Sigh. Cellulite. Even saying the word out loud makes me a bit melancholy… is it just me, or do these lumps on my butt look a little more pronounced each year?
If you’re like me, I’ll try pretty much anything to help improve the appearance of my cellulite, so today I’m super excited to share something that I’ve been doing at home that’s make a difference that I LOVE.
It’s cellulite massage! Sounds simple enough, right?
As you already know, cellulite happens when the fat that lies between the skin and the muscles starts pushing up between the connective tissues under the skin and causes those unsightly dimples.
One important recommendation to reduce the cellulite is to reduce the fat, so losing weight may go a long way toward losing the lumps.
But even if you’re not looking to lose weight, there’s a surprisingly simple but effective way you can treat your cellulite that will get you looking smooth and gorgeous….
It’s a specific type of self-massage that helps to break down those fat deposits that cause cellulite and flush them out.
Ready to learn more? Hold on to your pants! Just kidding… how ‘about just keep reading. 😉
What Is a Cellulite Massage?
Cellulite massage is a specific kind of self-massage where you knead your cellulite-prone areas firmly for several minutes, using a nice, slippery oil or lotion.
Why do it? Here are a couple of great reasons:
- It breaks down the fat deposits under your skin that are causing those bumps to form.
- It stimulates the lymphatic system and acts as a good detox for your body.
- It increases blood flow and helps push out the extra fluids in the cellulite-prone areas.
- It improves the firmness of your skin and makes is really glow.
My 3-Step Technique
OK, now that we know WHAT it is and WHY we should do it, let’s talk about HOW.
Before we get to my own step-by-step tutorial, I wanted to show you some videos I found helpful so you can see visually how the massage technique is performed. See how in each video they’re starting at the farthest point away from the center of the body, and moving toward the heart? That’s the important thing to take away here.
The first video shows some pretty good techniques, but you’ll need a partner to perform this massage on you:
And this one shows some self-massage techniques that are OK (I don’t agree with the pinching thing she does near the end, though – like, that’s not doing anything :-/). This is in French, but she shows you each technique in detail, so you get the idea even if you don’t speak the language. 🙂
NOW FOR MY TECHNIQUE – I’ve been doing this for the past 6 weeks and am loving the results.
Step 1. Get slippery. You’re going to really be “getting in there” with this massage, so you need to apply an oil or lotion with a lot of “slip” that won’t sink immediately into your skin, but will stay slippery as you work. You can make one of my homemade massage oil recipes, or coconut oil works beautifully in a pinch.
Apply the oil or lotion liberally to all the areas you want to treat – thighs, booty, stomach… (hint: I also do my upper arms).
Step 2. Decide on your massaging tool. This is so important, I gave it it’s own step. 🙂 I recommend one of two options here, and I’ll explain why.
Option 1: Use a massage tool specifically designed for cellulite. These tools are generally not expensive, and they are cleverly designed to do what your fingers can’t – provide exactly the right size and consistent space between “nubs” to effectively break up that persistent fat. You can get an inexpensive on one Amazon for under $10, like this one.
Option 2: Make a fist, and use the knuckles of your hand to do the massaging. Yep, I said knuckles. Most techniques tell you to use the pads of your fingers to sort of pinch and knead the skin, but my research says that you’ll get firmer pressure, a stronger massage, and better results using your knuckles. One word of caution: You may see some mild bruising if you choose this option, but it is harmless and will disappear after a day or two. If you’re uncomfortable with bruising or find this technique too painful, use option 1.
Step 3. Knead it! Using firm pressure, massage each area in a circular motion, moving toward the heart. You want to spend time on each area – 5 minutes per area is a good goal to work up to.
Step 4. Treat it! (Optional) You don’t have to follow up your massage with a cellulite treatment, but I’m not gonna lie – this is the perfect time to really pack a punch, because your pores are open and ready to receive the ingredients! Apply your favorite cellulite-fighting cream or use the one I use, love, and recommend on this site – Finulite. (Read more about it here.)
OK, Is This Really Going to Help Me With My Cellulite?
Everyone is different. What works great for me might not give you the results you expected… But I have been so pleased with the look of my cellulite after doing this massage technique that I think you should try it, too.
I recommend you do this massage at least three times a week for at least 6 weeks… I know that’s a commitment, but it’s going to take time for your skin to respond to this new treatment.
For continued advancement in the war against cellulite, it’s always a good idea to maintain a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, drink lots of water, and get out there and move your body.
But it sure can’t hurt to add cellulite massage to your battle against the bumps. At the very least, your skin will glow and you’ll feel great about taking such good care of yourself!
I’d love to hear about your experiences – have you tried this technique or another one that you’d like to share? Holler at me in the comments!
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