Homemade Body Wraps To Lose Weight

Body wraps for weight loss sound impossible, don’t they? Well, what’s science fiction today might become reality tomorrow! Dear busy girls, we have good news for you. Instead of sweating at the gym for hours, you can just use body wraps to lose the flab quickly (1). You can do this, especially if you have an upcoming event to attend. Body wraps help take off inches, remove toxins, reduce celluliteⁱ  XThe collection of fat that develops on the thighs, buttocks, hips, and stomach that results in lumpy, uneven, and dimpled skin. , and hydrate and tighten the skin. Moreover, you can easily make pocket-friendly body wraps at home and enjoy a spa day without burning a hole in your pocket. Here’s how to make a body wrap at home and how it helps reduce weight. Scroll down to get all the details.

Body Wraps For Weight Loss – What Is It?

 A body wrap is basically a linen/plastic sheet or a blanket that is wrapped around your body or at specific areas of the body on top of a layer of herbal or natural ingredients. It helps you sweat without moving an inch, which, in turn, helps flush out toxins and reduce inches from that wrapped area. Decades ago, linen was the most widely used wrap, but these days, plastic or blanket is the most preferred wrap. Though the main principle of body wraps is similar to that of sauna treatment, body wraps are said to be more effective (2). But you cannot just put on any wrap and expect good results. You must follow our guidelines to make your body wrap do its work brilliantly. Here’s what you should know.

How To Make Homemade Body Wraps More Effective?

1. Keep Yourself Hydrated

The body wraps will make you sweat, thereby helping you shrink the fat cells and flush the toxins out. Hydration is the most important element here. Drink about 750 ml – 1000 ml water before wrapping your body. You can also keep a cup of water near you so that you can take a sip whenever you want while you are in the wrap. Add cucumber, berries, lemon, mint, etc. to fortify the water with nutrients and make it look more exciting.

2. Best Ingredients

Use the best organic ingredients to make the body pack/mask to get the best results. Many packaged body packs/masks are available in the market but they will not be as effective as the organic ones. So, buy organic ingredients and follow our instructions on how much of each ingredient you should use to get the best results. Nothing can beat organic and natural products when it comes to weight loss and healing.

3. Prep Your Body

Before you apply the body pack/mask, you must take a shower and then use a homemade scrub to exfoliate the dead skin. This will help your skin to absorb the goodness of the body pack, which will help you lose a few inches and flush out the toxins. You can make homemade scrub by mixing 2 tablespoons of orange peel powder, 2 tablespoons of rice flour, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of gram flour, and 6-7 tablespoons of water.

4. Be Consistent

If you really want to lose weight, and not just get ready for a special occasion, then you must get the wrap treatment twice a week. You can try different body packs/masks or wraps each time to keep yourself excited and motivated. The results that you get will be unmatched.

5. Do Not Overdo It

You may think that if you do this wrap treatment every day, you will get skinny like a supermodel. I am afraid to say that you will not lose weight this way. You will harm your body if you do it on a daily basis. So, make sure not to get the body wrap treatment done more than twice every week.

 Now, let me take you through the wrapping process, step-by-step.

How To Use Body Wraps For Weight Loss ?

Lalitha Bhowani-Mcsorley, a physiotherapist, says, “Before you wrap your stomach, it is important to take the necessary preparatory measures. You should start by exfoliatingⁱ  XThe process of removing dead skin from the top layer of your skin using a tool, granular substance, or chemical. your skin with a scrub or a brush to remove any dead skin cells or impurities that might impede the effectiveness of the wrap. This will also ensure that the wrap adheres better and produces better results.” Let’s take a look at the steps:

Step 1 – Take a shower before taking the homemade body wrap treatment. Bathing will help remove all the dust and dirt from your skin and will allow better absorption of the goodness of the body mask.

Step 2 – The second step is to exfoliate your skin with the help of a homemade scrub. Here’s how you can make the perfect scrub easily at home.

Homemade Scrub Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon fine sugar
• 1-2 drops of lemon essential oil

Directions

1. Mix the ingredients together in a small bowl.
2. Use two or three fingertips to pick the scrub up and then use light pressure to apply the scrub on your body.
3. Next, massage the area in a circular motion.
4. Do this for at least 7-10 minutes.
5. Wipe the scrub off with a soft, wet cloth.

Step 3 – Apply the body mask in the target areas. Make sure to apply only a thin layer of the mixture because the body mask is very effective and you don’t need a lot to lose inches. Here’s a super effective body mask recipe that you can make at home.

Quick Tip

Substitute white sugar with brown sugar if you have sensitive skin as it is gentler on the skin. You can also use carrier oils like olive, jojoba, or sweet almond oil instead of coconut oil to make your homemade body scrub.

Homemade Body Mask Recipe

Ingredients

• 1-2 tablespoons of Dead sea clay/ natural clay
• 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
• 1 teaspoon Epsom salt
• 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2-3 tablespoon rose water

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Apply a thin layer of the mixture on the areas where you want to get rid of extra flab and cellulite.
3. Always apply a little bit of the mixture on the desired area and wrap with a plastic wrap. Applying the mask all over and then trying to wrap the plastic will be difficult.

 Step 4 – Wrap the areas with plastic. Plastic wraps are not only more effective but also do not require to be washed like the cloth bandages. Make sure you wrap the plastic sheets not too tightly as that may scar your skin. If you want to wrap your chin and neck, first wear a shower cap and then wrap your chin and neck by bringing the plastic wrap over your head, down to your chin and jawline. You can also wrap your upper body on day 1 and then wrap your lower body on day 2 to make the process more convenient. For spot treatments, you can wrap the affected area, like thighs or tummy.

Step 5 – Now, all you have to do is relax and let the wrap do its work. You can lie down or sit, watch a movie, talk to your friends, listen to music etc. And by this time, the wrap will start to make the target area sweat, which is what you need. You can cover the wrapped area with a towel. Keep the wrap on for 60 minutes.

Step 6 – After an hour, you can unwrap it. Remove the plastic wrap cautiously and then take a shower to wash off the body mask.

Step 7 – The last step of the wrap is to moisturize your skin with a good moisturizer. You can also apply coconut oil or stretch mark reducing creams or moisturizers.

There you go, an easy way to wrap your body using a homemade body mask in the comfort of your home. This body wrap helps you feel relaxed as well as keeps your fitness in check by helping you lose weight. Here are a few more body wrap recipes for you. Take a look.

Easy Homemade Body Wrap Recipes

 1. Body Wrap For Detoxification

Ingredients

• ½ cup Epsom salt
• 1 cup natural clay
• 4 tablespoon almond oil
• 2 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
• 2 cups warm water

Directions

1. To 2 cups of warm water, add the Epsom salt. Stir it well to dissolve the salt completely.
2. Now dip your linen bandage into it and keep it in the solution for 2 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, mix the natural clay, almond oil, lavender essential oil, and little warm water to make a paste.
4. Apply it on your problem areas.
5. Wrap with the Epsom salt soaked bandage on the areas.
6. Wait for 1 hour, remove the bandage, and see its amazing detoxification results.

 2. Body Wrap For Melting Fat

Ingredients

• 1 cup white clay
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoon neem powder
• 2 drops grapefruit essential oil

Directions

1. Mix the white clay, apple cider vinegar, neem powder, and grapefruit essential oil in a bowl.
2. Apply a thin layer of this body mask on your problem areas.
3. Take a plastic wrap and wrap it around your problem areas.
4. Wait for 1 hour and then remove the bandage.

 3. Body Wrap For Cellulite

Ingredients

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• 1 cup white clay
• 50 ml olive oil
• 2 cups warm water
• 3 drops rosemary essential oil

Directions

1. Add Epsom salt to a cup of warm water and stir well to dissolve it.
2. Dip the linen bandage into the Epsom salt bath and keep it in the solution for 2 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, mix the white clay, olive oil, the cup of warm water, and rosemary essential oil in a bowl.
4. Apply a thin layer of this body mask.
5. Wrap the area with the linen bandage.
6. Wait for 1 hour for the wrap’s compression, and then remove the bandage. You might see some cellulite reduction results after using it a couple of times.

Quick Tip

You can also add aloe vera to this homemade body wrap to help hydrate and soothe your skin.

 4. Body Wrap For Rejuvenating Skin

Ingredients

• 10 strawberries
• 10 grapes
• ½ cup papaya
• 2 drops lemon essential oil

Directions

1. Mash the strawberries, grapes, and papaya in a bowl.
2. Add the lemon essential oil and mix well.
3. Apply this fruity mix to your problem areas.
4. Wrap up with a plastic wrap.
5. Wait for 1 hour and then remove the bandage.

5. Body Wrap For Skin Tightening

Ingredients 

• 1 cup white clay
• ½ cup Bengal gram flour
• 2 tablespoon yogurt
• ½ cup water
• 3 drops orange essential oil

Directions

1. Mix white clay, Bengal gram flour, yogurt, water, and orange essential oil in a bowl.
2. Apply a thin layer of this body mask.
3. Wrap your problem area with a plastic wrap.
4. Wait for an hour and then remove the bandage.

Note: While these ingredients may have some cosmetic benefits, there is no evidence to suggest that they can promote weight loss when applied topically.

So, these were the 5 amazing homemade body wrap recipes that will help you shed a few inches quickly. But how can you make your wrap treatment more spa-like? Here’s how!

Simple Steps To Get Spa-Like Body Wrap At Home

1. Clean the mess in your room or clean your bathroom.
2. Choose a cozy corner in your room or just prep your bathtub by wiping away the water.
3. Keep your plastic wrap, body mask, scrub, moisturizer, and towel ready.
4. In a shallow bowl of water, toss in some rose petals and keep it on the side of your chair, bed or bathtub.
5. Of course, you will need scented candles. Light your favorite scented candles and keep them at a distance so that you can see and smell them, but they don’t hamper your movement.
6. Personally, I like Tibetan chants playing in the background, but you can play any soothing music.
7. While you are waiting for the wrap to do its magic, you can keep two slices of cucumber on your eyelids to relax completely.
8. For additional benefits, you can apply seaweeds on your body before wrapping yourself. Seaweed can help increase the blood flow in the body.
9. If you are bored, you can read a magazine or watch your favorite show. Do not work!

So you see, getting a spa-like body wrap treatment at home if not that tough at all! But the question is, do body wraps really work? Find out in the next section.

Do Body Wraps Really Aid Weight Loss?

Body wraps do work, but the results vary from person to person. It is a short-term weight loss solution that can take 1-2 inches off, with a slimming effect. Weight loss also depends on the type of bandage used, how much water your body retains, and how long you keep the body wrapped (some people feel comfortable keeping the body wrapped for a longer duration).The weight loss also depends on the type of bandage used, how much water your body retains, and how long you keep the body wrap on (some people feel comfortable keeping the body wrap for a longer duration). Do not expect to lose 10 pounds in just an hour! Plus, you should also avoid overdoing it as that may seriously affect blood circulation, the skin and may slow down metabolism. You can also measure your weight loss. Want to know how? Find out next.

How To Measure Homemade Body Wrap Weight Loss ?

 You can measure it with measuring tape and also take visual cues. Here’s how you should do it.

• Take a measuring tape and measure your problem area girth.
• Write it down in a notepad.
• Now, take pictures of your problem area from different angles (if it’s your whole body, ask your friend to take pics for you).
• Now, get your wrap treatment.
• After completing the wrap treatment, measure the girth of your problem area and take pics in the same angles that you did before taking the wrap treatment.

As we come to the end of this article, here’s what you must remember.

Points To Remember 

• Always follow the recommended steps, i.e., take a shower and exfoliate before applying the body mask.
• Before wrapping yourself in plastic or linen, do a spot test by wrapping a small part of your body to find out if you are sensitive to the wrap or not.
• Try to use a freshly prepared body mask.
• We recommend using plastic wraps, but you can also use linen bandages.
• Do not wrap the bandages too tight or too loose.
• Make sure to cover the problem areas properly.
• If you have heart problems or any other medical issue, please talk to your doctor before trying this homemade wrap treatment for weight loss.
• Avoid it if you are pregnant or lactating.
• Children should not be given body wrap treatment for weight loss.
• Rinse off the body mask immediately if you feel itchy or uncomfortable.

Infographic: 5 Tips To Follow While Using Homemade Body Wraps

Losing excess weight is a great way to keep your health and wellness in check. There are plenty of ways to shed excess body weight, such as exercise, change in diet, etc. Homemade body wraps also help in weight loss efficiently, especially for those with a busy schedule. These are highly affordable and easily available on the market.

Check out the infographic below to know the tips you need to follow while using homemade body wraps for maximum benefits.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use body wraps every day?

“No, it is not recommended that you use body wraps every day. The skin needs time to breathe and rest, so if you are using body wraps for weight loss as part of your daily routine, it should be done no more than twice a week. Additionally, the ingredients used in homemade body wraps can be drying or irritating to the skin,” says Lalitha Bhowani-Mcsorley.

Do heat wraps work for weight loss?

According to Lalitha, “When it comes to the idea of using heat wraps to promote weight loss, there is no scientific evidence to support such a claim. While many people may see a short-term decrease in their weight after using one, this is primarily due to the body losing water weight and not actual fat. When individuals hydrate themselves and resume eating normally, the weight will come back. With that being said, heat wraps can be an effective short-term solution to cut weight through water loss.

What are the different types of body wraps?

Lalitha Bhowani-Mcsorley says,” There is a wide variety available in the market, including detoxⁱ  XThe process of removing toxins and impurities from the body in order to improve your overall health. wraps, mineral wraps, and herbal wraps. Each type of wrap offers its own unique benefits, and it is important to discuss the specific needs and concerns with your physician prior to beginning any type of body wrapping therapy.”

Do body wraps tighten loose skin?

Yes, temporarily. Wrapping the body helps to eliminate the water content, which may give your loose skin the appearance of being more firm.

Are body wraps safe?

Yes, but ensure that you are adequately hydrated. However, don’t overdo it with body wraps for toning your body.

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Merlin Annie RajRegistered Dietitian Nutritionist

   

Merlin Annie Raj is a Registered Dietitian based out of Hyderabad, India. She has 14 years of experience in Clinical Nutrition as well as teaching Nutrition and Dietetics to undergraduate and postgraduate students. She was awarded the ‘President’s Award’ at the 47th Annual National Conference of the Indian Dietetic Association, 2014.   Merlin has conducted various weight management programs, prepared...more

• Lalitha Bhowani-McsorleyMScPT

  Lalitha Bhowani-Mcsorley, MScPT, is a physiotherapist with 36 years of experience. She specializes in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and has extensive experience in acupuncture, intramuscular stimulation, and vestibular rehabilitation. She strives to provide the highest quality care using a combination of manual therapy, traditional exercise, and education to empower her patients and get them back to their optimal health.
  
  Lalitha Bhowani-Mcsorley, MScPT, is a physiotherapist with 36 years of experience. She specializes in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and has extensive experience in acupuncture, intramuscular stimulation, and vestibular rehabilitation. She strives to provide the highest quality care using a combination of manual therapy, traditional exercise, and education to empower her patients and get them back to their optimal health.

Charushila BiswasHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and fitness equipment. She strives to inform, educate, and motivate her readers via authentic, straightforward, and fact-checked information. After completing her master's in biotechnology from Vellore Institute of Technology,...more

Ravi Teja TadimallaSenior Editor

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a senior editor and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University. He has written over 300 articles about ingredients and their benefits for the skin, hair, and health. He...more

Payal KarnikSenior Health & Wellness Writer

Payal Karnik is a senior health and wellness writer and a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach. She is a biotechnology graduate from the University of Mumbai with a keen interest in writing and a natural curiosity for science. This formidable combination equips her with the knowledge to write research-backed health and wellness articles. She has also published a research...more