There are many different ways to get rid of cellulite, one of them is anti-cellulite massage. This procedure is often carried out in beauty salons and at home, using various creams and oils, special devices and massagers.
Does anti-cellulite massage help? What anti-cellulite massage techniques exist? How to do anti-cellulite massage correctly? How often can you do anti-cellulite massage? What is the effect of anti-cellulite massage? We will examine these and many other questions in more detail in this article.
Does massage help against cellulite?
The first question that arises in the minds of those losing weight is whether massage helps against cellulite? Everything here is individual and largely depends on the reasons causing it:
- overweight;
- genetic predisposition;
- problems associated with hormonal levels - puberty, improper functioning of the thyroid gland, pregnancy, taking oral contraceptives;
- lack of physical activity;
- bad habits: smoking, alcohol abuse;
- poor nutrition;
- insufficient consumption of clean drinking water per day;
- rapid weight gain or, conversely, rapid weight loss;
- sleep disturbance.
Treatment is largely determined by the stage of development of cellulite, the following are distinguished:
- Initial, barely noticeable. Cellulite is noticeable when an area of skin is compressed; in normal conditions it is not detected.
- At the second stage, unevenness and bumpiness of the skin relief are noticeable, cellulite appears without compression, noticeable with muscle tension. The condition of the skin changes, it looks more flabby, inelastic, and swelling appears.
- The third stage is characterized by significant changes in the skin. A distinct tuberosity appears and elasticity decreases. At this stage, progression of the pathology is observed, blood circulation and lymphatic drainage are disrupted, and nerve endings are pinched.
- The last, fourth stage is called advanced cellulite. This is a serious lesion, which is characterized by large-scale changes in the structure of the skin and muscle tissue. The skin changes color, structure, tubercles, pits, and swelling are noticeable on them. Blood circulation is impaired, muscle atrophy is observed. Pain may occur when pressed.
At an early stage, cellulite is not very noticeable, so several procedures, supplemented by proper nutrition, will be enough to get rid of it.
Indications and contraindications
Anti-cellulite massage for weight loss may be indicated and contraindicated in the following cases:
Indications
- cellulite of the first or second stage;
- to prevent the formation of cellulite;
- with excess body weight;
- there are diseases and pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
- in case of metabolic disorders;
- in the presence of diseases of the circulatory system, blood circulation.
Contraindications
- the period of pregnancy and lactation, as hormonal changes occur;
- after a caesarean section, the rehabilitation period lasts for six months;
- in the presence of varicose veins, the vacuum method is prohibited, but some other types are allowed if they are not intense;
- during menstruation, since during this period sensitivity to pain increases, and the use of additional warming products can provoke bleeding;
- after a mammoplasty procedure;
- in the presence of gynecological, cardiovascular, oncological diseases;
- during exacerbation of viral and infectious diseases;
- if there are lesions on the skin;
- in case of allergies, individual intolerance to the components included in the product for the procedure.
You can see that the list of contraindications is quite impressive. Therefore, before the procedure, it is recommended to consult with a doctor leading the weight loss process.
How to break up cellulite with honey
An anti-cellulite massage with honey will provide an excellent therapeutic effect, which increases blood circulation in the deep subcutaneous layers and softens very loose skin in pimples. You can add a couple of drops of essential oil to natural honey and apply it in liquid form to the body. Apply light pats with your palms, this will cause the honey to stick and come off the skin with force. Attention should be paid to problem areas that shake like jellied meat in order to restore natural metabolic processes there. Honey massage is so safe that it can be used by adolescents from 14 years of age.
Types of massage
There are quite a variety of massage techniques. Some of them involve local effects: on the thighs, buttocks, arms, abdomen, others affect the entire body. But in general, all methods have approximately the same effect:
- Stimulates peripheral blood circulation.
- Normalize the outflow of fluid in tissues.
- Improves vascular tone.
- Helps reduce fat deposits and compactions.
- Increases skin elasticity and firmness.
Massage is usually supplemented with cosmetic products of different principles of action. Some creams, for example, have a warming or cooling effect, improving the result of the procedure. A combination of massage and wrap or scrub can enhance it.
Any massage is good for certain purposes and tasks. Let's look at each type in more detail.
Vacuum massage
Vacuum massage locally affects fat deposits, improves blood circulation, activates metabolic processes, and drains fluid. It is carried out using silicone jars, which can be bought at a pharmacy or cosmetic store.
Anti-cellulite massage with cups at home is very simple to do, it does not require any special skills or abilities, and is carried out using the following technique:
- First you need to steam the skin, take a bath with sea salt or medicinal herbs, and remove dead skin with a scrub.
- It is more convenient to perform a massage while lying down, placing everything you need nearby.
- Apply a little almond, peach or apricot oil to the skin. It is recommended to warm them up a little before use, so the effect will be more active.
- The silicone jar must be squeezed on both sides and then applied to the body. It should stick and retract the skin, but no more than 2 cm, otherwise marks and bruises may remain.
- The movements are made in a circle, from bottom to top, clockwise, without affecting the area under the knees, armpits, and inner thighs, since the skin there is thinnest and easily damaged. The exposure time for each problem area is about 7-8 minutes.
Cupping massage for cellulite at home helps improve skin condition and prevent the appearance of stretch marks. But it must be combined with proper nutrition, otherwise the effect of the procedures will quickly fade away.
You can find video tutorials on the Internet that tell you in detail how to properly do anti-cellulite massage with cupping. Such recommendations will help prevent injuries and carry out the procedure correctly.
Honey massage
Honey massage for cellulite at home is performed using honey, special oil or a special cosmetic mixture based on these components. It helps remove waste and toxins, improve tissue metabolism, increase elasticity and firmness of the skin. How to do a honey massage for cellulite at home? The technique is as follows:
- Anti-cellulite massage with honey, as in the previous case, begins with a warming bath. The surface of the skin must be steamed and prepared for the procedure.
- Honey anti-cellulite massage is carried out with smooth circular movements in the direction from bottom to top, according to the movement of blood and lymph in the human body.
- For the procedure, it is advisable to use warm honey and apply it to preheated skin.
- Honey massage against cellulite should be completed by applying a nourishing cream. After the procedure, it is recommended to lie down for 5-7 minutes under a warm blanket.
Massage with honey for cellulite at home is recommended to be carried out in a course for a month, twice a week.
How does manual anti-cellulite massage work?
Today, anti-cellulite massage services are offered in almost every beauty salon. However, it is worth knowing that an illiterate massage therapist with his uncoordinated actions, at best, will not bring any benefit, and at worst, can cause harm to health.
To enhance the effect, various massage and aromatic oils, medicinal ointments and gels are used.
The procedure should be trusted to a specially trained master who not only knows the technique of performing this method of getting rid of cellulite, but also has a complete understanding of the location of lymphatic vessels and organs in the human body, indications and possible contraindications.
Manual anti-cellulite massage, thanks to special mechanical techniques, warms up tissues, creating a sauna effect, crushes fat deposits, and produces a pronounced lymphatic drainage effect.
To increase efficiency, special scrubs, oils, and lotions can be used, which additionally stimulate metabolic processes and help eliminate congestion.
As a result, metabolic processes are activated, blood intensively circulates through the vessels in the subcutaneous fat, capillaries are strengthened and the production of collagen and elastin is activated - all this helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite. In the manual version, the procedure is performed without special equipment.
How does hardware anti-cellulite massage work?
During a hardware massage, the master works with special devices that help smooth the skin and reduce the severity of cellulite. Typically, mechanical vacuum massagers (cans) are used, which suction small areas of the skin, as well as devices that create a movable skin fold, as when fingering. The effect is similar to manual massage, however, any type of influence has its own nuances.
At home
It is especially convenient to carry out manual anti-cellulite massage at home. It includes the following techniques:
- Stroking. Light movements, using fingertips, to warm up and prepare the skin for the procedure. They are recommended to start and end the session.
- Trituration. In this case, you should press harder, with your entire palm. This helps to increase blood circulation and lymph outflow.
- Pressure. They grab small layers of skin and work them, due to which the fatty thickenings are “kneaded”.
- Patting. Performed with fists or a full palm on problem areas. Typically, this technique begins and ends the massage procedure.
- Tweezers. They can be intense or weak, work on a specific area or the entire body as a whole.
At home, you can use a special anti-cellulite body massager. Such devices are sold in online stores, they can be found in specialized online stores.
Another option is a dry cellulite brush. It can perform a dry massage technique, which allows you to remove the upper keratinized layer of the epidermis and improve blood circulation. Massage brushes are also sold in online stores.
Massage with a dry brush against cellulite is recommended three times a week. You can use a special warming cream with it. Reviews on thematic forums say that this method helps improve the condition of the skin, but it will not be possible to lose weight through it.
Self-massage
Self-massage is a fairly common anti-cellulite approach. It is used for the legs, back, abdomen - where you can independently work out problem areas. It takes about 10-15 minutes a day to complete, but this is enough to improve well-being, increase performance, and slightly reduce body volume. The following types of self-massage are distinguished:
- Manual, done with your own hands. When carrying out this procedure, classical techniques are used (stroking, rubbing, kneading) and elements of acupressure, linear massage.
- Self-massage using non-mechanized devices - massage mats with spikes, protrusions, brushes with different bristles, spherical massagers.
- Self-massage using mechanized, electrical devices - vibration, pneumatic, hydraulic, ultrasonic massager. Baromassage is also used in cosmetology.
This effective anti-cellulite massage helps improve blood circulation and skin condition.
Vibrating massager
Cellulite formations on the body cause inconvenience and cause dissatisfaction with oneself and one’s body. They really do look unaesthetic, and at the same time they pose a certain health hazard. A hardware vibrating massager is an electrical device that runs on mains power. It can be targeted or zonal, based on vibration and contrasting changes in cold and heating modes. It can somewhat speed up the process of losing weight and reduce visible cellulite.
Rolling pin
For the procedure, a special rolling pin is used, adapted for getting rid of cellulite. It has special protrusions that provide a massage effect. Experts recommend wrapping it in cling film or cellophane. This will help avoid splinters and skin damage.
It is advisable that the massage with a rolling pin be carried out by a specialist, since it is necessary to regulate the pressure and follow strictly the massage lines, in accordance with the movement of lymph and blood.
The rolling pin moves from bottom to top, starting from the front surface of the thigh, while it is necessary to bypass the groin area and popliteal hollows. One such session should last about 15 minutes, it can be done no more than three times a week, alternating: one day of rest, one day of procedures. The course should consist of no more than 15 procedures.
What other products are designed to burn fat?
Homemade anti-cellulite wraps using cling film and a mask help make the skin smoother. Thanks to a simple procedure, the skin will get rid of excess water and become more elastic. A cold wrap fights cellulite by constricting blood vessels, and a hot mask by expanding and activating blood supply to the tissues. The principle is to apply a medicinal mixture to the body and then wrap it in film. The active ingredients are honey, blue clay, essential oils, kelp seaweed, red pepper.
When the disease is severe, mechanical means are the best:
- massage rollers that work great on steamed skin. Using a massage brush, roller or mitten, the hand moves progressively from bottom to top, without touching the armpits and groin hollows;
- ordinary kitchen rolling pins that act as a massager. You can roll the rolling pin 2-3 times a week over the calves and thighs, driving the liquid up to the inguinal nodes.
Other massage techniques
Among them are:
- Lymphatic drainage. Its main task is to carefully study each zone with the edge of the palm. This session ends and begins with a contrast shower.
- Using bamboo sticks. They are rolled over the body in accordance with massage lines, blood and lymph flow. They allow you to relax your muscles and tone them. Such sticks can be an addition to a session in a sauna or hydromassage.
- Classical. Performed by hand based on basic techniques. It works on each zone with different pressure intensities.
Choosing the right type of massage is a rather difficult question for the average person. Recommended for a weight loss specialist - is it necessary to add massage to the technique already used?
Bruises after massage
This is quite normal for people suffering from advanced cellulite. This is how muscle tissue reacts to the invasion of stagnant processes. They usually appear after the first few procedures, especially in girls with thin skin, in whom the vessels are located close to the surface of the skin. That is why the first procedures are best carried out by specialists who can regulate the pressure and select the right technique and equipment.