Getting a slim, toned body can often prove to be a difficult challenge. Even if we have a proper diet plan and perform physical activities on a regular basis there are certain problem areas where the fat is very “stubborn” and doesn’t want to go away easily.
There are a variety of treatments and technologies used for body contouring (some of them very effective) that you can spend your money on, but let’s not forget the affordable DIY solutions, for example, body wraps. With just a few wisely chosen ingredients, they can easily be prepared and applied at home. Moreover, if you’re on a diet and/or exercise regularly, body wraps perfectly complement your efforts.
In this article, we will present several body wrap recipes with various ingredients from ones that can easily be found in almost any food store to others that are pure, organic substances designed for cosmetic use.
Preparing your home-mage body wrap
What You Need
Except for the cosmetic ingredients you will also need a suitable material to wrap your body in. It can be a simple plastic wrap (yes, the one we use in the kitchen to cover food) or special wrap designed specifically for this type of use. You will also need a blanket or some towels to cover yourself while you have the body wrap on. Heat is beneficial as it will activate your circulation and open your pores allowing the active substances to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin.
You should also know that it’s good if you wrap tightly, but makes sure you don’t overdo it as it can block your circulation. This is not just unhealthy; it also decreases the efficiency of the wrap. For best results, you should do body wraps 2-3 times per week until you achieve the desired results and 1-2 times per month to maintain the effects.
Coffee and Olive Oil
Slightly heat up the olive oil, mix it with ground coffee until you get a medium-thick paste and apply immediately onto the desired areas of your body. Cover yourself with towels or a blanket and leave on for 15-30 minutes. You can remove the wrap paste with warm water.
Caffeine helps release fatty acids, allowing your body to use stored fat and in combination with olive oil your skin’s texture and elasticity will greatly improve.
Algae and Olive Oil
Some of the most popular types of algae powder used in body wraps are fucus and spirulina. Heat up the olive oil and mix it with the algae powder and 2-3 drops of essential lemon oil. Apply on desired areas, wrap firmly, and leave on for at least 30 minutes. Remove with warm water.
Fucus vesiculosus, also known as the brown algae, has multiple benefits and is commonly used as a treatment for weight loss, stretch marks, cellulite, skin hydration and toning. Spirulina is a microalgae with anti-inflammatory, cicatrizing, and detoxifying effects that also help cell regeneration.
Cocoa and Olive Oil
Heat up the olive oil, mix it thoroughly with cocoa until it turns into a paste. Leave on for 30 minutes while tightly covered. Remove with warm water.
Cocoa increases your skin’s hydration and its high content of flavonols improves blood circulation and vessel function.
Clay Body Wraps
There are several types of cosmetic clay powder on the market, all with their own positive effects and generally with affordable prices so make sure you choose the one that suits your needs.
Clay powder can be mixed with algae powder (such as the above-mentioned spirulina and fucus), various essential oils such as cedarwood oil, black pepper oil, grapefruit oil, lemongrass oil, fennel oil and others. To turn the mixture into a paste you can use water or herbal/floral waters such as rosemary water. Leave on for 20-30 minutes and remove with warm water.
Anti-cellulite Cream
For one of the quickest body wraps, just use your favorite anti-cellulite cream, gel or lotion. Apply a rich quantity, massage for 10 minutes, and wrap. Cover yourself with towels or a blanket and leave on for 1-2 hours. You can remove any excess cream using tissues but do not wash it off for at least 6 hours.
