Beauty Treatments - Body Wraps

A body wrap is a usually temporary natural alternative to plastic surgery. Wraps slenderize and contour your body and can be done immediately. Therapeutic and cosmetic benefits such as cleansing the body of toxins and reducing inches can sometimes be achieved.

Do body wraps serve therapeutic purposes? It would seem so, as body wraps are very popular with massage therapists and salon technicians. A body wrap may also improve overall health by detoxification.

Can you do your own wrap? You can if you're good.

Home Slimming Wrap

A quick slimming treatment for special occasions when you need a bit of help to wriggle into your clothes. Start by making a bottle of lemongrass blend. Mix the following essential oils in 60 ml of jojoba oil.

• 5 drops of lemongrass essential oil
• 10 drops of grapefruit essential oil
• 3 drops of orange essential oil

After your shower, spread the mixture over your waist and tummy, then wrap with cling wrap. Leave on overnight.

This temporary quick slim method is often used in beauty salons and is great for afast fix. How does it work? Jojoba oil is a liquid wax that emulsifies fats. Grapefruit detoxifies, orange cleanses and lemongrass removes accumulated toxins in the body.

The cling wrap prevents the oils from evaporating, and and lets them absorb into your skin. And itmakes you perspire. Although the wrap helps shape your waist quickly; alas, the effect is temporary.

Herbal Body Wrap

It's the rage right now. Spas delight in wrapping body parts. Do wraps help reduce water weight. Maybe. But it is relax ing as the herbs act as a soothing agent. Part spiritual and part skin conditioning. Try this quickie. You will need

• a large pot or utility tub
• 3 small handfuls of dried herbs of choice, i.e. chamomile, lavender or rose petals
• 10 drops of your favorite essential oil
• hot water - but be careful
• 2 large cotton beach towels

Add your dried herbs in the bottom of container and fill with hot water. Mix the water and herbs. Add the towels making sure they are completely submerged. Steep for 5-10 minutes. Don't wait so long that the water cools too much.

Add the essential oils and mix thoroughly. Pull out towels and wring them slightly. You want as much water in the towels possible without dripping. Wrap the towels tightly around body, then lie down on a plastic sheet and relax. Leave on the wrap for about 10 minutes, then unwrap slowly.

Follow your wrap with a conditioning body ointment or body butter.

Body Wrap Spa Style

• 6 cups very hot water
• 1/2 cup dried chamomile
• 1/2 cup dried rosemary
• 1/4 cup fresh mint or peppermint leaves
• cheesecloth or wide cotton gauze
• linen or loose weave cotton cloth - cut into long strips 4 to 6 inches wide
• roll of plastic wrap

Bring the water to a boil and remove from heat. Pouring into a stoppered sink works too, but is harder to cover. Wrap your herbs in the cheesecloth or gauze, making a large bundle. Submerge the bundle in the water by using utensile like a large spoon or spatula.

Cover the sink or container to keep the steam from escaping. Allow the mixture to steep for 15 to 20 minutes, uncover the mixture at 5 minute intervals to stir it. Submerge the long strips of linen or cotton cloth.

Wring out the saturated strips slightly and wrap the strips around your body. Think mummy! Okay, not your head, forearms, or feet. The saturated strips should be hot, but not so hot they will burn you.

When the strips are all wrapped, repeat the process by covering the saturated cloth with plastic wrap.

Make a cold compress for your head and take cool container of water. Relax and sip, and let the herbs work. Stay in the wrapping for 15 - 20 minutes maximum. Unwrap and let you body cool for another 15 minutes before showering.

Note: If you have high blood pressure, heart problems, or other medical conditions, be sure to consult your health care provider.

Java Wrap

A post natal slimming tip from Indonesian massage therapy. It is uncomfortable and needs to be done daily for 2 weeks. After a special oil massage, the masseuse binds the body tightly with a long cotton wrap. This is just for the abdomen area.

You will need

• eucalyptus leaves
• crushed sea stone
• fresh lime juice
• betel leaf
• massage oil with mint and eucalyptus
• long wide cotton strip

Mix all ingredients and massage oil into a sticky paste. Rub the paste over the abdomen and let dry for 10 minutes. Wrap the cloth from your hips upwards and leave leave on for 20 minutes

Cellulite - Clay Body Scrub

You will need

• 25 gms (2 tsp) Balinese clay or clay of your choice with purifying properties
• 30 gms (2 tsp) of sea salt
• water

Mix all ingredients together while adding just enough water to make a light paste. Spread the paste all over your body. It leaves a thin white film and feels prickly as it penetrates your skin. After the paste is dry, slough away the skin by rubbing. Follow with shower and massage.

Best essential oils for cellulite are nutmeg and rose. Halle Berry likes to use coffee grounds. Add carrier oil or body cream and then apply liberally.