Points of application of manual lymphatic drainage

Annabelle A. Fendl is a cosmetologist, a teacher at a cosmetology school, and the author of a number of books on the topic “Fundamentals of Complex Cosmetology” (Germany).

As you know, in the human body, in addition to the circulatory system, there is another important transport network - the lymphatic system. It transports everything that the blood capillaries cannot handle in terms of quantity (for example, water) or molecule size (for example, proteins, bacteria, fragments of destroyed cells). The lymphatic system is part of the human body's defense system and produces important immunocompetent cells, the main of which are lymphocytes. Formed in the lymph nodes, they perform an important function in controlling immune responses.

But not every person's lymphatic system works well. Even healthy people can experience disruptions. There are many reasons for this: a sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, prolonged stress, physical inactivity, and environmental pollution. The consequence of such failures can be lymphostasis - a violation of the outflow of lymph at various levels. A predisposition to this disease is observed in people with weak hearts, kidneys or blood vessels, which manifests itself in swelling of the face, arms or legs, noticeable tightness and soreness of the skin.

Thanks to the lymphatic drainage procedure, the movement of lymph through the vessels is normalized, the removal of fluid from tissues is stimulated, the body is cleansed and freed from toxic substances. With lymph, foreign particles are removed from the body - pathogens, fragments of destroyed cells, tumor cells.

The benefits of manual lymphatic drainage

Lymphatic drainage is indicated not only for pathological conditions and functional disorders, this method is also preventive and aimed at maintaining normal metabolism in healthy people.

First of all, the lymphatic drainage procedure is indicated for complex therapy of chronic venous insufficiency, lymphostasis, trophic changes in the skin, complications of diabetes (for example, diabetic foot). It is also effective for soft tissue swelling and decreased skin turgor. Lymphatic drainage is also part of a set of measures aimed at combating obesity and cellulite at all stages of its development.

The manual lymphatic drainage (ML) procedure involves using special massage techniques to influence the deep lymphatic collectors located in the chest and abdominal cavities. This combines stroking massage movements with deeper ones, which eliminates congestion in organs and tissues.

However, the conduct of RL by a cosmetologist should be clearly different from the work of a physiotherapist. Cosmetic procedures using RL are not therapeutic in nature; they are carried out only for preventive purposes.

Lymphatic drainage effects have a number of contraindications. First of all, these are acute forms of diseases of internal organs, chronic kidney diseases, skin diseases, malignant tumor processes, and an increased tendency to thrombosis. This procedure is also not recommended for pregnant women.

Thus, RL in the salon is recommended only for healthy clients for the purpose of prevention and improvement of general health, relaxation and improvement of mood.

Functions of RL in the complex of cosmetology therapy

• The lymphatic and venous systems are unloaded, blood circulation improves.

• Thanks to the removal of water and ballast substances from connective tissues that are difficult to respond to cosmetic procedures, it is used in a complex of anti-cellulite programs. The elasticity of connective tissue fibers increases.

• The body's resistance increases.

• Swelling and pastiness of tissues is reduced in stagnant conditions such as lacrimal sacs, acne, hemorrhages and tumors after a facelift. The transport of nutrients into cells is also stimulated.

• Promotes calming, relaxation and harmonization of the functions of the autonomic nervous system.

• Accelerates regeneration and healing processes. Often used in anti-age programs.

• Monotonous standard RL techniques improve well-being and are a good general preventive measure for the body.

Conducting RL for certain parts of the body also has an overall positive effect.

It is recommended to draw up a cosmetology program in such a way that after RL, procedures to improve blood supply are not performed. When performing RL for aging skin, it is first necessary to cleanse the connective tissues.

Body care programs

There can be many options for inclusion in the RL cosmetology program. Let's look at some of them.

Anti-cellulite program

1. Warm shower, applying soft shower gel to damp skin, salt bath.

2.Mechanical body peeling using a brush device or a disk brush.

3. Warm shower and drying.

4. Anti-cellulite drug (most often in the form of an “oil in water” emulsion), its effect is enhanced by infrared irradiation.

5.Procedure using pulsed currents (with pulsating direct current or interference currents) or electric vibration massage - to choose from.

6.RL in the hips and buttocks area. If desired, an electric lymphatic drainage device can be used.

7. Rest combined with soothing and non-drying wraps.

Program for skin regeneration and well-being

1. Warm shower, soft shower gel.

2. Peel the skin of the whole body, rinse with water and allow time to dry.

3.RL for the whole body without aids.

4.Regenerating body ampoule, for example with ginseng extract, Q10, Royale jelly or phytosterols, body treatment.

5.Classic full body massage using stimulating massage oils, such as jojoba or sesame, as well as essential oils for aromatization (rose, cedarwood, sandalwood).

6. Body wrap to improve blood supply, for example, with marine biologically active substances.

7.Mechanical peeling with evaporation, application of lotion and hydrogel, intensive RL without additional products for the face, neck and décolleté.

8. Regenerating ampoule and electrophoresis.

9. Classic massage using a water-in-oil emulsion, for example, with vitamins A, C, E, tannins and bitters from sage, witch hazel, oak bark, horsetail or flavonoids.

10.Regenerating wraps, for example, with silk proteins, honey, rest after the procedure.

Program for redness, irritation and sensitivity of facial skin

1.Soft preliminary facial cleansing according to skin type.

2. Warm compress.

3.Enzyme peeling combined with warm compresses.

4. Concentrate of biologically active substances that reduce redness, for example, with rutin, hesperedin from rose hips, buckwheat leaves, vitamin B, with panthenol, allantoin, azulene, bisabolol from chamomile and yarrow.

5.RL without additional products (for the face, neck and décolleté) using vacuum techniques.

6. Soothing wraps with a soft and cooling effect, for example, with aloe vera, urea, algae extracts, vitamin C, lactic acid, fango, therapeutic mud, pelosa.

Option for combining RL with fitness and sauna

1.Intense body workout, such as classical gymnastics, Pilates, fitness, acupuncture point massage, stretching exercises, swimming, etc.

2. Warm shower, applying soft shower gel.

3. Steam sauna for steaming the skin and cleansing the mucous membranes.

4.Peeling with sea salt, massage with a brush.

5.Take a shower, dry off.

6.2-3 visits to the Finnish sauna. Cold shower after each entry, use of a cold water pool for cooling (if tolerated).

7. Thorough X-ray of the torso, arms and legs; if you choose, X-ray can be concentrated on the legs, carried out without the use of additional means.

8.Rest after the procedure, soothing creamy body wrap.

First published: KOSMETIK international journal, No. 3(33), 2008, pp. 18-20