A body wrap is a treatment during which all or part of your body is slathered in some type of moist, therapeutic material and then wrapped with a covering. This is left in place for several minutes, after which the covering is removed and the wrap material is rinsed away. Spas often offer several different types of body wraps, each using specialized combinations of products designed for benefits like moisturization, exfoliation or slimming.
Exfoliation Products
Before a body wrap is applied, the recipient is usually rubbed with an exfoliating material over the entire area to be wrapped. This is to slough away dead skin cells and open the pores, making the body wrap solution more easily absorbed. Exfoliating products include loofah sponges, brushes and creams that contain abrasive particles like sea salt and bits of pumice.
Plastic Wrap
Plastic wrap is sometimes used to cover the body wrap solution, in part because it is disposable and makes clean-up easier. It is also non-breathing and more effectively traps body heat, causing perspiration and making it more effective for body wraps designed to shed water weight from the body. This approach should be used carefully, however, because dehydration can be a problem.
Gauze, Towels and Other Wraps
When a safer and more breathable wrapping material is desired, popular products include gauze bandages, towels, sheets, blankets and other similar materials. Spas often keep linens specifically for this purpose. They keep the body wrap solution moist against the skin, provide a comforting feeling of snugness and help keep the body warm.
Seaweed and Algae
One type of body wrap involves covering the body with either wet strips of seaweed and algae, or with a paste made of these ingredients. According to "The Herbal Home Spa: Naturally Refreshing Wraps, Rubs, Lotions, Masks, Oils, and Scrubs" by Greta Breedlove, this is thought to draw toxins out of the body and replace them with the vitamin, nutrient and amino acid content of the plants, but this is not scientifically proven. Still, this type of body wrap is commonly offered in spas.
Clay
Breedlove states that clay is naturally absorbent, and is frequently used in a variety of spa skin treatments including body wraps. It not only draws moisture out of the skin, it can also exfoliate without friction by absorbing blackheads, dirt and other toxins close to the surface. This usually leaves the skin firm and taut, with tightened pores.
Mud
Mud is used in the same way as clay, and has many of the same properties and benefits, according to Breedlove. There are many different types of mud, and some of them are much milder than clay in terms of absorption and astringency, while others are very close to clay. Spas usually used special, refined mud for body wraps.
Lotion
After a body wrap has been removed and the body has been thoroughly rinsed, spas usually finish the treatment with a liberal application of moisturizing lotion. This gives the skin a soft finish and helps replace some of the moisture that may have been lost during the treatment.
References
- "The Herbal Home Spa: Naturally Refreshing Wraps, Rubs, Lotions, Masks, Oils, and Scrubs"; Greta Breedlove; 1998
- "Spa Bodywork: a Guide for Massage Therapists"; Anne Williams; 2007
- Massage Therapy 101: Body Wraps
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