There has been an increase in demand for body contouring procedures in Russia over the past few years. According to the Aesthetic Clinic network of aesthetic medicine, in the spring of 2022 the total revenue of hardware procedures aimed at combating excess body volume increased by 65% compared to the same period in 2021, and in 2023 – already 71. % relationship compared to the previous year. Body shaping is not just for women – the proportion of male patients is estimated to be 35-40%.
This increase in demand is not only associated with the fashion of a sports body. The fact is that the number of shape correction techniques has increased significantly – and a patient who dreams of looking fit as soon as possible can choose only hardware and injection procedures today, instead of the plastic surgeon’s table.
“In 2021-2022. In terms of popularity among procedures, Cristal cryolipolysis and Ulfit ultrasonic lipolysis have taken the top positions in demand in our clinic network. The demand for endosphere hardware technology has also increased. Now a new technique has appeared – ICOON, these are devices that combine the advantages of the laser with the technology of microalveolar vacuum, which allows a non-traumatic, but very effective effect on the skin, ”says Alexandra Shamukova, Marketing Director of the Aesthetic Clinic.
modern techniques
But for an ordinary person all these names mean nothing. What is the essence of devices – and how do they work? According to the effect, modern methods of combating excess weight are divided into three conditional groups.
The first are devices that work with lymph, that is, reduce swelling and allow you to remove excess fluid from the tissues. These include, in particular, the Endosphere – due to the microvibration effect on subcutaneous fat, it eliminates local fat deposits, stagnant cellulite, stretch marks, puffiness. LPG massage improves blood microcirculation and lymph flow by stimulating metabolic processes in subcutaneous fat cells.
The second group of techniques includes hardware lipolysis, aimed at the destruction of subcutaneous fat, including in individual places. Cryolipolysis, in which the subcutaneous fat layer is destroyed by cooling, is popular in this group. “During the procedure, apoptosis, the programmed self-destruct mechanism of the fat cell, is accelerated,” explains the Aesthetic Clinic. Ultrasonic liposuction is also used instead of cryolipolysis: the fat cells are exposed to high-intensity focused ultrasound, as a result of which the cell membrane of the fat cell is destroyed and then naturally excreted from the body.
Another modern method of combating extra pounds is injection lipolysis, but in Russia it is considered risky.
The technique involves the introduction of lipolytics into the body – these drugs activate the process of breakdown of fat cells into fatty acids. Lipolitics can be direct (promote the destruction of adipose tissue directly) or indirect (block and “blow”) the fat cell.
The first is dangerous because when used, toxins are formed that affect the functioning of the liver and kidneys. The second is less harmful, but it should be borne in mind that only one drug of this type is registered in Russia. There is no direct lipolysis in our market, so you must accept with absolute certainty that only a certified product will be used for the procedure, injection lipolysis.
Massage
In addition to hardware and injection techniques, a massage is considered a good helper in the fight against excess weight – corrective or lymphatic drainage (which is both independently isolated and considered a corrective subspecies).
“Lymphatic drainage massage aims to accelerate the flow of lymph from distant parts of our body. Corrective massage aims to reduce the subcutaneous fat layer,” explains Dmitry Litvinenko, a specialist with 20 years of experience in the field of therapeutic and sports massage.
According to him, corrective massage is distinguished by techniques such as deep scrubbing and kneading, as well as intermittent vibration, that is, caress. “This is for toning the skin at the end of the massage,” explains the specialist, the meaning of the last reception. “Sometimes it hurts, it’s unpleasant, but purposeful people know what they’re getting into.”
In this case, the layer of subcutaneous fat decreases due to the strain and calorie expenditure of a person during the massage, Litvinenko explains: “This increases blood circulation in the subcutaneous fat, the body spends calories, because during the massage the body experiences static stress. The body begins to absorb nutrients from subcutaneous fat, and over time the volumes decrease repeatedly.
As for lymphatic drainage massage, it improves microcirculation between cells due to the removal of fluid – as a result, swelling decreases and the skin becomes smoother. But do not forget that such a procedure is effective within the course – from 5 to 15 sessions.
“Of course, miracles do not happen and 25 centimeters are not lost in a single procedure. But lymphatic drainage massage is one of the main types of corrective massage, it is really very popular. “Both among those who are just getting to know this technique and those who have been practicing it for a long time,” says Yulia Lipovetskaya, co-founder of the XSIZE network of massage studios. – I recommend starting all courses with lymphatic drainage. This is necessary to empty the skin and then move on to spot work of each zone.
At the same time, the technique is not new – this type of massage is included in the rehabilitation program after surgery.
“Lymphatic drainage massage has long been used effectively to improve blood circulation, accelerate lymph flow and reduce swelling. “It’s prescribed for weight loss and body shaping after surgery,” says Olga Shuppo, scientific director of the Grand Clinic network of immunorehabilitation and preventive medicine clinics.
In preventive medicine, lymphatic drainage becomes a detoxification mechanism – by the way, it can be done not only in the form of “manual” massage, but also using devices. “Efficiency is largely determined by the method and quality of implementation. The most advanced technique is cryotherapy, the technique allows you to pump the lymphatic channel. Microcirculation takes place at the level of micro-capillaries – the walls of blood vessels are strengthened, the body – literally like a pump – is pumped into the microcirculation bed, ”explains Shuppo.
The effect of lymphatic drainage is also achieved by an underwater shower and pressotherapy, but the second method is automatic and does not take into account the peculiarities of the lymphatic system.
When it comes to lymphatic drainage, experts agree that only a highly qualified specialist can use it. “Otherwise, the procedure could be harmful. The specialist should know the principles of blood circulation, lymph flow,” warns Shuppo.
Nutrition and sports
Despite the effectiveness of body contouring techniques, you should not expect hardware procedures or an experienced massage therapist to magically relieve you of extra pounds.
“Massage is an addition to diet and exercise. If one wants to speed up the result from time to time, he binds it. But if he thinks the only way to achieve results is to massage without changing his lifestyle, that won’t happen,” says Litvinenko.
This has been confirmed by experts in hardware techniques. “All special procedures only work in conjunction with proper nutrition, cosmetic care and physical activity,” they say at the Aesthetic Clinic.
Special education
Another point that body shaping experts agree on is the necessity of a medical examination before using both the massage course and hardware weight loss techniques.
“Before prescribing a procedure, consultation with an endocrinologist and a gastroenterologist is necessary to exclude possible diseases and negative consequences for the body from diets and hardware procedures,” explains Tatiana Bedayeva, head doctor of the Aesthetic Clinic network.
The doctor cannot prescribe tests for thyroid hormones, complete blood count, HOMA index, serum iron, liver tests. In addition, women should consult a gynecologist, and men should consult a urologist.
At the same time, therapeutic massage specialist Litvinenko advises to study the state of the musculoskeletal system before the procedures:
“Everyone has back problems. And the spine, that is, the spinal cord, is the innervation of all internal organs. Accordingly, when the brain is connected with the spinal cord, limbs and internal organs, that is, when the metabolism is established, corrective massage is performed.