Honestly, whats the deal with body wraps? Do they really help you shed the pounds or belly fat? Are they the same as waist trainers? Are they even safe? So many questions provoked by endless Kardashian waist-snatching selfies and weight loss ads.
Body wraps 101
Unwrapping the truth about body wraps can be overwhelming. Here are the fast facts.
Do body wraps help you lose weight?
Nope. Any slimming is probably just temporary loss of water weight.
Are they safe?
Mostly, yes. But you should consider the risks of dehydration and restricted breathing. (More on that in a sec!)
Can I DIY body wraps at home?
Of course! Well dive into the DIY details and types of body wraps below.
Body wraps are noninvasive treatments touted for a variety of health, beauty, and general wellness benefits.
They typically involve applying a skin care mask or cream and then covering the area with a fabric or plastic wrap. Together, these elements are said to melt fat away while giving you perfectly taut skin, but they can come with some risks.
Find the right type of body wrap for you.
Picture super-spanx reminiscent of old-timey corsets. They come in tons of styles and fabrics, but they all focus on cinching your midsection into an hourglass-like figure.
Waist trainers claim to make your waist smaller by physically squeezing it in, but the results are temporary. Once the trainers off, your muscles will happily return to their natural shape.
PSA for the preggo peeps: There are lots of waist trainers and compression garments marketed toward pregnant women and new mommas. Research is still iffy on their effectiveness, so check with your doc before wrapping your changing belly.
Classic wraps are supposed to work by making you sweat off inches. Fans say that using a mask or cream with the binding boosts the effect by drawing out even more fluid and toxins.
In the past, folks used linen or muslin that had been coated to make the fabric less breathable. Today, DIYers prefer plastic wrap. Whatever the material, its usually ripped into strips to wrap around the treatment area belly, thighs, etc.
Many wrap products claim to help your body detox. Science shows that some compounds, like bentonite clay, can help detoxify your body by absorbing negatively charged ions and speeding up natural detox processes (like, erm, pooping).
But can it do all that through your skin? Thats up for debate.
Types of spa wraps
Get the DL on the most popular spa wraps.
The idea here is to encase your whole body in an impermeable sack that makes you sweat a whole hell of a lot. Yep, youll look and feel like a foil-wrapped baked potato.
These devices use hot air, infrared technology, or another heating element to get you cooking. Theyre supposed to work by making you sweat off excess weight and inches, but the weight loss effect is water weight not fat.
This is not an effective long-term weight loss strategy. A more reliable, and safer bet? Large cross-sectional studies have shown that health benefits such as maintaining healthy mental well-being and sleep habits can aid in long-term weight loss.
Note: Make sure to stay hydrated if youre using sauna therapy!
Wrap your brain around these stats:
Its no wonder folks are seeking fast weight loss solutions that work.
But are body wraps the answer? Probably not.
Research suggests that swaddling yourself in nonbreathable fabric can raise your body temp, but theres just no evidence to support long-term weight loss from body wrapping. In fact, the FDA has investigated several companies for making false claims about their body wraps.
Still, body wrapping might help you:
First, decide whether to wrap your entire body or just part of it. Partial wraps can be applied to just your thighs or belly, for example.
Next, follow the instructions for the specific body wrap youve chosen. The process will look something like this:
If youre on a budget or enjoy whipping up your own lotions and potions, youre in luck. There are millions of recipes on the interwebz for exfoliants and wrap masks and creams.
As for making your own strip wraps? You can literally go buy a roll of plastic wrap. At-home spa enthusiasts rave that its easier, cheaper, quicker, and more sanitary than cloth strips. Its also great at sealing in the mask-and-sweat goo.
There are a few risks to body wrapping. Follow these tips to stay safe:
Consider these nuggets of weight loss wisdom:
While you can give body wraps a go, there are def more effective, sustainable options for healthy weight loss.
Scientifically proven ways to lose weight include:
Body wrap treatments come with a list of wellness claims, including quick weight loss, but most experts agree theyre not a good option for weight management. You might shed water weight, but the result is a temporary appearance of a slimmer bod and extra-luscious skin.
Instead of looking for a fast weight loss fix, aim for a healthy-for-you weight. Stick with this tried-and-true formula for safe, meaningful weight loss and weight management:
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Do Body Wraps Work for Weight Loss? Types and Effectiveness - Greatist
