Anti-cellulite massage: is it effective and what types are there?

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Cellulite is a real malicious enemy of many women, both fat and thin, and those who are already over 40, and very young girls. Interestingly, about 82-90% of all women either have cellulite or carry a predisposition to the appearance of “orange peel” in their DNA. It turns out that very few ladies do not encounter such a skin defect.

Cellulite forces us to choose one-piece swimsuits and give up denim shorts in the summer (even if our legs are slender and long). But in men, although cellulite occurs, it is much less common. The most interesting thing is that women suffer from lumpy skin, but for those who invent yet another miracle creams and gels for cellulite, this cosmetic defect does not bring suffering, but enrichment. After all, a woman who blames insidious cellulite for all her troubles is ready to cling to any saving straw, no matter how much the “straw” costs.

What do experts think about cellulite?

There is quite a lot of research regarding this cosmetic skin defect. There are even completely contradictory theories. For example, the most recent research conducted at Rockefeller University in New York. Scientists conducted an in-depth analysis of tissues that are susceptible to lipodystrophy (as cellulite is often called in medicine). So, studies have shown: cellulite is the most ordinary fat, the same as that found in different parts of the body.

The difference between normal fat and cellulite is that the fat tissue is distributed and retained differently. In men, for example, connective fibers are like a mesh that surrounds adiptocytes (fat cells). But in women they are located in parallel, and the cells are also larger. But this is not at all a defect in female adipose tissue: it is a “cunning” solution of nature. This is how the body prepares for possible stretching of the skin during pregnancy; cellulite is just a safety net against stretching.

But, unfortunately, you have to pay for such a function, which makes it easier to bear a child, after the baby is born. The structure of women's skin helps (no matter how offensive it may sound) the accumulation of fat, as well as fluid. Needless to say, it doesn't look very attractive.

But, in fairness, it must be said: the structure of skin cells alone is not enough to form cellulite. Other factors also influence (and how). Nutrition, age, bad habits - everything is of great importance.

Causes of cellulite formation

If you don't eat right, it will definitely affect your skin. If you abuse simple carbohydrates, and even incorrectly combine them with fats, your skin will pay for such habits. Any refined sugar (butter counts, sugar counts) is the same as simple carbohydrates. Many people shrug their shoulders in bewilderment in response to such a statement: well, of course, after all, everything ultimately turns into glucose! Undoubtedly. But what matters is how it turns.

If you eat food that doesn't have enough protein, your skin won't thank you either. Protein is collagen and magnesium, which are needed to keep the dermal layers young for a long time and perform their functions.

Age is also important. You can slow down aging, but you still can't stop it. Finally, low mobility means you take in more calories than you burn. You need to move: from sports to home fitness, from long walks to cycling. Be sure to burn what you eat during the day, and do not build your fat depot. Low physical activity is a direct prerequisite for the appearance of cellulite.

Be sure to read: Causes of stretch marks on legs and ways to get rid of them

Finally, cellulite is caused by toxins. They come from anywhere: bad habits and the environment, excessive coffee consumption (more than two cups a day) and smoking. And only after understanding how much you resist these causes, whether you are doing everything that can be attributed to the prevention of cellulite, you can think about commercial measures to combat it. For example, about massage against cellulite. And here you also have a choice: practice self-massage or go to specialists.

Myths about anti-cellulite massage

Women tend to believe in what they really want, as well as in what they really fear. This rule also touched upon the topic of anti-cellulite massages.

Massage for cellulite - myths:

If you take a course of anti-cellulite massage, you can lose weight at the same time. Of course, you can: if the massage therapist’s office is about 6-7 km from your home, and you go there on foot. Every day. Well, you won’t lose weight on the specialist’s table. Subcutaneous fat is the passive energy of your body. During a massage, a specialist influences your skin, and this influence improves the processes of blood flow and lymph flow. Yes, the actions of a massage therapist have a beneficial effect on the skin. But the extra kilos remain in place. No matter what you come up with, only physical activity and proper nutrition will help you get rid of fat deposits.
Cellulite can only be removed by a massage that makes everything hurt. It's just an ineradicable myth that is difficult to fight. If you went for a manual anti-cellulite massage and saw bruises on your skin after the session, this does not in any way indicate the professionalism of the master. Rather, this is evidence of the opposite - his actions put a huge strain on the blood vessels, which is completely unacceptable.
Drink less water, then cellulite tissue will not swell. Where does this nonsense come from? If you keep your water intake to a minimum, you are depriving your body of important fluids. Anti-cellulite massage helps remove toxins from tissues, and to speed up this process, on the contrary, you need to drink a lot of water. A large amount of it speeds up metabolism, and this is important for losing weight.
You shouldn't eat after a cellulite massage. And it’s difficult to agree with this statement. Of course, fatty and heavy foods are not the best option in principle, and after a massage too. But already half an hour after you left the specialist’s office, you can afford a vegetable salad with light dressing, fruit, and boiled dietary meat. You can drink mineral water before and after the massage, which accelerates the removal of toxins from cells.
Massage helps strictly on one area of the body. And this is not entirely true. The procedure is, in principle, beneficial for the body. Massage speeds up your metabolism, which is why you lose extra pounds (but subject to the same physical activity and proper nutrition). A competent massage is good not only as a remedy for “orange peel” skin. It is useful, it tones well, improves blood circulation, and prevents stagnation.

As you can see, there are many myths, and the correct information does not always reach the recipient. Anti-cellulite massage for weight loss is nothing more than an advertisement. SPA salons sell dreams and hopes, knowing how important beauty and youth are for women.

Include healthy skepticism: isn’t it worth a lot to trade a dream, because, in fact, a massage alone will never be able to remove cellulite. For the lumpiness to go away, you yourself must help the body.

Types of procedures to combat cellulite

Beauty salons offer a huge range of types of anti-cellulite massage. The techniques differ in the props involved, auxiliary substances and oils, and massaging techniques, but the essence remains the same . Choose the most understandable type that uses substances that do not cause allergies.

Kinds:

Lymphatic drainage. Pays attention to dispersing lymphatic congestion in adipose tissue.
Thai. Associated with unconventional medical knowledge. Affects the energy zones of the body, active points. Not only problem areas are massaged, but also the rest of the body.
Canned. Based on the principle of vacuum. A silicone jar is placed on the problem area, toning the subcutaneous layer.
Honey. The massage is performed using liquid honey. The substance excites the subcutaneous layer, accelerating the flow of fluids in it.
Dry rubbing. To apply to the skin, use a soft brush, washcloth or roller.
Classical. Non-hardware technique for acting on the subcutaneous layer. Receptions are carried out directly by the hands of specialists.
Chinese. Based on Eastern knowledge about the nature of energy flow. Produced throughout the body.
Spanish. Its distinctive feature is the constant change of movements of the master. This technique better stimulates interstitial activity, preventing the body from getting used to it. Usually combined with deeper massage techniques that work on muscles and joints.
French. A type of massage based on the continuity of light movements corresponding to the speed of lymph flow.
Brazilian. The technique uses techniques of tapping and rolling light bamboo sticks, which activate metabolic processes in the tissue.
European. A variation of the classic, designed taking into account the individual characteristics of the figure.
Saline. Rubbing problem areas using sea salt.
Hydromassage. The work of the fabric is activated by directed jets of warm water.
Ultrasonic. Hardware technology that affects adipose tissue with ultrasound.
Modeling. “Sculpts” the desired figure by normalizing the distribution of fat cells.

Anti-cellulite Brazilian massage is done using bamboo stems

Video: expert opinion on cupping anti-cellulite massage

Who should not undergo anti-cellulite massage?

Don't skip this point! In pursuit of beauty, women often do not take into account such important points, which they later regret.

Be sure to read: How do stretch marks appear on the butt and what to do about it?

Anti-cellulite massage is contraindicated for:

Varicose veins;
Diseases of the heart and blood vessels (only after consulting a doctor);
Dermatological problems - various skin rashes, irritations, large moles;
Pregnancy of any stage.

Moreover, this applies not only to professional massage, but also to massage at home. By the way, you shouldn’t look down on home massage. With the right approach, it definitely won't do any harm. Does anti-cellulite massage help at home? Yes, but you need to do it according to all the rules.

Before you start

There are certain nuances that directly affect the result; they cannot be ignored.

If you expect massage to be effective:

Be sure to warm up your hands before the procedure - your palms can be neither cold nor wet;
Make sure you are full of strength - massaging is very difficult and physically demanding, you need hand strength and a certain stamina;
Relax problem areas before massage;
Remember not to massage the groin area, the upper peripubic inner thighs, or the popliteal cavity (the site of the lymph nodes);
Make sure you know how to regulate the intensity of your movements - too much pressure will cause bruises on the skin.

The first massage session is a warm-up session. The skin must be handled delicately and carefully. She needs to get used to the course of loads, which should not become stressful. You must evaluate for yourself how your body responds to such actions. Do not focus on pressure - in anti-cellulite massage the main thing is not that, but the flow of blood to the tissues. The skin should be almost hot, pinkish, but not on fire.

Contraindications for carrying out

But there are much more conditions under which the procedure is prohibited. This is due to the intensity of the massage therapist’s movements and muscle tone.

Contraindications include both standard and specific factors:

Infectious diseases. They additionally load the cardiovascular system and provoke an increase in body temperature. Massage increases the risk of complications of the disease.
Skin diseases. With hand movements, the master can transfer the infection from an infected area of skin to a healthy one.
Vascular diseases. They experience increased stress during anti-cellulite treatment.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Possible tone of the uterus, disruption of the process of milk formation in a nursing mother.

Do not massage the abdomen when nausea or vomiting or other digestive disorders are observed. The procedure is contraindicated for high blood pressure and tumors. If there are no obstructing factors, but during the procedure the client experiences severe pain, damage to the skin appears, the massage therapist is informed about this.

Home massage against cellulite on the buttocks

Cellulite on the butt is the most common case. This area definitely needs to be worked on so that later on the beach you don’t have to think about the bumpy skin in the bikini area.

Working out the gluteal area:

Round. Light, almost weightless circular movements are where the butt massage begins. So rub the cream or oil over the skin. But don’t do it for long: you still don’t have the task of absorbing the composition.
Side bulkheads. Hook the surface of the skin with your fingers and gently knead the areas.
Squeezes. Use your wrist area or fingers to push through the tissues of your butt – you can do push-ups with one or two hands (a matter of personal convenience). Go through all areas of the buttocks, and finally perform a couple more stroking actions.
We're sawing. Place the edge of one palm above the buttock, bring the edges of the other almost to the lower back. Make movements in a circle, slowly bringing your hands towards the gluteal center.
Squeezing with the forearm. You need to forcefully move your forearm from the lower area of the butt to the lower back. This will visually tighten the skin and make the “fifth point” look more elastic.
Tweezers. Lightly and quickly pinch, grabbing large areas of skin, as if whipping the surface of the buttocks. The exercise ends with light circular stroking.

Working with trigger points. This term refers to inflamed areas that become an obstacle to the nutrition and normal functioning of the muscle. Therefore, it is very important to fix these points and, finally, work on them. Place the tip of your middle finger above your index finger and move in a circle, as if squeezing the dermis. Trigger points should produce a painful response.

All this is done first for one buttock, then for the second. The technique of performing anti-cellulite massage can become more complicated, but even this complex should be sufficient for the goals pursued.

Massage technique

How to do anti-cellulite massage

The technique of manual anti-cellulite massage involves several sequential actions, the correct implementation of which guarantees a visible result. So, the algorithm of actions

Apply a small amount of fatty cream to the massaged area and smoothly smooth out the oil film. An excellent product to use would be coconut oil or a special product to increase blood flow. If there is too much burning, add baby cream. The product cannot be washed off with water, only with a napkin or warm milk.
Start slowly massaging the skin in a circular motion and gradually increase the pressure until the movements “squeeze” the crust.
Continue massaging the skin in the direction of the lymph nodes, but there is no need to massage the nodes themselves. This technique involves focusing on the edge of the palm - the stiffest part of the hand. If the fatty crust is very dense, you can perform this technique with the knuckles of your fist. Squeezing in the first sessions should take up at least 70% of the total massage time.
Now it’s time to move on to techniques for rubbing and kneading the orange peel. Such actions stimulate the subcutaneous muscles, but in the first five sessions they are ineffective. They need to be used in larger quantities starting from the 5-6th session.
The last stage is to soothe the skin to complete the work on problem areas: gently stroke or shake the dermis.

In order for the procedure to bring results faster, movements are carried out in the direction of the outflow of lymph and blood. For the chest of the arms - from the axillary region, for the abdomen and back - from the lumbar and groin areas, for the knees and shins - from the popliteal fossa. Anti-cellulite massage of the abdomen must be carried out especially carefully - the skin is delicate.

Anticellulite massage

For self-massage:

self massage

Working out the hips

Work on the thighs begins with fingering with the thumbs. The thigh area should be grabbed with your palms so that you grab the center of its back with your thumbs. Smoothly move your palms higher, so with circular rubbing you will knead the skin.

Be sure to read: Using almond oil for stretch marks during pregnancy

Further:

Strokes-combs. They should be done with your knuckles, so don’t forget to apply a little massage cream or oil to your fingers. Work the thigh in a circle, smoothly moving from the hollow under the knee up to the buttock itself. Next, come back down to repeat the exercise.
Squeezes. Clench your right hand into a fist and place it above the knee area. Place your other hand on top to make it heavier and forcefully pull it up with your fist towards your buttocks. If this movement is uncomfortable for you, bend your limb at the knee, raising your foot.
Stroking the inner thigh. Move from the knee above with an open palm - along the path to the lymph nodes. This part of the leg is very sensitive, avoid strong manipulations.
Fixation of trigger points. Place your elbow under your buttock, moving in a circle, begin to descend towards your knee. You can even bend the limb to make it easier to work.
Pinching/patting. You need to gently beat the back of the thigh with your fingers.

The same exercises are repeated for the second limb. The shins are treated in a similar way. A typical program for this part of the limb includes: strokes, fingering, combing, wrist squeezing, as well as fist and thumb presses, fingering and pinching. This session ends with squeezing over the entire limb. You need to grab your leg with your palm (or two) and move your arms higher with force. In the area of the knee you should ease the load, but on the hip, on the contrary, raise it. Similar techniques are used for the front of the thighs, the “abdomen” and the upper arms.

Nuances of anti-cellulite massage

Always clearly consider the contraindications for anti-cellulite massage. If you think that it will prevent postpartum skin problems, you are mistaken. Such actions are undesirable for pregnancy. You should not do a massage if you are not healthy, if you have weakness, fever, or dizziness.

How often should you do anti-cellulite massage? Be sure to introduce it in a course - 10-14 long sessions with an interval of 1-2 days. The rest between courses should be at least three months. If this is an express massage, which is rather the best way to use anti-cellulite cream, then it can be performed, as already mentioned, in the morning and evening. Duration – about two weeks.

There are benefits of anti-cellulite massage - both from the actions of a specialist and from your own actions. Watch a few videos, learn the simplest correct movements, don’t give up systematic exercise, and the appearance of your skin will change.

Possible side effects

If precautions and contraindications are neglected, as well as if the procedure is performed incorrectly, anti-cellulite massage can cause the following side effects:

Bruising and red spots in treated areas. During the procedure, there is a high risk of damage to the finest capillaries. This is precisely the main reason for such formations. However, do not be alarmed if you notice these phenomena on your skin. Most likely, the formations will disappear in 2-3 weeks. Over time, the skin will get used to it and will stop reacting so sharply to mechanical stress. If bruising and staining does not go away for more than a month, consult a doctor.
Bruises. Most often they are the result of manual massage using honey. The reason may also be the use of vacuum technology. If you have just started practicing the procedures, you should not be afraid, since in this case bruises are normal. When hematomas do not go away for a long time, immediately stop the sessions and contact a specialist.
Nausea and dizziness. It usually manifests itself when you independently increase the procedure time or neglect contraindications.

A little from women's experience

On the page of nutritionist-endocrinologist Natalya Zubareva, who today is one of the most authoritative doctors among the Instagram community, there are posts about cellulite. Natalya tells her audience what it is and how to deal with it. And people respond by leaving short excerpts from their own experience in dealing with “orange peel.” And if we summarize the responses of real women, we get some interesting observations.

Ladies of different ages note that cellulite goes away after:

How they started drinking more water;
Everyday contrast shower, as well as dousing with cold water;
Reducing coffee in the diet;
Refusal of any drinks except herbal tea and water with lemon;
Courses of wraps and massages, which are done several times a year;
Regulating your diet;
Refusal of vegetarianism.

These are just observations, not a call. Draw your own conclusions, try, study, read experts who have up-to-date information.

Nutrition

To achieve the best result, you need to balance your diet and drinking regimen. Avoid fatty, fried and salty foods.
Replenish the menu with fish, seaweed, boiled chicken and dairy products. Eat more vegetables and fruits in season. Water will also help in the fight against cellulite if you drink at least 2 liters a day.

Alcohol is contraindicated.