A deep massage may be all it takes to reduce that dimpled, puckered skin while it' s still swimwear season. Called Synergie Aesthetic Massage System, the new method is one of the latest to receive the approval of the Food and Drug Administration, the federal agency that monitors medical procedures. It uses a type of hose hooked up to a machine to create suction to provide stimulation and pressure to tissues beneath the skin, according to Dr. Robert Kleinwaks, director of Roslyn Health and Wellness on Long Island. Not to be confused with liposuction, which is the surgical removal of fat, the Synergie system delivers a deep tissue massage. The procedure is similar to one called endermologie.
Studies show it improves skin texture and elasticity.
The pressure applied to the skin appears to increase circulation and speed metabolism, breaking up pockets of fat under the skin. In addition to helping to get rid of cellulite, people say the massage feels great. The technology was first introduced in Europe in the 1980s, with the goal of helping to diminish the appearance of scars. Researchers found that people showed improvement in their skin tone and lost inches in areas of the body that were treated. It was introduced in the United States in 1996.