Cosmetic clay is popular in improving skin condition. It is often used for the face, but along with this, the powder can be used for the whole body. We are talking about a procedure such as clay wrap, which helps tighten the skin, improve its condition, eliminate cellulite and lose a little weight.
Of course, wrapping yourself in clay will not help you get rid of ten extra pounds. This is impossible without exercise and dietary restrictions, but a few extra pounds may well go away, taking with them the hated “orange peel”. Clay can be used for wraps in its pure form (the powder is only diluted with water), and in combination with other effective ingredients: seaweed, honey, coffee, vinegar, and so on.
Purpose of the procedure
In cosmetology, clay wraps are used to correct the figure, eliminate swelling and local inflammation of the skin. This procedure promotes general detoxification of the body and the removal of excess fluid from tissues and is comparable to the effect of lymphatic drainage massage. The positive property of clay to absorb impurities and toxins accumulated in the skin has been noted. The cosmetic mask smoothes the skin and increases its turgor, which helps in the treatment of cellulite.
Types of clay: which one is better to choose?
For wraps, black and blue are most often used, but you can try other varieties of this product at home. The answer to the question “Which clay is better?” depends on the task, the degree of neglect of cellulite and other factors.
Black is considered the most effective for weight loss due to its lipolytic and lymphatic drainage effects. This type of clay improves blood circulation and intensively cleanses pores, but at the same time nourishes the skin with beneficial microelements.
Blue is positively assessed due to its anti-cellulite, toning and rejuvenating effects. Wraps with this clay will help solve the problem of sagging skin.
White is recommended for the treatment of dermatological diseases, as well as for cleansing the body of toxins. It is also used to combat stretch marks and cellulite.
Green is an excellent remedy for stimulating blood circulation, general detoxification, and even stabilizing the functioning of the nervous system. Useful microelements contained in clay help maintain skin elasticity and smoothness.
What happens to the body when wrapped with clay and film
Clay has been used in medicine and cosmetology for thousands of years. This beauty and health product was actively used by the Egyptians, Greeks, and later Europeans. For treatment with clay, people have long been smeared with clay and basked in the sun, that is, they enhanced the effect of the penetration of silicon and aluminum oxide contained in clay into the body. Europeans have been well aware of mud baths using natural clay for 300 years, which have shown positive dynamics in the recovery of patients.
An anti-cellulite clay wrap is a miniature mud bath that many spas offer. Scientists, through experiments on rats and then on chimpanzees, confirmed the healing effect of clay wraps, and reviews from people losing weight proved their benefits in the fight against cellulite and extra centimeters.
How is clay useful from a beauty perspective? The bentonite contained in the composition, as scientists have shown, promotes the body's production of collagen, that is, cell rejuvenation, giving the skin elasticity, and the formation of a beautiful body contour.
Clay wrapping with film allows you to lose weight and eliminate fat deposits due to the thermal effect and the ability of the natural substance itself. Each type of clay has different additional properties.
Homemade wrap recipes
Making an anti-cellulite mask yourself is not difficult. Clay powder must be diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio. Next, the composition of the resulting slurry can be supplemented with essential oils, coffee grounds, mustard or cocoa powder, and some spices. Below we present simple and accessible recipes for home treatments.
Classic blue clay wrap
Dilute 100 g of clay powder with mineral water to the consistency of liquid slurry. If desired, you can add a few drops of lemon, grapefruit or orange oil to the mixture.
The following video will tell you about wrapping yourself with blue clay at home.
Cold wrap with green clay and seaweed
Mix clay powder and crushed kelp in a 1:1 ratio (for example, 2 tablespoons each). Add water and stir until the consistency of sour cream. This mixture will help relieve swelling, moisturize and lightly polish the skin.
Wrap with clay and honey
Dilute 2 tablespoons of any clay with water to the consistency of sour cream. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and a few drops of essential oil to the mixture. Often, mustard powder is added to such a mask to enhance the lipolytic effect.
Hot wrap with black clay and mustard
Dilute 2 tablespoons of clay with warm water, add 1 teaspoon of dry mustard and honey to the mixture. This mask effectively fights excess fat deposits and eliminates cellulite.
Warm clay wrap with cinnamon
Clay powder is mixed with cinnamon in a 2:1 ratio and diluted with warm water to the consistency of a thick paste. We warn you that the mask will burn the skin a little, so for the first procedure, set the minimum exposure time.
Causes of cellulite
Why does cellulite appear? The mechanism of fat accumulation is associated with impaired lipolysis
- breakdown of fat cells, which saturate our body with energy and are actively burned during diet and exercise.
Therefore, common causes of cellulite include:
- Sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity;
- Poor nutrition (excess carbohydrates, deficiency of fiber and protein);
- Hormonal disorders and changes (pregnancy, menopause);
- Genetic predisposition to the formation of cellulite in “problem areas”;
- Violation of drinking regime;
- Weight gain;
- Stress;
- Smoking.
Contraindications to wraps
The procedure is prohibited for pregnant women, but it can already be performed during breastfeeding. The main thing is to exclude from the mask all ingredients that can cause allergies and skin irritation.
The main contraindications to clay wraps are:
- gynecological, oncological and cardiovascular diseases;
- varicose veins and thrombophlebitis (for hot wraps);
- unhealed skin damage (scratches, burns, wounds);
- inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- allergy to mask components.
Properties
Clay has gained special love because it contains a great variety of useful substances. Iron, calcium, silicon and magnesium are great for skin problems. Any clay will necessarily contain these elements.
With the help of this substance you can achieve a comprehensive positive effect on the skin.
- Clay compositions absorb waste and toxins well. Experts have long found out that it copes with substances unnecessary to the body even better than activated carbon. That is, we can conclude that clay allows you to achieve good results not just in smoothing out ugly bumps. The skin becomes younger, tightened, and toned.
- Due to the action of clay, the skin is cleansed. Its effect is similar to a scrub as it removes old cells from the surface. In addition, cellular metabolism is activated.
- During cleaning, the pores open, due to which the active components, like a vacuum cleaner, draw out excess moisture and other unnecessary elements. In addition to cleansing the skin, blood supply to tissues is normalized, circulation improves even in small vessels that are located very close to fatty tissue.
Clay cleanses human skin
Cosmetologists recommend applying clay masks to eliminate various types of skin defects. In addition to masks, you can make clay wraps, take baths with it, use it to cleanse the skin, massage it, and add it to shampoos.
Important ! For best results, you need to learn how to select clay based on the size and nature of the problem at hand.
You can make clay masks to eliminate various skin defects
Progress of the procedure and frequency of its implementation
Let's look at the stages of home wrapping.
Preparing for the procedure.
The wrap is not performed on a full stomach: do it 2 hours after eating. Take a shower and treat your skin with a salt peel or scrub based on coffee grounds. It is also useful to do a light self-massage to improve microcirculation in the tissues of the epidermis.
Applying a mask.
Prepare the mixture and apply it to problem areas or the whole body. Wrap the mask application area with film, wear warm clothes or wrap yourself in a blanket.
While the mask is in effect, you should relax and lie down. Sometimes, to speed up the process of losing weight, women do the opposite: they wear warm clothes over the film applications and play sports. This is not recommended! On the day of the procedure, avoid excessive physical activity.
Important! Before wrapping, perform an allergy test: apply a little product to your wrist or elbow and wait about 5 minutes. If there is no irritation or redness on the skin, the procedure can be performed.
Rinsing and post-procedure care
Carefully remove the film with the remaining dried clay and wash in a warm shower. Afterwards, apply nourishing body lotion or anti-cellulite cream to dry skin.
Plan to eat no earlier than 1.5 hours after the procedure. On the day of the wrap, drink more purified liquid.
How long does the procedure take?
On average, a clay mask is left on the skin for 20 to 50 minutes. Please note that for the first procedure it is better to set the minimum time, and in subsequent sessions gradually increase it.
How to plan a course?
Typically, anti-cellulite wraps are carried out 2-3 times a week. The optimal course duration is 10-15 procedures.
Which wrap to choose - hot or cold
It is preferable to choose hot wraps for weight loss from blue clay. Cold wrap results in reducing body volume are more modest, but the benefits are no less.
A distinctive feature of hot wraps is to retain heat in the treated area and enhance the warming effect of the mixture used. This is achieved by the following points:
- The mixture for the procedure is used warm;
- after applying the mixture to the skin, the treated areas are wrapped in ordinary cling film;
- It is recommended to wear warm clothing or a blanket over the film.
Pros and cons of clay wrapping
After studying online reviews, we came to the following conclusions:
- At home, the wrap works, but slowly. The positive results of the course are influenced by your daily diet, physical activity, use of auxiliary creams, etc.
- Carrying out procedures yourself saves money. Even if you make wraps solely based on clay powder and water, the cost of a home course will ultimately cost about half the cost of one salon procedure.
- You are fully aware of the ingredients in the mask. The absence of synthetic additives is an ideal option for fans of eco-cosmetics.
What are the disadvantages of homemade body wraps?
- The procedure takes a lot of free time and requires concentration. For women burdened with household chores, this option is unlikely to be suitable.
- As the clay dries, it falls off into tiny flakes, staining clothes and furniture. After rinsing, you will have to thoroughly wash both the plumbing fixtures in the bathroom and the floors in the house.
Salon procedure - pros and cons
A salon wrap from an experienced professional is a guarantee that your time and money will not be wasted. When an experienced cosmetologist performs the wrap, all you have to do is relax and enjoy professional body care. At a good spa, you don't have to worry about getting clay on your clothes or floors. In addition, no one will distract you from the process, and the procedure can be supplemented with a massage or scrubbing.
The main disadvantage of salon body wraps is the price of the service. But if this drawback does not bother you, we suggest you look through our catalog of professional cosmetologists from Odessa, Dnepr, Krivoy Rog and other cities.
General recommendations for performing body wraps at home
- A full course of clay wraps includes 10–12 procedures, performed every other day. A repeat series of sessions can be carried out six months later.
- Clay wraps can be cold (the temperature of the composition is equal to room temperature) or hot (the mixture is heated to 36–38 ° C). Depending on the individual characteristics of the body, you may prefer one or another option. If there are no health problems, it is recommended to alternate hot wraps with cold ones.
- When choosing a suitable composition recipe, you should take into account the individual characteristics of the skin and body.
- Before a course of wraps, it is advisable to consult a doctor, especially if you have any chronic diseases.
