Do a Home Body Wrap

Body wraps have become a popular therapy in spas. The process is simple and by doing one at home you can enjoy the benefits and save lots of money. Keep reading for tips to create a home body wrap spa experience.

Steps

Learning About Different Wraps

  1. Decide what kind of wrap you want to make. Body wraps can be made to accomplish different goals. Customization is always an option, but there are a few main types of wraps that are commonly used.
    • Healing wraps.
    • Detox wraps.
    • Slimming wraps.
  2. Make a basic detox wrap. After you have decided which kind of wrap you want, its time to gather the ingredients for your wrap. You can purchase a pre-made mixture or collect the following ingredients to create your own basic detoxifying body wrap:[1]
    • 1 cup of salts (Mineral, Epsom or Sea)
    • 3 cups of water (Spring or purified)
    • 1/2 cup Aloe Vera
    • 3 tablespoons of oil (Shea, Olive, Sunflower or other oil) or 1/4-1/2 cup of glycerin.
    • Add 1-2 teaspoons of essential oil or aromatherapy oil
    • A chamomile or other herbal tea bag to the water while you are heating it.
  3. Make a basic healing wrap. If you have any sore muscles, stress, or just generally feeling unwell, you may want to make a healing wrap. The ingredients help to remove the effects of stress and restore a sense of well being. Pick up the following ingredients:
    • Herbal tea bags (chamomile is best).
    • Olive Oil (2 tablespoons)
    • Lavender Essential Oil.
    • Peppermint Essential Oil.
    • Geranium Essential Oil.
  4. Make a slimming wrap. If you want to slim down some areas of your body, try making a slimming wrap. These wraps can compress areas of the body, resulting in a slimmer look. They may also remove water weight. Gather the following ingredients.
    • 3oz (85g) of dried, seaweed powder
    • 30z (85g) of Fullers earth powder
    • 8 tablespoons (120ml) of lime juice
    • 1tablespoon (15ml) of Sweet Almond Oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5) of clear honey
    • 4 drops of Sandalwood essential oil
    • 2 drops of Rosemary essential oil
    • 2 drops of Lavender essential oil

Getting Ready

  1. Purchase large rolls of elastic (Ace) bandages. The bandages will soak up the wrap mixture and hold it to your skin.
    • The wider and longer the roll the more skin area you will be able to cover.
    • These can be found in drug stores but may be cheaper online.
    • Purchase the average of 15 rolls of bandage. Try a dry wrap first to make sure you have enough.
  2. Purchase large safety pins. These pins will be used to secure the bandages. The bandages typically come with clips but safety pins make for faster work and a more secure wrap.
  3. Prepare your space. You will want to make your space clean, protected, and relaxing. Make sure you have plenty of space to move and relax in. Bring in any decorations that help make your space a relaxing one.
    • Try using candles or relaxing music in your space.
    • Turn up the heat to keep the space warm and comfortable.
    • Realize that you will likely drip on the floor or other surfaces, so have plenty of towels.
  4. Prepare your wrap. To make a wrap, you will need to soak your bandages in your solution. Mix and heat your ingredients and then soak your bandages in them.[1]
    • Heat a pot of water on a stove-top, using medium heat.
    • When hot, add in your ingredients. Stir to mix ingredients.
    • Stop before a boil. Remove from heat.
    • Add about 2-3 cups of the mixture to another, cooler, container.
    • Add bandages and let the mixture become warm. Add cool water to speed the process up.
    • Place your container with the wraps on a surface that is at hip level for easy use.

Wrapping Things Up

  1. Take a shower before you apply the wraps. Clean and scrub your skin before applying the wrap to make sure the wrap works best.[2]
  2. Disrobe. You will need to let the wrap come in direct contact with your skin. Any clothes you wear will prevent the wrap from working as intended.
    • You may wish to wear a bikini or colorfast underclothes if you are shy and have a helper.
  3. Stand on a large towel. Remove one roll of wet wrap from the solution. Begin wrapping at your ankles and wrap around the leg working your way up.
    • Standing on the towel will prevent the floor from becoming wet and slippery.
  4. Wrap tightly. Wrapping tightly will ensure the best contact between the wrap and your skin. Having a tight wrap will also help it to adhere to your body better and keep it from falling off.[2]
    • Do not wrap too tightly as this can cut off circulation.
  5. Work up one leg and stop at the knee. After your first leg is wrapped halfway, start wrapping the other lower leg.
    • Wrapping up to the knee, one leg at a time, makes bending easier.
  6. Use the safety pins to secure the bandage onto itself. You may also wish to use any fasteners that the bandage came with. Either way, fastening the bandage will prevent it from falling away during your wrap.
    • Be careful when using pins as they can easily pierce the skin.
  7. Avoid leaving any skin exposed. Start your next roll where the previous roll stopped. Wrap as high up your legs and as close to your groin as possible.
    • Cover all areas possible, even your knees.
  8. Start wrapping your hip. Begin as close to the top of your leg as possible, start wrapping around your torso. Work your way up to your armpits.
    • Work at your own pace.
    • Keep your wraps tight and make sure they are covering all skin.
  9. Move to your lower arms. Wrap those areas completely before moving to the upper arms. End the wrap at shoulder level.
    • Wrap your elbows as well, if possible.
    • Always pin together bandages when you add a new one.
    • Put on a sauna suit at this point if you wish.

Relaxing and Enjoying

  1. Get comfortable. Find the best place to sit and relax while you are wrapped up. Ideally you should be able to enjoy your space for around an hour.
    • If your solution is extremely messy you can climb into the tub.
    • If you decide to walk around you should use caution. [2]
  2. Relax. Once you have found a comfortable space to sit in for the wrap, Give yourself an amazing spa day experience. Enjoy the ambiance you have created for your home and let your stress go.[3]
    • Read a book and listen to soothing music.
  3. Drink water. Sip water and allow yourself to stay hydrated. Body wraps help your body to remove toxins but they may dehydrate you.
    • Remember to drink water before, during and after your wrap.
  4. Remove the wraps. Starting at the top and working your way down, carefully undo your wraps and remove all of them. Towel dry yourself and lower your body temperature with a cool rinse shower.[4]
    • Mud wraps may take more scrubbing.
    • Continue to drink water to rehydrate.
    • Apply any lotions you might wish to.

Tips

  • For a more relaxing experience make sure your home is tidy, your bathroom area is organized and you can go undisturbed for 1-2 hours.
  • Ask a close friend if they'd like to team up. Have them buy their own solution and bandages and give each other help getting wrapped up.
  • Check with locals spas. They may be willing to order the body wrap solution for you. Your hair stylist may also have access to solutions through the salon's product suppliers even if they don't offer spa services.
  • There is not yet a scientific consensus in regards to a body wrap drawing out “toxins” or causing weight loss.[5]
  • You can reuse the bandages. Wash the elastic bandages in warm water on a gentle cycle. Do not use fabric softener and hang to dry. Re-roll them when dry and store until your next home wrap.
  • There are many home recipes online for body wraps.
  • Research various essential oils to find out what combination may work for you.

Warnings

  • Don't use a body wrap at home if you have medical problems, circulation problems or if you're pregnant.
  • Essential oils are powerful and should be used with caution.
  • If you've never had a body wrap and don't know how you'll react you should make sure you're not alone.
  • Don't spend more than one hour completely wrapped.

Things You'll Need

  • Ace bandages.
  • Safety pins.
  • Towels to stand on.
  • Container to hold solution and bandages.
  • Body wrap solution either purchased or homemade.
  • 1-2 hours of undisturbed time.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://craftbits.com/project/slimmers-body-wrap-recipe/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://bembu.com/diy-detox-wrap
  3. ↑ http://www.healthrecipes.com/body_wraps.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/beauty/spa/body-wraps-what-to-expect?page=1
  5. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/beauty/spa/body-wraps-what-to-expect?page=2
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