One of the scariest moments of my life was when I found out that I am allergic to shellfish. I had managed to live for 20 years without ever consuming any variety of shellfish, until, on a whim, I tried some raw craw fish. The end result was me collapsing in a food store with my throat closing due to an unknown and potentially lethal allergy to shellfish.
The reason that I am telling this story is not to instill fear, but rather to help you become more aware of your clients. The majority of slimming treatments on the market contain seaweed and/or marine fango mud. Many collagen treatments use marine collagen as the main source of collagen. How are those related to shellfish? Both contain iodine, which is the root cause of the allergic reaction.
Seaweed wraps are one of the most luxurious and effective treatments, however, they can cause skin reactions on those who are allergic to iodine. I recommend doing to following so as to protect your clients and yourself:
- Have every single client fill out an Individual Treat Profile Card. These will help you in finding out what their sensitivities are etc.
- Be open with your clients about the products and ingredients that you are using. If there is any concern regarding any of the products, do not use them.
- Offer substitutes! Sedona Mud, Coffee and Chocolate are fantastic substitutes for seaweed.
Other types of products that I advise being aware of are Massage Oils, Lotions and Creams. The majority of massage supplies on the market contain nut oils, which many people have sensitivities and/or allergies to. While many massage therapists prefer the nut oils due to their excellent slip, it is important to have nut-free options as well. Both Soothing Touch and Pure-Ssage offer nut-free versions of their products.
What other products can you think of that would be good to have substitutes for?