Liposuction without the scalpel

When plastic surgeons hear the word liposuction combined with any adjective that involves a lack of surgical intervention, they quietly grind their teeth. And they will tell you that liposuction without surgery is impossible, and that the client is being deceived. Nevertheless, technologies for destroying fat and removing it from the body by natural means – through the circulatory system – are very popular today, regardless of what they are called. The procedure that is designed to deal with local fat deposits is carried out, for example, on the Ultra Shape ultrasound machine. Fat cells are destroyed by ultrasound waves which do not affect other tissues. Like classic liposuction, this procedure can remove fat deposits in places where neither physical exercise nor diets can help.

Machines for the body

Microcurrents have been used in aesthetic medicine for so long that they are no longer a novelty in cosmetology equipment. They improve the metabolism in tissues, cause constriction of the muscles and increase their tone. It would seem that the inventors in this field have already said all that they can. But no, recently they came up with a new machine called Beautytek. This is a computer system which forms microcurrents on the level of the biocurrents of the cell, without causing constriction of the muscles, but raising the biological activity of the cell and normalizing the metabolism in it. For different tissues, different currents are formed with the use of electrode probes and electrolyte gels. The patient feels a pleasant stroking action, which tightens the breasts, changes the form of the stomach, and causes cellulite to disappear from the buttocks and hips, and gets rid of double chins.

In new generation devices, microcurrent therapy is rarely used as a single procedure. But more frequently, clinics and beauty centers buy devices which could be called “multifunctional machines” – they use a series of different physiotherapeutic methods and can solve the same problem in several ways. Almost all specialists say that a composite effect can help to solve the task at hand more quickly and effectively. This involves removing excess fat in local areas, removing cellulite and returning the tone to the skin. These multifunctional machines include devices from VIP-line, Ultraton Futura Pro, Excellent etc. Each of them uses several methods – such as electro-stimulation, lymph drainage, isometric gymnastics, infra-red heat in combination with miostiumlation, microcurrent therapy, electro-lipolysis and ultrasound…

Massage without using hands

In a composite approach to modeling the figure, a basic procedure is massage – by hand or machine. Today the most famous and popular machine methods are endermology and dermontony, on the Cellu M6 Keymodule LPG and Skintonik machines. In both cases, a vacuum operates on the body, and the difference lies in the manipulations. And although each method is self-sufficient, cosmetologists often combine them, as they both have their own special features. Endermology is an effective general treatment of the body, with the LPG device, which has a large camera, making it easy to work with large areas. The procedure not only makes it possible to model the figure, but also to remove emotional and muscular tension. On small areas, the large camera is practically useless. So for areas that are inaccessible for LPG, it is recommended to add several dermontony procedures, as the Skintonik camera is smaller, and can be used more easily in small sensitive zones – for example, in the area of the arms, waist and knees. This is also the main method for modeling the oval of the face.

For local deposits on the waist, in the lower section of the stomach, the distribution of fat cells are to blame – this is often hereditary. To deal with this, the scientific center at LPG Systems developed specialized programs, with new equipment for carrying out endermological movements, which they patented under the name of lipomassage. It reduces the volume of fat in certain areas, and smoothes out the texture of the skin. This method helps to tighten the buttocks  effectively for women, and restore the proportions of folds under the buttocks, and change the figure. For men, it helps to restore the contours of the torso and the waist area, and get rid of a beer belly.

Under the press

Pressotherapy is also called presso-massage or pneumo-massage. This massage is not done by hand, but with a machine that can change the thickness and porosity of tissues. The principle is similar to the one used in the machine for measuring pressure. The air goes through special costumes: for the legs, stomach and hips there are special pants, for the stomach and hips there is a wide belt, and for the arms there are long gloves. By taking excess liquid and harmful substances out of the body, pressotherapy restores the water balance, bringing the circulation of the lymph and tissue fluids back to normal. This also improves the venal blood circulation, activates metabolism processes in the cells of the skin and the fat cells, while making the skin firm and smooth. Pressotherapy is often recommended at the initial stage of the program for weight reduction, as removing excess fluid and eliminating water retention is always the first and most important step.

Changing plusses to minuses

To lose weight and keep the skin in good condition, procedures are recommended where the main therapeutic effect is temperature.

Cryotherapy is a method that can stimulate mechanisms in the body which have been slowed down for various reasons. The skin receptors, when they react to cold of 0 degrees, send a signal to the brain of such intensity that the body starts to work more intensively. After the course of procedures, the immunity increases, the metabolism is activated, and the processes of skin regeneration are stimulated. You shouldn’t compare cryotherapy with a cold shower – the effect of the mixture of nitrogen and cold air does not cause stress. The session takes place in a capsule that resembles a vertical solarium, and does not last more than three minutes. During this time, the temperature in the capsule drops to -140 degrees, and the skin cools down to 0 degrees.

Infra-red rays, on the other hand, warm the body and the deep layers of the skin, removing toxins, heavy metal salts and carcinogens, and the circulation increases. The temperature in the infra-red “sauna” does not rise above 62 degrees, so it can be easily endured. During the session (25 minutes), the sweat glands work intensively, the pores open, the skin is cleansed.

In machine cosmetology there is another innovation based on warming with infra-red rays – infra-red pants. In these pants, the heat works on problem zones, restoring the initial structure of the skin, including after pregnancy or slimming. If you don’t have the time to go to cosmetic centers or fitness clubs, you can buy infra-red shorts or an infra-red belt and carry out the procedure at home.

Fitness machines for lazy people

Slimming and returning firmness to the body with machine methods is wonderful, of course, but if you only move around your office or apartment, then it is best to combine machine methods with exercises on fitness machines. If your body is unaccustomed to physical activity, then it will not only increase in size – the muscles will degenerate, the skin will become flabby, and premature aging of the body will begin. And don’t try to justify this by the fact that your health does not allow you to play sport or that you feel uncomfortable going to the swimming pool or gym. These days these problems can be solved, you only have to desire it.

To remove fat deposits and cellulite on the hips, VacuStep is used – a machine which combines the effect of a vacuum and physical activity on the lower part of the body. Sessions involve walking for 25 minutes in an absolute vacuum. This involves serious exertion, and the micro-circulation of the blood and lymph glands in the deep layers of the skin increases, which leads to a reduction in the size of the stomach, hips, legs and buttocks. Exercises with VacuStep are also useful for preventing heart diseases. However, people suffering from varicose veins or thrombosis should not use this machine.

Toning tables are a discovery of last century which keep the muscles toned even for people who cannot do active forms of sport: people with spinal problems, osteohondrosis, heart diseases, varicose veins… These exercises do not put any burden on the spine or cardiovascular system, and the main work on problem areas of the body is done by toning tables. One hour of this exercise is equal to seven hours of ordinary exercise – and so weight loss is guaranteed.

Vibro machines act on the body with low and medium frequency vibrations, which stimulate the activity of all the tissues. Thanks to the high frequency, the muscles tense and react to the vibration by automatically constricting and relaxing. Exercising on these machines is thought to be equivalent to a good sport exercise, and they can be used to lose weight quickly without major physical efforts. In order to deal with local deposits, home vibro massagers can be used (platforms, belts). But they should be used only after consulting with a specialist, as using a belt on the stomach is dangerous.

One machine is not an army

The experience of machine methods shows that noticeable improvements of the figure are impossible with just LPG or microcurrent therapy. Every method has effective but limited capabilities, which may solve the problem that is most serious for you, but which are isolated from others which are no less important. This is why cosmetologists advise for methods to be combined – solving the same problem from different sides, which means the result becomes visible much more quickly.

For example, if a doctor sees that your blood vessels are not prepared for active lymph drainage, then machine methods are best used after a course of manual massage, in order to prepare the lymph and blood-vascular system for active work.

Doctors recommend to use mesotherapy along with machine procedures – for example, when there is considerable weight loss and the skin noticeably tightens, but in some areas the effect is less noticeable, and the cellulite does not go away. In the middle of the treatment, when the fast and physiological process of weight loss suddenly stops, and the so-called “plateau period” begins, several mesotherapy procedures will start the process again.

Seaweed wraps are also useful when losing weight. They are capable of increasing the lymph flow, breaking down fats and nourishing the skin. The seaweed, which is combined with menthol, tones the skin and the blood vessels, while green tea increase the draining and toning effects… If you have an unhealthy lifestyle, working a lot and never getting enough sleep, and eat spicy foods and drink a lot of coffee, the machine methods should only be started after detoxification of the body, otherwise there will not be any visible effect from the procedures for one or even two weeks. To speed up the process of removing toxins, you should go to the sauna and take baths with seaweed extracts at home before going to the cosmetologist… If your skin is dry and flabby, you should interchange seaweed wraps with machine massages.

Attaining an ideal shape is not easy. It’s even harder to keep it. But once you have achieved it, you can go without embarrassment to the gym, the swimming pool or a belly-dancing lesson. Any regular physical activity is invaluable for maintaining your figure. You also shouldn’t change your diet drastically after the end of the procedures. Of course, you won’t have to eat nothing but yoghurt and lettuce for the rest of your life, but you should try to eat sensibly.

Marina Mchelidze, head doctor of the MediEstetik clinic group

 “Body Aesthetic” is the name for a revolutionary invention in cosmetology devices. It even looks like more like a spaceship than a medical device.

This computerized device carries out combined treatment of cellulite, correction of the figure and rejuvenation of the skin of the face and body, using vacuum and ultrasound at the same time. The combination of vacuum and ultrasound destroys fat cells with maximum efficiency and speed, and also protects the skin from flabbiness during the thinning process.

Before the course of treatment begins, a diagnosis is made which gives a precise reading of the ratio of fat, water and active cell mass in the body. Then the computer program selects and recommends the methods and intensity of working on problem areas. Throughout the entire course of treatment, the machine controls all the processes taking place in the human body – and this is a guarantee that you will lose weight correctly, without any side effects. By reducing your weight, removing cellulite, increasing the elasticity and tissue tone of the skin, this method will give your figure back its shapeliness, grace and elegance.

Nellya SOLOMAKHA, dermatologist, cosmetologist and physiotherapist at the RAMI clinic

A mechanical massage on the LPG machine is the most modern method of deep massage without using electricity. It replaces the hands of even the most highly qualified masseur, and also effectively works on the tissues, in a way that a person cannot. The LPG is a vacuum roller machine. The skin fold is raised by the vacuum to the thickness of the layer of fat, and the mechanized rollers “knead it” – they massage the layer of fat in different parts of the body. From working on the skin, the subcutaneous fat tissue, the muscles, the lymphatic and blood vessels, we achieve an overall effect – a reduction in the mass of the body by removing excess fluid; reducing the subcutaneous fat tissue by increasing the venous drainage and stimulating the lymph drainage, and activating or relaxing the muscles, and also tightening and firming up the skin. The LPG is a “sensible” machine capable of solving the most diverse problems, relating to both beauty and health. And the endermological massage procedure does wonders for your mood, causing the spring melancholy to disappear for good.

SESSION LOCATIONS AND PRICES (number of procedures determined by the doctor)

LPG  - “Kosmet” (1700), “Osnova” (1600), RAMI (1650), Oksana Volkova Center of Medical Cosmetology (depending on the program, from 1500,  male programs 2500)

Body Aesthetic – MediEstetik clinic group (4000-6000)

Skintonic – “Kosmet” (1500), Oksana Volkova Center of Medical Cosmetology (1500) Hi-tech-cosmetology (1700)
Beautytek – “Venera” (2900 – 3850, depending on the zone)

Ultra Shape – “Amoria” (1 impulse – 89 rubles, 50 – 180,000 depending on the zone)

Kriosauna – KrioLaguna (depending on the location of the center 400 – 550), St. Petersburg RAN clinical hospital (400)

Pressotherapy - Hi-tech-cosmetology (590), Body Tonus (depending on the time of day 370 – 430)

VIP-line – “Indeks tvoei krasoty” (1450), “Kontinent” (1700)

VacuStep - Body Tonus (490 – 540), “Sozvezdie Wellness” (400)

Toning table -  Body Tonus (260-310), Toning club – toning tables, vibroplatform, VacuStep etc. (subscription service – 3 months 4900-6500).