Massage has proven to be a highly successful treatment against cellulite.
Cellulite forms when the subcutaneous mass of fat cells pushes up against the connective tissue and appears at the surface of the skin as dimples and lumps, commonly known as orange peel. Although we still don't know what exactly causes cellulite -- possibly a hormonal imbalance or poor diet -- we do know a few methods proven to reduce, if not remove cellulite completely. One method is cellulite massage, a non-invasive, effective technique that, in time, can help smooth away the lumps and bumps on your thighs, stomach or arms. Does this Spark an idea?
Types of Cellulite Massage
In essence, massage helps with lymphatic drainage, intensifies blood circulation and oxygenation in the affected areas and releases the fluids and toxins in the body. It also stretches and relaxes the connective tissues, breaks up the fatty deposits, and smooths and tones the skin. There are three kinds of cellulite massage treatments: First is the massage that you can perform at home with your bare hands or with the help of the machine designed for home use. If this is not your thing, you can have a massage-trained therapist perform the treatment, while you can relax and enjoy the pampering. A third option is the mechanical therapy conducted in beauty clinics.
DIY Cellulite Massage
If you're looking for a cost-effective treatment, the most accessible method is doing cellulite massage on yourself at home, at least once a day, preferably using an anti-cellulite cream and your bare hands. However, it is often less effective than the other treatment options, since you may become tired after a short while or find it difficult to adequately massage hard-to-reach areas. To perform the massage yourself, moisturize the skin well and alternate long, sweeping strokes with circular motions with your palm and fingers. Finally, gently pinch the skin and pull it away from the body.
Massage Machines for Home Use
There are also cellulite machines available in the market for home use. They run with the same technology as the ones in beauty salons or non-surgical clinics but are smaller and less powerful. Most are handheld massagers using motorized rollers, active air suction, deep heat and vibro massage that help firm and tone the areas of your body affected by cellulite. They come in handy, especially if you have cellulite in hard-to-reach places, such as the back of the thighs, or if you want to speed up the process.
Cellulite Massage in Beauty Salons
Many spas and beauty salons offer machines combining mechanical and vacuum massage with laser or radio wave therapy considered effective in the fight against cellulite. The most well known, Endermologie, Velasmooth and TriActive, give a gentle and pleasant deep tissue massage that is said to be more effective than a home massage. The downside is the high prices of these treatments. Have massage sessions twice a week for at least six to eight weeks, followed by maintenance sessions once a month for an indefinite period of time. For those looking for relaxation and pampering, a trained therapist can perform the cellulite massage in a beauty clinic or in your own home. The therapist will use various massage techniques to smooth the skin, break the fatty deposits and firm your body.
Cellulite Creams
For faster and more visible massage results, use an anti-cellulite cream. They utilize ingredients such as caffeine or Aminophylline, which specifically target the fat deposits underneath the skin and improve the health of the outer skin. To prepare your own homemade cream, here are a few ingredients you should use: juniper berry to help decrease excessive fluids in the body, grapefruit to remove toxins, rosemary for skin toning, cypress and germanium to boost the body's circulation and coffee grounds to help reduce the lumps and bumps.
Results
It can take several weeks to see results, and you will need to be consistent in your therapy to make the gains permanent. Whatever type of massage you're choosing, it is essential to continue maintenance sessions indefinitely. For the best results, massage alone is not enough. A healthy diet and hydration coupled with cardio and resistance training are vital in your fight against cellulite, especially in problem areas such as stomach and thighs.
