1. The Complete Spa Book for Massage Therapists
THALASSOTHERAPY: PRACTICAL LESSON L-7.1

2. SPA THOUGHT
“Every element in seaweed is found within the body in the same proportion. In a very real sense, you are seawater.”
Dan Fryda
President, Spa Technologies

3. SEAWEED BODY WRAPS Completely envelops clients in algae
Sometimes called cocoon or body masque
Not considered heat treatments
No application of heat
Clients still become warm
Body heat trapped by blankets, sheets, etc.

4. WET ROOM TECHNIQUE (WITH VICHY SHOWER)
Vichy shower, not towels, removes product
Product washed from skin – client on table
Plastic wrap protects sheets & blankets
After shower, plastic removed
plastic slipped from beneath while client rolls
or, client steps off table while plastic taken off

5. WET ROOM TECHNIQUE (WITH VICHY SHOWER)
Client covered with drape & steps off table
Washes off product in shower
Therapist removes plastic & prepares table
Client dries off, then returns to table
Treatment completed with lotion application

6. BASIC 6-STEP WRAP PROCEDURE
In wet room or dry room, same procedure:
exfoliate first
apply product
wrap
treat the head or feet while client is wrapped
remove product with shower or towels
apply finishing product

7. SEAWEED BODY WRAP

8. SEAWEED BODY WRAP PROTOCOL
Preparation
layer blanket, towel, sheet, plastic, & draping
mix seaweed if reconstituted
add 6–8 drops of essential oil blend
place seaweed in spa bowl & warm
wring out 4 hand towels & keep hot

9. SEAWEED BODY WRAP PROTOCOL
Procedure
5–10 min. exfoliation (loofah, gloves, or brush)
apply seaweed to back (client sits up or rolls)
apply seaweed left leg (knee up, foot on table)
lower leg to table & wrap in plastic
repeat on right leg
apply seaweed to abdomen & décolleté
breast drape over chest

10. SEAWEED BODY WRAP PROTOCOL
Procedure (cont.)
apply seaweed to right arm, cover in plastic
repeat left arm, cover arm & left side in plastic
flip blanket & bath towel up over client
place bolster beneath knees
wrap 20–25 min – head massage or reflexology
remove product w/ spatula/hot towels
wipe seaweed away starting on left leg

11. SEAWEED BODY WRAP PROTOCOL
Procedure (cont.)
second towel, remove seaweed from left arm/back
tuck plastic under, client lays on clean sheet
repeat last two steps on right side w/ third towel
completely remove plastic wrap from beneath
fourth towel, remove seaweed from abs, décolleté
apply finishing product to skin, front then back

12. SEAWEED BODY WRAP PROTOCOL
Cleanup
dispose of plastic wrap
clean seaweed from spa bowl & spatula
launder towels & sheets
sanitize shower stall floors & all surfaces
properly store & refrigerate seaweed

13. THALASSOTHERAPY BATH

14. THALASSOTHERAPY BATH Applied in bathtub, jetted tub, or hydro tub
Thalasso centers use fresh, warm seawater
Most spas just add sea extracts to water
2–3x/week, 20+ total, 10–25 min., temp increases progressively

15. THALASSOTHERAPY BATHS
Brief exfoliation recommended beforehand
Sometimes add essential oils to mask odor
No rinsing, leaves active ingredients on skin

16. THALASSOTHERAPY BATH PROTOCOL
Preparation
bath mats, non-slip surfaces, towels, ice water, wash cloth, and ingredients within reach
draw bath before client enters the room, temp. average 102°F
therapeutic sea ingredient added to bath while tub is filling or after client has entered room

17. THALASSOTHERAPY BATH PROTOCOL
Procedure
treatment explained to client prior to start
client assisted into tub using Bath Entry Draping Protocol from Chapter 4
explain how to turn the jets on & off
have cold compresses available for forehead

18. THALASSOTHERAPY BATH PROTOCOL
Procedure (cont.)
bath lasts 10–25 min. depending upon client
assist client out of tub, offer robe & water
help client to chair or guide to next treatment
optional finishing product may be applied
seaweed-infused massage oil
emollient lotion
seaweed massage gel
spray with seaweed extracts

19. THALASSOTHERAPY BATH PROTOCOL
Cleanup
sanitize tub after every treatment with a disinfectant spray
floors dried between treatments to maintain a safe environment
towels & washcloths laundered, bowls cleaned, products stored, and room tidied

20. CELLULITE
a normal condition created by deposits of subcutaneous fat within fibrous connective tissues, especially on the thighs, hips, and buttocks, that give a puckered and dimpled appearance to the skin

21. OTHER TERMS FOR “CELLULITE”
orange peel skin
cottage cheese skin
adiposis edematosa
dermopanniculosis deformans
status protrusus cutis
gynoid lipodystrophy

22. CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO CELLULITE
Growing fat cells push against the skin.
Septa harden, holding skin down in spots.
High estrogen levels weaken collagen.
Fluid imbalances worsen cellulite.
Poor microcirculation builds wastes.

23. CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO CELLULITE (CONT.)
Drugs and medications impact cellulite.
Genetic predisposition comes into play.
Poor diet contributes to growth of fat cells.
Inadequate exercise = growth of fat cells.
High stress levels negatively affect hormones, leading to more cellulite.

24. TREATING CELLULITE
No treatment will eliminate cellulite; only temporary reduction in appearance
To look better is an adequate goal.
1–2x/week,10–20 total, proper nutrition, exercise, 2 liters water/day, + home care
Even athletes get cellulite.
Liposuction will not reduce cellulite.

25. HOW SEAWEED TREATMENTS AFFECT CELLULITE
3 main processes:
stretches septa, opens interstitial spaces
promotes local vasodilation
body re-engages natural ability to break
down fat cells, a process known as lipolysis
lipolysis clears fat & excess fluid from superficial areas, improving appearance of the skin

26. STAGES OF CELLULITE
The Nurnberger – Muller scale classifies cellulite into four stages, as follows:
Stage 0: skin pinched – no dimpling
Stage 1: no dimpling when standing, but visible when skin pinched
Stage 2: dimpling visible without pinching when standing, but not when lying down
Stage 3: dimpling visible standing & lying down, with no skin pinching

27. SEAWEED CELLULITE TREATMENT

28. SEAWEED CELLULITE TREATMENT
Many treatment options offered at spas:
laser
ultrasound
mesotherapy
Endermologie®
Many substances have positive effects:
ivy, butcher’s broom, ginkgo biloba, arnica, green tea, sweet clover, horse-chestnut, grapes, and evening primrose, among others

29. SEAWEED CELLULITE TREATMENT
Seaweed most widely applied in spas
Also paraffin wax, which enhances effects
Massage is vigorous and intense.
Hydrotherapy tub can add to effects.
Cellulite treatments can be life-changing.
Therapists can recommend home care.

30. SEAWEED CELLULITE TREATMENT PROTOCOL
Preparation
offer a consultation
option: fill hydrotherapy tub with 102°F water
cut plastic wrap & prepare table layers
4 hand towels in hot water, wring & keep hot
add 6–8 drops essential oil to ¼ cup seaweed
add 4–6 drops of same oil to 1 tbsp of cream

31. SEAWEED CELLULITE TREATMENT PROTOCOL
Procedure
exfoliate target areas w/ dry brush or loofah
option: underwater massage hose 10–15 minutes on target areas
apply seaweed to target areas
wrap client in sheets & blanket; allow to rest for 20 minutes
option: apply short reflexology routine

32. SEAWEED CELLULITE TREATMENT PROTOCOL
Procedure (cont.):
unwrap & remove seaweed
vigorous massage to targeted areas
several long effleurage strokes.
knuckle effleurage long strokes
skin rolling to stretch septa & encourage circulation
finger & hacking tapotement to stimulate circulation
light, lymphatic drainage movements
finish by applying seaweed-based product

33. SEAWEED CELLULITE TREATMENT PROTOCOL
Cleanup
dispose of plastic wrap
clean seaweed from spa bowl & spatula
launder towels & sheets
sanitize floors where clients walk barefoot
properly store & refrigerate any seaweed that has been reconstituted for the treatment
disinfect hydrotherapy tub if one was used

34. SUMMARY You now know: how to perform seaweed wraps
how to perform seaweed baths
how to perform spa cellulite services