Spa Body Wraps and Treatments

One Spa-goer’s Voyage into the World of Body Wraps

Published: Wednesday, February 3rd 2010

in Beauty

Before I could attempt to explain the different types of wraps typically offered at a spa, I thought it would be beneficial to have actually experienced a wrap treatment myself!

I made an appointment at the elegant Oasis Spa on Park Avenue in New York City for a 60-minute seaweed wrap. I had heard this remarkably nourishing treatment would be a perfect remedy for my seriously dry, winter skin.

I found the staff at Oasis wonderfully professional. Additionally, my therapist Jennifer, was quite knowledgeable about the seaweed wrap treatment and its benefits.

She instructed me to lie down in a tub-like/tray-like apparatus in the center of the warmed treatment room and place one towel across my chest and one across my bottom. At my request, she explained exactly what she would be doing during the treatment. First, she used a dry body brush all over my skin, in a circular motion, to remove dead skin cells in order to allow the nutrients in the seaweed to better penetrate. A thorough scrubbing is how most wraps begin, for this very reason. After the exfoliation, she ‘painted’ the warm treatment material all over my body. It was basically seaweed in gel form, along with ocean minerals and essential oils.

Oasis offers two other types of wraps – Rose Clay and Green Clay, good for sensitive skin and oily skin, respectively. The seaweed wrap, however, is the most popular, Jennifer said, especially during winter months because of the benefits to the dehydrated skin and because it is so revitalizing.

Once the treatment product was gently applied with a paintbrush all over my front side, I then flipped over so she could paint my other side. Once completely covered, my therapist wrapped me up, like a pig in a blanket, in a Mylar sheet. This sheet wrap, along with the towels placed on top, kept me warm and cozy while the seaweed permeated my skin for 20 minutes. I was then given a short scalp massage for the first part of the wait time. She stepped out for the remainder, but checked in periodically to make sure I was comfortable.

It was very relaxing to lie there quietly, listening to the mellow spa music, while the seaweed did its job. Once unwrapped, Jennifer used a European Vichy shower – or six-head shower – to wash off the seaweed. This was, hands down, the best part of the treatment. Along with the water spray, which was as hot as I’d like a regular shower to be, Jennifer used a scrub glove to wipe off the seaweed which felt wonderful. I definitely was close to falling asleep.

After my seaweed wrap treatment was done, I sat leisurely in their Relaxation Room sipping on peppermint tea. My skin felt wonderfully smooth and soft and I felt very peaceful. I think that a wrap is mostly a treatment for the results seen and felt on the skin – not just to relax and destress. But, an hour later, as I walked back to my apartment in the cold NYC evening, I definitely felt perkier and invigorated and realized the likely explanation.

Learn More About Different Types of Body Wraps >