and medical history, just to make sure that massage will not interfere with your health or any medicines you may be taking. The amount of pressure your therapist applies when massaging you can vary greatly between the types of massages. It is important that you let your therapist know if you feel uncomfortable and want them to stop at any time. However, most people enjoy a good massage, finding it is very relaxing. It is advisable to drink plenty of water after your treatment to flush out toxins released from body during the massage. Apart from being professionally qualified, your massage therapist should also have suitable insurance.

It's not safe for everyone to have massage therapy. This is especially important to check if you

Are having cancer treatment
Are very weak
Have bone fractures
Have heart problems
Suffer from arthritis
Are pregnant or breastfeeding

A Brief Guide To Body Art and Tattoo Services and Products
The most common forms of body art are tattoos, body piercings and body painting. People use body art for a variety of reasons -- to identify themselves as part of a religious or social group, to express their individuality by adorning and beautifying their bodies or simply to cover skin imperfections.

Safety Issues
Choose a qualified tattoo and body art artist with a flawless reputation. Before visiting the studio make sure that it has biohazard containers for blood-stained objects, sharps containers for old needles, autoclaves and facilities for meticulous hand-washing. To verify his or her qualifications, ask about their association with professional organisations and groups.

A professional, fully-qualified artist should do the following:

Ensure that the customer is absolutely certain about the design before applying it.
Thoroughly wash his or her hands and wear latex gloves.
Use new, sterile needles, disposable instruments which should be opened in front of you as well as fresh ink.
Provide clear tattoo aftercare instructions and products.

Even if you receive a professional tattoo or body art, there are still some risks you should be aware of including the following:

MRSA
Pre-existing diseases
Making sure your tattoo artist is vaccinated against Hepatitis B
Allergic reactions and healing difficulties

Where To Find Massage, Body Art and Tattoo Services and Products
Searching the internet will enable you to find the services and products you need in your particular location. You can also look here at Classifieds, together with the Classified Sections of local newspapers, magazines and directories. These are available both online and offline. A word-of mouth recommendation from a friend, colleague or member of family can be a good way of obtaining reliable information.

Main Types of Massage Products
Massage Products include massage chairs -- including on-site, reflexology and robotic chairs; massage tables -- including salon tables, portable flat and tilt tables; linens; towels; sheets; pads; oils, creams; lotions; disinfectants and cleaners

Tattoo and Body Art Products
Setting up in business can be an expensive proposition. Tattoo and body are prerequisites include pigments and pigment cups; dispensing bottles and containers; tattooing needles & accessories; after care products including razors, cream and ointments, wipes/skin disinfection and preparation sprays, syringes, dressings, surgical tapes & cotton wool; body piercing supplies including needles, forceps & tweezer clamps, ring pliers; ear piercing supplies including ear piercing guns and studs; hygiene products -- gloves. aprons, face masks, disinfectants, wipes, trays, brushes; tattooing machines -- stainless steel machine racks, and test/holding tubes, and wide range of tattooing machine accessories, including screws, coils and capacitors.

Useful Organisations
General Council for Massage Therapy
UK Sports Therapy Organisation
British Association of Dermatologists
Tattoo and Piercing Industries Union
Tattoo Club of Great Britain
British Tattoo Artists Federation