DIY Body Wraps

You ssssBodies come in all kinds of gorgeous shapes and sizes. No matter your figure, showing off your legs or a teaspoon of tummy really sets off a confident look. It isn’t size that’s key here, it’s smooth healthy skin. For many, smooth firm skin is a must with these bold outfits. Diet and exercise play the biggest role in skin appearance but it’s the whole story. Thankfully, there are other less-time consuming procedures that’ll do the trick like DIY body wraps.

What is a body wrap?

A body wrap is a cosmetic procedure for the skin that involves wrapping your body in cling film. The overall goals of a body wrap treatment are optically slimming the body, reducing cellulite, and firming the skin. It also aims at improving the stimulation and circulation in both the lymphatic and circulatory systems.

The process of a body wrap consists of applying a suitable lotion to the skin and then wrapping that given part of the body in cling wrap. The heat generated under the foil effectively opens the pores, thanks to which the skin absorbs the lotion’s active ingredients much better. As a result, you get taut and supple skin!  

A body wrap is not only a quick way of achieving the look you want but also an inexpensive way of doing so. And depending on which type of lotion you choose (whether it’s moisturizing, firming, or detoxifying), you can influence what kind of effect it’ll give you.

Who is a body wrap for?

Body wraps can give you that extra boost of confidence, especially when you need a little extra self-care. The body wrap doesn’t have one specific purpose, so it can be used by anyone who wants to slightly tone the skin, slim it down, deeply moisturize, and nourish it.

Body wraps are also recommended for people struggling with cellulite, excess body fat, stretch marks, and dry skin. Remember, however, that the effect of slimming is optical! And the best part is, it can be used on any part of the body, so there are no restrictions.

What will I need for a DIY body wrap?

We’ve mentioned before that the procedure is inexpensive—so you’ll only need transparent cling film (not to be confused with aluminum foil!) and the lotion of your choice. When it comes to lotions, the choice is very broad. You can go for anything from moisturizing lotions to anti-cellulite creams, depending on what you want your desired effect to be. Ginger, caffeine, cinnamon, sea algae, and ginseng are particularly recommended.

If you want to take matters into your own hands, preparing your own 100% natural blend can also successfully replace a drugstore lotion. For a simple one-ingredient body wrap that’ll tone and even out skin texture, all you’ll need are some coffee grounds.

You can also create your own anti-cellulite mixture from a combination of cinnamon, ginger, and honey. Just combine a bag of cinnamon with 2 teaspoons of ginger powder and 2 tablespoons of honey, adding a little water. The key is to get the mixture to a spreadable consistency.

Step-by-step DIY body wrap

Though some salons and spas offer body wrap treatments, it is much more commonly practiced at home because of its simplicity. If you haven’t tried it yet, we’ve provided a step-by-step tutorial on how the body wrap process should look.

Step 1: Before starting the treatment, perform a cleansing peel. That way, the skin will be more receptive to the active ingredients within the body wrap.

Step 2: Generously apply a body balm to the cleansed and dry skin.

Step 3: Now it’s time to wrap your body in the cling film! Do this carefully—it’s important to not constrict the skin. Wrap it tightly but not to where it feels uncomfortable.

Step 4: After your desired areas of the body are covered with foil, cover yourself with a blanket or layer on thick clothes, and get comfortable. This stage does require some patience. So be prepared to spend the next 45 minutes bundled up for the active ingredients to work properly.

Step 5: Once time is up, unroll the foil and rinse your body with cold water—no soap! If there are any remnants of the preparation on the skin, massage them in. That’s it, body wrap done!

Our advice? When starting your body wrap adventure, it’s worth doing it on a regular basis to achieve the best effects. By doing just one treatment a week, the desired result will be noticeable after just one month.

Body wrap effects

The film makes the skin optically firmer and helps eliminate toxins, visible cellulite, and swelling. Additionally, it helps substantially smooth and nourish the skin. After one treatment, many see results. Like many beauty regimens, you see best results with repeat treatments.

The combination of a body wrap along with the appropriate diet and exercise will enhance a more toned look. Remember, however, that the effects of a body wrap are temporary. Discontinuation of treatments will return the body to its prior state—which is why regularity is the key to body wrap success.

Wrapping your legs, hips, waste, and arms can help skin tone. But don’t forget that a glowing face completes the look. Check out this blog to discover how to correctly exfoliate your face based on your unique skin type.

Body wrap contraindications

Body wraps are generally safe for most people, but as with almost all treatments, there are some contraindications. You shouldn’t consider a body wrap if:

• Have varicose veins
• Suffer from atherosclerosis
• Have high blood pressure
• Suffer from heart disease
• Struggle with skin infections
• Have recently undergone surgery
• Suffer from claustrophobia
• Are pregnant

Additionally, people with sensitive skin and capillary skin should be careful with body wrap treatments, as certain preparations used may be irritating. So when choosing a preparation, make sure to ask your pharmacist or dermatologist for advice.