If you’re a spa goer, then you may have been tempted by body wraps, treatments advertised to help you appear sleeker and slimmer. Do body wraps work?
There has been considerable controversy as to whether body wraps can shrink one’s chubby thighs. Little research shows that they do. However, body wraps may provide useful in treating certain skin conditions including dryness, eczema or even psoriasis if they deliver ingredients that are beneficial.
If getting a body wrap beckons, this is what you can expect. The first step generally involves exfoliation. This process helps to remove dead skin cells sitting on the skin’s surface. Newer, fresher skin cells are exposed leaving them better able to absorb applied treatments and also leaving skin looking and feeling softer and smoother. Exfoliation may be accomplished mechanically (with scrubs or loofahs) or chemically (with topical agents including alpha hydroxy acids or beta hydroxy acids). Exfoliation is often followed by a massage. Relaxed already?
Once you’ve been sloughed and relaxed, your skin should be ready to accept treatment. Any number of ingredients may be employed during treatment depending on the desired effect. Oils may be applied to help moisturize skin. Sea salt may be added for its beneficial minerals. Yogurt powder may be applied for its lactic acid content to help soften and smooth skin. Coffee bean butter and argan oil may be used for their antioxidant and moisturizing properties.
Once treatments have been applied, you are ready to be wrapped, which may be accomplished in one of two ways. The first method employs cotton body wrap sheets which have been soaked in a treatment solution. Wrapping starts at the feet. Plastic sheets may be wrapped over to help lock in moisture and keep the skin warm. This helps with absorption of any active ingredients. This method is best used when the cosmetic ingredients have been dissolved in a water base because sheets absorb the solution and keep it close to the skin.
The second body wrap method involves the application of a heavy cream, lotion or mask using a body brush. Again, the individual is wrapped starting at the feet. This time however, plastic body wrap sheets are used. The plastic helps to lock in moisture and skin actives. Body butters, clays and oils are ideal ingredients for this method.
Regardless of the method used, the wrap is left on for a minimum of 20 minutes to allow time for ingredients to absorb.
While I’m pretty certain that there are more effective ways to get active ingredients delivered to skin, I can’t think of a more relaxing way to do it. I’m not sure I’ll be sprinting to the spa for a body wrap but I will keep it in mind for the next time that stress overcomes and I need a small escape from life’s worries.
Body wraps are SO relaxing. Especially when you do them from home. Put them on and relax of an hour, take them off, rub in the formula. Works like magic haha!