A: Body wraps have been a popular spa treatment for centuries now, dating back to ancient Greek and Roman times. They were popularized again in mainstream media during the late 80s and early 90s, and in the last year or so have experienced yet another revival. Today, there are many different type of body wraps available on the market. Some body wraps are purely for the treatment and beautification of the skin, while others help to detox and slim.
Many body wraps of the beautification type are paired with a scrub prior to being wrapped in order to allow maximum absorption of the product. The scrub can be anything from a salt or sugar based scrub, to an exfoliant with jojoba beads or mild enzymes to eat away dead skin. These treatment type of body wraps involve a moisturizing product that is then applied to the skin, and the client's entire body is wrapped in linen cloths or plastic film (please read below for health warning about plastic film wraps) and lightly cocooned within blankets or heated tents. After about an hour, the wraps are removed and the excess product is toweled or rinsed off.
After the removal of the body wrap, clients will experience very soft, deeply moisturized skin. Treatments for the skin can be customized by your skincare professional, much like a facial to achieve specific results. Hydrating as well as anti aging or skin tightening benefits are among popular body wraps that are suitable for most anyone when using linen cloths.
To get the most out out your relaxing treatment style body wrap, you can always add on a hand, scalp and/ or foot massage while your wrap is on. This would also be the perfect time to add on a facial so that you face will be as exfoliated and refreshed as the rest of your body. Some spas also have collagen eye, lip, and face treatments or paraffin available, and most all of these add ons work great for your detox body wraps as well!
When you move into using the plastic film to wrap the body, as well as the contour body wraps, you begin to limit the number of people who are able to receive the service. Clients with circulation problems, excessively low or high blood pressure, diabetes, or clients who are pregnant should avoid these types of wraps.
While detoxification body wraps also help to tighten any loose skin from previous weight loss, their main attribute is how the detox process typically helps shed unwanted pounds or inches in the form of said toxins. They are great to help jump start a new weight loss program (Hello, New Year's Resolutions!!), as well as to boost an existing workout regime. Contour body wraps are also considered one of the "secrets of the Hollywood stars" because of their frequent use immediately prior to awards shows and appearances.
Detox body wraps usually start and end with getting your measurements taken so you can see just how many inches you've lost in just an hour. Then, if using a film style detox body wrap, you will be dry brushed before a wrap solution/lotion is applied to the skin, then wrapped from neck to wrists/ankle in plastic film. If receiving a contour body wrap, you may or may not omit the dry brush step as the added compression from the mineral solution soaked contour wrap bandages help the product to penetrate. Both wraps leave hands and feet exposed, so at this time your technician will either perform your hand or foot massage if requested, or place your extremities in plastic bags to collect any solution drainage from your wrap. You will now be loosely wrapped in larger plastic sheeting or cocooned in a few sheets to maintain a warm temperature to help your mineral detox wrap solution work it's magic. After being unwrapped and remeasured, your wrap is complete!
To get the most relaxing experience out of your detox body wrap you can definitely try one of the aforementioned add ons, but to get the overall most efficient detox, you will have to also put in a bit of work at home. Most detoxification style body wraps require you to drink at least a gallon of water in the 24 hours following your wrap, and you are advised to shower right before your appointment with no lotions or creams on the skin. You also want to allow the remnants of the mineral wrap solution to continue to absorb into the skin, so showering after your wrap should wait at LEAST 12 hours, as long as 20-24 hours if possible.
And while you can get several of most detox body wraps back to back, there is plenty you can do to help maintain your inch loss at home. Healthy diet and lifestyle choices as well as a simple but effective bi weekly workout can make all the difference in maintaining results from your wraps.
If you want the body wrap to do all the work for you, ask your technician if they have any wrap packages where you receive 25-30 wraps per month- and yes, that means just about DAILY. If you are actively working at a weight loss goal and want to speed up your progress and help prevent some of the loose skin, weekly to bi weekly wraps are for you. If you have already achieved your weight loss goals and are just looking for a regular detox to help maintain your shape, you may want to be wrapped only once every month or two.
Priia HydraPrime Oil-Control Powder: $18
Priia BEHAVE Finishing Powder: $18
Glo Minerals Loose Matte Finishing Powder: $35 (no resealable sifter)
