Did you know that mani-pedi polish isn't the only polish found at a spa? Even though body polish is markedly different from your favorite nail paint, it's still incredibly indulgent and can make you look and feel your best!
No, you're not covering your skin in a coat of varnish. Body polish refers to the process of sloughing off dead cells, essentially "polishing" your skin. Therefore, body polish isn't a thing but a treatment; consider it a rigorous facial for your body. However, specific products are used during the process. Most scrubs contain exfoliating ingredients, many of them natural. You might find coffee grounds, raw sugar, or sea salt. The abrasive compounds are combined nourishing ingredients, such as shea butter, that help soothe the skin after dead cells are removed. Body polishes typically include essential oils as the cherry on top, adding a relaxing element to the treatment.
Body polishing removes dead and dry skin cells, improves cell turnover, and leaves you feeling silky and soft. Cell turnover or rejuvenation is a natural process that your skin regularly goes through to help protect you from outside irritant sand maintain a healthy barrier. When you have a body polishing treatment, cell rejuvenation is encouraged, helping your skin regenerate more quickly. Additionally, the scrubs used in body polishing can help alleviate clogged pores. Dirt, oil, and buildup can be cleared from your pores, benefiting your skin's texture and appearance.
Sloughing off dead skin cells may sound intense, but it can be quite rejuvenating. As your technician works the polish into your skin, they facilitate blood circulation, helping your system to release and remove toxins. The moisturizing ingredients in the polish nourish, hydrate, and soften your outermost layer. In the end, you're left feeling refreshed and relaxed -- inside and out!
Your salon may offer more than one type of body polish treatment. The most popular focuses on exfoliation and rejuvenation. However, you can also choose a tan-optimizing treatment that prepares your skin for a spray tan, a cellulite-reducing polish that specializes in using certain ingredients to improve blood flow or a glow treatment that adds extra oils to leave you positively radiant.
For most body polish treatments, you'll be welcomed into the spa and asked to complete the usual paperwork. Once in your room, your technician will ask you to undress to the point you feel comfortable. Because body polish targets the skin on your body, undressing down to your underwear is often best. But don't worry; your technician will help you remain mostly covered during the treatment.
Then, you'll be asked to lie face down (or face up) on the table while your technician covers you with a sheet. They will then begin working on sections of your body. Body polish isn't applied to dry skin as it can be irritating. The technician will likely use a steamer to open your pores and/or apply a skin oil to prepare the surface for application. Finally, the exfoliating scrub will be gently applied using firm, small circles. Paying attention to particularly rough areas, your technician will polish the half of your body facing upward before asking you to turn over so they can repeat the process.
After your entire body has been polished, the scrub is removed with water. Sometimes your technician can do this in the room with a water vessel and a cloth; in other cases, you may be asked to use a spa shower. Once you've cleaned the product from your skin, you'll return to the table for the last step. Moisturizer will be rubbed all over your freshly exfoliated skin to soothe, nourish, and hydrate.
The moisturizer helps seal in the benefits of the body polishing treatment, which can often last at least a month or more.