About Spas in Puerto Vallarta – Part 6 Body Wrap By The PVMirror Staff • Photos by Jesús de Avila • December 2009
Now that we’ve touched upon some of the various types of massages offered to residents and visitors to the Bay of Banderas area, we thought it time to talk a little about wraps.
Obviously, we’re not dealing with the edible type here –though some of them may be-, but rather with those spa treatments designed to slim and tone the body, hydrate, moisturize or firm the skin, cleanse and detoxify, or relax and soothe the muscles.
A body wrap is like a nourishing cocoon, using various products such as soothing oils, muds, creams, algae, etc., and thermal blankets to swathe and warm the body, promoting muscle relaxation and encouraging sweating to flush out toxins.
Some wraps are also thought to relieve tired or heavy legs and aching joints, and ease inflammation.
A wrap treatment may begin with a gentle exfoliation or scrub to slough away any dead skin cells. Also, as body wraps appear to work best when the skin is slightly damp, you may be asked to take a quick shower before the treatment.
After applying a therapeutic solution to your entire body, your therapist will swaddle you in heated bandages or a thermal blanket and leave you to rest. While you lie there, the heat in the cloths will help relax your muscles, open your pores and encourage sweating to flush out toxins, all the while boosting your circulation. Afterwards, when the cloths are removed, the therapist may rub a moisturizer into your newly soft skin.
The solution first applied to your body depends on the treatment you have chosen. Mud, algae, seaweed, herbs, oils and paraffin are common, but honey, rose oil, aloe vera or cucumber are sometimes used as well. Many spas have their own signature body wraps, from the exotic to the just plain edible, yes, like chocolate or red wine.
As wraps mimic the effects of a fever, a cold compress may be placed on your forehead to keep you comfortable.
Depending on the spa, wraps may be combined with other treatments, such as scalp, head, foot and hand massage, skin brushing, Vichy showers, face masques, loofah or salt scrubs and facials.
As mentioned earlier, there are numerous different kinds of wraps, including:
Algae mask or wrap: Warmed algae is applied to your entire body to help nourish and detoxify the skin. The algae comes in the form of a pungent thick paste and might feel odd or even itchy.
Cellulite treatment wrap: Designed to boost circulation and flush out toxins, this wrap targets your cellulite, and focuses on bums, tums and thighs.
Clay wrap: This is similar to a mud wrap. Aromatherapy oils are sometimes mixed with the clay to make it smell good. A clay wrap can feel a bit clammy when it is first applied but soon cocoons you in warmth.
Frigi-thalgo wrap: A cold wrap treatment, designed to control excess fluid in the hip, leg and thigh areas. Frigi-thalgo is thought to be good for attacking cellulite and fluid retention, and provides relief for tired legs. The coldness of the wrap stimulates circulatory changes and might be ideal for kick-starting a diet.
Herbal wrap: Pieces of hot muslin or cloth are soaked in herb-infused oils and layered over your body to form a wrap that nourishes and detoxifies your skin.
Mud wrap: A layer of mud is applied to the skin to detoxify, cleanse and firm. The mud is thought to ease water retention and cleanse the pores by drawing out impurities. A mud wrap has helped many with arthritis, rheumatism and minor skin irritations.
Paraffin wrap: paraffin oil is brushed or rubbed over the body, which is then cocooned in a wrap of some kind. It has a softening and moisturizing effect, thought to reduce muscle and joint aches and soothe symptoms of arthritis. It's a popular winter treatment and great for skin in need of intense moisturizing.
Parafango wrap: "Fango" is the Italian word for mud. This treatment uses a warmed paraffin and mud mixture to create a mini-sauna affect, stimulating the lymphatic flow of the body and drawing out toxins.
Thalasso or seaweed wrap: The body is slathered in warm seaweed and then wrapped up in a heated blanket. The concentration of seawater and seaweed comes in a thick paste, that doesn't always smell great, it must be said, but its effects are palpable and fun – it hydrates and firms the skin, and leaves it tingly fresh.
Afterwards, you should feel better, slimmer, cleansed, relaxed, toned and firmer.
In Puerto Vallarta and the south coast of Riviera Nayarit, you will find myriad spas, small and large, in hotels and private ones, offering wrap treatments by expert technicians, along with their other services. Go ahead, pamper yourself … you deserve it! Email to a friend
Spas Directory
• Day Spa
Cond. Club de Tenis Puesta del Sol
Local 13, Marina Vallarta
Monday to Saturday 7 am to 11 pm •
Sunday 10 am to 11 pm
Phone:221-0176 •
E-mail: cristina@smcdayspa.com
Website: www.smcdayspa.com
• Spa Arroyos Verdes
Camino Viejo al Valle No. 1099
Bucerias, Nayarit
Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6 pm
Sunday by appointment only
Phones: (329) 298-6312 & 6267
E-mail: spa@losarroyosverdes.com
Website: http://www.losarroyosverdes.com/
• Spa Body Time - Therapeutic Medical
185–A PIlitas St. & Amapas No. 147
Col. E. Zapata •
Monday to Sunday 9 am to 10pm
Phone: 222-7429 • Cell.: 322 105-1045
E-mail: bodytimespa@hotmail.com
• Spa Felipe’s - Therapeutic
183 Pilitas St. Upstairs 185-B Col. E. Zapata
Everyday 10 am to 10 pm by Appointment
Services also available in the privacy of your
home or hotel • Cell.: 322 117-2591
E-mail: felipejreyes@hotmail.com
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