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Is Your Ideal Body Under WRAPS?
So do these body wrap things really work? Can they deliver the promised sleek physique they tout? Read here before you sign up, and know before you go what to expect and what to avoid like the plague (hint: anything non-porous).
by Java Solis
September 1, 2006
A quick fix. Instant weight loss. Eat what you want and watch the pounds melt away. Buyer beware. With the countless body wraps available today, it is easy to get caught up in the claims of easy weight loss and effortless, perfect bodies. While some wraps can produce observable body changes, others offer only fleeting or even dangerous results.
The body wrap procedure may involve anything from ointments and clay to compression and heat. The primary distinction between body wrap types is a porous versus a non-porous procedure. Porous wraps allow the skin to breathe. Non-porous wraps use non-breathable materials such as petroleum, or plastic wraps and heat, to draw fluid out of the body. Non-porous wraps are often accompanied by claims of quick weight loss, although these effects can typically be attributed to fluid loss, not fat loss. The results associated with non-porous wraps are generally not permanent and the procedure can be dangerous. Rapid and excessive fluid loss may induce severe dehydration, upset the balance of important electrolytes in the body and cause critical health issues in some patients.
We took a close look at It's a Wrap Body Solutions in Alpharetta, Ga., which offers a porous wrap, known as the SlenderTone Body Wrap, invented in 1969 by Victoria Morton. This wrap uses a mineral solution and compression to reshape the body. “We use food grade minerals, which means that you can’t have an allergic reaction to the solution – you can eat it, drink it, or put it in your eye. It's completely healthy,” says Christie Shrader, owner of the Apharetta location (there are several others in the metro Atlanta area).
Beginning with the feet and working up, ace bandages that have been soaked in a warm mineral solution are wrapped snuggly around the entire body. By the end you look and feel like an ancient mummy. This is not a procedure for the claustrophobic. The bandages are wrapped to achieve the best compression at target areas (e.g., the thighs or abdomen). “There are two components to the wrap,” explains Shrader. “The minerals in the solution are absorbed into the skin, restoring mineral deficiencies throughout the body. The compression draws out impurities that have been stored between fat cells. Our minerals and proven wrapping techniques compact and firm the body quickly.”& amp; amp; lt; /p>
Shrader claims the results of the SlenderTone Body Wrap are permanent, as long as the client does not gain weight and is not continually exposed to the original impurities such as alcohol. While It's A Wrap Body Solutions makes no claims about weight loss (a plus, in this author's opinion), they do guarantee a six to 20-inch loss with the first wrap, or the next wrap is free.
Now, before you start imagining your waist the size of a swizzle stick, it's important to note that total inches lost are calculated based on 27 separate measurement sites. Thus, a client may lose only a quarter of an inch at each measurement site, but when added together, up to seven inches will have been lost. In addition to inch loss, Shrader says her wraps, “tighten the skin, which diet and exercise cannot do. People may see a flatter stomach, smoother cellulite, or a loss in dress size.”
Those benefits are enticing, but before you pick up the phone to make your first appointment, know that body wraps are not for everyone. “If you are under the regular care of a physician for a medical condition we recommend that you get a doctor's note,” advises Shrader. Although Shrader also claims, “there is no common medical condition that we can’t handle. Even pregnant women can be wrapped with their doctor's permission,” many wrap providers discourage women who are pregnant or lactating, or anyone suffering from medical conditions such as heart disease, high or low blood pressure, or diabetes from being wrapped. Remember, not all body wraps are the same and a good understanding of the process and a nod from your physician can only ensure a more positive experience.
“Body wraps should be viewed as a supplemental beauty product, not as a quick weight loss solution,” says Erica Lesperance, RD, LD, an Atlanta-area dietitian. “When choosing a body wrap provider, clients should consider the type of procedure and the results offered and have reasonable expectations of the outcomes.” Lesperance advises potential clients to be wary of any claims of quick weight loss. “If you are actively leading a healthy lifestyle, a body wrap can offer an aesthetically pleasing addition to your diet and exercise routine. Remember, there are no quick fixes.”
