In the world of body wraps, several options are available. There are wraps designed to remove excess water, smooth the skin, increase circulation, detoxify the body, and more. Specific body wrap solutions depend mainly on your specific needs and requests, but if you’re unsure of what to choose, here is a basic guide to the common types of wraps.

Mineral wraps typically consist of a clay base and primarily focus on inch loss, cellulite reduction and fat loss. There area also dry mineral body wrap kits that can be added to water. These are generally less messy than clay or mud wraps.

Mud wraps are known for increasing circulation, removing toxins from the skin, and tightening and firming the skin’s texture. A mud or clay mix is applied to the entire body, left for a period of time, and then removed with hot towels. This process allows the nutrients in the mud to be absorbed into the skin. To maximize benefits, spas often recommend an exfoliating shower or body polish as a precursor to the mud wrap. These types of wraps can also aid in muscle relaxation and pain relief.

Slimming wraps remove excess water in the body, causing you to lose inches and look and feel slimmer. How does this work? The skin cells are surrounded by fluid called interstitial fluid, which, over time, begins to build up within the cells. This buildup can be caused by inactivity, poor diet, exposure to pollutants, and normal aging. Slimming body wraps contain natural oils and herbs that draw these fluids and toxins from your body, while nourishing and moisturizing as well.

Remember that everyone’s body responds differently to each type of wrap, so be sure to try out different kinds and find out what works for you!

Breathe deep.

It may seem insignificant, but breathing has a large effect on your stress levels and plays a big role in many other relaxation practices. The key to deep breathing is to breathe in from the abdomen rather than the chest. Sit with your back straight and breathe slowly, in through the nose and out through the mouth. If you have trouble breathing from the abdomen while sitting, try laying on your back. Place a book on your stomach and try to make it rise as you inhale and fall as you exhale.

Get a massage.

Whether it’s professional or from a partner or friend, this will help relax your muscles and promote a positive mood. The Body & Soul Spa offers specialized massages to aid in stress relief and circulation.

Be comfortable.

Wear comfortable and loose clothing and take off your shoes whenever possible.

Try yoga or meditation.

You can take a class or simply stretch in between tasks to help you stay relaxed throughout the day.

Stress gets to us all, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. Try to pause and focus on something to relax yourself each day– your breathing, the sound of birds, etc. Keeping your stress level down will help prepare you for the obstacles of daily life.

The first and most important thing to get in the habit of (especially here in Arizona!) is wearing sunscreen! Protecting your skin from the harshness of the sun can avoid early signs of aging and, of course, skin cancer. You should wear at least a 15 SPF whenever you go outside, and be sure to reapply. It may not be the first thing on your mind at this age, but in 15 years your skin will thank you. And a quick tip– many moisturizers have built-in sunscreen, making skin protection an easy one-step process.

Skin care is very personal, so be sure to try out different cleansers and moisturizers to find what works best for you. Stay away from bar soap and go for a specialized facial cleanser for oily skin, dry skin, or anything in between. This is the time to try different things and learn exactly what to do for your skin in the future to maintain its health and beauty.

Once you find the cleanser that’s right for you, you should cleanse your face twice a day (and no more!) in warm water. Be sure to remove all make-up before bed, and always moisturize. Even if your skin is more on the oily side, it is important to moisturize after you wash your face to keep it healthy and balanced. (Here’s another tip– if your skin is very oily, you may choose to only moisturize once a day, in the morning.)

And finally, use a weekly mask and exfoliator. Here at Body & Soul, we offer special facial treatments for teenage skin at an affordable cost. This way your skin can receive the specific care it requires while it is at such an unpredictable and tough to manage stage in your life. Come in regularly to keep your skin healthy and beautiful.

A facial treatment is a great way to improve and maintain the health and beauty of the skin by cleansing, hydrating, removing dead skin cells, unblocking clogged pores, and tightening the facial skin. Typically, a facial will include an analysis of the skin, followed by a series of cleansing methods of the skin, exfoliation, a facial massage, steam and a cream or moisturizer. But there is more to a facial than meets the eye. Facials have also proven to improve overall health in many ways. They can help regulate the immune system, aid in detoxification, reduce the amount of fluid that has built up in the body, and aid in stress relief. Having a regular facial assists the circulatory system by stimulating the skin. The massage portion of a facial helps blood circulation, which aids lymphatic drainage, removing toxins and waste from the body. It also relaxes the facial muscles and delays the onset of wrinkles. Some facials offered at Body And Soul Spa include the Classic Facial which combines deep cleansing, exfoliation, extractions and a customized mask to restore, balance and replenish skin, the Deep Hydration facial which revives the most dehydrated complexions and eliminates signs of stress, helping your skin to rebalance itself, the Four Layer Facial which is an algae, green tea, and fruit-based mask that soothes and hydrates the skin leaving it brightened and renewed, and many more.

Massage therapy has also been shown in Egyptian tomb paintings as part of their medical tradition. Around 2500 BC, the Egyptians pioneered reflexology, a method of treatment that involves applying pressure to the feet and hands. Their studies and traditions in massage greatly influenced those of other cultures such as the Greeks and Romans. Between 1500 and 500 BC, massage traditions in India started being recorded, although their practices may date back much farther. Hindus used the art of healing touch in the practice of “Ayurvedic medicine”. “Ayurveda” is a Sanskrit word translating to “life knowledge” or “life science”. Hippocrates wrote in 460 BC that “the physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing… for rubbing can bind a joint that is too loose, and loosen a joint that is too rigid.”

From this early massage history, Swedish doctor, gymnast and educator Per Henril Ling developed a method known as the “Swedish Movement System” in the early 1800s. Today, this method is commonly regarded as the foundation for Swedish massage. Now, the most common types of massage are Swedish massage and the Japanese practice of Shiatsu, also known as “pressure point” or “trigger point” massage. There is also a large focus on movement ad bodywork, including Reiki, Feldenkrais and Pilates.

Did you know?

Body wraps are all-natural, consisting of a mixture special minerals. Deeply relaxing treatments like the body wrap have shown to decrease stress and therefore lower blood pressure. Because the skin is the largest organ, detoxification can have significantly beneficial effects on overall health. The specially formulated ingredients used in body wraps have been clinically validated. In Japan, research was conducted at Chukyo University by Kagemoto Yuasa, M.D., who said they found its effects to to burn subcutaneous fat and cellulite within an hour.

There are over 150 types of massage, but these are some of the more popular ones throughout the Arizona massage industry:

Swedish Massage: A Swedish utilizes long flowing strokes, often in the direction of the heart. Swedish massages are used to increase circulation and blood flow.

Deep Tissue Massage: Perhaps the most popular massage in Arizona massage centers, the Deep Tissue can focus on individual joints, muscles, or a muscle group that the practitioner stimulates through the many layers of soft tissue.

Hot Stone Massage: An ancient Native American art of using heated basalt stones to massage the body. Muscle tension is dissolved as healing warmth penetrates the body for an incredibly relaxing experience.

Shiatsu Massage: Originating in Japan, Shiatsu uses acupuncture to help ease tension and relax major muscle groups.

Tell us what your favorite massage is!

The physical benefits of massage therapy are countless. It can reduce lower back pain, stretch weak or tight atrophied muscles, increase joint flexibility, and reduce spasms and cramping. Athletes should visit a Scottsdale massage facility regularly before and after workouts so their muscles can prepare for and recover from any strenuous activities. Massages can assist the immune system by increasing lymph flow as well as reduce post surgery adhesions and swelling.

On top of the physical benefits, massage therapy has shown to improve the mental disposition of people and decrease mental stress. A trip to a Scottsdale massage center will decrease anxiety, increase concentration by improving circulation to the brain, and reduce fatigue so you can be at the top of your game all through the day. The rejuvenating effects from a massage are more than just a luxurious hour of your day; they are a holistic form of self-care.

5 Senses of The Spa Series

Happy Holidays!

Sandra