We seem to be hearing a lot of chatter about body wraps lately. What exactly is a body wrap, and how do they work?
History of Body Wraps
Body wraps have come a long way from their inception decades ago, where the body was tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or Ace bandages, promising quick and easy weight loss through a process called “vasodilation.” Vasodilation is where the body’s blood vessels dilate, resulting in an increased flow of blood through the body. This increase of blood flow is often referred to as a “flush of the system,” meaning the body wrap reduces toxins in the blood stream, induces weight loss and therefore is a healthy thing to do. These types of old school body wraps did result in a very temporary loss of inches and weight loss and were very popular.
In today’s spas, a body wrap consists of applying a body mask made of seaweed, algae, clay, mud, cream or lotion, then wrapped for about twenty minutes to cause a rise in the body’s temperature. After the twenty minute “soak,” the products are rinsed off and the body wrap process ends with the application of a variety of types of lotion. Some spas offer massage after a body wrap for an additional fee which does help with the absorption of the lotion.
Benefits of a Body Wrap
According to Tricey’s Skinny Wraps, “Body wraps that use a mixture of seaweed, algae, clay and/or mud are considered detoxifying which helps the body get rid of various toxins via metabolic stimulation. Another benefit is the exfoliation that prepares the body for the wrap. This can be done using a salt scrub or a dry brush technique.” This is usually done with you lying down on the plastic wraps that will be used to wrap you with as a matter of convenience for the technician performing the body wrap.
Who Performs the Body Wrap?
Usually an esthetician performs your body wraps, but if you get lucky, a massage therapist may do it for you. This is an added bonus, as the massage therapist uses massage techniques when applying all the products. Some even give you a scalp massage while the wrap is in progress. Now that is a perk! Estheticians know what they are doing when they apply the products, they just don’t have experience with massage so it’s not quite as much of a treat. When you book your appointment, ask for a massage therapist to perform your body wrap. If the spa has one available, it will be well worth you asking for it!
Then What Happens?
After you are all exfoliated, smothered in green goo and wrapped, you are left in the room alone to relax for about twenty minutes. Usually there is soft music playing and the technician or therapist will turn the lights down low for you to aid in the relaxation. This is usually where the scalp massage is performed, if you’re lucky! After the twenty minutes is up, the wraps come off and it is time to rinse the body mask off. Often body wraps are performed in ‘wet rooms’ so that the technician can rinse you in the same room where you have been the whole time. Usually you have the option to jump into the shower in the wet room or the therapist will rinse you with what’s called a Vichy shower. Vichy showers are a massaging shower head that is hand held and is performed with you lying down. A Vichy feels so good you won’t want it to end. Once you have dried off, it’s time for an application of lotion so that your skin is nice and hydrated after the body mask.
Results
People who get body wraps report weight loss, tightening of the skin, loss of inches and a decrease in the appearance of cellulite. When incorporated with clean eating and regular exercise, body wraps can do wonders for your body, mind and soul.
