Published: May 30, 2008 06:29 pm      

BODY WRAPS: Lewiston spa treatment can reduce inches

Instant gratification. It’s something we all strive for but seldom are able to achieve — especially when it comes to our bodies.

But it’s exactly what Margie Mokhiber offers at her Slender Inspirations Cellulite Treatment Inch Loss and Detox Program at D’Amore Salon & Day Spa in Lewiston.

Of the three wraps offered by Mokhiber, two are meant to help women lose inches and get rid of unsightly cellulite.

The Ayurvedic Seaweed Herbal Wrap is for women who want to lose inches, while the Sea Clay with Aloe Vera Herbal Wrap is for those who are already at their weight goal but want to tighten their skin.

But although the wraps might offer instant results, Mokhiber warns that keeping those extra inches off is up to the customer.

“You can’t just go back to your old ways. The wraps work, but I always try to tell my customers about proper nutrition and exercise. The thing is, seeing the instant results is such a motivator, they just want to keep going,” Mokhiber said.

The wraps don’t dehydrate, but instead rid the body of toxins. In fact, Mokhiber urges her customers to drink a lot of water both before and after treatments.

A certified nutritional consultant, Mokhiber knows the importance of proper diet and exercise and said that her wraps are not a substitute for either.

Mokhiber began offering the wraps at D’Amore Salon about a month ago, and business has grown ever since.

“I started in my house trying out different formulas on five of my ‘guinea pig’ friends. It took me a little while to get the formulas right, but now they work perfectly,” Mokhiber said.

One of those friends is Rebecca Dowsey, who was in the salon for her second seaweed wrap in as many days. With her first wrap she lost 7 1/2 inches, and the second took off 5 1/4 inches.

“The wraps are just great. I was one of Margie’s ‘guinea pigs’ and once she got the formula right, it was amazing. You can see the results as soon as the wraps come off — plus your skin feels really soft,” Dowsey said.

The wraps stay on an hour, so customers should plan on staying at the salon for about an hour and half. First-timers take a little longer because they have to fill out a detailed personal information chart. After that, Mokhiber measures the client at several spots over her body so that progress can be charted.

The, it’s on with the wraps, which are actually Ace bandages soaked in a special warm solution before being wrapped completely around the body. Then customers put on a sauna suit and plastic zip-per bags on their feet and wait an hour before the wraps are removed and more measurements are taken.

“When you’re wrapped, you look just like a mummy. The sauna suit keeps you warm because after a while, the solution cools down and you’d be really cold without the suit,” Mokhiber said.

The suit also helps drum up a lot of business.

“When people see my customers out in the salon with those suits on, they ask what’s going on, and that’s how I’ve been getting a lot of new business,” Mokhiber said.

That’s exactly what happened with Lesa Saffen of Youngstown, who was in the salon getting her hair cut when she spotted one of Mokhiber’s suit-clad clients.

Since then, she’s had two seaweed wraps, a week apart, and is pleased with the results.

“After the first wrap, I lost six inches. When I got home and put on my jeans, I could really feel the difference. After that, I was afraid I would regress and put the inches back on, but I didn’t. The wraps just make you feel so good and upbeat, it’s amazing,” Saffen said.

Cheryl Mathes of Lewiston was also in the salon when she spotted one of the clients and decided to try the clay wrap since she didn’t really need to lose inches but wanted to firm up.

The sea clay wraps tighten and tone and can diminish cellulite. But Mathes saw an extra benefit.

“My first wrap, I was lucky and I lost four inches. After that, I didn’t expect to take any more inches off, but so far, I’ve taken off 10 altogether. It’s an added bonus. I’ve been working out, and it also helps with sore muscles. It leaves my skin feeling great,” Mathes said.

Mokhiber said the clay, which is painted on the body before the wraps are applied, tightens the skin while the aloe detoxifies. Clients are also asked to exfoliate with a dry brush, which is available for purchase at the salon, before the treatments and are asked not to shower right before the wrap or six to eight hours afterward. Lotions also should not be used because they clog the pores and inhibit the detoxifying process.

While the wraps offer “instant results,” Mokhiber would like to see all of her clients use them as a jump start to a healthier lifestyle.

“I always try to give people advice on staying fit in the long term, with diet and lifestyle changes. I also tell everyone we have to love ourselves and be realistic about our goals. That’s the most important thing,” Mokhiber said.



IF YOU GO

WHAT: Detoxifying, inch-reducing and firming body wraps

WHERE: Slender Inspirations Cellulite Treatment Inch Loss & Detox Program at D’Amore Salon & Day Spa, 705 Center St., Suite 2, Lewiston.

WHEN: The salon is open from Tuesday through Saturday, with spa services offered Monday by appointment only.

MORE INFORMATION: Call 754-7171.