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What is a Body Polish?

Felicia Dye
Felicia Dye

Body polish commonly refers to two things. First, it is often used to describe a beauty technique that involves removing dead skin. Second, the term is sometimes used to refer to beauty products that are used for such a technique.

A body polish can be performed at home or in a spa. When a person does not have anyone in the household to assist, it may be best to have the procedure done at a spa. It can be very difficult, if not impossible, for a person to thoroughly polish certain areas of her body.

Body polish.
Body polish.

The procedure normally involves a person laying flat and having another person polish the back side of her body. Afterward, the same is done to the front side. Upon completion of the body polish, almost the entire body should have been polished. The face and genital areas are likely to be excluded from this treatment.

Once the polishing is done, the person generally rinses herself. This should not be confused with washing. The products used to perform this technique are sometimes called body polish. They may also be called scrubs or exfoliators. Such products generally have some type of abrasive component, such as salt or nut shells mixed with a cream or oil.

Body polish can be used to remove dead skin.
Body polish can be used to remove dead skin.

Rinsing is solely to rid the body of the abrasive particles. A person should try to retain the oils or moisturizing agents contained in the polishing product. After the person has rinsed, she is usually rubbed down with more oil, cream, or lotion. Unlike a massage, which is generally obtained for pleasure or relaxation, there are several benefits to having a body polish. The one most commonly noted is that this technique exfoliates the layers of dead skin.

Removing dead skin is important for a number of reasons. Dead skin tends to make a person’s body look dull and unhealthy. It can also minimize the effects of topical health and beauty products.

Skin that has been polished not only tends to look better, but it also tends to feel better. The skin is likely to feel smoother and softer after a body polish. It is also likely to be more hydrated than before the procedure.

Body polish often includes essential oils for moisturizing purposes.
Body polish often includes essential oils for moisturizing purposes.

Body polishing procedures can remove dirt and oil buildup. It also helps to stimulate the cells to produce fresh, healthy layers of skin. Some people who are supporters of alternative healing believe there are numerous therapeutic benefits to body polishing.

Discussion Comments

zenmaster

@planch -- Oh, it's totally doable. A home body polish is going to be a little different than a spa one just because you have different equipment, but you can still have a really nice experience.

First, set a nice mood for yourself with some candles and soothing music, just like you'd expect to find at a spa. I think it's not nearly as fun to do beauty treatments at home if you don't make the atmosphere.

Next, you take your polish and a back scrubbing brush or loofa. I'd recommend that you take a brief shower beforehand, since polish applies better to damp skin.

Then, you take a gob of polish -- don't skimp! -- and begin to rub it wherever you feel like you need a little skin TLC. Hotspots are the feet, knees and elbows, since the skin tends to be a little rougher there.

Also, be careful not to be too rough, especially on sensitive parts of your body. This is meant to be an enjoyable experience.

After you've done all the areas you can reach, then put some scrub on the back brush or loofa and do your back. Again, be careful of sensitive areas.

Then rinse off in a nice bath or shower, moisturize, and enjoy your fabulously baby soft skin!

Oh, and if you like trillium, you should give organic strawberry body polish a try -- definitely one of my all time favorites!

Planch

Can anybody tell me how to use body polish if you don't have somebody else to rub it in for you? I got this really nice trillium body polish as a present, and I really want to use it, but all the articles I see about body polish mostly talk about somebody else putting it on you.

How do you use body polish by yourself, at home? Surely there's ways that you can do that, right?

Can anybody tell me their tips and techniques for a home body polish?

lightning88

I absolutely adore body polishing. It's even more relaxing than a massage for me, since there's more steps, so I feel more pampered (odd, I know).

The best body polish I ever got was at a little spa in London, where they actually used a fresh sugar cane body polish made on site daily.

I don't know how they did it, but the polish was so great, just the right amount of scrub, but not harsh, if you know what I'm saying. It also helped that when they were rubbing the polish in that they used massage techniques.

After the polish, they let me rinse off in a warm pool that was infused with moisturizers before giving me the final massage.

Talk about heaven! That has got to be one of my favorite lifetime memories right there.

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    • Body polish.
      By: kubais
      Body polish.
    • Body polish can be used to remove dead skin.
      By: Iurii Sokolov
      Body polish can be used to remove dead skin.
    • Body polish often includes essential oils for moisturizing purposes.
      By: Lucie Říhová
      Body polish often includes essential oils for moisturizing purposes.
    • Many spas offer salt-based scrubs and other exfoliating body treatments.
      By: gofasadi
      Many spas offer salt-based scrubs and other exfoliating body treatments.
    • Sugar can be used as an exfoliant in a body polish.
      By: Sergii Moscaliuk
      Sugar can be used as an exfoliant in a body polish.