Body wraps originated from humble beginnings where Ace bandages or plastic wrap was tightly wrapped around a body to result in expediated weight loss. Today, the body wrap has exploded and morphed into a new form of spa treatment that promises not only weight loss, but with different applications and ingredients, can also be utilized as a treatment for a wide variety of skin ailments. Amongst the most common reasons for treatment via body wrap are eczema, psoriasis, and most predominantly aside from weight loss, cellulite.

Body wraps to reduce cellulite and other skin ailments can be obtained within salons and spas. They often include the application of various ingredients such as varieties of mud (sea, dead sea, clay, etc.), seaweed, algae, lotion, cream, honey, and the list continues on, then pressed into the skin by wrapping bandages or plastic wrap around the body.

The average time for a body wrap to reduce cellulite is roughly 20 minutes, though some may last longer, after which the products are usually rinsed off and followed with a moisturizing treatment such as lotion. Often advertisements claim to not only accomplish the reduction of cellulite, but also to shed anywhere from one, up to as many as twenty inches of weight from a client’s waist line, thereby reducing the visibility of cellulite. The weight loss is primarily the result of a process known as vasodilation.

Vasodilation occurs when the blood vessels widen as a result of the relaxation of the smooth muscle tissue within the walls of the blood vessels. Due to the decrease in vascular resistance, the flow of blood is then increased, exposing larger amounts of water, mineral, and other contents of the blood to the surface of the skin. The eventual outcome of the process behind body wraps to reduce cellulite is the loss of water through the skin, causing the tightening and firming of skin tissue which creates the appearance of less cellulite.

Many salons make the claim however, that cellulite is completely banished in the process of body wrapping, and that by continuing the process over time, one can manage to remain cellulite free. Critics argue that the cellulite is often still present, and upon ending use of body wraps that cellulite often returns.

Spas and salons widely advertise the “detoxification” properties of body wraps to reduce cellulite, as well as their ability to rejuvenate the skin. Body wrap treatments help detoxify the body by using the ingredients to pull the toxins and fat out of the skin/blood through perspiration, therefore reducing cellulite.

The philosophy behind how body wraps accomplish this detoxification is that it is accomplished by draining the lymph tissues of the body by spreading the fat cells apart, allowing toxins and wastes to be drained from lymphatic tissues which also may reduce swelling. However, one should keep in mind fat is not soluble; though both nutrients and minerals essential to the body are water soluble, and therefore easily lost in wrapping procedures.

The average body wrap designed to reduce cellulite can range in cost from $80-$150 for a forty-five minute procedure, or upwards of $100-$200 for a one hour procedure. You can save substantial amounts of money by performing your own body wraps from home.  They work as well as spa treatments, and are easy to perform either on your own or with a friend.