Whether slender or curvy, in good shape or not, cellulite is common among most women. While completely normal, if you’re bothered by it, there’s no need to worry—you can take various straightforward steps to diminish its appearance. Maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and incorporating skin massages into your routine can reduce cellulite with consistent effort.
What Is Cellulite?
Cellulite, or the ‘orange peel skin’ as it is often referred to, is the appearance of bumps, dimples, and lumps formed on the skin’s surface that occurs on the buttocks, thighs, and stomach, mainly in women. Cellulite occurs when fat cells within the skin’s layers press up against higher tissues, causing the skin to dimple. Many genetic, lifestyle, and hormonal factors contribute to the development of cellulite, and it is estimated that more than 85 percent of all women have it (1). So, if you have it, rest assured that you are not alone, and do not be embarrassed about it.
What Exactly is an Anti-Cellulite Massage?
A practical method to target subcutaneous fat deposits is through anti-cellulite massage treatment. This technique involves breaking down fat deposits beneath the skin through squeezing, pinching, and applying the right amount of pressure. Muscles are then kneaded to promote uniform distribution of undesired fats around connective tissues. This process breaks down fat deposits and diminishes dimple effects, resulting in tighter and smoother skin.
Which Anti-Cellulite Treatments Are There?
If your cellulite makes you feel uncomfortable, there are plenty of things you can do to make your dimpled skin less visible. For example, one of the most simple but effective ways to reduce cellulite is changing your lifestyle, exercising regularly, staying hydrated, and eating healthy food centered around fruits, vegetables, fiber, and whole grains. In addition, by shedding a few extra pounds and toning your muscles, the appearance of your cellulite may improve, and you will not only look better but also feel happier with the exercise-induced boost in endorphins. On top of these healthy lifestyle changes, massage it for a couple of extra minutes daily. Massaging your skin will help improve circulation and blood flow to the skin’s surface, which in turn should reduce the appearance of your cellulite.
TRIVIA: According to research on cellulite published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology and Venereology, smoking can significantly contribute to cellulite by weakening the formation of collagen so dropping the bud could actually lead to less visible cellulite (2).
TRIVIA: It has been found that massaging cellulite can easily target those so-called ‘difficult areas’ like inner sections of knees, upper thighs, etc., which may not be rectified through exercises.
What are the Benefits of an Anti-Cellulite Massage?
An anti-cellulite massage disperses fat deposits under the skin and is crucial in stimulating the tissues around them. Therefore, it is most beneficial for enhancing lymphatic functions and boosting blood circulation throughout those areas required for cellulite reduction.
This massage is a fantastic addition to a healthy lifestyle and self-care routine. It is a relaxing and effective procedure that helps increase circulation and leads to brighter, smoother-looking skin. Moreover, it drains the lymph fluid and removes toxins, making your skin more elastic and healthy. Finally, when applied at regular intervals, it is an effective treatment to prevent and reduce cellulite.
TRIVIA: A study found that a dry cupping therapy might be effective on cellulite as it encourages the drainage of fluids and toxins from the body which may ultimately improve the way cellulite looks (3).
How To Do an Anti-Cellulite Massage?
Professional masseurs usually do an anti-cellulite massage with specific essential oils, creams, lotions, or scrubs. They may use sure balls and rolling tools (battery-operated cellulite massagers) or depend on their hands. However, you can do it by yourself, but ensure that you follow the proper techniques.
TRIVIA: Although the market is flooded with anti-cellulite treatments like creams and lotions, studies have found that over-the-counter medications are mostly ineffective when it comes to cellulite reduction. (4).
4 Anti-Cellulite Massaging Techniques
One can opt for different massaging techniques to reduce cellulite effectively. Let us show you how to do the anti-cellulite massage at home the right way:
Get Prepared
First, prepare your skin for the treatment by generously applying a good massage oil all over your body. You can start from your feet or knees and move upwards, working the rest of the legs, thighs, and hips to soften and “activate” the cellulite areas. This will have tremendous positive effects on your circulatory system and can significantly boost the blood flow through your peripheral veins and capillaries.
1. Kneading Massage
This anti-cellulite massage technique is like dough kneading, where body tissues are lifted and squeezed to target fat deposits. Generally, the masseur adopts the ‘alternating squeeze and lift’ technique, which breaks down the flat deposits. For the first half of the massage, knead the smaller sections (including inner knees, calves, upper arms, etc.) with your fingers. Then, for the second half of the massage, knead the comparatively larger skin surfaces (including thighs, buttocks, stomach, etc.) with your hands. This technique may increase blood flow in the skin surface to a great extent, making the fat deposits loosen up and eventually dissolve.
2. Knuckle Massage
It is pretty clear from the name that this massage technique revolves around the tactful uses of our knuckles for massaging out those unattractive cellulite bulges. Using your fists, you only need to hit or press the affected areas slowly but hard enough. Such constant crushing movements into the bumps will completely break down the accumulated fats. At last, your metabolic system will dissolve or flush them out.
3. “S” Massage
This is a unique procedure in which the cellulite bulges are massaged in the form of the English alphabet ‘S.’ First, stand straight and place both thumbs at right angles with your thighs. Now, grab a large section (as much skin surface as possible) of the troubled area of one thigh with both hands and massage in the form of ‘S’ by twisting the flesh in reverse directions. While twisting, make sure that you exert deep pressure on the skin and stroke it heavily to release and flush out the fat deposits.
Also Read – Reflexology and Acne: How are They Linked to Each Other?
4. Wringing Massage
You may have already understood that this procedure involves our hands’ wringing movements to reduce cellulite. You must start with relaxed muscles to make the most of this massaging technique. Then, tightly hold a portion of the cellulite-affected area on your thighs or buttocks with both of your hands and twist it in such a way that you are wringing out excess water from a large piece of cloth.
Finish Up
Finishing the entire anti-cellulite massaging treatment properly is essential to achieve the desired results quickly. To finish the treatment, gently massage your skin again, starting from the feet and slowly moving upwards, while firmly pressing with the hands and stroking with the fingers. This is good for boosting circulation and lymphatic drainage and providing a relaxing end to the massage.
Summary
Cellulite is a very common issue affecting most women regardless of their age, ethnicity, or fitness level. Even though the ‘orange peel skin’ is a completely normal thing that you should not be ashamed of, there are several ways to reduce it if you want to. The most effective anti-cellulite treatment is an anti-cellulite massage in combination with lasting healthy lifestyle habits such as a healthy diet and regular exercise. If you are doing the anti-cellulite massage yourself at home, you should apply oil on the body and then massage the body with firm movements following the massaging techniques described above. The technique breaks down the fat deposits beneath the skin resulting in improved blood circulation and thus allowing the lymphatic system to flush out toxins and excess fluids. This may in turn alleviate the visible symptoms of cellulite. Just remember to pair your daily 10-minute long anti-cellulite massage session with a proper diet and workout. Otherwise, you may not be able to get rid of those ugly bulges that easily.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is an anti-cellulite massage effective?
While anti-cellulite massage is not a permanent cure for cellulite, it might temporarily improve the appearance of your skin and thus make cellulite less visible.
Can cellulite go away?
Cellulite does not go away quickly. However, if you eat healthy food, work out regularly, and massage your body consistently, you are supposed to notice a visible cellulite reduction after some time.
Which lifestyle factors cause cellulite?
While experts still do not agree on what causes cellulite, some factors that may play a role are an unhealthy diet with excessive salt, fats, and carbohydrates, a sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, dehydration, drinking alcohol, and smoking.
Can Massaging Devices Reduce Cellulite?
According to research, foam rollers, handheld vibrating massagers, and dry brushing will not improve the appearance of cellulite in the long term. However, Endermologie – a non-invasive cellulite treatment procedure- may help reduce cellulite, although the process must be repeated every month to retain the procedure’s results (5).
References:
- “Cellulite: A Review of its Physiology and Treatment,” Tandfonline.com
- “Cellulite: A Review“, ResearchGate.net
- “Dry Cupping Therapy Decreases Cellulite in Women: A pilot study,” Semanticscholar.org
- “Do Anti-Cellulite Creams Work?“, Medicalnewstoday.com
- “Massage for Cellulite: What Is It, Does It Work?“, Healthline.com
