Spa Reality: Body Wraps- the Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre

If you are not an avid spa-goer or beauty-browser, the term body wrap may resonate as an ambiguous and invasive saran wrap diet fad promising extreme weight loss from one hour of head-to-toe confinement. This spa nightmare mental image does, however, in no way resemble the truth.

In honor of Spa Week, DiscoverSD.com visited The Spa at The Sporting Club in La Jolla to unveil the spa reality of body wraps--the good, the bad, and the bizarre. Although there is an undeniable multitude of weight loss scams and scares available, a true body wrap is an enchanting hour of beauty at its best.

Spa Week is the superlative resource to a healthy lifestyle, connecting health and beauty enthusiasts with the top spas in all major cities, nationwide. And thanks to Spa Week, DiscoverSD.com has the inside scoop on the top spas in San Diego.

The Spa at The Sporting Club welcomes guests with soft earth tones and gentle design. The Spa is no ordinary San Diego spa; the endearing geometry reflects the modern play on health and beauty. With a plush bathrobe and spa shoes in hand, I was promptly escorted to the guest lounge and locker area. And, after a steam shower and few too many attempts at the digital lock, I was ready for the Rosemary Herbal Wrap.

Paula Irwin, a leading esthetician at The Spa, introduced body wrap ideology and the goals of the treatment in a caring, professional manner. First things first, I discovered saran wrap and dietary tactic are not included in the Rosemary Herbal Wrap. Body wrap treatments at The Spa are intended to exfoliate, cleans, invigorate, and deep condition skin. Easily understood as a body facial, this service is a pleasure, not a punishment. The Spa offers six different body wraps: Sea Salt Body Polish, Island Castaway, Pacific Scalp Escape, Deep Contouring Body Therapy, Island Retreat, and the Rosemary Herbal Wrap.

One of Spa Week's featured spa treatments, the Rosemary Herbal Wrap, restores skin vitality and balance with an organic, botanical mask. The warm wrap and aromatic scent envelop the senses, leaving skin as smooth as silk.

Let's take it from the top:

1. Volcanic clay mask

Undressed in full, Paula respected my privacy by shading contours with an oversized linen. Laying face down on the warmed massage table, Paula rubbed volcanic clay mask on my arms, back, and legs. She then applied the mask to my stomach, arms, and legs, laying face up. (15 minutes)

2. Warm linen wrap

Completely covered in the volcanic clay mask, Paula draped me in warm linens and wrapped me in mylar and thermal blankets. While covered from chest to toes, Paula massaged my neck and scalp with rosemary aromatherapy. (20 minutes)

3. Rosemary restoration

I washed the mask off in a warm, relaxing shower and then returned to the treatment room for the final touch. Paula applied the rosemary after bath treatment as I lied on the warmed table, first face down, then face up. The after bath treatment is 50/50 rosemary restoration lotion that moisturizes and replenishes skin. (15 minutes)

Although I did not lose a "guaranteed 5-12 inches" during the 50 minute treatment, the Rosemary Herbal Body Wrap left my skin and mind alive and enlightened. Without even edging on invasive, the body wrap elevated my skin to a new level of smooth.

To permanently rid your mind of false wrap rumors, try the Rosemary Herbal Body Wrap at The Spa at The Sporting Club for only $50 during San Diego Spa Week, September 17-23, 2007. In need of a facial? Go behind the scenes with a Lavender Fields facial at Bella Tosca Day Spa in Mission Valley, also a participating Spa Week San Diego spa.

For more information on the top spas in San Diego and Spa Week visit spaweek.org.