Full body wraps always seem like the ultimate indulgence when you go on a spa break, but on any other day of the week, suggesting you plaster yourself in algae and lie still in a plastic sheet for an hour would not be most people’s idea of a good time.  So in this week’s Why it Works, Spa Therapist Lilly Shardlow explain’s why Raithwaite Hall’s Enriching Algae Wrap is such a wonderful treat!

What is it?

The Algae Wrap starts with a body scrub to exfoliate the skin, and then we apply warm algae mud all over the body which is a base mud mixed with algae powder, so it’s pretty green!  You are then wrapped in a plastic sheet and towels to keep you nice and warm.  While the mud sets to work for between ten to fifteen minutes, you have a foot and head massage, and after the mud is washed off we apply an enriched oil, serum and butter to nourish the skin.  In total the treatment lasts around eighty minutes.

What is it for?

Because it gets rid of dead skin cells and also layers lots of moisturising products, it is a really good treatment for dull, dry skin – so it’s brilliant for this time of year.  It’s also a good indulgent treat because it is a long treatment that you probably wouldn’t have on a regular basis.  It leaves skin really soft and gives it a bit of a boost!

Why does it work?

The body scrub gets rid of dead skin cells while the mud works to soften the skin.  The algae is filled with vitamins and nutrients and the serum nourishes and protects it – it’s really good for hydrating the skin!

Is there anything you do to get the most from the treatment?

We warm the mud before we apply it because part of the treatment is to help you relax and unwind, and it would be pretty uncomfortable to be covered in cold mud!  It is easy to get cold when you are lying there for a while, so we make sure clients are wrapped up in towels, and we also heat the serums and oils before they are applied.

Is there anything you recommend clients to do post-treatment to get the most out of it?

The treatment is quite self-contained, but we recommend that clients drink plenty of water and keep the products on for as long as possible.  I wouldn’t advise going in the pool straight after the treatment as we layer lots of moisturising products, and it is best to give them time to be absorbed.

Is there anyone you would not recommend the treatment to and why?

The treatment isn’t recommended for pregnant women, and anyone who has had a serious illness or major surgery recently is advised to talk to a therapist prior to the treatment just to make sure it is ok for them.  Of course, if you have particular allergies or skin conditions it is also best to make the therapist aware beforehand just to make sure it’s suitable, or in case particular components can be altered to suit you.