Body Wraps: 

              NOT the right treatment for someone who is claustrophobic.

A body wrap is done in order to slenderize and contour the body.  It can also be therapeutic and have cosmetic benefits by deep-cleansing the body of toxins.

            Although it might appear that this is not one of my favorite treatments, body wraps can be extremely beneficial.  Once I can get past the “being bound” phase, when the treatments are done, your skin will feel AMAZING!

            Body wraps generally consist of being measured (not a terribly exciting part), exfoliated through dry brushing or scrubs, (which can also be a bit annoying) painted with a seaweed, dead sea salt, or other clay-bearing product (which can feel a little slimy), wrapped snugly in bandages and/or gauze-like materials, (here’s the claustrophobic part) and wrapped further in sheets.  Once the product has had sufficient time to soak into the body, the sheets and gauze are removed, the client showers and removes any remaining product from the skin.

            Body wraps can be used to relieve yourself from pain due to injury, relieve the symptoms of illness and improve your overall health and well-being by detoxifying the body.  Some commonly used products include Seaweed, Dead Sea Mud, and other Botanical and Clay based products.  These are often used because of their ability to promote circulation by increasing the supply of oxygen to and removing the toxins from the skin.  Some wraps, scrubs and masks may also contain calcium, iron and sulfates to help beautify the skin and give a youthful, more glowing appearance.

            A Body wrap is not a massage, although sometimes a massage therapist can conduct the body wrap and incorporate massage techniques into the session.  Generally body wraps are performed by aestheticians who are simply rubbing or painting the product onto the skin.

       Body Scrubs:

              Body Scrubs remind me of being very gently scraped with fine sandpaper, which in essence it is.  Products can contain things like Sand, Crushed Walnut Shells, Sugar and Dead Sea Salt.  The purpose of a body scrub is to exfoliate the skin.  That is - to remove the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.  This is periodically necessary to keep your skin healthy and glowing.   Body scrubs can be done alone, or as a part of other treatments including body wraps, pedicures and other treatments.

            Body scrubs are often called body polishes as well.  They can be relaxing and leave beautifully soft skin but can also remove more than dead skin cells and leave rash or redness if not used properly.

            Although body scrubs are often done in salons and as part of full body treatments, you can also make them at home using simple products and kits.

            For a sugar scrub in a pinch – Put about ¼ cup of granulated sugar in a bowl.  Add a few drops of an essential oil or spritz a few times with your favorite perfume.  Add enough baby oil to soak it about 1 inch above the sugar. Scrub away dead skin in small circles.