Years ago, the term body wrap referred to a treatment that involved wrapping your entire body in elastic bandages or cellophane in order to encourage weight loss. The idea was that you could sweat out impurities and toxins along with a few extra pounds. These days, when you hear about a body wrap, folks are usually talking about a mask, mudpack, clay, lotion, or wrinkle cream that is applied to your body with the goal of firming and smoothing your skin.

After the treatment is put on, you will usually be wrapped in cloth for 20 minutes or so to provide extra warmth, and then rinsed. Many spas and salons offer body wraps that claim to do wonderful things for your skin, and you can also purchase kits that will give you the same benefits from the comfort of your own home. Here is some information about different types of body wraps and some facts about just what they can and can’t accomplish. · If you read any advertising from the makers of body wraps, it won’t take you very long to figure out that there is just as much hype in this area as there is in the wrinkle cream industry. Herbal wraps claim to be able to “pull poisons out of your body,” and mud packs say they can help you “lose inches in just a few hours.”

Some treatments say that they have been used by Hollywood celebrities to maintain their youth and vigor into their 50’s and 60’s. As with any other product that claims to improve your appearance, remember that if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. · Some body wraps use shea butter or another kind of rich hydrating cream and the goal of these wraps is to moisturize and soften your skin. These types of wraps are much more likely to be effective because any time you can keep a good moisturizer next to your skin for an extended period, you will probably improve dryness and flakiness. · If you decide to visit a body salon and try a wrap, your treatment will most likely begin with some type of exfoliation. This may consist of a salt scrub or dry brushing to remove dead skin cells. · After the exfoliation, the product of your choice will be applied to your skin. If you have a beautician do the treatment, the cream or mask will simply be rubbed into your skin. If a massage therapist is working on you, you can expect to have each area of your body massaged during the application process. 

You will most likely be wrapped in some sort of plastic or mylar, but some treatments call for the use of towels or sheets instead. You will usually be left alone at this point for about twenty minutes, although some spas have their therapists stay in the room and give you a scalp rub while you wait. · When the processing time is up, you will need to be rinsed. Some salons provide Vichy showers; a warm water rinse that is applied while you lie down and relax. · After the rinse, you may have lotion applied that will help to keep your skin hydrated after you go home. · Be sure you know what kind of wrap you will have before you book the treatment. If you are claustrophobic, you may want to avoid a wrap that requires being encased in plastic.

Don’t expect to get a massage unless you are visiting a licensed message therapist. · At-home kits are usually quite difficult to use unless you have a friend that can help you wrap your arms and legs. · There is little, if any, evidence that you will lose any inches or release any toxins through the use of a body wrap. The best you can hope for is a good hydrating experience and maybe a firming and plumping of the skin produced by the extra moisture.