Let us try a DIY body wrap today!
Are you planning to celebrate World Coffee Day with just a cup of coffee?
Come on, go a notch higher and try a coffee body wrap! It is one experience you are going to love! There many homemade body wrap recipes, but I chose one with coffee, due to the significance of today’s date.
World Coffee Day
Don’t know if you know it already, but today is World Coffee Day.
In case you are wondering. Yes coffee does have a day! Not surprising considering the number of mornings that are dependent on a cup of steaming coffee.
I love coffee. Oh, you know that by now. If you don’t, I suggest you read yesterday’s post, which is also about coffee, a coffee scrub to be exact.
The world coffee day aims at promoting coffee as a beverage and to encourage and promote fair trade coffee. Word is that some places offer discounts on coffee on this day! But don’t you go binge drinking, as too much isn’t good for you.
What is a body wrap?
While drinking too much coffee isn’t good, you can use it in scrubs and body wraps. Wraps have gained a lot of popularity over the years. There are different kinds of wraps available that helps to target different issues. Examples of body wraps are slimming wraps, detox wraps, hydrating wraps, etc. There can also be combination wraps.
It is a sought after treatment in spas, but some are easy enough to be done at home too.
The process involves gentle exfoliation/dry brushing. This step is important as it helps to remove dead skin. This will help the product penetrate the skin better.
Next is the application of the paste/cream on the body. Depending on the type of body wrap, a pack or cream will be applied on the body.
After the pack has been applied, you are wrapped in plastic. This is to keep the pack in contact with the skin. Then you are either covered by a blanket to encourage heat generation. Staying warm will open up your pores, and let the pack penetrate the skin. Thus helping you reap full benefits of using a body wrap.
There are wraps that involve you soaking bandages in the mixture and then wrapping it on the body.
After this you should let the wrap stay on the body for 20-30 minutes (or longer depending on the wrap).
Does it work?
Body wraps to lose inches! Is it a myth or reality?
The wrap sounds like a gift from Gods right? I mean, how cool is it? All you have to do is to choose the right kind of wrap and *BAM* you transform magically! Gone are the pounds, the dryness and even the cellulite!
So now you would have made up your mind to binge on your favourite foods and quit going to the gym or doing exercises.
WAIT!
Sorry to break your bubble, but this isn’t a permanent solution for your weight loss goals.
If it did, then gyms would have gone out of business ages ago.
But if you are looking at a short term goal, like looking good for a wedding, then you can turn to this. It is just like applying a concealer to conceal blemishes. The concealer doesn’t make the blemishes go away, but conceals it. The moment you wash it off, the spots are back.
In short, nothing can replace healthy diet and exercise!
How can body wraps help?
If they aren’t good to lose weight, why should you do get it done then?
Sure, wraps won’t help you shed pounds or act as an alternative to proper diet. Nor will it eliminate cellulite like proper exercise does. But body wraps have its benefits too.
#1. Exfoliation – I told you how important exfoliation is for the effectiveness of a body wrap. This will also ensure that you exfoliate your whole body. While we exfoliate the face, most of us forget to exfoliate the body.
#2. Conceals cellulite – Even if it is for a short while, body wraps helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite. A boon, when you plan a beach getaway!
#3. Tightens the skin – If you have been wondering how to get rid of water weight, a body wrap is how. By reducing water retention, the wrap will make the skin feel taut and firm. This is also a temporary effect. The good thing is that, it good before an event where you want to look good.
#4. Moisturization and hydration of skin – Body wraps helps to lock the moisture in as the pack is in contact for a long time. Wraps also promote sweating, thereby opening your pores. The benefits of the pack can seep into the skin better this way and not to mention the intense moisturization benefits the skin will get.
#5. Clears acne – Body wraps claim to detox the body. While these claims are not substantiated, there is one thing that can be said. Body wraps help to clear the skin. So it is good for people with minor skin issues like acne.
DIY body wrap with coffee to perk up your skin
If you get the time, you should go to a spa and get a body wrap done. Some are pricey, but it is worth it. You get at least 30 minutes of Me-time.
Yup, 30 minutes of absolute peace and quiet.
But as enticing as it may sound, most of us may find it difficult to head to a spa. So it would be amazing if you can recreate some of the treatments at home.
Simple body wraps are an amazing way to pamper the skin without having to visit the spa.
So let us go ahead and learn how to do a body wrap at the comfort of your home.
Items required
- Coffee grounds
- Coconut oil
- Cling wrap
- Big towel (optional)
Method of preparation
If you see, the method of preparing the pack for the DIY body wrap is similar to the scrub that we prepared yesterday. Call it killing two birds with one stone! A scrub and a body pack, isn’t that great?
While the scrub can be washed away quickly, this pack needs to stay on for more and the process of application is a bit more elaborate.
Start by taking some ground coffee. You can decide the amount depending on how much you are going to use. I have use fresh grounds, but you can use freshly used grounds too.
Next we have to add some coconut oil and mix well.
The resulting mixture has to be slightly more watery than the scrub. This will help in the easy application of the product.
Warm the mixture by putting it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Do not let it burn. If you don’t have a microwave, you can heat it on a double-boiler. The pack has to be warm and not hot. If you are using freshly used coffee grounds, you can skip this step as the grounds would already be warm.
The pack is now ready for your DIY body wrap.
How to use
Start by preparing the area. It is better if you do this in your bathroom. Line the floor with newspapers.
Now apply the pack on the areas you want to target or the whole body, if you have the time. Massage in a slow circular motion. You have to apply a decent amount of pressure.
Apply some more of the paste to the skin and once you have covered the area/areas, you can wrap the cling wrap on the skin. It should be tight, but not too tight so as to cut off blood supply. (Obviously)
You can cover the area with a bath towel to aid sweating.
Now the waiting game begins. Try to relax for the next 30 minutes. Then remove the wrap and rinse with lukewarm water.
Don’t use soap, you can just dry yourself with a towel and slather some moisturizer for a truly decadent experience.
You can try this 1 or 2 times a week.
Precautions
- If you have any reaction to caffeine, do not use this wrap.
- If you have any ailments then consult your doctor before you try this out.
- Do not try this treatment if you have a fever.
- If you are claustrophic then this can cause discomfort.
- Pregnant women should not try this.
The effects of using this wrap is truly magical and you may feel like a butterfly that has emerged out of a cocoon. But keep in mind, it is temporary. If you need permanent results then you have to eat right! There are no shortcuts to good health. Even here, you will have to do a bit of work for cleaning up the mess! So if somebody tells you that there is a wrap for losing weight, do not fall for it.
Also read: Hair Spa: Would it Help your Dry and Lifeless Hair?
Mommas, it is a month of festivals and if you have been slacking on your diet, this can come to your rescue. If you have a favourite dress that used to show off your toned arms but now has been stashed away due to flab, this wrap can help you. If you have got some days of serious Garba planned, then this will help you look gorgeous!
So do try it out and let me know how it worked for you. If you have any DIY body wrap recipes, then don’t forget to share it with us.
Take care and Happy Navratri!
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