Hello, dear site users! This article will tell you about a variety of massage techniques against stretch marks.
Striae are a skin defect in the form of narrow strips of various sizes, ranging in color from white to red-violet, appearing when the skin quickly stretches (during pregnancy, rapid weight gain or increase in muscle mass).
Their appearance terrifies any woman, even the most self-confident.
Getting rid of stretch marks is not an easy task, but it is quite doable. You will need perseverance and patience, as this is a rather labor-intensive and lengthy process. The main thing is to act using complex therapy, and then you can achieve incredible results.
The main procedures for smoothing stretch marks are: peeling, wraps, skin treatment with medicinal cosmetics and various types of massage procedures. Today we will talk about the types of massage against stretch marks.
Massage technique for stretch marks
Massage is the most effective element of a program for eliminating stretch marks on the body, as it activates venous circulation and enhances metabolic processes in tissues, which promotes regeneration of the skin to smooth out stretch marks.
The technique of this procedure consists of carefully treating problem areas affected by striae using:
- various oils and massage mixtures with them;
- folk remedies, such as: honey, mumiyo, clay, essential oils;
- creamy cosmetics;
- massage tiles;
- vacuum apparatus;
- vacuum cans;
- vacuum roller massage (learn more about the vacuum massager);
- cryomassage with ice or nitrogen;
- hydromassage
Most of the techniques presented can be done at home, using improvised means. And the rest of the services can be provided to you by any specialized cosmetology center.
After massage procedures, you will not only smooth out skin defects, but also prevent the appearance of new ones, the skin will become smooth, firm and elastic.
There are three ways to eliminate stretch marks on the body using this procedure. The choice is always yours!
- The first and easiest way is to turn to professionals and undergo a course of cosmetological massage treatment in a beauty salon. The disadvantage of salon procedures is that they are not cheap and for a high-quality result you will need to choose a trusted cosmetologist, otherwise do not expect a noticeable effect.
- The second and most economical way is to perform massage procedures on your own, without leaving your home. The disadvantage of self-massage is that this process is quite painstaking and the result will not be noticeable immediately. To get rid of stretch marks on your body at home, you need to do the procedure regularly, and not occasionally.
- The third, fastest and most effective way is to combine treatment of stretch marks at home and in a beauty salon. The downside of this path is that you will have to spend not only a lot of money, but also a lot of time, which we sometimes lack.
If you decide to use the services of a beauty salon, you will find detailed techniques for performing massage against stretch marks on the website of the center you have chosen or by calling the administrator. But if you still decide to perform the procedure at home, let's take a closer look at the features of its implementation.
How to avoid or reduce symptoms during pregnancy
Expectant mothers need to take care of the smoothness of their skin at an early stage:
- monitor your weight, try not to gain excess weight;
- include pears, bananas, raisins, dried apricots, and fatty fish in your diet, which contain components that support skin tone;
- apply wheat germ, jojoba, olive oil to the chest and abdomen several times a day, accompanied by a light massage;
- use gels with aloe vera, vitamins A and E for problem areas;
- do gymnastics for pregnant women, swimming;
- use a contrast shower, rubbing with a mitten;
- wear well-supporting bras and a belly band.
Gymnastics for pregnant women
Recommendations should be followed throughout pregnancy.
Contraindications to the procedure
Before performing massage procedures, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications for their implementation:
- Severe diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- Oncological diseases;
- Arterial hypertension;
- Dermatological diseases;
- Varicose veins;
- Thrombophlebitis;
- Infectious diseases accompanied by high body temperature;
- Cuperosis on areas of the body affected by stretch marks.
You should also be careful when performing this procedure during pregnancy: I will talk separately about massage techniques and acceptable massage products during pregnancy.
It is not recommended to perform massage procedures for persons under 16 years of age and for elderly people.
Hardware vacuum massage
During a vacuum massage, the upper surface layer of the skin (epidermis), superficial lymphatic and blood vessels, as well as nerve endings located in the skin and subcutaneous fat are irritated. As a result, lymph flow and blood circulation are enhanced, and consequently, cellular metabolism and the production of new cells are accelerated, as well as tissue nutrition and the removal of cell waste products are improved.
Vacuum massage is not recommended for thrombophlebitis, exacerbation of chronic diseases, acute conditions, any damage to the skin in the area of planned exposure, increased fragility of blood vessels, as well as severe cardiovascular diseases.
Massage products for stretch marks
Today there is a huge selection of cosmetics on sale that can overcome stretch marks. Let's take a closer look at what they are and which product is right for your skin.
Massage cream for stretch marks
Stretch mark cream contains biologically active substances that provide long-lasting hydration, maintaining water balance in the intercellular space of the epidermis to increase skin elasticity.
Regular rubbing of the cream is done for prevention or can help as a component of complex therapy. If you want to smooth out stretch marks, use the purchased cream for manual massage.
Creams come in thick, medium and liquid consistency.
- Gel-like creams are quickly absorbed, so they are suitable for oily skin.
- Thick creams, on the contrary, are very nourishing and remain on the surface of the skin for a long time; they are perfect for dry, flaky skin.
- Lotion-like creams are good for acne-prone, combination skin or sensitive areas such as the breasts or inner thighs.
Causes of stretch marks
Stretch marks are stripes of red, pink and white. Typically, pathology occurs in those areas of the body that are subject to the greatest stretching. Striae are microtraumas of the skin fibers that occur when the epidermis is strongly stretched. They are not dangerous to health, but they look unattractive, which worries their owners.
The main reason for their formation is the low level of elasticity of the epidermis. In one woman, stretch marks appear almost immediately after a slight increase in weight, while another does not have stretch marks even with a significant gain in body weight. Factors such as genetic predisposition and location can provoke the appearance of stripes on the body. If parents have previously suffered from this skin defect, then special attention should be paid to the prevention of stretch marks. It has also been scientifically proven that residents of the southern hemisphere are more susceptible to the formation of stretch marks than women of the north. This feature is associated with the thickness of the skin.
Age also affects the formation of the defect. Most often, stretch marks appear at the age of 14-18 – at the stage of puberty. As you get older, the risk of their occurrence decreases as the skin gradually begins to wrinkle. During pregnancy, stretch marks may appear because a woman gains weight, her stomach stretches, and her hormonal levels undergo changes.
Stretch marks are a problem that often affects athletes. Defects in the hips can occur as a result of a rapid gain of muscle mass, as well as as a result of an abrupt cessation of training. In general, weight fluctuations are most clearly reflected on the skin. To prevent the formation of stretch marks, it is recommended to lose no more than five percent of your total body weight per month.
Horizontal striae occur much less frequently than vertical ones. This phenomenon may indicate serious disruption of the endocrine system, so you should consult a doctor immediately.
How to choose the appropriate method for removing stretch marks and scars?
First you need to consult with a specialist. Make an appointment with a cosmetologist - dermatologist. An experienced doctor will conduct a visual examination, collect anamnesis, and determine the degree of skin damage. In order to exclude contraindications, your doctor may refer you for laboratory tests.
The cosmetologist will select the appropriate procedure and course duration for you, based on the degree of tissue damage, your skin type and your personal preferences. After the first session of some procedures, patients begin to notice results. However, in order to achieve a truly effective result, it is recommended to complete a course of 5-15 procedures.
You can make an appointment for a consultation, find out the cost of procedures or any other details directly on our website by leaving a request using a special form or by calling the clinic’s phone number 205-00-11.
Stages of development of stretch marks
- Inflammatory stage. Striae appeared at least 6 months ago. A morphological study reveals a large number of dilated vessels between damaged tissues. It is easiest to treat such stretch marks with creams, scrubs or cosmetic procedures.
- Atrophic stage. The damage is more than 6 months old. Morphological examination shows no signs of microcirculation. It is almost impossible to get rid of or reduce the size of such stretch marks.
It is impossible to completely restore the integrity of tissues. Over time, defects may only become less noticeable.
Stretch marks on different areas of the body. Methods to combat them
Many girls wonder how to remove stretch marks on their butt. Most often they appear due to quickly gained weight. You should exercise regularly to prevent this from happening.
On the butt
If you still encounter this problem, scrubbing will be a good solution for you.
Scrub composition:
- spoon of sea salt;
- ground coffee beans;
- any vegetable oil.
Use the resulting scrub to massage problem areas of the skin on the buttocks for 10-15 minutes. After the procedure, it will be useful to use a contrast shower. You need to use this composition at least 2-3 times a week, and preferably daily. In the area of the buttocks, the skin is rougher than on the abdomen, so it is worth working on it more intensively to get results.
On the hips
The second question most often is how to remove stretch marks on the hips. They are localized on the sides of the thighs, but can also affect other areas. A comprehensive effect will help reduce the appearance of imperfections. If you add sports to your procedures, you will improve your skin condition much faster.
Wrapping composition:
- 2 tablespoons honey;
- blue clay powder (available at the pharmacy);
- water.
Mix the clay with warm water until the consistency of the paste is uniform. Add honey. If this component is candied, first melt it in a steam bath or simply in the microwave. Apply the composition to the thighs in a thick layer, then wrap in film and a warm towel. For the best effect of the procedure on the skin, it must be done lying down. The mask should be washed off after 20-30 minutes under warm water. After the wrap, you can scrub or take a contrast shower.
On foot
The legs are affected by stretch marks much less frequently than other parts of the body. But if they appear, act immediately. We will tell you how to remove stretch marks on your legs.
Preparation of cream:
- 3-4 gr. mumiyo;
- spoon of water;
- about 100 gr. any body cream;
- a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
To prepare, you need to dilute the mumiyo with water and add cream. You can add essential oil to eliminate the odor. It is better to store the composition in the refrigerator for no more than a week to prevent the growth of bacteria in the jar with the product. Procedures with mumiyo are carried out daily after a shower. Before applying the cream, it is better to lightly exfoliate the skin. The composition is not washed off from the epidermis for several hours. Finish with moisturizer or milk all over your body.
This mixture can be used as a prophylactic even during pregnancy. It has virtually no contraindications. At the same time, we recommend that you get a doctor’s opinion about such procedures.
On the chest
Breasts are the most delicate female organ. Men may develop stretch marks in this area due to serious sports training, when the elasticity of the epidermis can no longer keep up with the growth of muscle mass. Because of this, micro-tears in tissue appear. All thermal and contrast procedures are prohibited for persons suffering from cardiovascular diseases without prior consultation with a cardiologist. We will tell you how to remove stretch marks on your chest. You need to use self-massage with essential oils. It can be orange, pine, grape, mint, peach or lemon oil.
Olive or coconut oil may be suitable for massage. The procedure is performed with both hands. Hold your chest with one, and make light circular movements over it with the other.
Do not press on the skin or rub it too hard. It is better to lightly stroke and warm up. To get rid of stretch marks, massage alone will not be enough, so it is better to use several methods of influencing damaged skin at once. You can see the results after only a few months.
How to prevent stretch marks from appearing
To prevent the formation of stretch marks, it is recommended to avoid excessive tanning in the open sun and in a solarium, drink enough clean water and regularly moisturize the body with creams and oils. While taking a bath, you should perform self-massage, thereby carefully stretching the skin, toning it, without injuring it. You also need to regularly use peelings and scrubs. Diet is also important. The diet should be enriched with a large amount of fiber. The daily menu should be enriched with freshly squeezed juices, cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Let's sum it up
Massage for stretch marks formed on the hips can be performed either by a specialist or at home. It is important to use high-quality creams and ointments and use essential oils in the process. Movements during self-massage should be smooth, not sharp, without pinching or strong manipulation, so as not to damage the skin even more.
Are you familiar with the problem of stretch marks? If you have tried to get rid of stretch marks through massage, you can share in the comments how effective this method was for you. What creams or oils do you use for massage at home?
If stretch marks are tears at the level of the dermis, is it possible in principle to get rid of them?
Elena Sibrina : “With the help of hardware and injection techniques, oral and external agents, you can reduce the severity of stretch marks. But the formed deep stretch mark will not recover to healthy skin. It's important to accept this fact."
Marina Miusova : “Like scars, stretch marks cannot be completely removed. You can adjust their thickness, color, and improve the density of the fabric. Then they will look like highlighted thin stripes.”
Tatyana Al Sabunchi: “Every girl who goes for procedures should understand: the skin will become better. In some cases - much better. But this is not one procedure, and traces will still remain.”
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Reposted from @whenbabycomes Visualization is a powerful mind exercise. Used by elite athletes and performers it's a technique to manifest desired outcomes. Many of us visualize everyday but to create the life we DON'T want. Often we imagine the worst outcome or become hyper-focused on imperfections. I constructed my first vision board just this past week, and instead of putting things I want (material), I focused on what I wanted to feel. And more than anything else I want to feel deserving. Deserving of my own affection. I want to admire this body. I want to celebrate this body. I want this to be MY body and not just a transitional body until I work hard for the hotter better one. Instead of visualizing a body without the marks of change, I want to forever see these stretch marks as beautiful as they were this day. #glitterstretchmarks inspired by original artist @glitterstretchmarks Outfit gifted by @trueandco ✨ #motherhoodunplugged #discoverunder5k #discoverunder10k #bodypositive #loveeverybody #mombod #honestlymothering #motherhoodthroughig #ohheymama #momentsinmotherhood #ig_motherhood #parenthoodunveiled #teammotherly #momtogs #uniteinmotherhood #this_is_postpartum #power inpostpartum #stopcensoringmotherhood #trueandco #truebody — #regrann Reposted from @kimcheepie — #regrann
A post shared by Naa Ashorkor Mensah-Doku (@naa_ashorkor_) on Jul 6, 2020 at 10:03pm PDT