Dangers of Body Wraps

Millions of adults are obsessed with their weight. This drive to be thin and attractive has a negative backlash, as some people are spending money on weight-loss products and procedures that seduce with the promise of instant gratification. One of these procedures is the body wrap, a spa-like treatment that promises dramatic loss of inches with a single session. Such a concept, especially with no dieting and exercise required, seems too good to be true. Unfortunately, many consumer watchdogs and health officials say that is exactly the case. Some people feel that body wrapping is not only frivolous, but also quite dangerous.

Dehydration

• When you undergo a body wrap, you are bound from chest to legs with elastic bandages. These bandages are sometimes soaked with herbal mixtures, muds or other concoctions advertised to promote weight loss and body detoxification. Once wrapped tightly in these bandages, you are then put into a nylon suit. In some cases, you are urged to begin some form of physical activity. The bottom line is that these non-aerated trappings promote heat and excessive fluid loss, which can result in dehydration. These conditions can also promote heat-related complications from cramping to heat stroke. In serious cases, this severe fluid loss can cause swelling of the brain (cerebral edema).

Hypovolemic Shock

• In severe dehydration cases, you can be thrown into what is known as hypovolemic shock. This type of shock results from severe loss of blood or other body fluids. The severe fluid loss generates low blood volume and puts extra stress on the heart, making it unable to properly pump blood throughout the body. Hypovolemic shock is one of the most serious symptoms of severe dehydration. If left untreated, it can cause death in just a few minutes.

Restricted Blood Flow

• What people see as "loss of inches" during and after body wraps is usually nothing more than compression of body tissues. The tight bindings of the elastic bandages squeeze the body tissues tightly. This can result in slowing or stopping of capillary blood flow to these tissues. This in turn can result in a shift in the flow of body fluids, forcing them inward. This inward flow of fluids can sometimes surround the internal organs, posing serious health risks.

Economic Repercussions

• Body wraps are generally marketed at places like medical spas and specialty weight-loss salons. Services at such establishments are seldom cheap. What's more, any loss of inches that takes place is temporary and usually attributed to water loss. Once the water returns and/or the body tissues decompress, the procedure will have to be repeated, resulting in more expense.