Spas, hot springs and sweat lodges around the world offer "sweat wraps" as a method of detoxification and cleansing the body of harmful impurities. But do they work? Dee Anna Glaser, M.D., a professor of dermatology at St. Louis University and founding member of the International Hyperhidrosis Society, a medical group dedicated to the study and treatment of heavy sweating, tells The Los Angeles Times that although sweat does contain trace amounts of toxins, trying to induce sweating to cleanse the body isn’t effective.

It’s the hottest diet craze in Hollywood and beyond, but detoxing or cleansing is for more than just quick weight loss. Natural health experts say cleansing can help a variety of common problems including feelings of sluggishness, aches and pains, and skin or digestive problems.