Is it worth contrasting manual anti-cellulite massage with hardware anti-cellulite massage? What should be an effective anti-cellulite massage?
Our experts are Andrey Syrchenko, professional massage therapist, head of the International SPA School and CITYSPA, and Natalya Kazarina, medical massage therapist.
Cellulite is commonly called unaesthetic “lumps” and “hollows”, which are the result of mechanical deformation of the skin due to hypertrophy of superficial fat cells and swelling of fat lobules. This problem is often typical even for thin women when there is poor circulation in adipose tissue and fluid retention in it. Cellulite, depending on the degree of manifestation, is divided into four stages. With III and IV degrees of cellulite, swelling, hypoxia (oxygen starvation) develop in the tissues, and connective tissue septa grow and thicken. This leads to the appearance of painful fibrous compactions, which are already a sign of adipose tissue disease.
The objectives of anti-cellulite massage are to stimulate blood circulation, strengthen blood vessels, remove fluid from the body, improve metabolic processes and destroy fibrous formations. If during a manual massage a specialist achieves the desired effect with his hands, then during a vacuum massage a handpiece with a vacuum and rollers is used. Moving along the body, the manipulator sucks in the skin with subcutaneous tissue, rolls it between the rollers, freeing the tissue from excess fluid and kneading cellulite “tubercles”. Both with manual anti-cellulite massage and with hardware anti-cellulite massage, the effect is carried out along the course of the lymphatic vessels.
Manual anti-cellulite massage
Advantages of manual anti-cellulite massage
According to Andrey Syrchenko, anti-cellulite manual massage should include at least three phases: drainage, working out striated muscles and subcutaneous fat. The transition from one stage to another depends on the readiness of the tissue for the next exposure. You cannot work with subcutaneous fat on unheated striated muscles - this can lead to rupture of capillaries. Unlike a device, a specialist performing manual anti-cellulite massage can accurately determine this moment. After all, even one person has different vascular plasticity at different points in life: the same stress makes the vessels more fragile. That is why manual anti-cellulite massage today is a fairly popular procedure for restoring the beauty and health of the skin.
Manual anti-cellulite massage is more accurate and effective in some cases.
When choosing a treatment method, first of all you pay attention to the degree of manifestation of cellulite, its severity. In stages III-IV, when fibrous formations develop, in my opinion, anti-cellulite hand massage has a greater effect. The hands feel better when to press, when to rub, for how long and with what intensity to influence the problem area. Of the movements inherent in massage (anti-cellulite hand massage is carried out by stroking, rubbing, kneading, vibration, etc.), anti-cellulite hand massage is more characterized by kneading, but they are also different. The main thing in this case is not to overdo it, act gently and gradually. The strength of the manual anti-cellulite massage should increase from procedure to procedure
Only manual massage is characterized by so-called grasping kneading. In this case, the muscle head rises from the inert bed and moves left and right. Single, double ring kneading and so on are built on this principle. It is almost impossible to lift and work a muscle and achieve such a volume of impact with the help of a device. And in massage this phase is fundamental. Muscle is supplied with blood many times better than subcutaneous fat, and it is very important to use this potential. Anti-cellulite hand massage allows you to create a kind of oxygen storm in the tissues, increase the flow of arterial blood, and only then work with subcutaneous fat. Figuratively speaking, adipose tissue on unheated muscle is like foil on frozen butter. If you remove the foil from unsoftened butter, you can easily tear it (in our case, damage the vessels)
Manual massage can improve the condition of the skin through the use of essential oils, creams, algae-based complexes, etc. (Although, of course, proper nutrition, the functioning of the detoxification system, etc. come first). Hardware massage is done “dry”. But here it is very important that the consumables are of proper quality. Manual anti-cellulite massage thus restores not only health and beauty, but also skin elasticity.
Disadvantages of manual anti-cellulite massage
The downside of the individual approach is the so-called human factor. The effectiveness and safety of the procedure directly depend on the skill and efforts of the massage therapist. In practice, massage therapists get tired, are inattentive, the best ones sometimes suffer from star fever, etc. While vacuum anti-cellulite massage is performed using special devices that can be programmed as needed.
Manual massage is often quite traumatic.
There is still an opinion that manual anti-cellulite massage should be very hard, to the point of bruising. Moreover, this myth is actively supported by the clients themselves, who often have not even tried vacuum anti-cellulite massage in specialized clinics. In fact, this is not true. There are two aspects to anti-cellulite massage. The first is that by improving the blood supply to tissues, metabolic processes are enhanced, which in turn leads to an anti-cellulite effect. Secondly, we patiently and consistently act mechanically on adipose tissue, sorting it out like cereal with our hands. With mechanical influence (the so-called vacuum anti-cellulite massage or hardware anti-cellulite massage), a lot of “blunders” are allowed. A rough mechanical approach leads to tissue injury, swelling, and hematomas. In any case, fibrosis does not tolerate rough work: be it a machine or hands
Who is contraindicated for
Lymphatic drainage massage of the limbs is not used for the following diseases:
- inflammatory diseases of the skin (pyoderma, erysipelas, weeping eczema, etc.);
- trophic ulcers;
- complicated diabetes mellitus;
- atherosclerosis, endarteritis, vein thrombosis and other diseases characterized by a decrease in arterial blood flow;
- heart failure;
- inflammatory diseases of the veins.
You can clarify the need for massage sessions with your attending physician.
Hardware anti-cellulite massage
Advantages of hardware anti-cellulite massage
A clearly defined regime, with the help of which a hardware anti-cellulite massage is performed, protects us from the freethinking of the master. Modern devices have several modes; the vacuum strength and the impact of the rollers are selected depending on the condition of the tissues
Hardware vacuum massage is the procedure of choice for the initial stages of cellulite, which are largely associated with the accumulation of fluid in the subcutaneous fat. Vacuum anti-cellulite massage gives a very fast and good drainage effect without damaging the tissue. The result that an effective anti-cellulite massage gives is perhaps enhanced by the fact that, under the influence of vacuum and rollers, the connective tissue partitions are stretched, as a result of which the fat lobules begin to be located under the skin more evenly. With more pronounced fibrous formations, on the contrary, before the 5th-6th procedure, deterioration occurs: the fluid leaves, and the “potholes” become more pronounced. “Breaking” fibrosis and tightening the skin is achieved through subsequent procedures. The number of sessions that will consist of a vacuum anti-cellulite massage depends on the degree of manifestation of cellulite. If you work with fibrosis without removing the swelling, the impact will be very painful. This applies to both hardware and manual massage.
It has been proven that endermology, a French technique that underlies vacuum roller massage, helps improve both microcirculation and the overall functioning of blood vessels. In Russia, this was confirmed by studies carried out in the vascular department of the First City Hospital. But here you must keep in mind that low vacuum pressure is beneficial for vessels. That is, the use of parameters aimed at lymphatic drainage, and not at kneading tissue.
Hardware vacuum massage has a peeling effect: it gently exfoliates the upper layer of the epidermis. After which caring cosmetics can be applied to the skin. Thus, an effective anti-cellulite massage allows for a comprehensive restoration of skin elasticity.
Disadvantages of hardware anti-cellulite massage
With hardware vacuum massage, the feedback is insufficient. Although the power of the device’s impact is adjustable, it is quite difficult to produce a finer gradation of the impact depending on the condition of the tissue on the device.
Another drawback that characterizes hardware anti-cellulite massage is the small number of techniques. During manual massage, a specialist can use different techniques and combine techniques depending on the condition of the body or the wishes of the client. Often it is the variety of techniques that gives the desired effect.
Intense vacuum massage, aimed not at lymphatic drainage, but at intensive kneading of subcutaneous fatty tissue, is contraindicated in poor vascular condition (hardware anti-cellulite massage is excluded in case of varicose veins, severe rosacea, etc.), as it can lead to even greater injury.
The cost of lymphatic drainage massages at the Telos Beauty clinic prof.
- Treatment of sagging skin VELA SHAPE
Read the terms of the promotionBENEFIT 20% Processing area Time Specialist. price, rub* price, rub. Local fat deposits (abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, back) 15 minutes. 3 190 3 990 30 min. 3 990 4 990 45 min. 5 590 6 990 60 min. 7 190 8 990 Make an appointment
- Treatment of cellulite DUOLITH / Duolite
Read the terms of the promotionCELLULITE TREATMENT Treatment area (one zone) Cellulite stage Specialist. price, rub. (one zone) price, rub. (one zone) One zone Stage I 2 480 3 100 Stage II 3 672 4 590 Stage III 4 152 5 190 Knee area 2 990 Shoulder to elbow area 3 990 TREATMENT OF SKIN DEFECTS Name of procedure Specialist. price, rub. price, rub. Treatment of stretch marks 2 990 Scar treatment 2 990 Strengthening (lifting) skin 6 990 Firming, reducing sagging skin, reducing double chin 2 990 Make an appointment
- Massage
THERAPEUTIC AND PREVENTIVE MASSAGE PROMOTION - 15% discount* Processing area Time Specialist. price, rub.* price, rub. General classic massage 60 min. 4 590 5 400 Lymphatic drainage massage 60 min. 4 590 5 400 Sports massage 60 min. 4 590 5 400 Therapeutic back massage 30 min. 3 100 Foot massage 30 min. 3 100 ANTICELLULITE MASSAGE Processing area Time Specialist. price, rub.* price, rub. General massage 60 min. 4 720 5 550 ANTI-STRESS MASSAGE Processing area Time Specialist. price, rub.* price, rub. Stone therapy (stone massage) 60 min. 6 100 7 100 * Promotion when purchasing 6 procedures or more
Make an appointment
Myth No. 8. One session may be enough
Massage removes cellulite, but not in one session. This is a rather complex and time-consuming process that requires patience from the woman and professionalism from the massage therapist. Each subsequent session increases the effect of the previous one - only such regular support helps to establish the necessary processes in the body.
The advantages of anti-cellulite massage are obvious. He:
- cleanses the body of waste and toxins,
- improves metabolic processes,
- maintains muscle tone,
- normalizes lymph flow and blood circulation,
- stimulates fat metabolism;
- fights congestion;
- helps even out skin texture, making it smooth, soft and elastic.
To achieve a sustainable effect, you need to complete a full course consisting of 10-15 sessions. The result should be maintained by daily walking, sports, and proper nutrition. Maintenance courses of 3-4 massages every 2-3 months are also recommended.
Advantages of the method
- Comfort. The session is painless, there are no bruises after the treatment (after a traditional massage, especially an intense one, this happens).
- Efficiency. The device can be configured very flexibly, the intensity and modes of exposure can be selected so that the problem of a particular patient can be solved.
- Flexibility. Using several programs in one session, you can work on several zones.
- Safety. The device has a registration certificate from Roszdravnadzor.
This technique has been certified by the FDA (USA).
Cavitation or ultrasonic liposuction
Another new product, a variation of the previous method. It uses low-frequency ultrasound, which affects fat cells, causing the formation of microbubbles in them. The bubbles increase in size and destroy the membranes of fat cells. Under the influence of ultrasound, the fat contained in the cells is liquefied and enters the intercellular space, and then removed naturally. This method is effective not only for getting rid of cellulite, but also for losing weight in problem areas.
Myth No. 3. For better results you need to consume less liquid
This myth can be called a kind of marketing ploy by not entirely honest massage therapists who want the client to see the effect of anti-cellulite massage after the first procedure.
“The fact is that during the session a large amount of fluid leaves the body, due to which it seems that the extra centimeters literally disappear before our eyes. If a woman also consumes a minimum of liquid, the weight loss effect will increase. Not drinking water before and after a massage is very dangerous. This can lead to dehydration. During the course of anti-cellulite massage, you need to drink as much as possible so that the body is more actively cleansed and removes accumulated toxins and impurities.”
— Vorobiev Stanislav Vadimovich, massage therapist
Prevention of cellulite
The most effective way to avoid cellulite is to prevent it.
To do this you need:
- balance your diet and avoid sweets, fatty foods,
- do sports every day,
- quit smoking,
- take care of your body and regularly carry out a variety of anti-cellulite procedures.
Despite the high effectiveness of this procedure, to achieve a lasting anti-cellulite effect, it is necessary to follow a diet, exercise, and use suitable therapeutic techniques.
