Green thermal clay (Photo: Africa Studio/Shutterstock)
When someone tells me I can lose four to eight inches off my thighs and all I have to do is lay there, well, I’m all ears. So when I first started hearing about Ionithermie cellulite reduction treatments on cruise lines a few years ago, I couldn’t help but pay attention.
It took a few cruises (and a few extra pounds) before I was willing to take the plunge during a Norwegian Jewel cruise in Alaska. Why not? At a promotional price of $159 for the first treatment, it wasn’t crazy expensive. If it actually worked, it would be a bona fide deal. And if he didn’t, my curiosity would at least be satisfied.
What is
The spa claims that Ionithermie, which was created in 1978, detoxifies the body at a cellular level, resulting in healthier, smoother and more toned skin. The treatment works by using seaweed, combined with conductive thermal clay and electrical stimulation. Seaweed contains mineral extracts and essential oils that are natural detoxifiers when applied to the human body. The combination of heated clay and electrical stimulation pushes the detoxifying elements contained in the seaweed deep into the participant’s skin layers and stimulates their lymphatic circulation (our natural cellular waste disposal system), which can lead to a temporary reduction in cellulite and the muscles swell. For more permanent results, up to 10 Ionithermie cellulite reduction treatments are usually recommended.
Seaweed Wrap Spa Treatment (Photo: Tyler Olson/Shutterstock)
Our experience
The treatment started with a skinny 20-something spa therapist explaining the Ionithermie process to me. First they would measure me, then they would sprinkle me with the special algae and clay, wrap me in plastic with electrodes attached to me, and leave me to bake. By the end of this, I would expect to lose an inch from each thigh, maybe. The four to eight inches advertised in the brochure? That comes only after at least three sessions, he said.
An inch isn’t so bad, I thought. I’ll happily take an inch off my thighs without doing 200 squats!
Measuring time: I am not a thin woman. I can barely stand to undress in the privacy of my bedroom all by myself, so standing while the specialist took my measurements was not entirely comfortable… to put it mildly. She was sweet, though, and dealt with the whole thing matter-of-factly – without judgment.
Still, I was glad when it was seaweed time. After my thighs were covered with the green rubber, I stepped onto the table where four electrodes were applied to my legs (two each). Plastic was then wrapped around my legs and the specialist left the room for about 30 minutes.
Now, I had electrical stimulation at the chiropractor’s office, but it didn’t feel like it. Instead of a constant, pleasant hum, the electrodes activated intermittently, causing my leg muscles to tighten. It’s like stretching your muscles and yet doing nothing. It is not painful or uncomfortable. it’s just weird and not relaxing at all.
Thirty minutes later, my Ionithermie therapist returned, removed the electrodes, and rinsed my feet. Then he measured me again. What had I lost from each leg?
Half an inch.
I guess I have to believe her, but my pants weren’t any looser when I put them on, and my thighs definitely didn’t look more toned.
Spa clay (Photo: kazmulka/Shutterstock)
Is it worth a try?
I’m glad I satisfied my curiosity, but I won’t do it again. Perhaps if I had been willing to pay the $200 per treatment for the five or more treatments they suggested, I would have seen a more significant difference.
What I really walked away with wasn’t a magical cure, but the reinforced knowledge that a daily 30 minutes at the gym would do me a lot more good than 30 minutes of squished seaweed.
Things to note
Most cruisers who try Ionithermie will come away with no ill effects, although some may experience mild redness or irritation in the areas that were covered with the algae mixture. However, cruisers with an iodine allergy should skip Ionithermie, as the seaweed commonly used contains iodine.
It’s worth repeating: Don’t expect miraculous results after just one treatment. If you want to see four to eight inches of loss, you’ll need up to 10 treatments — and even then, there are no guarantees.
