About a week ago I saw a
LivingSocial deal for a slimming treatment. I'm always game to try something that's going to make me look and feel slimmer. Who isn't? It was a great price, $49 to help me prep for beach season-IT'S A STEAL! Done!
I've actually done a similar treatment in the past. Before my wedding, I was treated to a full body cleanse wrap that is designed to release all your toxins while tightening your skin. It's a really nice massage and afterwards, they wrap you in plastic, a heated foil blanket and lots and lots of towel. It's meant to sweat out all the impurities. Although, I felt like a burrito, I loved it! And so I thought why not try this slimming treatment.
Today, I went to
Yin Beauty to use my voucher. Upon entry, I was given a form to fill out. "What areas do you want to concentrate on? Options: waist, thighs, abdomen, arms, hips"- I checked all expect arms. As the therapist looked at my sheet, she seemed puzzled. "You have to select one area," she exclaimed.
Oh. I decided on my thighs; inner and back. Seems to be the most difficult area for me to keep it all tight and together no matter how much I exercise.
She goes on to explain how this might be painful.
Painful? She said the treatment is forceful, I should expect swelling, redness and soreness. Also, the oil she is going to use has cayenne pepper in it. I should expect heat and I shouldn't shower for 4-5 hours after the treatment because it may cause stinging from the heat. Finally, after she completes the massage portion, my legs will be wrapped in cellophane and should not be removed for one hour. Which means, I'll have to go home with plastic around my thighs, under my tight jeans. Here we go...
After stripping down to my undies and tank top, I laid on the bed thinking about what the therapist just said;
What did I get myself into???? Swelling? plastic, pepper?? I wanted to look slimmer not be marinated like a chicken!
And that is exactly how I felt.
She rubbed the oil on my legs and kneaded my skin, taking about 25 minutes per leg. I thought to myself, I know exactly how the tsoureki bread I made for Easter felt. As she pounded out the first leg, she explains how I don't have any fat and she's not sure why I am doing this treatment.
Well, that's fantastic news! but too late now! She mentioned how it's normally painful for people who have fat. Lucky me because the treatment felt great! She moved from my none fat left leg to my right leg, where she happened to find a pocket of fat cell.
OH NO! Where did that come from? But have no fear, she smoothed that out instantly and it was gone.
Every so often she peeked out to ask someone about a machine.
Hmm what type of machine?
Moments later, the machine was in the room and I was still faced down on the table unsure what to expect. I heard a vibration sound and she mutters, "if it's too much let me know."
I felt a small object against my skin moving side by side. Doesn't seem anything too crazy until she lifts her hands and I realize its a vacuum. My skin was being lifted and kneaded at the same time. So after being kneaded like bread and marinated like a chicken; I am now being sucked and pinched like a carpet.
Okay now it just got weird. I wanted to let out a giggle but I felt confused with the pinching going on; should I be laughing or telling her to stop?
Well, I made it this far...
The final step was coming-the cellophane. She asked me to stand and began to wrap each leg with plastic. I caught a glimpse of my legs, smooth and stretched. I like!
I asked her, "So I'm going to put my jeans on and go home with this on?" She looked at me like "duh" and said "yes, no one will see the plastic." That's not my fear, my fear is sweating through my jeans. It's humid out, I have to walk to and from the train and I'm wearing a jacket. This is going to be interesting.
I made it home just fine, uncomfortable, but worth it, without a drop of sweat.
Now, point me to the beach!
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