Confused about quantity of carrier oil

[plereeWeede]

I am training in holistic therapies and our aromatherapy tutor has told us to use 15ml of carrier oil and 7 drops of essential oils.

In class when I did a treatment the oil was soaking into the skin on the back very quickly before I'd even finished the sequence. Because it felt uncomfortable to me I appliedmore oil. By the time I had done the backs and fronts of the legs there was only a small amount of oil left.

My tutor said that I shouldn't have added more oil on the back.I feel confused now because when we come to practice on real clients next month I don't feel I will be able to give a good treatment if my hands don't slide easily across the skin, yet the tutor said it was ok when that happened.

In Swedish massage we use 25mls of oil which is plenty. Do you think the 15mls is correct and do you thinkI will be able to give a good treatment with that? Thanks.

Sandra
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[jievmugmiraiixeyu]

15mls should be ok. However it does depend on the client, they may dry skin which absorbs more oil. Or it may be the oil, you will requier more of lighter oils.

 

[Lois20]

For a full body massage I have always used 30mls of oil (and up to 15 drops of essential oils). This is what I was taught and I find on most of my clients, it's probably just slightly too much, but on some it is just enough (depending on the size of the person and how dry their skin is), but I'd rather have a drop left over than not enough.

On men, I use 45mls (and up to 22 drops of eo's), as they tend to be bigger and hairier.

I usuallyuse grapeseed oil, which is quite light and easily absorbed.

I think if there is not enough oil, you are in danger of hurting your fingers and thumbs.

 

[???? ?? ?? ???????? ?????]

That sounds like a lot of oil! I'm on a course now and we've been told 20mls for the body (with 7 drops of essential oil) and 5mls for the face (1 drop).

 

[quizzard123]

Thanks for the replies. I feel frustratedthatthe tutor wouldn't have it that it wasn't enough oil. The person I was practicing on had dry skin and the oil was soaked up in no time. It really didn't feel right to carry on working with so little oil on the skin.

I am wondering what will happen when we start practicing on clients and this happens again - I won't know what to do!

Sandra
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[Jorgilburg]

Sorry I misread your post, I thought it was just a back treatment. Depending on the course you are doing they should have clear guidelines on the amount of base & essential oil to use. ITEC have the details on their website, I don't know if other bodies do the same. 15mls is not enough for a full body.

 

[Tom J]

I was taught by ITEC and they are insistant that you only use a max of 8 drops per 25 ml this is made up from only 3 different oils

 

[TheRealAcid9]

i find it funny howitec can be insistantyou use only a certain amount of oil....No more no less.in complementary medicine we enjoy discussing the fact that we are "wholistic" Therefore,no two individuals are the same.the amount of oil you use depends on many factors,how large someone is,how hairy they are,how dehydrated they are when they come for a treament,what carrier oil they require??Would itec expect you to finish a treatment with no oil if the back and legs soaked up all of your carrier??
Treat each client as an individual and cater your treatment for their specific needs.It is ok to start with 6 drops of essential oil but as you become more skilled you will see that differring amounts have differring effects on the body.6 drops is ok on a subtle level,for spiritual needs but a physical ailment may require more .
Dont be worried if you need more carrieroil.

 

[Amit Feinstein]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I've decided that if it happens again I will tell the tutor that I will not work on an area that is dry and insist on making up more oil. It didn't feel very good at all finishing off the treatment onvirtually dry skin.

Angelfish. I am doingthe VTCT course andlooked on theirwebsite to see if there were any guidelines on the amounts of carrier oils etc but couldn't find anything. I am dreading when we start to practice on clients but will try not to worry about it too much and will justhave to learn to stick up for myself!

Sandra
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[Pompal 09.]

Hi

Your tutor didn't sound very helpful - if you work on the body with not enough oil it is uncomfortable for both the therapist and the client - How large is the body surface as well - we all differ - this is an holistic therapy no two clients are alike in body size or absorption - I find if someone is very tired they absorb oil very quickly - likewise if their skin is dry - I was taught to use a 3 % blend if someone is healthy fit and not frail, elderly, a child or ill (In which case I would reduce to 1%).

Do stick within the guidelines of your course - as you need to pass - then see what others have to say.

Luv Binah