Rest In Peace Jamie Lopez - Babydoll Beauty Couture

Photo of Jamie via her personal Facebook profile

About a decade ago, I was introduced online to a young woman named Jamie Lopez. Jamie was a nail technician, makeup artist, and hairstylist living in Las Vegas, Nevada. We connected professionally because she was planning a Spa Day for Supersized Women, and the idea was for me to travel to Las Vegas and provide massage therapy for some of her guests.

Unfortunately, the spa day never came to fruition, so I never made the trip to Las Vegas to work with her clients. The possibility remained open, however, in case she decided to organize another event in the future.

Jamie was, in every sense of the phrase, a larger than life woman. At her highest weight, she weighed more than 800 pounds, yet what I remember most was not her size. It was her presence.

She was beautiful, charismatic, and full of personality. There was something about her spirit that seemed even larger than her physical presence. Her warmth and genuine kindness came through in the way she interacted with people, and that is what stayed with me.

Jamie eventually began a remarkable weight loss journey and shared much of it through her personal and business social media accounts. I watched as she worked toward improving her health and mobility. After being largely bedbound for an extended period, she was eventually able to walk again. She also shared aspects of her daily life, including the foods she prepared and the ways she incorporated movement and exercise into her routine.

It was not until after her death that I fully realized just how much Jamie had accomplished professionally and how widely she had become known. She had her own reality television series, Super Sized Salon, which aired on WE tv and brought her story and her business to a much larger audience.

I had gone years without owning a television, so I never had the opportunity to watch the show or witness her rise to television fame firsthand. I suppose I was aware of the show because I remember sharing it on social media, but I did not realize the full extent of her popularity.

Even so, Jamie was already a star to me.

She built Babydoll Beauty Couture, a salon created with the needs of plus size women in mind. She understood that people deserve to feel comfortable, respected, and cared for when receiving beauty services, regardless of their size. Her business provided a space where women who might otherwise feel overlooked could enjoy beauty treatments and the experience of being pampered.

That is the Jamie I remember.

I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know her, even if our friendship and professional connection existed primarily online. Sometimes people come into our lives briefly, yet leave an impression that lasts much longer than the amount of time we actually knew them.

Jamie Lopez was a talented businesswoman, a beauty professional, and a television personality, but to me, she was also a kind and compassionate woman who cared about making other people feel beautiful and welcome.

She was a star long before I ever saw her on television.

Jamie Lopez
June 19, 1985 – December 18, 2022

Rest in peace, Angelita.

Internal Review

My workplace sends guests a review form after they receive a massage, and I remember the client who wrote this particularly wonderful review.

She was interested in trying cupping during her massage. When I initially applied the first cup, she found the suction too intense, so I immediately adjusted it. Client comfort is always important, particularly when introducing someone to a technique they have never experienced before.

The cups I use are made of silicone, which allows me to control the amount of suction by gently squeezing the cup before placing it on the skin. Once applied, the cups can either remain stationary or be moved across the skin with a controlled gliding motion. When used as part of a massage, gliding cupping can provide a different type of sensation and can be incorporated into work involving areas of muscular tension and restricted soft tissue mobility.

I particularly like silicone cups because they give me a great deal of control over the intensity of the technique. They can be adjusted quickly based on the client's comfort level, which makes them a practical option for introducing someone to cupping.

I also have my own set of silicone cups at home and have used them on myself and, when appropriate, on family members.

The first cups I ever encountered were glass cups used with a suction gun. The gun creates the vacuum inside the cup, allowing it to adhere firmly to the skin. Depending on the amount of suction used, this type of cupping can feel considerably more intense.

For someone who has never experienced cupping before, I generally prefer the control and adjustability of silicone cups. They provide an opportunity to experience the technique gradually rather than immediately beginning with strong suction.

As with any massage technique, communication is essential. Cupping should be adjusted according to the individual's comfort level, and there is no reason for a client to endure excessive discomfort simply because a technique is supposed to feel “deep” or intense.

A good massage is not about how much pressure a therapist can apply. It is about using the appropriate technique, at the appropriate intensity, for the individual client.

Hygiene

One of the most common concerns I hear from massage therapists, including myself, is personal hygiene.

Massage therapy involves close, hands on contact with the skin. Good personal hygiene is therefore important not only for the comfort of your therapist, but also for maintaining clean linens, equipment, and a professional treatment environment.

You do not need to arrive at your appointment smelling like a luxury spa. You simply need to arrive clean and reasonably prepared for close contact.

Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Hair Products

If you are receiving a scalp massage, please avoid heavy amounts of gel, pomade, hairspray, or other styling products immediately before your appointment.

Massage oil and hair products do not always mix well. When combined, they can create a sticky residue that transfers onto the therapist's hands and potentially onto other areas of your body.

If you know your massage will include significant scalp or head work, freshly washed hair with minimal styling product is ideal.

Spray Tan

A spray tan is not necessary for a massage, and freshly applied tanning products can create some challenges.

Massage lotion, oil, or gel can cause tanning products to smear, particularly when there is prolonged contact and friction. The product can also transfer onto massage linens and potentially stain the therapist's clothing.

If you have recently applied a self tanner or received a spray tan, consider allowing it to fully develop and showering according to the product's instructions before your massage.

Excessive Sweating

If you experience hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, particularly of the hands and feet, please let your massage therapist know.

There are simple ways your therapist can make the session more comfortable. A small towel can be provided, or certain areas can be uncovered temporarily to allow the skin to dry.

Excessive perspiration combined with massage oil or lotion can make the skin extremely slippery, which can affect the therapist's ability to maintain appropriate contact and control.

There is absolutely no reason to feel embarrassed about excessive sweating. Just let your therapist know so they can work with you.

If you prefer to keep your socks on because of sweating or another personal concern, simply communicate that preference.

Feet

Your massage therapist may spend considerable time working on your feet, so please give them some attention before your appointment.

A quick rinse is not necessarily the same thing as thoroughly washing your feet. Feet accumulate sweat, bacteria, dead skin cells, and other debris throughout the day, even when enclosed in shoes.

Please wash your feet thoroughly before your massage and, if possible, wear clean shoes and socks.

Your therapist may not tell you that your feet have an odor. Instead, they may adapt their technique by keeping your feet covered with the sheet or using a different massage medium.

If your therapist suddenly changes how they work on your feet, there may be a very practical reason.

Good foot hygiene is beneficial for you as well. Regular washing can help reduce unpleasant odors and maintain healthy skin.

Your Back and Sunscreen

The back can be another surprisingly difficult area to keep clean because many people cannot easily reach it.

Some people rely on the water and soap running down their backs while washing their hair, assuming that is sufficient. Others simply cannot comfortably reach the entire area.

This can become noticeable during a massage, particularly when sunscreen, body products, sweat, and accumulated skin oils have built up on the skin.

I have occasionally applied massage oil to a client's back only to discover that old sunscreen or product residue begins rolling and collecting underneath my hands.

It can feel a little like trying to remove dried glue from your fingers. The massage medium does not necessarily remove the residue. Instead, it can cause the buildup to move around with the therapist's hands.

A thorough shower before your massage, particularly after spending time outdoors, can make a significant difference.

Exfoliation and Skin Buildup

Some clients also have significant amounts of accumulated dead skin or keratin buildup on the back.

When massage begins, friction can cause small keratin plugs or pieces of hardened skin to loosen from the surface. This is not the massage oil, lotion, or gel. It is material that was already present on or in the skin.

A gentle exfoliation during your normal bathing routine can help remove excess dead skin and keratin plugs and keep the skin's surface smoother.

You do not need to scrub yourself aggressively. In fact, excessive exfoliation can irritate the skin. Regular washing and gentle skin care are generally sufficient.

Full Makeup

I understand that some people do not feel comfortable leaving the house without makeup. Makeup can be an important part of someone's routine and confidence.

However, if you are coming in for a massage that includes facial, scalp, neck, or shoulder work, full makeup is usually unnecessary and can create a mess for both you and the treatment room.

During a typical massage, you may spend 30 minutes or more face down with your face resting directly in a face cradle. Your therapist may also move your head and neck, which causes your face to shift against the face cradle cover.

Foundation, mascara, lipstick, eyebrow products, and other cosmetics can transfer onto the cover.

Most spas use washable face cradle covers rather than disposable paper covers. Makeup stains can therefore become a laundry issue, and some products can be surprisingly difficult to remove completely.

If you are comfortable doing so, arriving with a clean face is ideal, particularly when facial or scalp work is part of your treatment.

And remember: you are coming to a massage, not a photo shoot.

Your therapist is much more interested in helping you relax than in whether your mascara is perfect.

A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

Personal hygiene before a massage is not about judgment or expecting perfection. It is about mutual comfort, professionalism, and respect.

Take a shower, wash your feet, remove excessive hair products, give your back a good cleaning, and consider skipping heavy makeup if your face will be in the face cradle.

Your massage therapist will appreciate it, your linens will appreciate it, and your massage will be a much more pleasant experience for everyone involved.

Masseuse, Masseur, Massage Therapist

TThe professional term for someone who has received formal training in massage therapy is Massage Therapist.

I see countless online reviews that refer to the practitioner as a “masseuse,” even when the therapist is a man. While the word may seem harmless to someone unfamiliar with the profession, there is a long history behind the preference for the term Massage Therapist.

Masseuse, Masseur, and Massage Therapist

Historically, masseuse referred to a woman who performed massage, while masseur referred to a man. The terms were used in various countries and contexts, and they are still used in some places outside the United States.

In the United States, however, Massage Therapist has become the preferred professional designation for someone who has completed formal education and training in massage therapy and meets the applicable licensing, registration, or certification requirements of their jurisdiction.

The distinction is important because massage therapy has evolved considerably as a profession.

Unfortunately, the words masseuse and masseur also acquired associations with commercial sex and illicit massage establishments. Because of that history, many professional massage therapists strongly dislike being referred to by those terms.

It is not necessarily that someone using the word intends to be disrespectful. Often, they simply grew up hearing it and have never been taught the difference.

But when someone has invested hundreds or even thousands of hours in professional education, passed examinations, completed continuing education, maintained professional credentials, and built a career in legitimate massage therapy, Massage Therapist is the title they earned.

I Have Watched the Profession Change

I have been practicing massage therapy since 1998, so I have personally watched the profession change considerably.

When I was younger, massage therapy in Southern California was regulated very differently from today. Depending on the city, people who wanted to work in massage could be subject to local permits, background checks, fingerprinting, examinations, health requirements, and other municipal regulations.

The profession was also frequently associated with the adult entertainment industry. Massage advertisements could appear alongside sexually oriented advertisements, creating an unfortunate association between legitimate therapeutic massage and prostitution.

This created a difficult environment for people who were trying to establish massage therapy as a legitimate profession.

I remember the stories and experiences from those years, when legitimate massage therapists had to work hard to distinguish themselves from establishments operating under the guise of massage businesses.

Over time, massage therapists and professional organizations advocated for greater education, professional standards, and regulation. Educational requirements increased, professional examinations became more common, and national credentialing developed.

In California, the creation of the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) was a particularly important development. CAMTC certification established a statewide credentialing system that helped qualified massage professionals demonstrate that they had met defined educational and background requirements.

That was a major change from a system in which requirements could vary substantially from one city to another.

From “Massage Technician” to Massage Therapist

At various points, massage professionals were also referred to by titles such as Massage Technician on local permits and documents.

The terminology matters because professional language reflects how an occupation is understood by the public.

Massage therapy is a profession that requires education in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology, ethics, professional boundaries, contraindications, and hands on techniques. A qualified therapist is expected to understand when massage is appropriate, when it should be modified, and when a client should be referred to another health care professional.

That is a very different concept from simply being someone who happens to have “good hands.”

Please Retire “Massage Parlor”

There is another term I wish people would retire along with masseuse and masseur:

Massage parlor.

The phrase carries many of the same historical associations with illicit massage businesses.

Today, legitimate massage businesses are more commonly described as spas, massage studios, wellness centers, clinics, boutiques, or massage practices, depending on the type of establishment.

What About the Word “Spa”?

The word spa can sometimes confuse people because many associate it with Jacuzzis, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and elaborate facilities.

Those amenities may certainly be part of a spa, but they are not required for a business to use the word.

The concept of the spa has historical connections to bathing, hydrotherapy, relaxation, and wellness. Ancient civilizations, including the Greeks and Romans, developed extensive bathing traditions, and various cultures throughout history have incorporated bathing, massage, oils, fragrances, and other forms of personal care into their wellness practices.

Modern spas have evolved from these traditions into a broad industry that may include massage therapy, skin care, hydrotherapy, sauna and steam facilities, beauty services, and other forms of relaxation and wellness.

A massage studio does not need to have a Jacuzzi to provide a professional spa experience.

And no, the absence of a hot tub does not mean the establishment suddenly becomes a massage parlor.

Please don't call it that.

Words Matter

I understand that most people who use the words masseuse, masseur, or massage parlor are not trying to offend anyone. They may simply be using terminology they have heard their entire lives.

But language evolves.

The massage profession has worked for decades to establish itself as a legitimate field requiring education, professional standards, ethical conduct, and appropriate regulation. Using the terminology associated with that professional standard helps reinforce the distinction.

So, the next time you leave a review, instead of writing:

“My masseuse was wonderful at the massage parlor.”

Try:

“My Massage Therapist provided an excellent massage at the spa.”

Your therapist will probably appreciate it.

A Massage Therapist earned that title.

Revolutionize your vocabulary.

Celebrity Massage Therapist

One question I’m often asked is, “Have you ever massaged a famous person?”

Yes, I have.

Celebrities are, in many ways, just regular people with very unusual jobs. They arrive wearing ordinary clothes, speak normally, and look much like anyone else. Well, almost anyone else. I have to admit, one of them was phenomenally handsome. He was wearing a guest robe, and he looked exactly as he does on television and in magazines, right down to the perfectly groomed hair and brows and beautiful skin. I have even had the opportunity to provide massage therapy in the homes of some of my celebrity clients.

Of course, the next question is always, “Who?”

Wouldn’t you like to know?

Only my closest friends and family get the details. I believe strongly in maintaining my clients’ privacy, and that is especially important when working with public figures. Celebrities have to be particularly careful about whom they allow into their personal space because of their visibility, finances, professional connections, and public status.

I will simply say that, throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with A-list and B-list celebrities from a wide variety of professions, including professional baseball players, both active and retired; poets; UFC fighters; authors; stand-up comedians; professional surfers; professional skateboarders; singer-songwriters; producers; film actors; choreographers; commercial actors; and news anchors.

I have been a massage therapist in Southern California since 1998 and have worked in clinics, spas, high-end hotels, and private practice. Over the years, my career has brought me into contact with people from all walks of life, including some whose faces are instantly recognizable.

I do not ask celebrities for photographs or autographs, and I don't even make a point of telling them that I know who they are. I keep the experience as low-key and professional as possible. After all, massage therapy is ultimately about relaxation. They came to me to decompress, not to talk about their careers.

So, yes, I suppose you could call me a “celebrity massage therapist.” But my approach to every client remains the same: professionalism, discretion, respect, and quality massage therapy.

Because at the end of the day, celebrities are people, too. Just like you, they sometimes need a massage.