Five minutes is fine. And the attendants do prefer that the client has taken a shower. I bring a shaving kit, which includes my own soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, etc. Most places give you at least 5 minutes at the front end of a massage to have a shower. Oh, and that time is NOT considered part of your massage time (no matter what Blue Pearl used to say.) Your time starts when the attendant enters the room.