No matter the season, a slim, trim, “snatched waist” has always been a body goal for many women. For those who refuse to undergo surgical procedures or dislike going to the gym, a new trend has emerged.
If you go to YouTube, you will find several videos of women using Vick’s VapoRub to achieve their body goals. Yes, you read that right. The Vicks VapoRub that you use slather on your chest and throat when you have a cold is being used to shrink waists – overnight! Is that even possible? Well, let’s find out!
What’s In Vick’s VapoRub?
Has the solution for a figure-8 frame been hiding in our medicine cabinets all along? Well, before we get into how Vick’s VapoRub is being used for a snatched waist, let’s find out what’s in it:
The ingredients in Vick’s VapoRub are:
- Camphor – a cough suppressant and topical pain reliever
- Menthol – a cough suppressant and topical pain reliever
- Eucalyptus oil – a cough suppressant
The inactive ingredients in Vick’s VapoRub are:
- Petroleum – an emollient used to soften, moisturize, or as a barrier for skin
- Cedarleaf oil – an astringent and diuretic
- Nutmeg oil – an essential oil that relieves joint pain
- Turpentine oil – a pain reliever and decongestant
- Thymol – an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial compound found in thyme
How is Vick’s VapoRub Used For Slimming The Waist?
The process that women are using to slim their waist with Vick’s VapoRub is really quite simple:
1. Apply the Vick’s VapoRub is applied over the abdomen, sides, and back.
Some apply a homemade mixture of VapoRub, baking soda, rubbing alcohol, and camphor powder.
2. Securely wrap saran wrap around the midsection.
Some just stop after this step.
3. Apply a waist trainer over the saran wrap.
Some exercise with the wrap and waist trainer to work up a sweat while others sleep overnight in the saran wrap and Vick’s VapoRub.
4. Remove the waist trainer and saran wrap.
Once the wrap is removed, women claim to have lost belly fat and inches- in a matter of hours!
Does it Really Work?
So, does slathering Vick’s VapoRub on your midsection and wrapping yourself in saran wrap really make it smaller? Well, the answers are “Yes” and “No”.
If the goal of using Vick’s VapoRub is to slim your waistline by losing water weight, then, it does work. The combination of the Vick’s VapoRub and the wrap causes water to be released by dehydrating the cells in the area. The results are very short-lived though. Once your body is rehydrated, your midsection will quickly return to its original size.
There is nothing in the ingredients of Vick’s VapoRub that burns fat. In fact, there’s nothing that currently exists that you can rub on and the fat will melt away. The makers of Vick’s VapoRub do not support the claims of the product being used for fat or weight loss.
Is It Safe?
Although Vick’s VapoRub doesn’t help to burn any belly fat, you may be considering using it for a temporary fix.
You must remember that whatever you put on your skin, is absorbed. Putting on large quantities of Vick’s VapoRub may cause irritation to your skin. The menthol in Vick’s can cause burning of the skin. That is why some users of the method add more camphor powder, baking soda, and alcohol to dilute the strength.
Repeated use of the tight wrapping being worn for long periods of time can cause damage to your internal organs and restrict your breathing. Therefore, making this regimen a part of your everyday routine is not a good idea.
Better Than Vicks VapoRub.
The healthiest way to reach your snatched waist goals are through proper diet and exercise. This allows for your body to safely burn fat by using it as an energy source. However, there are some other popular non-surgical methods that may create a more lasting result than Vick’s VapoRub:
EMSculpt is an electromagnetic therapy that enlarges your current muscles and make new muscle fibers. This leads to a more contoured body. The FDA has approved this therapy to be used on the abdominal area.
CoolSculpting is an FDA approved technique that utilizes a therapy that freezes fat cells and prevents them from growing back.
When it comes to body goals, all options that don’t involve adopting a healthy lifestyle will give you temporary results. Incorporating a healthy diet and exercise will change your body from the inside out, making your snatched waist a more permanent physical trait. Before you implement any method or technique that will change your physical appearance, do your research and consult with your doctor.