Understanding Body Wraps

By Venetta Kalu, CNS, ND, MPHA

Body wraps serve unique purposes, and it is important to understand the difference between detox, hydrating, and slimming wraps so you get the experience you want. Some body wraps may start with some type of exfoliation, which helps the wrap solution penetrate the skin as deeply as possible.

Here are a few different types of body wrap products you will find in spas that offer that service:

The Niacin Body Wrap – This uses a niacin-based cream that has a little heat to it. The cream is applied, and the body is wrapped tight with plastic to contour the body.

Clay, Seaweed, and Mineral Body Wraps – Detox wraps use a variety of products such as algae, seaweed, mud, clay, or gel to help rid the body of toxins. When the product is applied to the body, it is called a body mask. After the product is applied, you are wrapped in plastic and covered with a blanket for about 20 minutes. These products work by stimulating your circulation, drawing out impurities, and giving your body minerals it might be missing. Afterward, the body mask is washed off and the esthetician will apply lotion.

Hydrating Body Wraps – Hydrating body wraps use creams and gels to soften, soothe, and hydrate the skin. Usually, the spa will use a super-luxurious body cream. Generally, with a hydrating wrap, the therapist massages the body cream into the areas you want to work on, and the cream is not washed off. Hydrating wraps are great for cold winter months when your skin is dry and flaky. Aloe vera wraps can help your skin recover from too much time in the sun.

Slimming Wraps – Slimming wraps are a labor-intensive specialty that is not found everywhere. For a slimming wrap, each limb is tightly wrapped in Ace bandages that have been soaked in a high-concentration mineral solution to detoxify and re-mineralize the body. You look a little bit like a mummy once you are wrapped. You exercise or spend some time in an infra-red sauna.

Aloe and Herbal Body Wraps – Herbal wraps usually have an aloe vera base and is either a liquid or loose gel solution that is mostly wet and is applied by cloths soaked in the solution, which is wrapped around the areas of concern or applied directly to the skin and then plastic wrap is loosely wrapped to hold the heat and moisture close to the skin.