Shape correction - varieties of techniques and their peculiarities

Body shaping is a complex concept that includes cosmetic procedures aimed at eliminating fat deposits (especially local ones) and flabbiness of the skin, which is accompanied by the restoration of proportionality and slimness of the figure.

This is a branch of aesthetic medicine, with the help of which the appearance of a person and his psycho-emotional state are improved. Body shaping should be carried out in specialized centers or sanatoriums for body shaping under the strict supervision of a qualified specialist in order to avoid undesirable consequences for your body. Thus, the purpose of body shaping is to reduce fat and preserve muscle tissue, since its loss harms the body.

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Methods of body shaping

There are many different methods of body shaping. There are different types of techniques that:

• cause the breakdown of fats (lipolysis),
• inhibit the process of fat formation in the body,
• improve blood supply to muscle tissue and fat,
• remove excess fluid from the body, etc.

These techniques are divided into the following categories:

1. The main ones, which are aimed at breaking down fats in the body and reducing the number of fat cells, are lipolysis. These include:
   • ozone therapy,
   • mesotherapy.
2. Draining, characterized by the removal of decay products and toxic substances from the body, formed during the breakdown of fats. Draining methods include:
   • lymphatic drainage,
   • thalassotherapy,
   • pressotherapy.
3. Auxiliary – aimed at improving blood circulation in soft tissues, which prepares the body for procedures, enhances and prolongs their effect:
   • various types of massage (manual and hardware),
   • physiotherapeutic techniques.
4. Preventive methods aimed at achieving and maintaining the achieved results:
   • rational balanced nutrition,
   • sports activities.

As a rule, all these methods are used when correcting the figure, but everything is selected individually. Before starting to correct the figure, it is necessary to conduct a diagnostic examination of the whole body using a bioimpedance analyzer to measure the level and ratio of fat and muscle tissue.

Body shaping with clothing

Correction of the figure with clothes involves wearing special underwear, belts, corsets, shorts, leggings and overalls. Such clothes will emphasize the advantages and hide the disadvantages. Clothes for figure correction should be moisture and air permeable.

1. Underwear for body shaping can be modeling or corrective.
   • Shapewear has a slimming effect or can add volume in areas where it is needed (for example, push-up bras).
   • When wearing corrective underwear, the body shape changes not only visually, but also actually decreases in size, due to a change in the proportions of the figure. This occurs due to the redistribution of the fat layer, due to the special cut of such underwear. To achieve this result, it is necessary to wear this underwear daily (about ten hours a day).
2. The body shaping belt is usually equipped with massage rollers with several modes, but there are also those without massage devices. The action of the belt is based on the loss of moisture, due to the fact that a person sweats when wearing it, as well as on improving blood circulation and accelerating metabolism. And as a result, fat deposits are burned faster, and the waist is corrected.
3. The body shaping corset supports the spine, reduces and eliminates tension in the back muscles, increases shoulder rotation and corrects posture.
4. Shorts for body shaping are recommended in case of necessary correction in the area of buttocks, hips. And the presence of a high waist in shorts will have an additional tightening effect on the abdominal area.

In case of such diseases as varicose veins, impaired lymph drainage, edema, etc., before buying and wearing corrective underwear, you should consult a doctor to avoid complications.

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Massage for body shaping

Massage for body shaping is highly effective and beneficial for the general condition of the body because:

• improves the functioning of the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems,
• improves blood circulation,
• has a positive effect on the psycho-emotional state,
• improves the properties of skin, muscles and ligaments.

The following types of massage are used to correct the figure:

1. Anti-cellulite, where hard and painful methods of action on the skin, subcutaneous fat tissue are used, improving blood circulation. Such massage is performed manually using various means.
2. Aroma massage – essential oils are used in combination with regular oils. The effect on the body occurs through the skin and respiratory organs.
3. Ayurvedic – lasts about two hours in an appropriate environment – dim lighting, quiet music. During the massage, certain points (marma points) are stimulated, thus influencing the spiritual and physical levels.
4. Fitness massage is a massage combined with physical exercise, which enhances lymph and blood circulation and increases energy expenditure due to fatty tissue.
5. Lymphatic drainage is a massage aimed at enhancing metabolic processes in the skin. It is carried out along the lymphatic vessels, improves the flow of lymph, which helps remove excess fluid.

This is not a complete list of types of massage; there are also: Balinese, bath, vacuum, Vietnamese, Hawaiian, detox, classic, cosmetic, lipolytic, liposuction, lifting massage, modeling, rubbing massage, shaping massage, etc.

The choice of massage type is made by the specialist who performs the body shaping. A combination of several massage types is possible.

Body shaping with mesotherapy

Body shaping with mesotherapy involves subcutaneous administration of small doses of medications. The medications are injected into problem areas, which is accompanied by local fat breakdown, or into reflexogenic areas, which is accompanied by increased metabolic processes in the body. In addition to medications, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals are injected, which are necessary for deeper layers of the skin and do not penetrate when applied superficially.

Indications for mesotherapy.

1. The presence of cellulite, excess fat deposits.
2. Age-related skin aging – decreased skin tone, presence of wrinkles and age spots.
3. Scars of various origins, stretch marks.
4. A decrease in the amount of hair, accompanied by baldness.
5. Acne and acne scars.
6. Presence of spider veins or dilated blood vessels.

Contraindications to mesotherapy are mainly relative:

• Impaired blood clotting or taking anticoagulants (aspirin, gerapin, trental).
• Chronic vascular disorders.
• Chronic kidney diseases.
• Pregnancy.
• Gallbladder diseases (gallstones).

Before the mesotherapy procedure, it is necessary to conduct an allergy test for the injected substance in order to prevent unwanted allergic reactions.

Mesotherapy is carried out in courses:

• for the face – from seven to ten procedures,
• for the body – from ten to fifteen sessions.

A mesotherapy session is carried out once or twice every seven to ten days. After the completion of the mesotherapy course, maintenance courses can be prescribed - once or twice a month. Repeated sessions can be carried out after six months or a year, depending on the existing problem.

Side effects of mesotherapy:

• Pain at the injection site, the degree of which depends on the individual properties of the body.
• Hyperemia, which disappears half an hour after the procedure.
• There may be some injection marks that will disappear within one to three days.
• Bruises may appear during the first sessions of mesotherapy to eliminate cellulite.

When performing mesotherapy it is not recommended:

• Apply cosmetics within 24 hours after the session, including foundation.
• In the next few days after mesotherapy, do sports, get a massage, go to a bathhouse or sauna.
• Do not carry out other cosmetic procedures on the day of mesotherapy.

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Surgical body contouring

Surgical body contouring is usually used to achieve quick results. It is also used in cases of cosmetic defects or flaws that cannot be eliminated by natural methods. Using surgical body contouring, you can correct any cosmetic flaws of the body and get the necessary shapes and volumes. The most common surgical methods are:

• Liposuction – involves removing fatty tissue in the hypodermal layer. The fatty tissue is destroyed by vacuum discharge or ultrasound, after which it is removed through special tubes. It is also possible to remove fatty tissue with a syringe if a small amount needs to be removed.
• Lipofilling – involves the transplantation of fat tissue from one area to another.

Surgical liposuction does not remove stretch marks or cellulite, it will reduce the volume of the hips, but the elasticity and firmness of the skin will not increase, so it is necessary to use a comprehensive approach to body shaping.

Body shaping products

The following body shaping products are distinguished: gels, creams, lotions and oils.

These products may differ in their components, but their principle of action is the same and is aimed at improving microcirculation, skin properties and activating the breakdown of fat deposits. The components included in the body shaping products may be natural or synthetic. Natural components include:

• Plant extracts – ivy, green tea, horsetail, coffee, cocoa, birch leaves, lemongrass, chestnut, ginkgo biloba, pineapple, guarana.
• Extracts from seaweed and plankton.
• Essential oils of corn sprouts, camphor, citrus, lemon balm, mint, macadamia nuts.

Natural components nourish and saturate the skin, hypodermis with vitamins and microelements, have a light drainage effect, improve skin tone and elasticity, reduce the appearance of cellulite. The presence of oils in the composition of figure correction products promotes better penetration of the active component into the deep layers of the skin, and also stimulates the olfactory receptors, improving the psycho-emotional state.

Synthetic components include:

• Collagen and elastin.
• Coenzyme Q10.
• L-quarantine.

Synthetic components are analogs of substances that are produced in the body. It is recommended to apply body shaping products twice a day - morning and evening, every day. They can be combined with each other. The result from their use will be higher if you simultaneously exercise and stick to a diet.

Body shaping gel

The body shaping gel acts directly on the skin and hypodermis. This is explained by the peculiarities of the skin's thermoregulation - during the warming process that occurs in the skin, the components of the gel are better absorbed and penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and under the skin, where they act on fat deposits.

Gels usually contain:

• caffeine,
• amino acids,
• red pepper extract,
• seaweed extracts,
• grape extracts,
• essential oils.

These components contribute to local improvement of metabolism, blood circulation, reduce swelling and improve skin properties. The gel for body shaping is applied to the skin quite easily, is well absorbed and leaves no marks on clothes.

Rules for applying the gel to the skin:

• Before applying the gel, you need to perform a massage procedure with essential oils or other anti-cellulite products.
• You can take a bath with sea salt, which will steam the body and cleanse the pores of the skin, as a result of which the gel will be better absorbed and penetrate deeper.
• The effect will be better if the gel is applied twice a day - morning and evening for a month. The course can be repeated after two months.

Contraindications to applying the gel:

• The presence of damage to the skin - wounds, cuts, scratches, etc.
• Rash on the skin.
• Allergic reactions to the components of the gel.
• It is not recommended to apply to areas with moles and warts.

Before applying the gel, it is better to consult a specialist. To achieve the desired result, the use of the gel should be in combination with other measures for body shaping.

Body Shaping Cream

The figure correction cream is very convenient, as it does not require outside intervention and can be used at home. The figure correction cream is well absorbed by the skin, which improves skin tone and reduces subcutaneous fat deposits. The cream is usually applied after taking a shower and using scrubs, with light massaging movements. In case of damage to the skin of a traumatic, inflammatory or allergic nature, it is not recommended to use the cream until the skin is completely restored. The most famous creams are Turboslim, Slimcode, Normoshape, Goldshape.

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Turboslim for body shaping

Turboslim for body shaping is used for the following purposes:

• burning of subcutaneous fat deposits,
• elimination of swelling and congestion,
• improving the properties of the skin – increasing its elasticity and firmness.

Turboslim contains caffeine, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba extract, fucus, horse chestnut, butcher's broom, L-carnitine, D-panthenol, grapefruit essential oil, benzyl nicotinate, aminophylline.

The cream is applied to problem areas with massaging movements twice a day for a month. Available in 50 and 100 ml tubes.

Body shaping at home

Correction of the figure at home should be accompanied by a good emotional mood and consists of optimizing the daily routine:

• Diet - reduce consumption of fatty, sweet, salty and fried foods. Increase consumption of vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy and meat products in the diet. Do not overeat at night, the last meal should be three hours before bedtime.
• Maintain water balance, drink one and a half to two liters of water per day.
• Do physical exercises - jumping rope, crunches, squats, push-ups, using a hula hoop, etc.
• Do yoga.
• Use special gels, creams, lotions, oils, serums to correct your figure.
• Spend more time outdoors.

Correcting your figure at home occurs more slowly and depends on your willpower.

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Body shaping for men

Body shaping for men should take into account the characteristics of the male body:

• different organization of the hypodermis,
• absence of cellulite,
• faster lipolysis processes,
• Subcutaneous fat deposits are deeper.

In addition, men are comfortable with procedures, they want to get results in a shorter time, and can also visit only a few procedures per week. Due to such features, the number of methods for body shaping for men is reduced. Often, LPG correction, biostimulation and massages are recommended for body shaping for men.

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Postpartum body contouring

Correction of the figure after childbirth, as a rule, should begin after the end of breastfeeding. It includes following a diet with the exclusion or reduction of sweet, fatty, fried and salty foods.

• The diet should be dominated by fruit and vegetable dishes, low-fat dairy and meat products.
• Eat frequently (five to six times during the day), in small portions.
• Drink the required amount of water - one and a half to two liters.
• Play sports – running, walking, fitness, swimming, using exercise machines, hula hoop, etc.
• Use different types of massage.
• Wear corrective underwear - belts, bras, etc.
• Using hardware methods for body shaping.

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Centers and sanatoriums for body shaping

1. Oxford Medical Clinic (in Kyiv and 13 regions of Ukraine).
2. Hardware cosmetology clinic (Kyiv).
3. Medical center "Farmosa" (Vinnytsia).
4. Anti Age Clinic (Donetsk).
5. Medical center "Eviva" (Kharkov).
6. Scientific and medical center "Know-how med" (Kyiv, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk).

This is not a complete list of figure correction centers in Ukraine. Qualified specialists work in figure correction centers, who take an individual approach to each client. The centers use innovative methods developed by scientists for the purpose of figure correction - skin defects are eliminated, the structure and properties of the skin, hypodermis, hair and nails are improved, etc.

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Body shaping sanatoriums

Body shaping sanatoriums are becoming increasingly popular among the population. The sanatoriums will conduct a set of necessary examinations, based on the results of which an individual body shaping program will be selected. The advantage of body shaping sanatoriums is constant specialist supervision and remoteness from city noise and polluted air. The body shaping program in sanatoriums includes sports (swimming pool, physical exercises on exercise machines), herbal medicine, diet, massage, sauna, etc.

• You can visit the body correction sanatorium located in Crimea – Krymskie Zori. The advantage of the sanatorium is its close location to the sea (one hundred meters), which will make body correction even more pleasant and effective.
• The Berezovy Gai sanatorium, located in the Vinnytsia region, in the city of Khmelnik, also offers a program for body shaping and weight loss.

There are many sanatoriums in Ukraine, in order to choose the necessary sanatorium it is advisable to consult a doctor, since it is necessary to take into account concomitant diseases and climatic conditions.

Prices for body shaping

Prices for body shaping vary and depend on the level of the cosmetology center, the level of qualification of the specialists, and the range of procedures selected. Prices can range from 120 to several thousand or more hryvnias on average.

Reviews of body shaping

Reviews about body shaping are most often positive, especially if all recommendations of specialists are followed.

• Effectively eliminates excess weight and cellulite.
• Skin properties (color, firmness and elasticity) improve, especially after hardware methods of treatment, massage and the simultaneous use of anti-cellulite gels and creams.
• The desired result is achieved faster by following a diet, exercising and getting massages.

Among the disadvantages of body shaping in centers, the high cost of procedures and the time commitment are often dismissed.

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