London, Nov 1 (IANS): Try seaweed body wraps in a spa for improved skin elasticity and reduction of cellulite.

A seaweed wrap is typically made by combining seaweed with hot water and sometimes essential oils, clay and other skin-loving ingredients. The thick paste is applied and spread over the entire body. Your body is then wrapped in a heated towel, sheet or blanket while the paste is soaked by the skin, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

There are many skin benefits you get from a seaweed body wrap:

* Detoxifies: It helps to eliminate toxins from the body; as it is applied to the body warm, it helps encourage you to sweat. During this process, your body eliminates impurities. These are brought to the surface of the skin and rinsed away when the wrap is washed off.

* Removes dead skin and moisturises: Dead skin is something no one wants lingering around, it makes your skin look dull and stops your body from absorbing moisture. While you sweat during a seaweed wrap, not only are the toxins removed from the body, but the dead skin is loosened as well. The seaweed itself is filled with plenty of proteins, vitamins, minerals and lipis that easily soak into the skin to add moisture.

* Improves skin elasticity and regeneration: Over time, your skin loses the ability to stretch and return to normal -- that's ageing for you. This leads to stretch marks and wrinkles, but seaweed contains antioxidants, essential fatty acids and vitamin A, all of which can help to rebuild the elasticity of the skin. It also makes your skin more supple by increasing blood flow to the surface, regenerates damaged skin cells, produces collagen to firm and tone the skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

* Reduces cellulite and helps tone the skin: Seaweed can help aid the shaping of skin so it's smoother and tighter by direct diffusion of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, if cellulite is a problem, a seaweed wrap may help to reduce the undesirable marks left on the skin.