Scent Free
Scent and Fragrance Free Practice
In order for us to work together, I am asking that you do not wear any scented products such as shampoo, conditioner, soaps, deodorant, perfume, cologne, essential oils, laundry detergent to your scheduled appointment.
Please plan to arrive to your session as fragrant/scent free as possible.
Why does Nik need you to be Scent free?
In 2017 I started to get ill and it took me a long time to figure out why. It turns out I have something called MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities), which basically means I am allergic to many chemicals and fragrances, both artificial and natural.
When I am exposed to chemicals or fragrances I can experience incapacitating headaches, nausea, fatigue, trouble thinking, vertigo and need space from the source of the fragrance to recover. If the exposure is long or intense, it often takes me multiple days to recover. I will be wearing a mask during our session in order to minimize my exposure.
What does “scented or fragrance” mean?
Typically on the side or back of your products (in the USA), there is a list of active and inactive ingredients. If you see the word “fragrance” “perfume” or any essential oils in that list, it is considered a scented/fragrant product and those are the ones I’m asking you to avoid.
Products that are OKAY are labeled Fragrance Free, Unscented or Free and Clear. You can most often get these products at a natural food store, online or sometimes places like Trader Joe’s, Target or Walmart will carry them.
Things to do that will help you limit your scent/fragrances before your session:
•If you are going to shower the day of your appointment don't use scented soaps, shampoo/conditioner or body scrubs.
•Don't put deodorant, lotions, essential oils or hair products on the day you are coming in.
•If you've had your hair recently dyed or treated wear a cloth wrap to contain any scents.
Let me know if you have questions!
Resources:
To help you learn the how's and why's of being fragrance free.
• East Bay Mediation Center's Guide
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• Unscented Vs. Fragrance Free EPA PDF
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• "Fragrance free femme of colour genius" by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
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• Created by the UCLA Center for the Study of Women
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• National Allergy For An Allergy Free Lifestyle
Learn More >
*A note for those who have MCS, MCAS or other environmental sensitivities / disabilities:
I wear only fragrances free body products, use scent free oil and lotions during your session and use only scent / fragrance free cleaning products.
I use PureGreen24 (an EPA approved disinfectant to kill Covid-19) to disinfect massage table and chairs surfaces and alcohol to disinfect door nobs and other surfaces.
I strive to have a scent and fragrance free practice and cannot guarantee 100% scent free as sometimes clients come in wearing scents and there may be scents in the building materials / carpets that I cannot control. I do use 2 Hepa air purifiers in the space. Please reach out if you have any questions.
I also want to honor that there are many healing, cultural, personal and access reasons that people use scents. Please reach out to talk about how to we can work together to navigate conflicting / different needs.
Thank you! ~nik
”I’ve seen Nik for massage consistently over the past year or two. As a scent-sensitive person myself, I appreciate knowing their space is accessible and there won’t be any surprises with any scented massage oils or lotions.
They have helped me get out of some tricky hip/glute pain, gave me relief for some ongoing neck and upper back pain, and supported me with bodywork pre and post-top surgery allowing me to have the most comfortable recovery possible. Nik has amazing intuition for knowing when to go in with deep pressure, when to hold easeful touch, and when to wait for my body to release tension before moving on to the next area. Bonuses: Nik sees and honors my gender identity and expression and I feel safe on the table."
-Sandy Baird, he/him