Body wraps, mud wraps, mud packs…
These terms are commonly used in the spa and beauty industries and are treatments that you’re likely to find on any spa menu worth its weight in mud.
However, to the average consumer or spa goer, it is easy to get bamboozled by the concept of body or mud wraps, let alone fully understand why you would choose to have one and what benefit it offers you.
What are the benefits of a body wrap?
First of all, it is useful to outline what you are hoping to achieve from your treatment so you can make an educated choice as to which type of body wrap to go for.
Our skin is our largest organ of detoxification. Body wraps that use algae, seaweed, mud or clay are usually classified as detox treatments that help rid the body of toxins through metabolic stimulation. Body wraps using shea butter and rich lotions are hydrating treatments geared towards softening the skin. Both types of body wraps will assist in soothing tight or stressed muscles due to the use of heat, as well as providing a rare moment of time-out that most of us do not allow ourselves unless we are in the hands of a skilled therapist.
A seaweed body wrap has many advantages that help the body to feel better and remove toxins. It helps to reduce excess interstitial fluid in the body, which is why wraps are sometimes referred to as a quick weight-loss solution.
Seaweeds are a rich source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E, pantothenic acid, folic acid and niacin. They also supply over 60 trace elements and 12 minerals including sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, zinc and manganese. They have been used since ancient times for nourishment and healing, and in recent times have become a popular method used in spas, for the oxygenation, toning, revitalization of the body and firming of the skin.
Most body wrap treatments take about one hour though longer treatments are available at most spas.
What is Volcanic mud wrap from Avora Skin Spa?
Eifelfango is a mineral product from the volcanoes of the Eifel region. It is extracted in an open-cast mining process and ground extremely finely at 300 º Celsius. The finished product is an odorless grey velvety powder. The main constituents of Eifelfango are silicic acid, titanium oxide, aluminium oxide, iron oxide, manganese, sodium oxide, potassium oxide, magnesium oxide and calcium oxide. The pH is neutral to slightly alkaline and is thus within a range which is well tolerated physiologically. Fango is used cold, at body heat or hot, in packs. The high mineral content of EIFELFANGO supports the body’s metabolic processes. Silicic acid firms the connective tissue.
Chocolate Body Wrap…
A completely delicious anti-cellulite body wrap based on cocoa that unites skin care benefits with emotional pleasure. The concentration of caffeine and polyphenols obtained from cocoa provide this wrap with a powerful firming anti-cellulite and anti-oxidant effects.
Utterly delicious and perfect for those who love their chocolate! Deeply hydrating and nourishing to the skin – with anti-cellulite effect. An essential source of beauty and well-being. Smooth, warm and delicious wrap that cares for the silhouette, caresses the skin, awakens the senses and provides sensations of pure pleasure. Cocoa induces the production in the body of endorphins. At certain concentrations, these substances are capable of activating the natural process of fat elimination. Furthermore, endorphins are known as ‘happiness molecules’ as they generate sensations that are similar to those we feel when we fall in love; they stimulate the senses, release tension and produce well-being. Deluxe chocolate melts into the skin, helps reduce contours, smooth orange-peel skin and eliminate stress. True chocotherapy with an anti-cellulite effect that is essential in the Spa menu. Please check our Le Mystere du Chocolat Body Treat!
Each of Avora’s specifically targeted Spa Wraps is applied following a unique massage protocol, uniting holistic approaches to ancient cultural knowledge. Take time, and enjoy!
What can I expect from a body wrap?
Body wraps tend to work in two stages. The first step for a seaweed body wrap is to increase microcirculation to the skin either by dry body brushing or exfoliating the skin. Your therapist will use swift, deft strokes in the direction of the heart. This is a wonderful way to warm the skin and body and will better prepare your skin prior to application of the seaweed mud.
After your skin has been exfoliated, your therapist will then apply a seaweed or algae-based mud to the front and back of your body. Your therapist will wrap you in either a plastic sheet or towels, and will then continue wrapping your body with thermal blankets that help the body to maintain optimum heat levels, promote sweating and aid in the reduction of interstitial fluid.
The mud is usually left on the body for half an hour to an hour, depending on the depth of skin toning, relaxation and sweating you wish to accomplish.
Your therapist will then ask you to rinse off the mud in the shower.
Finally, your therapist will finish the treatment with an application of a hydrating body milk or lotion to help keep your skin smooth and supple.
For people who have difficulties with dry or cracked skin, a seaweed body wrap is wonderful. The skin absorbs all the minerals, amino acids and vitamins to produce a healthier glow and retain moisture more effectively.
If you suffer from aching bones, arthritis, joint pain or water retention, a weekly seaweed body wrap can be beneficial also. Many users have reported that they have fewer aches and pains after a seaweed body wrap. However, wraps should not be used as a substitute for the care and medications of your professional healthcare team, but can be an alternative to discuss with your doctor.
Some medical conditions are contraindicated for body wrap treatments, such as high blood pressure, heart conditions and pregnancy. This is due to the increase in body heat necessary to achieve treatment results. Seaweed wraps, in particular, are not suited to those with iodine allergies. For those who suffer claustrophobia, a wrap may not be the best treatment choice.
How do I maintain the benefits of my body wrap?
To get the maximum gain from your treatment, it is wise to stay away from any form of caffeine, sugar, fried food and alcohol, and to drink at least four to six glasses of water within 24 hours to help rehydrate your body.
Seaweed wraps are also excellent short-term solutions for getting rid of excess body fat when you are desperate to look good for that special occasion. Be warned: although it is a quick fix for getting rid of those extra inches, the result is only temporary. As soon as you rehydrate your body, the size benefits can quickly disappear.
To take advantage of the weight-loss benefits associated with seaweed wraps, you must find a reputable therapist who will work with you for at least six to eight weeks, once or twice a week.
It is imperative to incorporate detoxification into your everyday lifestyle, as the build-up of harmful toxins acts as pollution in our bodies. The seaweed wrap is an external form of detoxification, with the therapeutic benefits provided by its origin – the ocean. The proven healing nutrients in sea water are trapped in the seaweed, which then seeps into your skin to provide you with the healthy renewal your body craves.
Combined with a healthy diet and regular, consistent exercise, the results can be incredible.
