Body wraps have been around for many years, dating all the way back to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Body Wraps are therapies that can detoxify and heal the body, remove excess fat and fluid from tissues, restore minerals, reduce joint pain, tighten and tone the skin, and nourish and soften the skin. Over the past 30 years, with the increase in science in the cosmetic industry, body wraps now top the list of spa treatments that offer cosmetic and therapeutic benefits for the entire body.
The Science Behind Body Wraps
Just below the skin,
there are three layers of fat. Within each layer of fat, there are
individual fat cells which are surrounded by interstitial fluid. This
fluid can accumulate in excess within the cells and between the cells
because of the lack of exercise, aging, diets that are high in salt and
sugar, and a build up of toxins. Our body wraps contain ingredients
designed to draw out these excess fluids and toxins while restoring
nutrients to the body.
Understanding Toxins
Toxins are chemicals and
preservatives that enter the body through the air we breath, the foods
we eat, and the liquids we drink. They are absorbed through the pores in
our skin through the products we apply daily to our hair and body. Normally, our bodies are designed to flush these toxins out through the
liver and kidneys. But the amount we take in is much greater than what
our bodies can safely process, so the excess toxins end up being stored
in the interstitial fluid where they are then absorbed by the
surrounding fat cells.
Three Different Types of Body Wraps
There are essentially
three different types of body wraps on the market today. All three
types employ a large emphasis on moisturizing, healing and conditioning
the skin. However, the primary function of these three types of wraps
are drastically different.Pampering Wraps: We fondly refer to
these as "foo-foo" wraps. They are more along the lines of a glorified
massage where some sort of mud, cream or oil is applied to the body.
You are then wrapped in a nice, warm blanket and relax in a darkened
room while listening to soft music. This type of wrap in wonderful for
moisturizing the skin and helping you to de-stress. Dehydration
Wraps: This type of wraps creates a minor amount of inch loss and
weight loss (1-2 pounds) primarily through water elimination. These
water elimination wraps are very useful for women who tend to retain
fluid and feel bloated much of the time. The results are very similar
to that which could be obtained through excessive exercise or time
spent in a sauna. You will feel better for a short period of time and
the inch loss and weight loss is only temporary (2 or 3 days.) Industry
experts will tell you that a large majority of body wraps on the
market are the dehydration type wrap, so always ask what type of wrap a
salon offers, ask what the after-wrap instructions are regarding fluid
intake (if they do NOT want you to drink lots water, that's a
dehydration wrap) and how long the results can be expected to last. An
easy way to spot a dehydration wrap is there will be no guarantee
regarding inch loss or longevity for the results. Hydration Wraps:
The last type of body wrap creates inch loss in two ways. The first
being by aiding the lymphatic system in the removal of stored toxins.
These wraps stimulate a process called lymphatic drainage, where toxins
and fatty acids from your cells are released into the capillaries and
eliminated along with the body's waste. Being advised to drink large
quantities of water (64 ounces per day) after this type of wrap is
common to help flush out the toxins. By following these instructions
you will be most likely to notice additional inch loss in the days
after your wrap. These wraps also help eliminate the excess fluids and
toxins by drawing them out through the pores of the skin. The result is
an immediate and noticeable inch loss in the areas of the body where
there is a large accumulation of fat; the hips, thighs, stomach and
rear. This is the kind of wrap that we do!
You will also notice when
researching this type of body wrap that there are little to no claims of
weight loss involved. This is because the product being used is
actually absorbed into the body to nourish and hydrate
the body. Since most of us do not drink enough water and our bodies are
constantly dehydrated, this type of body wrap helps us feel
rejuvenated and energized. Although the results of this type of body
wrap vary depending on how effective the ingredients are and on an
individual's toxin level.
Two Stages of a Body Wrap Body
wraps work in 2 stages: absorption and compaction. In the
absorption stage, you apply a substance to your body either directly
onto the skin or by wraps soaked in liquid solution. There are several
types of absorbents: sea clay, seaweed, mud, herbal, mineral and aloe
vera. The effectiveness of the wrap is determined by the ingredients
used.
Compaction is simply squeezing the tissues together after
the toxins and interstitial fluid has been extracted. Once the fluids
have extracted, there are many empty "pockets" between the fat cells.
Without using compression of some sort, after removing the toxins and
excess fluids, the fat layer would be very relaxed and limp. Not a
pretty picture! In order to prevent this, and to compress the fat cells
back together again for a firmer, smaller appearance, a tight wrap is
used.
Most everyone is familiar with the old wraps that use
plastic wrap to induce sweating, to hold the product on the body and
apply moderate pressure. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but by
using an ace type bandage as we do at California Slim Wraps, along with
our advanced wrapping techniques, we have more control and are able to
lift and couture the body during the wrapping process.
What About Cellulite?
Ah, those dreaded "butt dimples."
The word cellulite is a combination of the French word "cell" and the
suffix "-ite," meaning disease. The fat cells in our body are surrounded
by a liquid called interstitial fluid that both nourishes it and
provides it with an effective waste system. When that fluid becomes
filled with toxins, it thickens and hardens the connective tissue just
below the skin and creates a dimpling effect that can be seen on the
outside of the body as cellulite.
Causes of Cellulite
Cellulite affects only a small
percentage of men in the stomach and chest areas, but about 90% of ALL
women are affected and it can be a problem regardless of size, age or
weight. It normally occurs after age 30. It worsens with age because of
poor muscle tone and circulation, and is more evident in heavier women.
It can even affect those who exercise regularly, including athletes.
-
Toxin build up - Decreased circulation - Poor eating habits -
Insufficient water intake - Genetic predisposition, inevitable
hormone changes - High calorie intake/weight gain - Sedentary
lifestyle
There is no "cure" for cellulite, but as you can see
from the list of causes above, there are some common sense steps you can
take to fight it.
- Remove the toxins through regular body
wraps - Drink more water to flush the toxins naturally - Eat a
little healthier - Exercise more - Maintain a steady weight
Three Different Types of Body Wraps
What About Cellulite?