Body wraps for body shaping

Natalia Kishchenko, biochemist, pharmacist-cosmetologist, head of the information department of Intercosmetic Group LLC (Ukraine, Kiev)

Local fat deposits lead to an increase in volume and disharmony of body contours. Strict diets and physical activity are usually ineffective in these cases. Such fat deposits are not associated with extra pounds and are found in people with absolutely normal weight. A feature of all local forms of obesity is the relative stability of their volume and shape, which can persist even with significant weight loss. Getting rid of excess fat in problem areas is not easy, and this is due to the physiology of adipose tissue.

The activity of a fat cell (adipocyte) is based on two opposing processes: lipogenesis, that is, the formation of fats, and lipolysis, their breakdown. The regulation of such multidirectional processes is complex and occurs both at the intracellular level and at the level of the entire organism. If the balance of these two mechanisms is disturbed in the direction of lipogenesis, excess fat accumulates in fat cells and their hypertrophy occurs.

Local fat deposits are visible manifestations of cellulite. Like most gradually developing disorders, cellulite begins with poor circulation, which leads to deterioration of microcirculation, increased permeability of vascular walls, and swelling. It is important to keep in mind that the hypodermis has a number of specific features of the microvasculature. If in most tissues each cell is located at a distance of 20–30 μm from the blood capillary, then in the hypodermis this space is minimized and capillaries are located next to almost every adipocyte. The rate of fat accumulation in adipocytes depends on the intensity of blood circulation in adipose tissue: when blood flow accelerates, lipolysis increases, and when blood flow slows down, lipogenesis increases.

The accumulation and removal of fats in adipocytes is regulated through α- and β-adrenergic receptors located on the cell membrane of the adipocyte. Activation of α-receptors stimulates fat synthesis, and β-receptors stimulate lipolysis. Most women have approximately 6 times more α-receptors than β-receptors in the thighs, abdomen, and buttocks. This explains the appearance of local fat deposits in these areas of the body. The maximum number of α-receptors is located in the abdomen, therefore, when excess calories enter the body, it is the abdomen that first receives its share of fat, and then retains it for a long time.

In the adipocyte, the process of formation and accumulation of fat prevails over its destruction, resulting in an increase in cell volume with a constant number of cells.

The development of cellulite is facilitated by changes in connective tissue, leading to the development of stagnation, in which the broken down fat is recaptured by adipocytes and again stored in fat vacuoles. In this regard, the strategy for combating local fat deposits should include not only the activation of lipolysis in adipocytes, but also the restoration of the structure and functions of the surrounding connective tissue and improvement of microcirculation. Adipose tissue is a storage area for toxins that are released when it is destroyed. Establishing evacuation routes and neutralization of toxic products is a task of paramount importance.

In addition, we must not forget about the following important feature of adipose tissue: adipose tissue is one of the main endocrine glands of the body. It secretes many substances, such as leptin, adipoleptin, ameline, etc. When adipose tissue is destroyed in the body, the endocrine balance is disrupted.

Wraps can be used for almost any problem with the figure or skin, varying the preparations

There are many methods for correcting local fat deposits that have both direct and indirect lipolytic effects. In particular, one of the effective and frequently used methods is wraps, the main tasks of which are:

• enhancing blood circulation, eliminating lymph stagnation, strengthening the vascular wall;
• stimulation of lipolysis;
• improvement of skin condition at the level of the epidermis and dermis.

Possibilities of wraps

Wraps are a powerful physiotherapeutic method. This is one of the most common techniques in cosmetology, having both general and unique properties characteristic of certain types of wraps. In general, wraps have a cleansing, detoxifying, tonic, and immunity-enhancing effect on the body. As a result of the wrap, the skin is saturated with minerals, lymphatic drainage processes and blood circulation are activated, and metabolic processes are activated. The range of indications for this procedure is very wide; wraps can be used for almost any problem with the figure or skin, varying the preparations. For wraps, only those formulations are used that contain a high concentration of active ingredients, and therefore have a pronounced therapeutic effect on cellulite areas, local fat deposits and atonic skin. For greater efficiency and better penetration of active ingredients into the hypodermis, wraps are combined with manual massage, which stimulates blood circulation and improves lymph flow in the vessels that drain adipose tissue.

Types of wraps and mechanism of action

Each wrap has its own dominant property and is designed to solve a specific problem. Wraps can be roughly classified according to characteristics such as:

• active ingredients: algae, mud, salt, clay-based, oil, caffeine, alginate, wine, phytotherapeutic, multivitamin, chocolate, honey, green tea, red grape, etc.;
• temperature regime: hot (thermoactive), cold (cryogenic), neutral (isothermal), contrast;
• application area: general, zonal;
• the need to use a shower cabin: flushable and indelible;
• focus: anti-cellulite, draining, detoxifying, lifting, modeling, etc.

The most common types of wraps are described below.

Hot wraps are usually done on the whole body, the optimal temperature is 38 °C. Heat promotes the opening of pores and better penetration of active substances into the skin, which intensively increase blood flow, have a vascular strengthening and drainage effect, remove toxins, and stimulate all metabolic processes. Hot wrap activates the process of lipolysis, the “orange peel” is smoothed, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened, and the figure is sculpted. But thermoactive wraps are not recommended for everyone: they are not recommended for varicose veins, rosacea and other vascular pathologies. If the blood vessels are in poor condition, cold wraps are used.

Cold wraps, on the contrary, are most often carried out for individual areas of the body. They are used as an alternative to hot ones, if there are contraindications, or as an independent procedure. During cold wrapping, the effect of a “game” of blood vessels occurs: first they narrow, then expand, including from reserve capillaries. Cold types of wraps help strengthen the vascular wall, relieve swelling, and activate lipolysis (due to the release of catecholamines). This is a very effective method of treating cellulite.

During the contrast wrap, carried out after the hot one, an algae mask with a cooling effect is applied to the same area of the body. You can combine different types of wraps on different areas: hot - in areas with cellulite (buttocks, thighs, abdomen), and cold - in areas with sagging skin. This helps improve its tone.

Contraindications to all types of wraps will be acute inflammatory and infectious diseases, skin diseases in the acute stage, gynecological diseases, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, problems with lymphatic vessels, pregnancy and menstrual periods.

Algae wraps are one of the most effective methods of treatment, combining the possibilities of local and general effects on metabolism. A course of wraps allows you to improve the condition of the nervous and endocrine systems, on which the balance of lipolysis and lipogenesis and water-salt metabolism depend. Helps reduce signs of cellulite and eliminate stagnation in adipose tissue. Algae wraps activate the breakdown of local fat deposits by stimulating adrenergic receptors in fat cells and support the removal of fluid and toxins. They have a positive effect on the skin and contribute to the health of the body as a whole.

Mud wraps. Mud is a complex natural biochemical complex that has a diverse effect on the body. They contain mineral and organic compounds, vitamins and biogenic stimulants. Mud wraps significantly reduce the appearance of cellulite, have a beneficial effect on blood circulation, the nervous system, metabolism, strengthen connective tissue, and smooth the skin.

Bandage wraps occupy a special place among wrapping procedures. They are simple and easy to use: the body is wrapped in elastic bandages impregnated with a special composition depending on the type of wrap. Bandage wraps have a deep effect on tissues and make them more resistant to various cellulite formations, activate blood circulation in the skin, and due to compression pressure on the skin have a pronounced drainage effect. An important advantage of bandage wrap is its prolonged effect. Substances that enter the skin continue to work after the procedure is completed.

Table. The effects of certain types of wraps on the skin.

Scheme of the wrapping procedure

As a rule, the protocol for the wrapping procedure consists of four stages, although some programs may differ from the given scheme.

• Cleansing and scrubbing. A light massage with a scrub is necessary for deeper and faster penetration of active substances into the epidermis.
• Applying a concentrate conductor (gel or serum), and then the main wrapping product. The body is wrapped in film and, depending on the type of wrap used and the tasks set, the temperature regime in the thermal blanket is set. The duration of the wrap in different techniques is different and varies from 30 to 45 minutes. After the allotted time has passed, the wrapping preparation is washed off in the shower or removed with damp towels.
• The use of active manual massage at the final stage significantly increases the effectiveness of the program. After the procedure, you should refrain from water procedures (shower, bath) for 7–8 hours, since the drugs applied to the skin have a prolonged effect and continue to work for some time.

The type of wraps and the number of procedures are selected individually for each client. Typically, the course consists of 10–15 sessions, conducted 2 times a week, and it is advisable to repeat it twice a year. Maintenance course – once every 2 weeks. The results depend on the severity of fat deposits and the individual reaction of the body.

The most popular component of anti-cellulite cosmetics is brown algae - kelp and fucus

Contraindications to all types of wraps will be acute inflammatory and infectious diseases, skin diseases in the acute stage, gynecological diseases (polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids), tumor processes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, problems with lymphatic vessels and endocrine pathology, pregnancy and menstrual periods . It should be remembered that hot wraps are not used for varicose veins, thrombophlebitis and other vascular diseases.

Active components

There are the following types of active ingredients that are included in wraps:

• substances of lipolytic and enzymatic action: agents that can stimulate the breakdown of fat in adipocytes are considered an essential component of all anti-cellulite drugs. Such properties are possessed by substances that stimulate β-adrenergic receptors (brown algae, guarana, green tea) and inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase (PED) - caffeine, theophylline, theobromine;
• substances with a draining effect: by activating microcirculation, they promote a more active removal of lipolysis products and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Among them are ginkgo biloba, butcher's broom, horse chestnut, hawthorn, mountain arnica, red grapes, troxerutin, bioflavonoids, as well as vitamins A, C, E, PP;
• substances that affect the energy balance - L-carnosine, the amino acid creatine, coenzyme A. But stimulation of lipolysis alone is not enough to achieve a lasting effect, since free fatty acids formed as a result of lipolysis can remain in the same adipose tissue. Therefore, many products contain substances that enhance the efficiency of fat burning in mitochondria;
• strengthening substances that help restore skin tone and elasticity - sea lettuce, Asian centella, witch hazel, vitamins, minerals;
• restorative substances – extracts of horsetail, ivy, echinacea;
• tonic substances - menthol, camphor, horse chestnut, essential oils of eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon.

The most popular component of anti-cellulite cosmetics is brown algae - kelp and fucus. Various types of kelp (Laminaria japonica, L. ochroleuca, L.digitata saccharina) and bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculisis) are used. They contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins A, B, C, D, K, as well as many minerals: zinc, iron, calcium, potassium, iodine, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, phosphorus, magnesium, cobalt, manganese, boron, silicon. Brown algae extracts stimulate β-adrenergic receptors of adipocytes and lipolysis, improve microcirculation, increase skin and vascular tone, and remove toxins. Iodine, contained in algae in an easily digestible form, by normalizing the production of thyroid hormones, leads to the restoration of impaired lipid and water-salt metabolism.

The second most common component is xanthine derivatives: caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, dimethylxanthine, etc. They are used either in pure form or in the form of plant extracts in which they are contained - these are extracts of coffee, cocoa, guarana, cola, tea, mate.

In particular, the effect of xanthines is as follows:

• firstly, they stimulate the processes of fat breakdown, reducing the activity of the phosphodiesterase enzyme, due to which the level of cAMP (cycloadenosine monophosphate) in the adipocyte increases and lipid breakdown processes are activated. Under normal conditions, the level of cAMP remains low, since the enzyme phosphodiesterase controls its concentration, which prevents the activation of lipolysis;
• secondly, xanthines block the process of differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes, preventing the formation of new fat deposits;
• thirdly, xanthines improve subcutaneous microcirculation, which helps remove excess water and broken down fat from the problem area.

This is not a complete list of active substances used in preparations for wraps. A variety of extracts allows you to choose an individual cellulite treatment program.

Conclusion

The search for effective means of correcting local fat deposits is ongoing. The accumulated experience shows that there is no ideal procedure. The development of local fat deposits is complex and is associated with an imbalance of many body systems. This process can only be resisted by combining various techniques, cosmetics, physical exercise, and a balanced diet. Only consistent and constant work on improving the health of the whole body and local areas with signs of cellulite will bring stable and good results.

First published: KOSMETIK international journal, No. 1 (55) / 2014