This It Works Skinny Wrap review is an August 2024 update to an earlier version from several years ago. The company has since made changes to its product line, product names (i.e., previously just It Works Wraps), and marketing so this latest review will reflect these changes.
- It Works Overview
- Who is It Works?
- Marketing claims
- Skinny Wrap Ingredients
- Scientific research vs testimonials
- Evaluation of product claims
- Safety
- Where is Skinny Wrap sold?
- How much does Skinny Wrap cost?
- Autoship vs. one-off purchase (Caution)
- Is there a money-back guarantee?
- Skinny Wrap refund policy
- Consumer complaints
- Company address and contact details
- Want to become an It Works distributor?
- Take home message
It Works Overview
The It Works website claims Skinny Wrap can “tighten, tone, and firm” your body by minimising the appearance of cellulite and improving skin texture and tightness, all in a space of 45 minutes.
This sounds great, but is there any evidence that the product can deliver?
Will these wraps give you the body of your dreams? Will they cause weight loss?
When it comes to “results,” you must consider your own personal expectations against any real effects the product may have.
Therefore, the purpose of this review is to evaluate Skinny Wrap marketing claims against the science of what is physiologically plausible.
Who is It Works?
It Works is a multi-level marketing company that sells its body wraps (and Fat Fighter supplements) by independent distributors (i.e., “wrapreneurs” – entrepreneurs that sell body wraps).
Like most MLM products, the idea is simple enough: sell wraps, get your friends to join as distributors, and make money from ongoing downline sales.
What’s in the package?
Previously, It Works wraps were sold as a three-part package including the applicator, wrap, and defining gel. However, it appears that Skinny Wrap and the defining gel are now sold separately.
Product literature advises users to apply the Ultimate Body Applicator to different parts of the body (see image) and then wrap with “Fab Wrap” to hold the applicator in place for the 45 minute duration.
Users are instructed to reapply the product after three days (72 hours).
As of 2024, there are now only three Skinny Wraps per pack (down from four) so you have about 9 days worth of product if you were looking to use them consecutively.
Marketing claims
As stated above, the company makes a number of marketing claims mostly centered about potential changes you might experience in your physical appearance, stating that you can “expect ultimate results” (whatever that means).
Specifically, the company states Skinny Wrap can:
- Tighten and tone problem areas “resistant to diet and exercise”
- Improve skin texture to appear firmer, smoother, softer
- Show results in 45 minutes
- Give progressive results over 72 hours
- Deliver visible, reliable results that progress with continued use
I note from earlier marketing, they’ve now removed the “cellulite” buzzword in favor of “enhances skin texture to appear firmer, smoother, softer.”
Skinny Wrap Ingredients
The Skinny Wrap ingredients list has been updated from earlier iterations of the product, but many of the key active ingredients remain the same.
Unless you’re a qualified botanist or organic chemist, you’re probably going to have a pretty rough time trying to pronounce the names (i.e., Aesculus hippocastanum, Equisetum arvense, and methylsilanol mannuronate).
But what are these ingredients and what the heck do they actually do?
I sat down and looked up each of these ingredients and, when taken as a whole, they exert a number of effects on the body that will cause temporary cosmetic skin tightening, moisturisation, and a bit of sweating (helped along by the physical presence of a barrier between your skin and the atmosphere.
If this sounds familiar to those thigh creams from several years ago, you’d be right.
They also use similar ingredients with similar effects but, as is the case with Skinny Wrap, they are only able to induce a temporary cosmetic change in the skin, but do not cause fat or weight loss.
All natural ingredients?
It Works advertising emphasises that its products contain all “natural ingredients.”
This is true, some of the ingredients are as natural, as if they came out of the ground or of the tree.
But there are other ingredients such as PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate which, according to Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website, is a synthetic polymer derived from coconut oil.
It is used as a skin conditioning agent, emollient, and surfactant/emulsifying agent (helping ingredients mix together).
They also add that “due to the presence of PEG, this ingredient may contain potentially toxic manufacturing impurities such as 1,4-dioxane” (sorry to all my tree-hugging hippie friends for ruining all the fun!).
Having said that, I have studied organic chemistry and I know that many of these chemical-ish sounding names are not as scary as they look.
Plus, to be absolutely fair, the relatively small amounts found in the wraps probably won’t do much harm (see my discussion below on adverse reactions).
Also, if you’re tempted by “all natural detox teas,” don’t touch them until you’ve read my reviews on Iaso Detox Tea, SkinnyMint Teatox, Skinny Teatox , and Fit Tea.
Scientific research vs testimonials
To my knowledge, no scientific studies have been conducted on Skinny Wrap (but I’m happy to consider them if they exist).
While It Works doesn’t claim there are any studies, they seem to be more fixated on highlighting testimonials.
The only thing about testimonials is that “results” can mean virtually anything to anyone, and there is no way to determine if “results” were due to the product or the person dieting and exercising.
Carefully controlled studies would define an outcome to be measured and then use experiments to determine if any results were due to the product or other factors.
Evaluation of product claims
Does Skinny Wrap really work?
As I stated in a previous article on body wraps, whether or not It Works wraps actually “work” depends on your individual expectations and definition of “works.”
There are numerous mixed reviews across the internet, with some users saying the product did nothing for them and others shouting from the roof tops that the wraps are the best thing since sliced gluten-free, sugar-free, fat-free, organic paleo bread.
However, there are a large number of distributor promotional “review” sites, videos, and social media pages, so you must be careful when taking on board their testimonials given their vested financial interest in selling the product.
This is not to say they don’t believe what they’re saying, but it is something to keep in mind.
Expectations: Weight / fat loss vs. skin tightening
In looking at numerous user reviews across different websites, there are a lot of people who bought Skinny Wrap for weight loss.
But here’s where I smack you in the face with a wet fish of reality. When it comes to body wraps, you need to check your expectations at the door.
Skinny Wrap DOES NOT BURN FAT. And the company even says it’s a cosmetic product that must be used with diet and exercise.
Still with me?
Most slimming product companies have smart enough lawyers that keep them from making overtly false claims.
In this case, It Works did NOT overstep the bounds of legality and nowhere did they specifically state that their wraps will cause “weight loss” or “fat loss.”
In fact, the company even states in its literature:
While results from the Ultimate Body Applicator are lasting, you can counteract the results from the Ultimate Body Applicator by eating poorly and not regularly exercising (as is true with any weight loss or body contouring results).
The bottom line: It Works and other similar thigh slimming creams do not cause, or claim to cause, fat or weight loss.
Does Skinny Wrap reduce cellulite?
Previous iterations of this product clamed that Skinny Wrap could reduce the appearance of cellulite. But as of August 2024, the word cellulite appears to have been removed and replaced with “Enhances skin texture to appear firmer, smoother, and softly contoured.”
Because the product exerts a temporary cosmetic skin tightening effect, it could plausibly reduce the appearance of cellulite, but this is not the same effect as doing exercise and eating healthier to lose stored body fat.
How long do the results last?
It works recommends using Skinny Wrap “every 72 hours for continuous and progressive results,” but doesn’t state how they determined this recommendation.
- Exactly how long do the results last?
- Is it always 72 hours as stated on the website?
- Is this number based on research or anecdotal experience?
- Is this consistent for most people?
The Skinny Wrap fine print
It Works provides the following fine print after its claims:
These results may only occur when the participant utilizes a combination of the following: the Skinny Wrap®, exercise, and a healthy diet. Results are not permanent.
In other words, any temporary cosmetic changes to your body will return to their pre-wrap status, but any weight loss will likely be attributed to your improved diet and exercise.
Safety
In all fairness, there does not appear to be anything in Skinny Wrap that will do any overt harm to you.
But given the massive ingredient list (40 different plant extracts, oils, alcohols, and chemicals), there is always the risk of an allergic skin reaction.
There have been reports of allergic reactions on review sites, but no stack of dead bodies from what I could find.
If you have sensitive skin and find you’re generally susceptible to cosmetics, then you should stop using the product if you have a reaction.
Where is Skinny Wrap sold?
It Works wraps are mainly sold in the United States, but it also appears to be popular in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australasia.
How much does Skinny Wrap cost?
According to the official It Works website, a Skinny Wrap 3-pack will cost you $74 USD, with a discounted rate of $55 USD for becoming a Perks Member (for a one-time $34.99 fee), or $55 and no joining fee if you agree to a monthly subscription.
If you become an It Works distributor, then you get a 30% discount on all one-time purchases during your enrollment.
Autoship vs. one-off purchase (Caution)
There have been a number of online consumer complaints on the Better Business Bureau website about products being auto-shipped against the customers’ wishes.
Looking at It Works’ responses to these complaints, it appears people did not read the fine print and found themselves on the short end of the stick.
There are two different ways to become a Loyal Customer:
- You can make a three consecutive month minimum commitment to a monthly auto-shipment order.
- You can enroll by making a $50 Membership Fee payment and placing a single order for product.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
In a word: no.
The company makes no guarantees that the wraps work.
This basically means that once you try the product and it doesn’t work for you (or at least not to your expectations), then it’s sorry Charlie, no refund, better luck next time.
Here is the passage from the company’s program rules:
- It Works! products produce different results for different people and It Works! does not guarantee specific results nor offer a money back guarantee. Customers should follow the directions with each product received.
Skinny Wrap refund policy
It Works does allow for a refund ONLY IF the product is unopened and unused.
So to leave this in no uncertain terms, there is no product guarantee and you cannot get your money back if you’ve opened your product, tried it, and didn’t experience the desired results (a bit of a catch 22).
According to the company’s program rules:
- To receive a refund, all products must be post-marked within thirty (30) days of the ship date and all items must be in an unopened, “new” condition. The customer is responsible for all return shipping costs.
If you’re an It Works distributor and you want to terminate your relationship with the company, then you can return any unused / unopened products for a refund.
Consumer complaints
As of August 2024, It Works has a C+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (a 1.99 out of 5 star rating).This is down from its previous B+ rating in 2019.
At that time, there were 488 complaints addressed by the Bureau over the past three years. As of 2024, this number is down to 97 complaints addressed over the previous three years. Though it is not known if this is due to a reduction in complaints for a drop in purchases since its initial explosion in popularity at the time.
Company address and contact details
If you are scouring various sites trying to get a hold of the company, I managed to do most of the leg work for you. You can try some of the following addresses and phone numbers below.
It Works Corporate Office Address
5325 State Road 64 East
Bradenton, FL 34208
It Works! Customer Service Team
908 Riverside Drive
Palmetto, FL 34221
US/Canada Customer Service Hours:
Monday – Friday 6:30 a.m. ET – 8:00 p.m. CT (GMT-6:00)
Saturday – Sunday 8:30 a.m. ET – 5:00 p.m. CT (GMT-6:00)
US/Canada Customer Service Numbers:
US Loyal Customers: 1-(800) 537-2395 or 1-786-706-1095
US Distributors: 1-952-540-5700 Canada: 1-855-560-1020
International Customer Service Hours:
Monday – Friday 6:30 a.m. ET – 11: 00 p.m. CT (GMT-6:00)
Saturday – Sunday 8:30 a.m. ET – 5:00 p.m. ET (GMT-6:00)
International Customer Service Numbers:
Australia: 1 (800) 750-398
United Kingdom: 0-(800) 098-8925
Belgium: +32-78480292
Canada: 1-855-560-1020
Ireland: 1-800-948-639
Netherlands: +31-858880101
Sweden: +46-770791808
Want to become an It Works distributor?
If you’re more interested in selling the wraps, be sure to do your homework.
You can view the It Works distributor legal terms and conditions here.
According to the website, you can start your own business for $99 and potentially earn an average monthly income of $304.
They state: In 2022, 95.50 % of all Distributors (active and inactive) received income from It Works! and 4.50 % of all Distributors received no income at all. The average monthly income for all Distributors (active and inactive) was $304.
Take home message
In closing, here are a few key points to bear in mind:
- Whether or not Skinny Wrap “works” really depends on your own expectations and how you interpret their marketing claims.
- Marketing claims are much more subdued in 2024 compared to previous years (i.e., the removal of the word “cellulite.” There is still some ambiguity in phrasing which could be interpreted differently in consumers’ minds based on their expectations.
- Skinny Wrap is not a weight loss product. It’s a cosmetic product that might temporarily change your appearance. If you want to lose weight, you’ll need to change your diet and exercise habits. I’d like the company to be a bit more deliberate and explicit with stating this on the website.
- Skinny Wrap ingredients are likely safe for most people, spare the potential for a few localised allergic skin reactions.
- Consumers should be aware there is no product guarantee and refunds will not be issued for used products (only unused, unopened products). So if you’ve tried it and it didn’t work, tough luck.
- If you don’t want your credit card to be automatically charged for auto-shipped products, you need to be deliberate in following the company’s terms and conditions to the letter.
In closing, I’d simply suggest that you fully educate yourself on the pros and cons of Skinny Wrap to ensure you make an educated purchase.
While I understand that you probably don’t have any body fat, I don’t quite understand why you just don’t try it for yourself and see if It Works does anything for you. I am a stay-at-home mom and when I’m at home cleaning the house or doing laundry all day, I will put one of the wraps on. I do not know what makes it work or why, but I find that it does tighten my mid-section and gives me a more slender look. Yes, this is temporary but so is weight loss. So if your readers have an event or special occasion they want to look good, it’s an immediate fix that makes your dieting efforts look a little more pronounced. I am not a distributor and have found the results listed on the product to be accurate with my own experience.
It’s a cosmetic change, not a physiological change that results in any lasting change. The implications for many people are that when they buy these types of products, they have an expectation that it’s going to help them lose fat. Wishful shrinking.
It’s called water weight and that’s all it Works is releasing. As soon as you have your afternoon diet Coke you’ll be back to square 1.
The wraps are not water or weight loss.
Perhaps you should disclose that you are also an It Works distributor.
Weight-loss is not temporary when you actually make life changes, like actually changing the way you are eating on a regular basis, or constantly moving and exercising.
So, you can’t compare the two the same way. This product is still just a simple fix that you are repeatedly wasting your money on when you could be eating differently or being more active instead.
People always want an expensive, quick fix instead of having to put in the hard, physical work, and that’s what this ridiculous product is offering. That’s why a lot of people will swear by it, but the moment you stop using the products, it’s going to come back. It’s just temporary. It’s not a life change.
So, that’s why I, myself, will not waste my $100 on a product that will give a possible temporary fix.
Does that help you understand why people don’t want to try it? It’s because we’re not gullible, or because we would rather invest our money into more important things in our lives. Like, eating healthier foods, exercise equipment, gyms, etc. etc..
This guy doesnt know what hes talking about, It Works is the best thing ever. I get to pretend to lose weight, pretend my co-workers are my soulmates, and lie to friends and family on the internet. Whats not to love. I love having an extra 100 bucks a month that I will brag about endlessly on social media to friends who make significantly more than I do. The best part…taking 2 photos of myself and pretending that they are different and proof as to the utility of the products. Kill me now
John, you’re a man that speaks my language, only much more eloquent than me!
@John, lmao, love this. Dr Bill, I would have to agree.
Bill, do you think there is a place for these wraps in tightening the skin while losing weight the old fashioned way. I am older so my skin isn’t going to bounce back like it used to so I was hoping the wraps might help in that way.
Hi Jo,
Thank you for your question. The wraps might cause a temporary cosmetic tightening of the skin but unlikely anything sustainable over the long-term. You could try out the wraps and see how you go. Hope this helps. Cheers, Bill
The wraps work. They work anywhere you put them. Not only do the wraps work, but the whole line of supplements work. They are expensive, but anything quality is not
cheap. One wrap is a treat. Four wraps is a treatment. When used with the defining gel AND a healthy diet and exercise (which most people are not willing to do with or without a wrap), an individual should see amazing results. I say amazing because I am doing the regimen right now and it’s amazing. Granted, I work out daily, drink only water (and black coffee and take a greens supplement with 42 herbs and vegetables), and eat a balanced, healthy diet. It Works if the individual helps it work. Try them for yourself, or any one of the products.
The above comment is an example of an It Works distributor trying to work on media spin around the product. I did a bit of investigating based on the commenter’s IP address and was able to discern that she was from Alabama and is actively promoting the product as a distributor (as you can see in these screenshots below). This comment is a classic case of confusing cause and effect with coincidence. If you use the wraps while working out daily, drinking lots of water, and eating a healthy diet, then you might fool yourself into thinking the wraps caused the weight loss when, in fact, it was actually the lifestyle changes that were responsible. Sure, the wraps might have a temporary cosmetic effect, but the reality is that the wraps themselves do not cause fat loss (which is what many consumers are actually looking for). To claim the wraps cause fat loss would be making false claims, so the wording in the marketing goes just far enough so that consumers might draw the conclusion that it will cause weight loss. Technically legal, but not necessarily ethical. Buyer beware of online reviews and testimonials.
Oh, Dr. Bill. I love that you followed up and showed that Ms. Collier has a vested interest in giving ItWorks! a positive review instead of just calling her an idiot. Why are there not more sane people on the internet?!? Thank you for your honest review. 🙂
Hi Marilyn,
I think many people genuinely believe what they’re promoting, but instead of just calling them “wrong,” I simply think they are mistaken and/or misguided. I’m sure Ms Collier is a nice person and I have no personal issues against her. She was clearly working hard and making lifestyle changes which would have a much more pronounced effect on her health, well-being, and body weight. It Works wraps would just be a cosmetic thing that people might give too much credit to, and not as much credit to their efforts. I’ve seen a lot of this sort of thing over the past couple decades, but the internet, social media in particular, has really sent quackery into the stratosphere. Thanks for taking the time to visit. Kind regards, Bill
*grabs Skinny gluten-free popcorn*
Thanks for the review!
About the Amazon reviews that you posted…the reviews are for the seller, not the product itself…one of the reviews said that the wraps were all dried up…another said that the wraps had expired…in fact, a lot of the reviews were along those lines…and I don’t have a dog in this fight! I do agree with a lot of what you are saying… I did try a wrap last night for the first time…I did see instant results that have lasted so far…if nothing else, it’s a nice quick fix…I’m not overweight by any means, so for me it’s more of a skin tightening thing…regardless of if it lasts long term, I can get it on eBay for $15, so it is absolutely worth it to have a firm belly to take to the beach this weekend!!!
I hear the beaches in Decatur, Alabama are nice this year. Enjoy! Thanks for sharing your views.
There aren’t any beaches in Decatur, but thanks! Update: my belly is not quite as firm as yesterday….
I tried it works wraps and didn’t lose any weight at all. I did them exacly as instructed but didn’t get any results. I think it works is a complete scam.
Hi Sheryl,
Thanks for sharing your comment. As I pointed out in my article, It Works wraps are not meant to cause weight loss but more so just cosmetic changes that will not last. Your disappointment is, unfortunately, a result of your expectations about the product. You can’t melt fat away through the skin as much as we’d all like to believe we can. When it comes to products like It Works, it’s very much a case of buyer beware. Kind regards
I tried the body wraps to lose weight at home because I was getting self conscious about having gained alot of weight after my second child. The gym was too intimidating so I bought the wraps to do them in private. I felt slimmer but I didn’t see much in teh way of weight loss on my bathroom scale. I guess theres no way around having to do the hard work!
The wraps are not a way to lose fat! YES, I WAS a distributor; however I am NOT anymore and if you Google anymore information about me to further your own quackery you obviously have too much time vested in proving something doesn’t work that you have not actually tried yourself (or have you?). I DONT CARE IF NO ONE HERE TRIES A WRAP, A SUPPLEMENT OR ANY OTHER IT WORKS PRODUCT EVEN IF I WAS STILL A DISTRIBUTOR! WHAT YOU DID IS RUDE AND BORDERLINE CREEPY!! WAY MORE CRIMINAL AND MISLEADING THAN SELLING PRODUCTS WHICH IS NOT CRIMINAL. AND WHOEVER CALLED ME AN IDIOT LOOK IN THE MIRROR BECUASE THAT IS WHERE YOU WILL SEE THE ONLY IDIOT!
THERE ARE ALSO A LOT OF HIGH AND MIGHTY PEOPLE HERE WHO DONT KNOW ANY OF THE SCIENCE BEHIND ANY OF THE PRODUCTS THAT IT WORKS CREATES. THERE ARE WAY MORE PRODUCTS THAN JUST A WRAP, WHICH IS WHAT THIS MAN IS FOCUSED ON AND A LITTLE TOO MUCH SO IMO.
I have used the wraps, and am not a distributor, and have found that a lot of my excess skin from when I was very large has tightened up and is no longer lose. I have been using the wraps for 3 years now, so it does take time, but have been pleased with the results. It will not help you lose weight. But it definitely helped me tighten my skin that I could not tighten on my own. I tried working out, lifting weights, and although I gained muscle, the extra skin was still there.
Can you explain it to us then?! My Facebook is filled with distributors trying to CONvince everyone to become distributors as well but if you have a successful independent company you worked hard to build and get clientele why would you want your friends who would most likely be selling to your clients as well to do the same work? It’s a fucking pyramid scheme. All these it works distributors are constantly begging everyone to join them. It’s so sad that they have to do this to their friends and family because their so desperate and it debt they’ll do whatever it takes. Disgusting company
That’s because this article is about It Works Wraps, not the other products the company makes. As for the information on your being a (former) distributor, don’t worry, the information is in the public domain, easy to find, and didn’t take more than a few minutes to locate.
Your review is a lot more frank than most I’ve read, and is why I like it. I would love to see you do a review of their hair skin nails vitamins.
Hi Johanna,
Thanks for your comment. You’ll notice that I do not have any spammy affiliate links like the reviews by DietSpotlight or NutritionInspector. I do not have any vested interest in any products so I am therefore free to write an honest review, particularly around the marketing claims. I have no problem with how people spend their money, but I do encourage people to make an educated purchasing decision based both sides of the story. People are easily blinded by their desperation to be thin and get swept up in marketing which is meant to do one thing and one thing only: sell product. If someone wants to give it a ago after reading my review, then that’s fine with me, but so long as they feel good about their decision and do not have any delusions about the wraps being a final solution to many years of less than optimal lifestyle habits.
As for their hair, skin, and nails product, if you can provide me with a link, I’ll have a look. It’s generally not my main area of interest but if the marketing is egregiously slanted, then I may have a look.
Kind regards,
Bill
{link to hair skin and nails product removed by site admin}
Here is a link. I feel like the marketing with this is similar as there are also a lot of “testimonials.”
Hi Johanna,
Thanks for your comment. Note: I removed the link since I do not give backlinks to MLM products.
I have checked out the product and, yes, it does seem a bit suspect in the phrasing of the marketing copy. The classic red flags are adjectives and embellishments that cannot be quantified and mean different things to different people.
1) “optimal nourishment” (What does this even mean? And how would you know?)
2) “support for stronger nails, softer, and smoother skin” (Support is a classic term used in a lot of supplement advertising, perfectly ambiguous and pretty much means nothing)
3) “enhances your own natural collagen and keratin production” (Enhances? Meaning what? How do you quantify this? How would you know?)
In general, when it comes to selling supplements, you pretty much have to be loose and ambiguous with your wording because making specific statements and claims will be unprovable given the lack of research supporting such claims (around 85 to 90% of the time).
I am an It Works representative and would love to answer any product questions anyone may have. I can also help with purchasing and steering you in the right direction towards what product may be best for you. Please feel free to contact me at
{email removed by admin. No commercial comments allowed}
Allie, Thank you for your comment. I can appreciate that your intentions are good, but I do not allow commercial posts from distributors. Thank you for your understanding.
Finally an honest review
I tried It Works wraps for weight loss, but was disappointed in the results (or lack of results). Your review just confirmed why!
Not all heroes wear capes, Dr. Bill Sukala. Thank you for being awesome.
I especially love the “before” and “after” pics where they are obviously leaning back and then leaning forward to smooth the rolls on their back.
Yep, marketers are notorious for these sorts of tactics. Do you notice how they often appear more tanned with a better haircut, better clothes, etc in the after shot. Wow, a product that can slim you AND do your hair and wardrobe shopping? Great, I’m in!
hi Bill,
Love this site, thank you
about the wraps, the best results I have had with them is when wrapped around my wife`s mouth for 1/2hr…. the peace and quiet is wonderful and relaxing..
thanks again
Jimmy
Like duct tape. 1002 uses?
This is misogynistic. That is all.
Thank you so much for this review & clarifying it!.I was a distributor, just cancelled today. Not worth the $20 monthly fee nor does anyone buy. Now I haven’t seen much difference personally in the wraps & know it’s temporarily. You must continue to wrap forever which is not what I’m doing! A friend lost a bunch of weight on the probios, greens, monthly cleanse, & wrapping 1 different body part each week. She’s kept it all off almost a yr later BUT continues this monthly routine. Plus she does NOT exercise and she eats junk food all day. Can you please help me understand her weight loss? I do not mean this sarcastically! I just actually know someone & see the results which is intimidating. I cannot lose weight period! I’ve tried the healthy lifestyle, probios, etc. Nope!
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for your comment. Unless you’re following someone around 24/7, it’s tough to know exactly why your friend is losing weight. Though it is interesting that you mention the probiotics. As science advances, we’re now understanding the very real significance of the gut bacteria in weight management and health. Some people with a gut bacteria profile that predisposes them to be thin can get away with eating more rubbish food compared to someone who has a gut bacteria profile that predisposes them to be heavier but eats bird seed and tofu. But all that aside, it’s also important to know that people who are regularly physically active and eat lots of fruits and veggies can still be healthy on the inside (i.e., metabolically healthy, healthy blood biomarkers,etc), despite carrying a bit of extra body fat. Unfortunately, our society has completely lost contact with reality and fallen victim to garbage marketing that has brainwashed everyone into thinking you have to be anorexically thin in order to be “healthy.” There is a new study in Massachusetts that is underway at the moment that is using fecal bacterial transplants to treat obesity. It’s worth having a look at this, as it might be something of interest as the science further evolves: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02530385 Kind regards, Bill
I have a friend who is paying $500 a month for vitamins and she wanted me to join! I know for a fact she doesn’t have the money for that. I am seeing a good portion of my Facebook friends become distributors for these MLM’s (It Works, Plexus, Lipsense and so on). I was sent price lists for these products and was shocked by how expensive they are. If I want supplements, oils or creams, I can go to Central Market or the health store- no annual fees for that. I wish there was a way to talk them out of these schemes but I don’t think they would see me as anything but a negative person. A few of them I thought they were too smart to fall for something so obviously scammy. My Facebook feed is filled with photos of them pushing their products. They even find ways to use photos of their kids and family members to create ads for their so called business. However, any business you have to pay to join is no business at all and really only exists to line the pockets of corporate.
Thank you! Been waiting since last year for a proper review with logical explanations on this! I had to actually delete long time friends from my social media because I was disgusted on how they are falsely advertising their products and even selling their supplements to kids too! Its the distibutors who are making these hocus pocus claims. Like you said, Itworks is smart enough to make claims in their legal boundaries but its their distributors they got doing their dirty work.
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. You make a very good point. Most smart companies do a very good job of keeping barely legal and staying within bounds when it comes to making claims. The trick is to lead people to the edge of the cliff and let them jump off by their own free will. I’ve been speaking out against health misinformation for nearly 25 years now and the same common themes keep repeating themselves. In the case of Laminine, another product I cover on my website, I point out that the distributors are making claims that it can cure cancer. But if it ever went to court, the company could easily absolve itself of responsibility because it “has no control over what its distributors say.” I think if there were changes in the laws to make them responsible for what their distributors say, then you’d be seeing more cautious claims on products and websites. MLM has long been known for making quacks out of well-intentioned people. But unfortunately the lure of money clouds their judgment and they do anything, including lying, to make a buck. It’s a mine field out their so I’m glad to see you’re one of the smart ones that didn’t fall for the hype! Keep up the good fight for responsible health information.
Its a tough fight Bill so it’s great to see credible educated health professionals like yourself on the battlefield. As a fitness trainer and instructor for 8 years experience with post secondary education and continuing education in it, my biggest issue with this industry is how its become a sales one where any joe is a “health” professional or coach overnight where these people intentions are not to lead people into a real lifestyle change as you mentioned a few; eating and exercise but to feed their companies pyramid plans to sell supplements and magic wraps the average person doesnt need or an expensive gym package set up with a trainer they hired off the streets. These “professionals/coaches” (who are really just sales agents) seem to know more than you and I whove actually taken several years to study health sciences. Thanks again Bill; It was nice to see this review come from someone even more educated and experienced than myself to validate my opinion with even more credible facts.
Hi Stephanie,
I honestly think marketing is THE worst thing that ever happened to health, exercise, nutrition, or psychology. Never in my entire career have I seen more of a rabid effort to push rubbish crap onto people that they just don’t need. My beginning in the health field was in the fitness industry and I have seen the evolution of the industry over the past few decades to the point that even trainers and group fitness people are buying into the bullsh*t and flogging it onto their clients. I’ve often stressed to those in charge of the fitness industry that they need to teach more critical thinking skills and the ability to read, understand, and interpret clinical research papers. The main reason is that a lot of fitness people are unable to see through the smokescreen created by marketers who misuse and abuse research and slant it to fit their marketing objectives. It’s pretty tragic really. So I’m glad to see that you’re one of the rare ones who are putting their foot down and doing the right thing to maintain the integrity of the industry. Hang tough and never fall victim to the hype and false hope of bulls*t products people don’t need! Cheers 🙂
I just left an event. I tried the wrap on the old granny arm flap. No instant results for me, nor did I expect any. I am only in my mid 30s, so I don’t have serious issues with baggy saggy skin with the exception of the mom pouch, which I share no shame in. I am overweight and a mother of two, dirty high stress job, and horrible diet in my opinion because of the constant on the go situations. It was advised after putting the wrap on to drink half your body weight in water to help the wraps work better and bring on better results…..wait, hold up a minute. I’m not new to the whole healthy lifestyle. When I first started the journey, I was beating one heck of an ailment and I learned this year’s ago. Half your body weight of water plus an additional 8oz for every caffeinated beverage daily. I was told then that if you increase your water intake this much you would see a healthier appearance such as less dry skin, less saggy skin, and possibly less wrinkles and lines. The event speaker just tried to sell me the same line?! The reason I read your review was to search for an few unanswered questions. I thought also, maybe they would work after I dropped some pounds…short answer…temporarily, if they do work. Also, my concern with any toxic chemicals…so thanks for doing my homework for me. I am all aboard for probiotics also. So I have a question for you that is sorta related to It Works! products. Their probiotics (among other popular brands) have bifidobacterium lactis listed. How in the world can something found on rat feces be good for our health? I am open minded enough to think I have misunderstood where this “healthy” bacteria comes from. Thanks again for a great review!
Hi Renee,
It amazes me to no end the extent to which MLM product promoters will make up their own nutrition recommendations. Pull anything out of the air on the fly and if you say it with enough conviction and with a straight face, anything is believable. Sure, drinking water is a good thing. It’s necessary for life, but isn’t that common sense anyway?
As for probiotics, it is true that we have a combination of “good” and “bad” bacteria in us at any given time, but it’s like an ongoing war where you want the “good guys” to outnumber the bad guys. This is why antibiotic abuse can lead to lots of health issues. By killing off both good and bad bacteria, there are instances where the bad bacteria can get a leg up on the good guys and, so to speak, take over the ship. Taking probiotics may help, but it’s not the end-all be-all. We know that health is a multifaceted puzzle which includes not just eating lots of fruits and veggies (which feed good bacteria) and cutting out junk food (which feeds bad bacteria), but also getting in regular exercise, even if only walking (exercise helps promote good bacteria), as well as getting plenty of sleep and reducing stress (which you mentioned is an ongoing issue for you).
If you decide you want to take probiotics, I’d suggest looking for a reputable over the counter brand rather than getting sucked into the overpriced world of multi-level marketing versions of the same thing. MLM is the king of hyperbole so pretty much ignore all the over-the-top marketing gobbledygook they sling out. Stick to the basics (eat lots of fruits and veggies, exercise, get enough sleep, reduce stress) and you’ll be well on your way to good health without needing to rely on body wraps, detox teas, or whatever other aspect of health that’s been usurped by dodgy MLM companies.
I can eat a huge dinner and take a picture of my bloated stomach. Then wake up the next morning, do hot yoga and bam- flat tummy 🙂 I’m in a few mommy groups and it kills me how many ladies think there is some magic fix to be in shape. Eat as clean and healthy as you can, but have your cheat meals. Go the gym at least a few time a week. There is no magic solution. It’s as simple as calories in, calories burned. “Detoxing and Cleanses” seem to be a big thing right now. If your liver is not working properly to cleanse your body, you need more than a tea or juice. ha ha!
Yes, definitely. If your liver isn’t working then you need a heck of a lot more than a “detox” or “juice cleanse!”
Glad I read this!
I have used approx 8 It Works Wraps in the recent past with mild success.
I had gotten some samples from a friend that became a distributor and then she sold me one box at her cost (24.00). I used them WHILE I was also cutting sugar and working out 5 days a week (75+ crunches, too). I’m pretty chunky so the wraps did provide a VERY temporary positive change in my lower tummy (the area all moms hate). I knew they weren’t providing fat loss or really any permanent benefit but I DID think they were helping tighten post baby belly skin after having lost about 15 lbs.
I wanted to get some more b/c I’m continuing my weightloss journey and want to keep the skin tight. I didn’t know why the wraps work but after reading this I’ve decided not to get them at all. The retail price is ridiculous and you really do have to do them every 2-3 days to keep the result.
Now I know that it’s not going to permanently help tighten the skin so I’m just done. I’ll stick to the natural way or just deal with a slight jiggle.
Hi Courtney
Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes you’ll have to keep paying for the skin tightening effect but perhaps best to just keep a healthy mind set about this and stick to the tried and true things that work like healthy eating and exercise. Keep up the good work! Cheers, Bill
I use the wraps for a temporary tightening of sagging crepy skin above my knees and saggy arms if I’m going to an event or something at the beach. I’ll do a two a few days apart
Quick fix, no expectation of lasting results and definitely not weight loss. They’ve been effective for me for what I wanted from them. Effective in my world being tightening, maybe an inch or so off, if that. As far as network marketing, I don’t know how theirs is structured. I work for a different company that sells health products and I firmly believe in our products. I’m a research girl, so I spent a lot of time looking at their clinical studies, etc. That said, I could be wrong. I’m not doing the studies myself. The pay structure is good and incentives are good and there is a money-back guarantee that I’ve used myself and it’s truly no questions asked. There are indentives for sales, but not one bit of pressure or quitas to meet. The reason I am even mentioning this is that, unfortunately, companies like It Works have made it difficult for me to break through that “pyramid scheme” mentality. I’m not going to state my company because that is not the way I do things to, in fact, maintain the integrity of my company and our products. When I shout from the rooftops, I am truly passionate about the products. I would love to see you do a review of a couple of ours because I feel like you look at it objectively and tell it how it is. I could give you my email address privately to throw a couple at you or you can FB stalk me and you’d figure it out LOL.
Do not buy anything from this company it is a scam I signed up for 3 months for the it works cleanse. It did not do anything for me. When I cancelled I had people from the company text messaging me that they are trying to charge me 50.00 and another person saying that I am being charged an additional 60.00. Absolutely ridiculous and they said I can’t dispute it
Translation: you can dispute it. Contact the Better Business Bureau. There are lots of similar complaints on file. Good luck.
It works is only temporary i have tried many of the produces and got no results after using them for 3-6 months. So i started going to a gym and changed my eating habits and i have lost almost all the weight and this was almost two years ago and i am still losing. it just take’s time and determination and the right mind set and support
You’re absolutely right Christa. I just wish more people subscribed to your tried and true wisdom. Until then people will try every quick fix gadget and gimmick in the book.
Portion Control and a little exsersize . And you can still enjoy a dessert ?. We eat too much that is mostly why .
I would argue with the author of this article based on a huge amount of negative reviews from people who tried these wraps. I think people should search for It Works Reviews before reading the articles on the Internet. We all know that the content of most review articles is sponsored by the company itself…
Do you provide wrap parties? Where are you located? Looking for Body Wraps & Defining Gel ASAP.
Saran wrap and aloe vera gel. Come on over to Sydney for the next wrap party.
I know you’re not a financial advisor, but it’s incredibly irresponsible to invoke the MLM sales pitch language in your review. If you join It Works! you will not be an entrepreneur. You will be accountable to your upline, and you can be dismissed from the company for any reason. Small businesses cannot be shut down by their suppliers. If It Works! dismisses you, you can no longer receive commission, and can’t receive commissions on sales from your former downline. You don’t have to call it out as a scam (it is), but “be your own boss”, “set your own hours”, “own your own business”–all these are classic MLM pitches and make me question your integrity and claimed lack of bias.
Hi Donna,
On the It Works website, if you click on “Become a distributor” and look at the language they use, it explicitly states (in their own words): “BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS,” “Become a Distributor,” “Start earning on your own terms,” all of which is consistent with the language used in my article. You might want to contact It Works and ask them to change their phrasing on their website.