Endermology (Greek : on the skin) is a procedure developed in the 1980s by French engineer Louis Paul Goilter for the non-invasive (without surgical intervention) treatment of burn scars. The procedure is an important part of aesthetic medicine. It is a negative pressure massage, the intensity of which would not be possible without the use of special mechanical devices. The incentive for his research was a self-inflicted car accident that Goilter survived with severe burns, cuts and lymphedema (storage of lymphatic fluid in the tissue). Although he underwent various therapies such as lymphatic drainage and massage, his ability to move improved only minimally and his pain also remained largely unaffected by the therapy.
Indications (areas of application)
- Muscle complaints
- Muscle cramps
- Scar mobilization (treatment of scarred tissue begins immediately after wound healing is complete by using the endermology procedure to correct decreased range of motion caused by scarring)
- Edema reduction (swelling of tissue due to increased fluid retention (water, lymphatic fluid/lymph) from the vascular system).
- Pain conditions
- Cellulite reduction (cellulite: dimpling of the skin due to a pronounced weakness of the connective tissue, for which women are predestined).
- Body contouring (body shaping)
- Increasing skin tone (skin tightening)
Endermology is also used in the treatment of, among other things, sports injuries and rheumatic diseases:
- Tendinitis (tendonitis).
- Tendopathy (tendonitis) – this can be considered a sign of overuse in sports (tennis, golf, badminton, etc.) or at work (for example, secretary).
- Fibromyalgia (soft tissue rheumatism; chronic – lasting longer than six months – non-inflammatory pain disorder).
Contraindications
- Pregnancy
The procedure
The massage form of endermology is based on the principle of negative pressure, which is generated by special massagers such as Cellu M6, Lift 6 and Huber, in which there is even a continuous negative pressure. By means of the mentioned massagers, a skin fold with the underlying connective tissue and subcutaneous fat deposits can be captured via a treatment head. This detection of the tissue is made possible by creating a vacuum between the treatment head of the massager and the skin. Moreover, the suction created by the vacuum is variably adjustable, so that a treatment tailored to the patient can be carried out. The achieved results of the treatment are based on the use of a treatment head of the massager, with which a stretching of the connective tissue and subcutaneous fat deposits is achieved. Due to the stretching of the tissue, the lymphatic drainage is stimulated. Furthermore, this intensive form of massage leads to the destruction of tissue cells, which results in the release of histamines (tissue messengers released during tissue damage and allergic reaction), from which hyperemia (increased blood flow) results. As a result, damage to the surface epithelium (upper layer of the skin) is effectively prevented and at the same time collagen formation (collagen is a protein used to form bones, cartilage, skin, etc.) is promoted. Of particular medical importance is the procedure of endermology in the rehabilitation of burn scars. As already mentioned, endermology is also very popular in aesthetic medicine for the treatment of cellulite. Various endermology massagers are used to reduce this connective tissue weakness:
- Cellu M6: The treatment head is equipped with two independent rollers with its own small motor for the treatment of a cellulite and other findings.
- Lift 6: With the help of magnetic flaps, this device is able to achieve a light impact movement of the skin in addition to the negative pressure treatment.
- In the therapy of sports injuries, the “Huber” is often used.
Benefits
Endermology offers a patient with scars affecting him the chance to treat him without the use of chemical substances or surgical interventions. The following can be mentioned as the results of endermology:
- An improved appearance of the skin in the presence of cellulite.
- Due to the increased blood circulation improved supply of nutrients and vital substances (macro- and micronutrients) and disposal of “waste products”.
- Tightening of wrinkles on the face
- Headache treatment through improved blood drainage from the brain
- Scar mobilization (smoothing of scars).
- For post-treatment of liposuction (liposuction) with existing cellulite, as this usually remains after the surgical procedure.
