The fight against cellulite involves an integrated approach. To get rid of it, you need to adhere to the principles of proper nutrition, observe a drinking regimen, and devote time to physical activity. Excellent results are also given by manual anti-cellulite massage. Reviews of this procedure, as a rule, confirm its effectiveness. How to properly perform such a massage and what features should be considered before it? We’ll talk about this.
Indications
Manual anti-cellulite massage warms up tissues, promotes the breakdown of body fat, has a lymphatic drainage effect, removes lymph stagnation, and relieves swelling. The procedure helps to trigger metabolic processes in the body, enhances blood circulation through the vessels in the subcutaneous fat, makes capillaries stronger, activates the production of collagen and elastin fibers.
Massage allows you to transport substances that are contained in anti-cellulite creams and oils to the deeper layers of the skin.
Massage has the following indications:
- obesity;
- metabolic disorder;
- swelling;
- stagnation in the tissues;
- all degrees of cellulite;
- poor lymphatic flow;
- tissue friability;
- saggy skin.
Preparation for the procedure
If you follow the basic rules of manual massage, it will pass gently and painlessly:
- Before the procedure, you need to apply a scrub to the body and take a shower.
- For several days before the massage, you must refrain from physical activity, visiting a solarium. It is important that the body is in a relaxed state, otherwise the procedure will be too painful and ineffective.
- Before undergoing a manual massage course, it is advisable to consult a specialist on this subject. As for the anti-cellulite massage itself, it is permissible in the presence of certain skills. Carrying out the procedure yourself will save time and money. The first few procedures can be performed in the office of a massage therapist or take a training course.
- To massage problem areas in order to get rid of cellulite, you need to use special tools (creams, lotions, oils). Thus, it will be possible to make the skin smoother and moisturized.
Is manual anti-cellulite massage dangerous?
Such a procedure will not be harmful only if it is carried out correctly. It is also important to familiarize yourself with a number of contraindications. The process itself involves the study of problem areas in order to remove the subcutaneous fat layer. The reviews about manual anti-cellulite massage say that it does not injure the skin and does not harm health.
Contraindications and Precautions
Anti-cellulite massage is a procedure that should be performed in the absence of contraindications. Before proceeding with its implementation, they must be studied. These include:
- Pregnancy. During this period, the woman’s body is in a weakened state. Carrying out such a procedure can adversely affect her health.
- Infectious diseases. Before proceeding to the massage, you will have to get rid of such ailments.
- The presence of ulcers, wounds, and other injuries on the skin. In this case, you need to wait until the skin gets completely rid of the wounds and only after that proceed with the massage.
- Fever. At the time of massage, a person’s body temperature rises, so it can be done only if it is within acceptable limits. Otherwise, there is a high risk of dizziness and other adverse reactions.
In order for the massage to be exclusively beneficial, you need to consult a doctor before carrying it out.
Execution technique
If there are no contraindications to a manual anti-cellulite massage, reviews of which indicate its effectiveness, you can proceed to the procedure.
Step-by-step instruction:
- First you need to pay attention to the warm-up. The skin needs to be stroked intensively. Sliding smooth movements can be carried out until redness appears on the skin. Kneading the skin is permissible only with hands, no additional devices for this will be required.
- The next step involves grinding. Problem areas need to be rubbed with your palms. If the skin is prone to swelling, rubbing can be combined with tingling.
- This is followed by vibration. It can be claps, flip flops.
The technique itself for performing manual anti-cellulite massage does not imply any difficulties. However, not all areas on the body can be processed independently. Massage the back of the hips, buttocks and back is advisable to entrust to a specialist.
Manual anti-cellulite massage lasts about an hour. It must be carried out competently, paying due attention to each problem area. The procedure needs to be done every other day, so that the skin has time to recover.
Aftercare
In reviews of anti-cellulite manual massage, it is said that after the procedure, hematomas may appear on the skin. This phenomenon is quite natural, because at first it will not be possible to independently calculate the force of pressure. To remove hematomas, troxevasin ointment and other compounds with an identical effect are suitable. Immediately after a massage, it is recommended to drink a glass of clean water, herbal or green tea and lie down for about half an hour.
Possible complications
In reviews of anti-cellulite manual massage, you can hear about the appearance of complications after the procedure. Often they are due to improper execution techniques and the use of inappropriate means.
Side effects include:
- allergy to components that are contained in anti-cellulite products;
- hematomas;
- skin soreness.
Bruising and short-term redness of the skin are temporary and tolerable. Moderate pain both during and after manual anti-cellulite massage is also considered acceptable.
Useful Tips
Before starting the massage, you need to consider a number of the following recommendations:
- Massage against cellulite will be effective and useful only if there are no contraindications to its implementation. Such manipulations can significantly harm people with a weak circulatory system.
- To enhance the effect of manual anti-cellulite massage, you need to use cosmetics in the form of creams and oils.
What is the difference between hardware and manual massage?
You can also deal with the hated orange peel using hardware procedures. Which anti-cellulite massage is better - manual or hardware? A procedure such as vacuum massage is performed with the participation of a special device.
The specialist, holding the device in his hands, guides them on the skin in problem areas in circular motions with light pressure. The suction cups with which it is added pull and release the skin. The same effect is achieved using conventional manual massage.
Both options have the same contraindications:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- damage to the skin;
- infectious diseases;
- postoperative period.
It is worth noting that hardware massage has an additional contraindication. It is forbidden to carry out with weak capillaries, rosacea mesh and spider veins. In this case, a soft manual technique is acceptable.
What else is the similarity of both techniques? In hardware and manual massage, you can adjust the pressure. However, in the latter case, the force of pressing can be controlled depending on the place where the massage is performed. In the case of the device, everything is somewhat different - the device operates according to a given program. The effectiveness of a manual massage depends on the skills of the person who performs it.
Vacuum massage is prohibited on edematous tissues, because this can cause hematomas. Manual lymphatic drainage will cope with the removal of puffiness. You can remove excess water either by manual massage, or by using a physiotherapeutic apparatus. This method has a small list of contraindications.
Number of treatments, expected effect
How many anti-cellulite massage sessions will be needed to get rid of the “orange peel”? The number of procedures depends on the severity of cellulite. The entire course, as a rule, consists of 10 sessions.
After the first procedures, the opposite effect may be observed - the skin will become more bumpy. However, these phenomena are temporary, and within a few days the cellulite will become less pronounced, and the skin will gain elasticity. The reviews about anti-cellulite massage say that it is possible to get rid of the "orange peel" for 6-12 months. To fix the result, you need to strictly monitor the diet, take time for physical activity and drink at least 2-2.5 liters of water per day.