It Works Body Wraps – But What Does “It” do to Your Health?

I have a few friends who keep posting on Facebook about “It Works” I don’t care whether it works or not. I wouldn’t put these cancer causing agents and toxic ingredients on my skin.

it-works-body-wrapIf you have used “It Works” I suggest you WORK on detoxing what your body has already absorbed!

It never ceases to amaze me how a company will market a product as “All Natural Ingredients” or “Naturally Based” and then when you look at the long ingredient list you find this:

Cream Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glucose, Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 12, Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Urea, Centella asiatica (Hydrocotyl) Leaf Extract, Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Fucus vesiculosus (Bladderwrack) Thalle Extract, Hedera helix (Ivy) Leaf Extract, Equisetum arvense (Horsetail) Leaf/Stem Extract, Ruscus aculeatus (Butchers Broom) Root Extract, Paullinia cupana (Guarana) Seed Extract, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Decyl Oleate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG 7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, TEA-Hydroiodide, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Menthol, Camphor, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, BHT. Limonene, Linalool.

Cloth: Polypropylene / Polyethylene Ingredientes de la Crema: Agua Desionizada, Glucosa, Triglicridos Cprico Caprlicos, Glicerina, Alcohol Denat., Acido Esterico, Alcohol Estearlico, Ceteareth 12, Extracto de Aesculus hippocastanum (Castao de Indias), Urea, Extracto de Centella asiatica (Centella), Extracto de Camellia sinensis (T Verde), Extracto de Fucus vesiculosus (Algas Marinas), Extracto de Hedera helix (Hiedra), Extracto de Equisetum arvense (Cola de Caballo), Extracto de Ruscus aculeatus (Rusco), Extracto de Paullinia cupana (Guaran), Aceite de Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba), Oleato de Decilo, Silicato de Magnesio y Aluminio, PEG 7 Cocoato de Glicerilo, Acetato de Tocoferilo, Hidroyoduro de TEA, Metilsilanol Manuronato, Mentol, Alcanfor, Pantenol, Fenoxietanol, Palmitato de Retinilo, Trietanolamina, Carbmero, Aceite de Rosmarinus officinalis (Romero), Aceite de Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalipto), Caprilil Glicol, Acido Srbico, BHT. Limonene, Linalool. Tela: Polipropileno / Polietileno

Sprinkled in among some dangerous ingredients are a few natural oils and in this case, the bad definitely out ways the good. Whether it works or not, the health risk just isn’t worth the end result!

I wish I had the time to break down all those bad ingredients for you but I only have time for one – BHT.

BHA and BHT

Chemistry of BHA and BHT Food Preservatives

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com Guide

Both BHA and BHT have undergone the additive application and review process required by the US Food and Drug Administration. However, the same chemical properties which make BHA and BHT excellent preservatives may also be implicated in health effects. The oxidative characteristics and/or metabolites of BHA and BHT may contribute to carcinogenicity or tumorigenicity; however the same reactions may combat oxidative stress. There is evidence that certain persons may have difficulty metabolizing BHA and BHT, resulting in health and behavior changes. BHA and BHT may have antiviral and antimicrobial activities. Research is underway concerning the use of BHT in the treatment of herpes simplex and AIDS.

Everyone wants that magic bullet… but at the cost of your health?

I think not!

so skinny

Please don’t allow yourself to be lured into a product by a clever marketing campaign! Read those labels and DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Your health DEPENDS on it!

 

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46 thoughts on “It Works Body Wraps – But What Does “It” do to Your Health?”

  1. Recently I have had 2 ItWorks body wraps on my tummy. I woke up the next day with esophageal spasms to the point that I had to go to the Emergency Room the first time, that was followed by a Barium Swallow Study which confirmed the spasms. Took prilosec for the following weeks and was feeling almost normal again. Last night I did a second body wrap and woke up today with unbearable pain in my chest again, yes esophageal spasms all day, couldn’t getting any food down, the only thing I tried to eat was little bites of fruit (alkaline) that got stuck in my throat and came back up about an hour later. I have an upper GI scope coming up in a few weeks to have a look. I’m just curious, if the catalyst was the body wraps, wonder if it aggravated the acids in my stomach to the point that it caused such bad reflux triggering the problem with my esophagus. Note: My Father does have a spastic esophagus so there is some family history but up until I did the first wrap I had no problem with reflux but now. Dear Lord, it’s like I’m having labor pains under my breast plate.

  2. Last week i tried out a one of the it works body wraps. It left a burning sensation for two days after and a servere rash aswell. I maybe just alergic but dont recomend anyone try this

    1. You are only supposed to leave it on for 45 minutes the first time you wrap just to make sure you are not allergic to it. If it was unbearable in any of that 45 minutes and burning you should have taken it off.

  3. This is not at all accurate there is no BHA or BHT in the wraps AT ALL! If you look on the packaging on the products you will see for yourself! Also the icy hot means it’s working it’s the same Denson Vick vapor rub gives! Before you bash a product know what your talking about! And we never claim the products cure anything or won’t interfere with current medications or conditions and ALWAYS recommend to review ingredients with your doctor! So this is just a hater posting period!

    1. Heather Plude

      I’m sorry you feel this was not accurate – I assure you – BHT is on the list of ingredients. I just checked again. Here is a list of the ingredients by a distributor. http://newlifebodywraps.com/it-works-body-wraps-ingredients

      Also from the ingredient list:

      Triethanolamine: a chemical that can cause asthma to develop in otherwise healthy individuals.

      Panthenol: It can irritate skin and there’s some evidence of skin and immune system toxicity, according to Skin Deep, a cosmetics safety database produced by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a United States environmental group that researches and advocates for better control of toxic chemicals and other concerns.

      Retinyl Palmitate: “Our review of the publicly available data suggests that your completion of this assessment could not be more urgent. The data show that tumors and lesions developed as much as 21 percent more rapidly in lab animals coated in a retinyl palmitate (RP)-laced cream (at concentrations of 0.1 percent to 0.5 percent), compared to control animals treated with an RP-free cream.” http://www.ewg.org/news/news-releases/2010/05/28/ewg-asks-fda-ntp-wind-study-vitamin-sunscreen

      Triethanolamine: A thickener and wetting agent, TEA allows water to flow more freely by reducing the surface tension that holds droplets together. It’s also a precursor chemical for the blistering weapon nitrogen mustard gas.

      Linalool and limonene: known fragrance allergens that can cause skin allergies. Repeated exposure over time increases the chances of an allergic reaction. http://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2014/04/toxic-dreams-crib-mattresses-may-release-risky-fumes

      1. Any time you cite the EWG it would be wise to get at least one other independent confirmation of that information. They are not always the unbiased site that they claim. That being said, I have seen confirmation of the dangers of BHT and BHA in many other sites.

    2. For sure NOT accurate! Funny how some of you will take prescription drugs no problem but bash companies who want only the best for your health. Do your research, this is absolutely not true..you can say it is over and over but no its not!!! Go ahead and take over the counter drugs or prescription..I do my research and ask doctors, I never go off what you people say who only bash because you didn’t come up with this idea first.

      1. I believe you are grossly misinformed- prescription drugs are, in actuality, FAR more safe than supplements due to the fact that all prescription drugs are required by the Food and Drug Administration to undergo nearly 10 years of animal and clinical trials before being released to physicians to prescribe to the public. On the other hand, the FDA unfortunately has no regulation on supplements, which happened to send ~32,000 Americans to the ER in 2014. I urge you, and anyone else reading this, to PLEASE bring your supplements to your primary care PHYSICIAN and discuss whether it is appropriate to incorporate them into your daily HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.

        1. The FDA is an arm of big pharma. Their concern is pushing drugs for the pharmacutical corporations, not in natural, holistic treatments. Do your research on the FDA, they are not the consumers friend!

      2. Ha- want on the best for our health??!!! This company is a ponzi scheme who solely want to make money on the insecurities of many by offering a get slim quick campaign in a new way.

    3. Some people obviously have no idea what they are selling. Everyone knows itworks products all have the BHt. I have a friend who attended a wrap party, she got wrapped and 2 hours later winded up in the Hospital with horrible stomach pains, she winded up staying a whole month in the hospital due to some breathing problems this caused her. The dr’s told her the chemicals in thoses wraps caused her the stomach and breathing complications. Sad to say that even after everything that she went through, she decided to use the second wrap she bought. because after she told her sales person what happened to her the salesperson told her it was impossible for it to be linked to these wraps because they are all natural according to her. so she went ahead and did the second wrap and wind it up in the hospital again with the same reactions. Be careful with this itworks products.

      1. Whoever her It Works distributor was was wrong for telling her to try another one. I am an It Works distributor and if someone said that got placed in the hospital after wrapping I would obviously tell them not to do another one since they may be allergic. Secondly its not our wraps fault she got put in the hospital the second time. It’s her fault for not listening the Dr and trying another wrap anyway.

        1. Heather Plude

          Caitlin, she may be wrong for not listening to her doctor, but the fact remains that BHT is dangerous. ” The oxidative characteristics and/or metabolites of BHA and BHT may contribute to carcinogenicity or tumorigenicity; however the same reactions may combat oxidative stress.”

          BHT is and ingredient of these wraps… so it is your wrap’s fault she got put in the hospital… both times.

    4. These products are sold with the intent to make money, specifically by manipulative women who “pretend” to support other women, when in reality all they care about is making big bucks by staying home, pumping out babies and working in their PJ’s. I am approached online by several women trying to sell this stuff, who claim they can help me slim down by wrapping and urge me to become part of their product line so I can help sell and make cash and in return be able to “stay home with my babies”???? How ridiculous and pathetic can they be? I would warn people out there to stay away from this scam!!

      1. First of all don’t be upset you can’t stay home and have to go work at a crap job you hate doing. I’m a stay at home mom and I didn’t “pump” my daughter out while selling It Works. I gave birth (like normal women would say) a whole 2 years before I started selling It works. I also don’t wear my pj’s around all day. I have personally used the wraps and guess what. I haven’t had any problems. Why? Im not allergic to them or have a history of flare ups in my family like everyone on here is bashing about. On another note I have lost weight from our wraps, I lost my saggy pouch I had gained after I “pumping” out my daughter. You can call it pathetic all you want, but guess what. I still get paid.

        1. Heather Plude

          I have nothing against working from home. I work from home. It is only when a product that is dangerous and is promoted as all natural when it is not and it is actually harming people… that I get offended by the marketing. We all need to eat. We all have the same basic needs. Wanting to be skinny is one thing, but there are other ways to lose weight without adding to toxins to our bodies and risking our lives.

          1. Can you do articles on some of the other It Works products I would like to see those as well

  4. this is a great article with awesome points. I’m on the fence of selling them…BUT I can’t get over the horrible ingredients in some of the products…mostly the wraps. I am someone who prides themselves on honesty and integrity of information to my friends and clients. I have had HORRIBLE experience with some supplements…to the point I didnt have a period for over 8 years….. and major metabolic damage along with that. THE ONLY thing that makes me justify some of selling it IS …people are buying it anyway…at least I could inform more people about what they are getting and they could make the decsion themselves…..I am with you…I work VERY hard to use all organic items on my skin and no chemicals in my home (to clean with I use norwex….and I use coconut oil as lotion etc…)…..I just can’t get my mind past the bad ingredients in the wraps…I do in fact know they visually work….BUT where are the long term studies…..like the internal stuff…what’s it doing to the liver, kidney etc……

    1. Hi Pam, I think you would love the company Ava Anderson NonToxic. Check them out. A truly non-toxic company and you can sell without feeling guilty while educating women/families on the dangers of toxic chemicals in everyday products. 🙂 I love working for them and it has been an eye opener for sure! Good Luck! – Andi

      1. I was just taking another look at Ava Anderson products the other day. Great product line. Very non-toxic. Keep up the good work – spreading the word about non-toxic options for personal products!

    2. Hi there! I am 100% with you! I started my own research and came across a certified organic skin care line that I love, and that is a carbon NEGATIVE company! It’s so wacky to me that women will go out and buy these wraps thinking they’re cheaper even though they may be seriously jeopardizing their health and won’t spend a bit more money for certified organic skin care items and vitamins! If you’re interested you can check out what I’m talking about as I became a rep for this company because I want to educate others and help others on their health journey. http://www.miessence.com/organicmama

  5. Kelly, you did NOT go to the hospital because of the wrap. That’s absolutely absurd.

    Again just another article to bash companies. This company wouldn’t be a billion dollar company if it didn’t work!!! Go ahead and bash and say your crazy absurd lies..but non of this is true.

    1. Just had to say… The company is NOT a billion dollar company because it actually works. Pun totally intended. They are a billion dollar company because at least 400 of my friends sell that trash…. Well life is a game of numbers. Just like Walmart, it’s all about volume. We all know Walmart is a 267 billion dollar company…. Yet, they give less than 2 shits about anyone except dead presidents. Educate yourself sweetheart!

    2. I wonder Stacy Bishop and ITWORKS GIRL where your evidence is…. Heather Plude has documented and backed up the source of her claims while others have direct health incidents confirmed by doctors… I’m much more inclined to believe a medical professional than a girl who just says that everyone is bashing the company and their claims are all false. For what reason exactly would people come online to bash the company? For simple entertainment or out of boredom they just thought they’d pick a company and make false claims? Sounds like you either use the products and don’t want to hear that you are throwing your money away on a dangerous product or more likely sell them and stand by your claims as you have a profitable claim in all of this. Clearly any claims by ITWORKSGIRL cannot be relied on as she is obviously cashing in on the scheme. Can either of you provide an ingredients list that shows that these wraps are “all natural ingredients” or have any other sources to back up your claims? There are numerous women who claim to have had serious medical issues after using the wraps. After they spent their money, don’t you think they would rather the product work and be happy with their purchase? Why would they make up unfounded claims of complications? Just because a company has made billions, doesn’t mean their product is safe. Just means they have a good marketing strategy.

  6. I did my first wrap Saturday morning. I was really excited. But a few hours later I had a fever, sore throat, nausea and I feel so tired. It’s now Monday morning and the symptoms have not gone away. I don’t know if it’s the toxins or what but I have been looking at a lot of pages where people complained it made them really sick. I’m throwing the other 3 wraps away. It’s not worth feeling sick over.

  7. Heather Plude

    Some more info on BHT(click on the link to follow the references):
    Long-term exposure to high doses of BHT is toxic in mice and rats, causing liver, thyroid and kidney problems and affecting lung function and blood coagulation [4]. BHT can act as a tumour promoter in certain situations [5]. Limited evidence suggests that high doses of BHT may mimic estrogen [6], the primary female sex hormone, and prevent expression of male sex hormones [7], resulting in adverse reproductive affects.
    http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—bha-and-bhti/

  8. Somebody needs to STOP these women from selling these dangerous products like hot cakes by manipulating other women into buying them They women claim to be “helping other women” when in reality all they want to do is stay home and rip off our pockets- They even have a group called “Get Toned Without Exercise” on facebook which should be STOPPED!!!

  9. Interesting enough BHT and BHA are included in cereal, bread, crackers other snack foods, gum, make up, lotions and probably a ton of other products. People don’t freak out about the same ingredients being in those products we actually consume? Just saying …

  10. Even though it is good to warn people in general about these ingredients you failed to mention that these ingredients are used in many many products people use on a regular basis. BHT as well as BHA, like you mentioned are contained in foods we eat and products we use, so unless you are a complete health nut and want to exclude any and all products that contain such ingredients then go for it.

    You are right about BHT And BHA claims, but yet again if they were as dangerous as you make them out to be then we are all doomed because the FDA still allows them to be included in products that many of us use daily without even questioning it (that does not make it right, I know).

    Furthermore you mention Triethanolamine. Well this product is also contained in make up (eye shadow, concealers, foundation, mascara, even sun screen lotion, etc. Lush products also contain Triethanolamine. it is used as an emulsifier and to raise the ph of certain products. Many of the claims you make are valid but you have to put them in perspective and tell people about all the other areas in their life’s where they would encounter the same ingredients and would not question them at all.

    Here is a link to a dermatology review about Triethanolamine
    http://www.thedermreview.com/triethanolamine/ and here is another great review of this ingredient:
    http://personalcaretruth.com/2011/06/a-closer-look-at-triethanolamine-tea/

    In my opinion you are not being forth right on your blog bashing this one particular product (It Works Wraps) that so many people have actually used and achieved great results. No matter what product you try and no matter how many reviews or Dr. approvals a product may have, it can still give some people allergic reactions or in some rare instances cause problems like described in one of the comments above.

    I tried proactive once and my face swelled up like a balloon, turns out I am allergic against the benzoyl peroxide. This type of stuff can happen which is why you try the products and see and if you are overly concerned consult a doctor. The ingredient list is out there for everyone to review and people can always consult with a doctor if they have additional concerns.

    It Works products contain natural ingredients yes …but I have not seen ItWorks claim on any packaging or their website “ALL natural” or “100% natural”, check the ItWorks site and send me the link to one page that states or claims that.

    You always have some people that are misinformed or may misrepresent something but that can happen anywhere. Stop being over analytical about a product you have never tried and pick something like an ingredient to bash a product. You can raise concern in general about the various ingredients and what is said about them but tell the whole story.

    For those who have a problem with direct selling businesses and people working from home (Cara), don’t buy and unfollow them if you don’t like seeing their posts. Many people started out as customers of the product before deciding to sell them. They got to experience what the products do and I am sure if the products would not have worked for them, they would not have signed up to sell them.

    Those people who commented and had such negative things to say about ONE specific product without ever having tried it is interesting to me. I hope Cara has a job where she does not sell or provide a service where she earns a living.

    Any product, service out there is being provided and sold to make a profit. How ridiculous of people to want to earn money, I know 🙂

    Long post sorry….

    1. I guess you can call me a complete health nut… I don’t eat processed foods. I don’t use make-up that contains these products either. Ava Anderson has non-toxic products. Suzanne Somers has come out with a non-toxic product line for make-up. If you must buy from a pharmacy, Physicians Formula has some very good products.

    2. Well, my Nephews wife is a distributor and not over weight. Her desire is to make money. She is naturally skinny and could care less about things pertaining to healthy things. I just hope my nephew isn’t using it because he has heart problems and dehydration can remove electrolytes and effect equilibrium.
      Quick fixes can kill people.

    3. First of all, you can see my name is “Matt” – hence, I am a male that is chiming in on this subject.

      For starters, there is truth the statement that “ALL Natural” and “100% Natural” are not stated exactly as such, however, it is VERY interpretive to see that the following document for “wraps” is shown (3x throughout the document) that there is an implied statement that the wraps are “natural” and that a would-be consumer and user of the wraps should “test” the product for their inability or sensitivity to the “natural” ingredients. You can see in the link provided below (from the “It Works” website) that they clearly reference “natural” 3x times, leading consumers to believe that the product is of natural design and elements. Proven and stated that it is not, however, that doesn’t mean that it cannot be misleading to customers. Out of all of the items listed, without in depth research, I’m sure that the vast majority of the consuming public, have no idea what half, a third, hell, even 1/8th of what these items are or do to your body.

      That said, you may wish to consider, given the nature of the vast amount and variety of chemicals in the wraps, that the wraps are misleading in the fact that they are (for all intensive purposes) considered to be “natural.” I sincerely don’t think that anyone can dispute this simple fact. Am I wrong?

      Additionally, to completely rely upon the FDA to make judgement calls on what we put into our bodies is considered to be “safe” is just an idiotic thing to do! Sorry, but the government has their hands into our agricultural system far far too deep already. They do an “ok” job, but to be completely reliant on an already failed (and continuously failing) system, would simply be a poor choice, by anyone.

      The product has carcinogenic and potentially hypovolemic tendencies and probabilities. There has not been any indication by the company itself to provide proof that these wraps do not cause harmful or potentially lethal issues, up to and including cancers, tumors or anything in between. According to the BBB (thats the better business bureau), the company has not provided “proof positive” and holds no rating with the BBB in regards to this product, or others that it currently sells to the public.

      To make the assumption that people will simply “pop a pill” of over the counter medications is just as ludicrous as the claims of stating that the product isn’t portrayed as being “ALL Natural” – even though its understood that it doesn’t actually STATE that it is “All Natural”, it certainly implies that it is, by the wording it uses. The BBB also states in many cases that the company is very careful in its selection of words and its marketing – which leads me to the next issue.

      This is a MARKETING company – they don’t give a rats you know what about your health… period. I’m not a consumer, nor a distributor of this product. I have no problem with working from home (as I do) and I have no problems with one-to-one marketing or what most know as “network marketing”, but I CAN assure you that the company is nothing more than a very well-oiled marketing company that has deep ties into the emotions and feelings of those that struggle to lose weight.

      Simply put – NOTHING (fast or easy) is ever going to replace that of a meaningful diet and plenty of exercise.

  11. Unfortunately, so many people are looking for a quick fix for weight loss instead of exercise and healthy eating. As long as we keep denying that exercise and healthy diet works, we will keep padding the pockets of these quick fix weightless pushers and deteriorating our health in the process.

  12. Thanks for the article. I help people lose weight and get healthy as a personal trainer and nurse. I’m tired of watching people spend their money on gimmicks that don’t work. The difference between the BHT in the wraps and the other products on the market are that the wraps distributors either don’t know that there’s harmful ingredients in there or they don’t care. It’s up to the consumer to read labels. I use nonGMO vegan certified gluten free (mostly organic when possible) personal care and nutrition through Arbonne. We never claim to be all natural and we don’t do false marketing like the other companies. I just love to get the Information out on hidden toxins! I’m happy for you if the wraps work but I’d be concerned about long term exposure to some of those hidden ingredients…. And why not just watch what you eat and exercise?!

  13. Do you have any more information regarding the other products? I am extremely curious as my sister and many friends sell it these products.

  14. I just recieved mine in the mail,the wraps!
    Just put on my very first one and within maybe 5 mins it was coming off. It burn so bad and my chest got a minor cramp plus a have one in my side… now I’m worry about what might happen, now I’m getting a pain in my stomach… I do Not recommend these.. I don’t give a damn what any seller says, I’m telling you what’s happened after applying 1 wrap.

  15. I was a distributor who sold wraps for a few months. I started to feel sick after putting on a wrap. So I stopped for a while. After about 4 months, I was bloating and decided to wrap again. I had severe pain in my abdomen and under my right rib cage. I went to the ER where they ruled out appendicitis and gall bladder problems. Turns out I have an estrogen dependent tumor on my liver and ovarian cysts. The lady at the top tier of my upline in the company just announced she has breast cancer. I can’t prove anything, but I am suspicious. I had some issues with the greens and had to stop taking that as well. Any inquiries into a connection to the company get shut down quickly. Which further fueled my intention to investigate. My advice? Do your research. Don’t believe what you are told. The salespeaple are being lied to as well.

  16. Stella I Jimenez

    I started to use them and I follow a healthy lifestyle I just wanted to look good for my anniversary and I have so much pain in my lower abs and left side of my back! Cancelled my membership and never using this crap again! Regardless it ingredients I just hated the pain!!! Trash!

  17. To let everybody know those it works body wraps
    Have had the chemicals changed in them because it was causing problems so if you look at the ingredients now they’re not the original ingredients. I was told this by someone Highup in the company who no longer works there. Everyone when they signed up for those wraps signed an agreement that they cannot sue it works

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