Lymphatic drainage massage – a favorite of celebrities for its sculpting effect – It can reduce cellulite, flatten your stomach, stimulate blood circulation, strengthen your immune system, and improve your mood.
Interested?
Experts reveal the tools and techniques needed to master massage at home, plus other body beauty rituals (like dry brushing) to get you ready for summer.
The technique of maderoterapia gained popularity in the 1990s in South America, where people call it maderoterapia (madera means wood in Spanish).
Lymphatic drainage
Lymphatic drainage massage is a form of massage that stimulates the movement of lymphatic fluids around the body.
With the goal of releasing any buildup of toxins and restoring immune system functions, the practice helps prevent a variety of unwanted health conditions.
Trained professionals perform lymphatic massages through gentle pressure and massage to stimulate flow and activate the body’s filtration mechanisms.
While it is beneficial, it is not cheap. The service can cost between $100 and $250 per session at a spa.
The De La Heart tool is used by many, including Dua Lipa and Melissa Wood-Tepperberg (pictured), who used it religiously to sculpt their legs before their Sports Illustrated photo shoot.
“Using these bodily tools optimizes the function of your own healing and detoxification mechanisms,” says Gigi Vogel, founder of De La Heart.
Body tool method
The technique of maderoterapia gained popularity in the 1990s in South America, where people call it maderoterapia (madera means wood in Spanish).
Growing up in Colombia, Giordana (Gigi) Vogel was exposed to healthy beauty routines at a young age.
Her mother used to use Gua Sha and lymphatic drainage tools on her, which later inspired Gigi to launch her wellness company, De La Heart, with a patent-pending product: the body tool.
The lightweight custom bentwood tool allows you to perform a quick, easy and effective lymphatic drainage massage ritual in the comfort of your own home.
It’s adored by many, including Dua Lipa and Melissa Wood-Tepperberg, who used it religiously to get their sculpted legs before their Sports Illustrated photo shoot.
“Using these bodily tools optimizes the function of your own healing and detoxification mechanisms,” says Gigi.
The benefits of regular use include: early destruction of toxic substances, minimization of tissue damage, reduction of inflammation and improvement of the lymphatic system.
As well as body contouring and reducing the appearance of cellulite.
Gigi always advises moisturizing the skin with oil before using the body tool to avoid pulling and bruising the skin.
Preparation
According to Gigi, you should use your hands to massage the lymph nodes (neck, armpit, chest, abdomen (belly), and groin) at each hinge of your body.
Then moisturize the skin with oil to prevent pulling and bruising before using the tool.
Technique for using a body tool
“Rule of thumb: all strokes should go in the direction of the heart or the closest set of lymph nodes,” reveals Gigi.
She recommends using the tools 3-5 times per week and says that consistency is key for optimal results.
Step by step instructions from Gigi
Holding the tool upright, start at your ankle and gently rub in an upward motion toward the inner thigh (repeat 3-7 times per leg), then repeat on the outer thigh (3-7 times per leg). leg).
Hold the tool horizontally and massage the front of the legs starting at the front of the knee toward the groin area.
When massaging the back of your legs, Gigi recommends supporting the leg you’re massaging on a stool to make it easier to reach.
Hold the tool upright and message with an upward motion from the back of your knees to the crease of your buttocks.
Since developing the lightweight custom bentwood tool, Gigi has expanded the brand into a full line that includes dry body brushes, dry face brushes, natural skincare oils and more.
Massage your arms by holding the tool in an upright position, practicing smooth, gentle strokes as you glide the tool from the inside of the wrist to the elbow and from the elbow to the armpit.
Repeat this movement on the outer parts of your arm (3-7 times on each arm).
She doesn’t recommend using the body tool on the stomach, but does suggest using it on the sides of the body to contour the waist.
Holding the tool upright, massage from the waist line down towards the lymph nodes that live in the sacrum and groin area (repeat 3-7 times on each side).
dry brushing
Dry brushing is a personal care ritual that dates back to the Egyptians.
It’s done with a stiff-bristled dry brush to exfoliate the skin, increase circulation, remove toxins, aid digestion, and even improve the appearance of cellulite.
“Dry brushing should be done before you shower to rinse away dead skin cells and allow your body to fully detox,” Gigi said.
To perform a dry brush massage, Gigi instructs to repeat the same path used with the body brush.
‘With the exception of your abdomen, which you dry by brushing in clockwise circles, this is the direction your colon runs and will help stimulate your digestion.
‘When you use your body brush and body tool to massage your body, you are often stimulating your system to improve your energy, immune function and lymphatic flow, leaving you feeling energized and invigorated.’
“For an invigorating magical massage at home, I like to focus on the stomach and thighs: massaging towards the heart to help stimulate circulation, then onto the joints and lymph nodes to help relieve tension and stimulate lymphatic drainage. “said the famous makeup artist. , Sofia Tilbury who prefers Charlotte Tilbury Magical Body Cream
intentional hydration
Applying body lotion after your shower can help seal moisture deep into your skin to keep it hydrated.
But instead of slapping down any old lotion in a messy fashion, you would benefit from using a quality product and being more intentional with your application.
“For an invigorating magical massage at home, I like to focus on the stomach and thighs: massaging towards the heart to help stimulate circulation, then onto the joints and lymph nodes to help relieve tension and stimulate lymphatic drainage. “said the famous makeup artist. , Sofia Tilbury.
Sofia suggests using the palm of your hand to massage in upward motions.
the expert is a huge fan of Charlotte Tilbury’s recently launched Magic Body Cream, inspired by the brand’s best-selling Magic Cream Moisturizer.
Like the face cream, the body cream is formulated with Magic 8 Matrix, which includes hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E and shea butter, in addition to proven body actives. to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite.
“We’ve been wearing it on every catwalk and red carpet, from Paris Fashion Week to the Oscars – all of our celebrity clients, including Lily James and Michaela Jaé Rodríguez, are obsessed,” Sofia said.
For a gorgeous, glowing finish, Sofia recommends applying Charlotte’s Supermodel Body to the center of the limbs and along the collarbones.
