Anticellulite massage. How often

Cellulite appears due to changes in cell structure and degeneration of adipose tissue due to poor circulation of blood and lymph in the skin. If you do not fight it, over time, a flaw in appearance can turn into serious health problems that require complex treatment, often requiring a visit to a surgeon. The progression of the disease is indicated by blue discoloration, severe lumpiness of the damaged areas, the appearance of a venous pattern, decreased sensitivity or pain when pressed.

Anti-cellulite massage is a technique of external influence on the white adipose tissue of problem areas to reduce and eliminate the manifestations of the problem.

Efficiency and basic techniques

Of all the remedies that help get rid of the problem, anti-cellulite massage is the most effective. At an early stage, a minimum number of procedures will be required. With each session, the condition of the skin improves and muscle tissue strengthens. In more complex cases, the number of procedures is prescribed by a specialist, assessing the neglect of the process.

A properly conducted course of anti-cellulite massage gives noticeable results:

gives firmness and elasticity to the skin;
reduces the visibility of stretch marks;
removes excess fluid from the skin;
increases blood circulation in the layers of the skin;
activates the process of breaking down fat deposits.

Thanks to the massage, muscle tone also increases, and the figure visually becomes slimmer. This is due to the fact that local formations of subcutaneous fat are crushed and removed along with lymph and decay products.

Manual anti-cellulite massage

The procedure is performed without special instruments and devices. But special oils, scrubs, warming lotions can be used to enhance the effect. In combination with intense massage techniques, such products help speed up metabolic processes and strengthen connective tissue by activating collagen synthesis.

Classic massage techniques are used:

trituration;
pressure;
vibration;
kneading.

Hardware anti-cellulite massage

Using special devices, an effect similar to a manual anti-cellulite massage is achieved. Depending on the selected mode, hardware therapy can vibrate or capture and move the skin fold. To make a decision and choose the most optimal massage intensity, the master assesses the elasticity of the skin and the advanced state of the condition (stage of cellulite). Holding a vacuum nozzle in his hands, he treats all problem areas in accordance with the developed scheme.

How to increase the effectiveness of anti-cellulite massage

Depending on the stage of cellulite development, a certain number of procedures will be required. Systematic implementation of such therapy helps to prevent the worsening of the skin condition at an early stage, making it healthy and smooth. To get the full effect, you need to lead an active lifestyle and include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. In addition, it is better to avoid smoking and other bad habits.

During the course of anti-cellulite massage you need to adhere to the following recommendations:

The course is carried out continuously, the quantity and frequency are set by the master after examination. Usually up to 12 procedures are needed, which are carried out every other day. If necessary, a repeat course is prescribed after a few days.
To perform an anti-cellulite massage, it is better to choose the morning before lunch. So its effect is enhanced by active movement at work, evening walks or other everyday activities.
The procedure is great to combine with a wrap, which saturates the skin with a whole complex of microelements, tones it and rejuvenates it.

What do experts think about cellulite?

There is quite a lot of research regarding this cosmetic skin defect. There are even completely contradictory theories. For example, the most recent research conducted at Rockefeller University in New York. Scientists conducted an in-depth analysis of tissues that are susceptible to lipodystrophy (as cellulite is often called in medicine). So, studies have shown: cellulite is the most ordinary fat, the same as that found in different parts of the body.

The difference between normal fat and cellulite is that the fat tissue is distributed and retained differently. In men, for example, connective fibers are like a mesh that surrounds adiptocytes (fat cells). But in women they are located in parallel, and the cells are also larger. But this is not at all a defect in female adipose tissue: it is a “cunning” solution of nature. This is how the body prepares for possible stretching of the skin during pregnancy; cellulite is just a safety net against stretching.

But, unfortunately, you have to pay for such a function, which makes it easier to bear a child, after the baby is born. The structure of women's skin helps (no matter how offensive it may sound) the accumulation of fat, as well as fluid. Needless to say, it doesn't look very attractive.

But, in fairness, it must be said: the structure of skin cells alone is not enough to form cellulite. Other factors also influence (and how). Nutrition, age, bad habits - everything is of great importance.

Features of the technique

Before performing an anti-cellulite massage, the skin must be cleansed and warmed. Correct technique requires adherence to certain rules:

massage the outer thighs from top to bottom;
movements in the opposite direction affect the internal part;
Circular movements are performed in the area of the buttocks and abdomen. In this case, in a clockwise direction, slight pressure is permissible, in the opposite direction - only stroking.

It is important to do everything continuously while the skin is well warmed up.

Working out the hips

Work on the thighs begins with fingering with the thumbs. The thigh area should be grabbed with your palms so that you grab the center of its back with your thumbs. Smoothly move your palms higher, so with circular rubbing you will knead the skin.

Be sure to read: Causes of stretch marks on legs and ways to get rid of them

Further:

Strokes-combs. They should be done with your knuckles, so don’t forget to apply a little massage cream or oil to your fingers. Work the thigh in a circle, smoothly moving from the hollow under the knee up to the buttock itself. Next, come back down to repeat the exercise.
Squeezes. Clench your right hand into a fist and place it above the knee area. Place your other hand on top to make it heavier and forcefully pull it up with your fist towards your buttocks. If this movement is uncomfortable for you, bend your limb at the knee, raising your foot.
Stroking the inner thigh. Move from the knee above with an open palm - along the path to the lymph nodes. This part of the leg is very sensitive, avoid strong manipulations.
Fixation of trigger points. Place your elbow under your buttock, moving in a circle, begin to descend towards your knee. You can even bend the limb to make it easier to work.
Pinching/patting. You need to gently beat the back of the thigh with your fingers.

The same exercises are repeated for the second limb. The shins are treated in a similar way. A typical program for this part of the limb includes: strokes, fingering, combing, wrist squeezing, as well as fist and thumb presses, fingering and pinching. This session ends with squeezing over the entire limb. You need to grab your leg with your palm (or two) and move your arms higher with force. In the area of the knee you should ease the load, but on the hip, on the contrary, raise it. Similar techniques are used for the front of the thighs, the “abdomen” and the upper arms.

Debunking myths

Massage is not performed for the purpose of losing weight, but only to eliminate the manifestations of cellulite. Of course, problem areas visually become slimmer. But this is the result of effective lymph outflow from the skin and subcutaneous layers. After a certain time, the fluid volume is usually restored.

Pain appears only when the technician’s technique is incorrect or when the pressure is too intense. Small bruises and hematomas may occur. This occurs due to increased skin sensitivity and insufficient elasticity of blood vessels in some girls.

It is not worth reducing the amount of daily fluid intake during the procedures. Contrary to speculation, such drinking restriction does not contribute to slimness. On the contrary, you need to drink enough water so that all breakdown products are quickly eliminated from the body.

What is “orange peel” like?

Cellulite is familiar to many women under another name - “orange peel”. The comparison with the peel of an orange is quite apt: with cellulite, bumps and depressions appear on the skin. Medicine calls this a structural change in the subcutaneous fat layer, where microcirculation of blood and lymphatic drainage is impaired.

Cellulite is expressed differently in different women. Contrary to stereotypes, even a skinny person can notice sagging and telltale bumps on the skin. But, before complaining about your body and diagnosing it with cellulite, you need to understand that any woman has a fat layer laid down by physiology and fighting it means getting involved in a constant struggle, the winner of which will still be Mother Nature.

A striking example of an anti-cellulite body are emaciated concentration camp prisoners or young girls suffering from anorexia. Everyone knows that anorexia is a serious disease that can only be treated under the guidance of a psychologist.

If the risk of ending up in a concentration camp in the 21st century is, frankly, negligible, then the chance of becoming hooked on an eating disorder is quite high. They fight anorexia seriously - they even check the percentage of body fat in models to prevent exhaustion.

So, the norm for subcutaneous fat in women is 20–25% . Below 18% - anorexia, and at levels below 14%, menstruation disappears in women (for example, this is often found in athletes at their peak). But we are more interested in exceeding the norm. And above 20–25% (with a small error based on age) is already overweight and 3rd degree of obesity.

Which massage is more effective?

It is widely believed that manual massage is significantly inferior to hardware massage in terms of effectiveness. It’s difficult to give an unambiguous assessment, everything is individual. During manual execution, the specialist feels the condition of the skin and can select the intensity of the effect in each area. At the same time, deeper layers are also worked through using pressure.

Hardware massage also has its advantages. Its effectiveness does not depend on the physical training of the master; the effect is uniform throughout the session. But the device is not able to adapt to the individual characteristics of a girl.

Contraindications

Among the contraindications:

Infections of various ethnogenesis with elevated temperature. Massage provokes an increase in body temperature.
Dermatological diseases with rashes of various types, including allergic and purulent. Massage injures the skin, which leads to their enlargement.
Low blood clotting and loss of elasticity of vessel walls. This is observed with varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, etc. The vessels feel additional stress during the procedure, as blood rushes to the massaged areas.
Psychical deviations . The impact on the nerve endings gives rise to an inadequate reaction.
Pregnancy. Anti-cellulite massage tones the uterus. This negatively affects the preservation of the fetus.
Lactation . Massage deteriorates the quality of milk and may stop production.

Also, anti-cellulite massage is contraindicated for:

heart diseases;
oncology;
hypertension;
skin diseases.

The procedure is not performed if:

nausea, vomiting;
disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
diseases of the genitourinary system.

How to prolong the effect of a massage course

For a long-term effect from a course of anti-cellulite massage and, as a bonus, reduction of fat deposits, an integrated approach is needed:

Regular physical activity. Swimming, dancing, cycling increase muscle tone and speed up metabolism. And this helps get rid of congestion in the skin.
Proper nutrition. The diet should include foods high in fiber, fish, vegetables and fruits. Pickles and canned food should be excluded. The abundance of salt and preservatives makes it difficult to remove water from the body, causing swelling and weakening of the skin tone.
Sufficient amount of clean water. The average daily intake is 2 liters per day. It is important to drink water, not coffee or soda. Although you can partially replace it with green or herbal tea. The effectiveness of water is difficult to overestimate. It maintains skin elasticity, supplies it with nutrients, and removes toxins.
Cold and hot shower. Alternating hot and cold streams of water or dousing increases blood circulation and increases the elasticity of blood vessels.

Due to the hormonal characteristics of the female body, it is impossible to get rid of cellulite once and for all. However, supportive sessions, an active lifestyle and a balanced diet can cope well with the problem.