Slimming care: which slimming care to choose?
The offer in terms of slimming care is now plethoric. The treatments, sometimes available in institutes, sometimes in aesthetic medicine offices, use different methods and technologies. As for home care, they are also diversifying, since today, in addition to dermatological care, it is possible to acquire a real massage device. Zoom on the different slimming treatments currently practiced.
Slimming treatments practiced in institutes
The slimming wrap
The slimming wrap (or body wrap) is a treatment that consistsof covering the body with a mixture of mineral or vegetable ingredients. Traditionally the components used are caffeine, green tea, green clay, algae (spirulina, fucus, kelp), ginkgo biloba or draining plants (ivy, red vine). The body is then completely wrapped in a cellophane film or nylon film, so that the poultice acts, then covered with a heating blanket (20 to 40 minutes), to amplify the effects of the active ingredients of the poultice and activatesweating. The wrap causesa thermosweating, which allows both theelimination of toxinsbut also thecutaneous absorption of the active ingredients of the poulticeandthe activation of microcirculation.
The slimming wrap can also be donecold. The poultice is then composed of plants and algae bringing a feeling of freshness (mint, eucalyptus, camphor, micronized algae).
Slimming wraps can be practiced in institutes, but they are mainly provided as part of thalassotherapy. Finally, it is now possible to buy preparations for slimming wrap and practice this care at home.
Palpate-roll
Palpate-roll is certainly the best known massage technique, because it is commonly used in an aesthetic setting – treatment of celluliteand reduction of the “orange peel” appearance. It is a massage close to kneading, except that the skin, in addition to being kneaded, is also rolled between the thumbs and other fingers. The palpate-roll acts on the different layers of the skin and on the fascia (the connective tissue, made of elastic fibers). The purpose of this maneuver is to:
- Activate microcirculation , for better oxygenation of the skin
- Drain toxins , waste and excess water trapped in the tissues
- Stimulate the emptying of adipocytes (subcutaneous fat cells) – the famous lipolysis
The palpating-rolling being a relatively energetic technique (kneading, skin peeling and rolling) and a little painful for some, the use of a massage oil is recommended.
It should also be noted that palpate-rolling is traditionally manual, but that it can also be performed using a massage device. We then speak ofmechanical palpation-rolling or lipomassagetag. The device is generally equipped with a suction chamber and one or more rollers. The skin is sucked in, while the rollers knead it (simulation of rolling manually performed by the fingers). Some devices have additional features:
- A diffusion of draining or slimming active ingredients by ionization
- Sensors to modulate the massage
- Heat diffusion, to activate microcirculation and lipolysis
Massage by palpating and rolling can be practiced in an institute or in a physiotherapy office. Several sessions are necessary to see results, but the proven technique is effective. Finally, the palpate-rolling sessions must be repeated regularly to see a lasting effect.
Lymphatic drainage & pressotherapy
Manual lymphatic drainage is not, initially, an aesthetic massage. It is rather therapeutic, asit aims to remedy lymphatic lazinesstag. Lymph is a colorless liquid that circulates in the body via the lymphatic vessels. Its function is to drain toxins to the lymph nodes, which will evacuate this waste and, in exchange, will produce the antibodies necessary for the proper functioning of the body. However, it happens that the lymphatic system becomes engorged, resulting in general inflammation: digestive problems, heavy legs, cellulite. Lymphatic drainage therefore makes it possible to fluidify the lymphatic circulation.
However, lymphatic drainage is commonly used for aesthetic purposes, as it effectively remedies aqueous cellulite, made up of unsightly swellings (oedemas). Also, the loss of volume it generates can be likened to a slimming treatment.
It is carried out in an institute, by an approved masseur, or in a physiotherapy practice. The technique is gentle and is performed with the palms and fingers, all over the body. Thus, the drainage is carried out by circular movements and by a set of pressures.
Lymphatic drainage can also be performed using a machine (Vodder technique). We then speak ofpressotherapytag. The device is in the form of a belt (belly), sleeves (arms) or boots (legs), fitted with tires. These will inflate, then deflate, thus exerting more or less intense pressure at regular intervals, thus reproducing the maneuver of manual drainage.
The slimming benefits of lymphatic drainage are indisputable, particularly for people prone to water retention and veno-lymphatic laziness. For convincing results, several sessions are recommended. They are to be repeated regularly, for a lasting effect.
Aesthetic lipomodeling
Aesthetic lipomodeling in institutes is not to be confused with lipomodeling in aesthetic surgery… One is an endermology slimming treatment, while the other, also known as lipofilling, is a surgical practice.
Aesthetic lipomodeling is a treatment practiced in a dermatology practice or institute, which aims to eliminate encrusted fatty deposits that are resistant to diets and sportstag. The principle consists in gently stimulating the tissues and the veno-lymphatic circulation, while encouraging lipolysis. The procedure is simple: you have to put on a white and opaque combination, very adherent. The practitioner then passes a kind of handpiece, made of small rollers, over the area to be treated. The machine works on the palpate-roll principle.
The session is short (30-45 minutes) and the technique painless. It is necessary to practice several sessions before seeing results on your body. Nevertheless, this slimming treatment is effective in firming the skin and sculpting its silhouette. Finally, it is necessary to regularly repeat the sessions, to ensure a lasting result.
Cryolipolysis
Cryolipolysis is the slimming application of cryotherapy, namely cold therapy. Cryolipolysis is therefore based on the localized action of cold on certain areas of the body, in order to causethe phenomenon of apoptosistag. Apoptosis is the “death” of adipocytes: following exposure to intense cold, fat cells shrink, empty themselves of their fat and become necrotic. Once dead, they are naturally eliminated by the body, via the lymphatic system. Thus, localized curves are reduced.
Cryolipolysis is a non-invasive technique, practiced in a medical context (dermatology, aesthetic medicine). The process is simple: the area to be treated is coated with a protective gel. Then it is sucked up by an aspiration cryode, while cold is propelled (-8o). The cryode is then removed after 45 minutes and the skin is massaged. The effectiveness is visible after several sessions, for an optimal effect after 1 to 3 months of therapy.
Ultrasound
The principle of ultrasound, as part of a slimming treatment, is very simple. It is a question of diffusing through the skin, high frequency ultrasounds (40 Khz) tocreate cavitations, which will make the adipocytes explodetag. The residues are then eliminated through the bloodstream. The technique is particularly popular for treating cellulite, as the ultrasound deeply penetrates the skin. To improve the effectiveness of the technique, the area to be treated is injected with physiological saline, because the ultrasound diffuses better on a waterlogged tissue. Newer ultrasound machines are capable of treating large areas, as they couple different low energy frequencies.
It usually takes several ultrasound sessions to see a loss of centimeters. Nevertheless, the results are convincing. In addition, the method is painless and non-invasive.
Electrostimulation
Electrostimulation is a technique used in physiotherapy, originally used for muscle recovery purposes. It consists ofstimulating the muscles by electrical impulse, via electrodes. Today it is also used as a modeling technique, in orderto refine certain parts of the body, while giving tone to the underlying muscles. In addition, electrostimulation is also used toreduce the orange peel appearance of cellulite , by toning the connective tissue and encouraging blood and lymphatic flow.
When combined with physical activity and dietary rebalancing, electrostimulation gives good long-term results. It should also be noted that it can now be practiced at home, as many devices are currently available for sale.
Slimming treatments to practice at home
Cosmetic care and accessories
The dermal application of slimming care may be an alternative to consider. Slimming treatments come in different forms (creams, gels, oils) and contain different active ingredients:
- “Fat burner”: active ingredients activating lipolysis, such as caffeine, bromelain, capsaicin, flavonoids…
- Drainage : active ingredients that help the body evacuate excess water from the tissues, while stimulating microcirculation (horsetail, birch, anise, red vine, horse chestnut, etc.)
- Moisturizers : active ingredients that help maintain the proper hydration of the skin, and therefore its firmness.
Slimming creams do not slim down in the strict sense, but they promote the localized loss of centimeterstag. However, to take advantage of their effectiveness,the skincare routine must be diligent, regular and be done over several weeks.
Moreover, the massage is at least as important as the carethat is applied. It must be done “from bottom to top”, to promote drainage and must be energetic – possibly on the principle of palpate-roll. It can possibly be carried out with a massage accessory: suction cup, orange peel massager, wooden or silicone massage roller.
Finally, a scrub priorto the application of the slimming treatment should be considered, to promote the penetration of the active ingredients. This prior exfoliation can be done with a small grain cosmetic scrub or with a natural fiber glove, such as a horsehair glove, a loofah or a konjac sponge.
massagers
Less expensive than treatments in institutes or aesthetic medicine practices, domestic slimming massagers are becoming more and more effective. They make it possible toreproduce, at home, some of the most famous slimming treatmentstag. Also, it is easy to find anti-cellulite massagers on the market, which reproduce the mechanical palpate-roll to perfection. Some devices are more inspired by other massage techniques, such as the percussion technique (massage gun), kneading or effleurage. Often intuitive to use, they allow a daily slimming massage, from home. Finally, other techniques, such as electrostimulation, are accessible to the public. It is not uncommon to see it promoted on prime time media.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.