Here is Massages and oils for Cellulite . Massage may be able to improve the appearance of cellulite by:

  • draining excess body fluid
  • redistributing fat cells
  • improving circulation
  • plumping up skin

However, massage won’t cure cellulite. While massage may improve appearance, results typically don’t last for long and in many cases repeat treatments are necessary.

Massage devices for cellulite

There are a variety of massage devices on the market that claim to reduce cellulite, but not all of them are effective.

Many people use foam rollers — hard, tube-shaped pieces of foam — with the hope that they can break up fat. But according to the American Council on Exercise, foam rollers won’t do anything to improve the appearance of cellulite.

There’s also no substantial proof that things like handheld vibrating massagers or dry brushing — brushing your dry skin with a soft-bristled brush — can do much for cellulite either, especially long term.

One product that does show some promise is endermologie. This FDA-approved device lifts, stretches, and rolls skin to help move fat and reduce cellulite. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), it’s shown mixed results. Even when improvement is noticed, it tends to fade after a month unless treatment is repeated.

What we know from research

Some studies show that certain massage techniques can be beneficial in reducing cellulite, but many of the studies caution that the results are temporary.

  • A 2015 study found that dry cupping can encourage the drainage of fluid, toxins, and other chemical byproducts from the body, which may improve the way cellulite looks. In the study, cups were placed over areas with cellulite while a handheld pump created suction. After five weeks of treatment, the women in the study saw their cellulite grade decrease from a mean of 2.4 pre-cupping to 1.68 after cupping.
  • Another studyTrusted Source from 2010 looked at what effects mechanical massage, a massage using a machine, such as endermologie; lymphatic drainage massage, a type of massage that uses light pressure to help the lymphatic system drain fluids, debris, and toxins; and connective tissue manipulation (CTM) had on cellulite. CTM is a type of massage to improve circulation that applies pressure to the ligaments, tendons, and tissues that connect muscle to skin. All three techniques were effective in decreasing fat and the circumference of the thigh where the massage was performed.

Things to consider

Cellulite is common, especially in women. Having cellulite doesn’t necessarily mean you’re overweight, unfit, or in any way unhealthy.

While massage will probably have little, if any, lasting effect on your cellulite, it can have other health benefits. It can help you feel more relaxed, reduce tightness and soreness in your muscles, and decrease body pain. Massage may not help you look better, but it can help you feel better.

If you’re concerned about the appearance of your cellulite, see a dermatologist who can talk to you about other, more proven anti-cellulite techniques.

According to the AAD, two procedures ares promising:

  • laser therapy
  • subcision, in which a needle is inserted under the skin to break up tough bands of connective tissue, thereby giving the skin a smoother appearance

What is cellulite?

Cellulite is a term used to describe an area of the body where skin has a dimpled appearance. According to research, 80 to 90 percentTrusted Source of adult women have some cellulite and it’s generally seen on the hips, buttocks, and thighs. It can also occur on the lower belly and upper arms.

Cellulite, also called gynoid lipodystrophy, may be more pronounced in people who are overweight or obese, but it occurs in very lean people, too.

Causes of cellulite

Your skin, fat, muscles, and other tissues are in layers. Cellulite is thought to arise when the fibrous bands of connective tissue that anchor the skin to muscles break down, allowing fat cells to push up into the skin layer. This creates the uneven, bumpy texture that gives cellulite its cottage cheese-like appearance.

Everyone has fat cells. While we’re all susceptible to cellulite, some people are more prone to it than others. Some factors that increase a person’s likelihood for cellulite include:

  • Gender. Men have connective tissue that lie in a crisscross pattern, and those intersecting bands are good at holding fat cells down. Women, on the other hand, have vertical bands of connective tissue that are more likely to allow fat cells to bulge toward the surface of the skin.
  • Age. As we get older, skin becomes less elastic and connective tissue bands naturally weaken.
  • Hormones. Hormones — particularly the hormone estrogen — appear to play a role in the formation of fat cells and cellulite. This may be another reason why women have more cellulite than men. It may also help explain why cellulite seems to first begin after puberty and sometimes worsens during pregnancy.
  • Genetics. Genes can dictate the distribution of fat cells, skin elasticity, and other factors that influence cellulite.
  • Diet. According to research, a high-fat, high-salt, high-preservative diet may bring about metabolic disorders that can accelerate cellulite.
  • Lifestyle. Certain lifestyle factors, such as not getting enough exercise and drinking too much alcohol, can affect circulation, inflammation, and the way fat cells are formed and distributed throughout the body.

The bottom line

Cellulite is completely normal. For most people, it’s not a medical concern but may be concerning in appearance. If you’d like to try massage to treat cellulite, understand its limitations.

Massage isn’t a cure for cellulite but it might temporarily improve skin’s appearance and make cellulite less noticeable. Massage does have many health benefits so it may be worth adding to your wellness regimen.

 

Essential Oils for Cellulite

Essential oils have been used for years in many cultures to treat numerous conditions, from reducing stress to healing wounds to clearing sinuses. There are at least 90 essential oilsTrusted Source frequently recommended by dermatologists to treat skin conditions, with more than 1,500Trusted Source common combinations.

One of the newer applications for essential oils is in helping the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite is an area of skin, most commonly on the hips, thighs, buttocks, and stomach, that appears lumpy and dimpled due to bulges of fat accumulating under the skin.

However, cellulite doesn’t only affect those who are overweight. According to the Mayo Clinic, genetics likely play the biggest role in determining whether or not you will have cellulite.

While cellulite on its own it is not a serious medical condition, the appearance can be distressing for some. One 2014 studyTrusted Source reported that up to 90 percent of women, but only 2 percent of men, have cosmetic concerns about cellulite after reaching puberty.

What kind of essential oils are used for cellulite?

According to a 2017 review articleTrusted Source, published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the most commonly used essential oils for treating cellulite include:

How to use essential oils for cellulite

Essential oils are not to be used directly on the skin, as they are very potent and can cause irritation. Essential oils need to be blended with carrier oils. Common ones you might have in your pantry include coconut oil or olive oil.

Other carrier oils recommended by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy include:

Properly diluting essential oils

Once you have chosen at least one essential oil and a corresponding carrier oil, the experts at the University of Minnesota suggests dilution ranging from 1 to 5 percent. If you’re massaging large areas of the body, stick closer to 1 percent.

  • 1 percent: 1 drop of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil
  • 3 percent: 3 drops essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil
  • 5 percent: 5 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil

Next, apply the essential oil mixture to the affected area and gently rub. Because these oils tend to evaporate quickly, it is recommended that you apply them two times per day.

A small 2018 study from ThailandTrusted Source showed that massaging with an herbal wrap containing lime and lemongrass (as well as a number of other oils and herbs) regularly for eight weeks reduced both the appearance of cellulite and the size of skin folds.

However, it is important to keep in mind that there are a number of different factors that could have contributed to these results, including the act of massaging.

Purchase lime and lemongrass essential oils online.

Safety precautions when using essential oils

There are several precautions you should take when considering an essential oil treatment.

  • Ensure your treatment room has good ventilation.
  • Keep oils away from eyes.
  • Keep oils away from flames, as they can be extremely flammable.
  • If treatment causes skin irritation, and if the irritation continues after stopping essential oil use, contact your doctor.
  • If you or your child accidentally consumes any essential oils, immediately contact the nearest poison control center and try to drink whole or 2 percent milk. Do NOT induce vomiting.
  • Do not ingest essential oils.

Consult with your doctor before trying any treatment plan, including those involving essential oils.

Coconut Oil for Cellulite: Does it Work?

The health benefits of coconut oil are popping up everywhere. The newest trend for the coconut-oil obsessed is the reduction of cellulite. When applied to the skin, coconut oil may be effective at minimizing the appearance of cellulite in some people.

Cellulite refers to skin on the buttocks, hips, thighs, and abdomen that appears to have dimples or lumps. It has a similar appearance to an orange peel or cheese curds, and is most often found in women from adolescence into adulthood. It isn’t a serious health issue, but many people find it embarrassing for cosmetic reasons.

The goal of massaging coconut oil directly into the affected skin is to reduce the appearance of those lumps and dimples. It’s also easy to apply. Because coconut oil has a low melting point, it can be melted in the palm of your hand and massaged into the skin.

Let’s take a look at what the research says about coconut oil’s effects on the skin and on cellulite.

Does it work?

Scientists and researchers don’t know much about how and why cellulite occurs. It appears to be related to connective tissue that attaches the skin to the muscle beneath it. When fat builds between the skin and the muscle, this connective tissue can cause the surface of the skin to appear uneven or dimpled. Gaining weight can make your cellulite more prominent.

Cellulite appears to have a genetic component, so people who have it may inherit it from their family. A sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to weight gain and cellulite development. Preventing cellulite from forming or getting worse might involve eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding sedentary habits.

Coconut oil has been shown to play a role in hydrating and smoothing skin, which could help mask the dimples that are characteristic of cellulite. One study found virgin coconut oil to be as effective as mineral oil when used as a moisturizer.

Virgin coconut oil has also been shown to have healing effects on the skin. It works partly because it may boost collagen production in the skin. Collagen has a firming, tightening effect on skin tissue, which may reduce the appearance of cellulite. Collagen is a common ingredient in skin-firming creams and ointments.

There’s little medical evidence that coconut oil reduces or reverses cellulite. However, its moisturizing and collagen-producing properties may be helpful for some people.

Possible benefits

Coconut oil could help to tighten, firm, and moisturize the skin in areas where cellulite is a problem. It can be applied by itself directly to the skin through gentle massage, much like lotion or skin cream. Coconut oil is known to enhance wound healing and dermatitis.

If you like, you can create your own skin care mixtures using coconut oil. You can find recipes online for many skin care treatments, including:

  • body butter
  • sugar scrubs
  • massage oils
  • facial treatments
  • stretch mark treatments

You can also use coconut oil as a base for your choice of essential oils. Essential oils like lavender, frankincense, and rose are popular in skin care regimens.

Side effects and risks

It’s possible to be allergic to coconut and its oil. Patch-test a small area of your skin before applying liberally. Watch for reactions like itching, redness, and hives. Stop use immediately and contact your doctor if you experience a skin reaction to coconut oil.

In some cases, coconut oil can cause acne (particularly if used on oily facial skin). Apply sparingly as you begin experimenting with coconut oil on your skin. You may find that it causes irritation, or that its texture feels unpleasant to you.

Although some health proponents encourage consumption of coconut oil as a health and weight loss supplement, this may not be a good idea. Coconut oil contains very high amounts of calories and saturated fat, which might go against your weight loss goals. Talk to your doctor before eating large amounts of coconut oil as a supplement.

Takeaway

Essential oils have been studiedTrusted Source for treating cellulite with minimal side effects. However, there is still research that needs to be done on the best oils and combinations to use, as well as their true effectiveness (versus the effectiveness of just a carrier oil or massaging).

Talk to your doctor or dermatologist before using any essential oils, so they can provide guidance for the best treatment options for your skin type.