Massage guns are a favourite in many athletes and workout enthusiasts today because it helps ease muscle pain associated with repeated use. Most don’t realise however that massage guns have another purpose – they can be very effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite. Using a massage gun on cellulite can work on different levels and give you the appearance of smoother skin.

All massage guns are made for a common purpose: to give your muscles a good massage and relieve the soreness on a deeper level. In this article, we’re going to talk about how you can use massage guns to help with cellulite.

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Treating Cellulite With Massage

Cellulite is a collection of fat cells just under the skin. That’s why they’re so hard to remove and require a more targeted approach. The good news is that cellulite isn’t exactly uncommon – studies show that around 80 to 90 per cent of women have cellulite. They’re most commonly found along the thigh area because this is where most of the fat accumulates.

The appearance of cellulite increases depending on several factors. For example, poor lymphatic drainage and loss of collagen can also make them more evident. If you have poor blood circulation or fail to engage in physical activity, the cellulite can actually become worse.

Genetics, age, and even estrogen hormones can also contribute to their growth. This is why you’ll find that most people who suffer from cellulite are women. Of course, that doesn’t mean men can’t have cellulite – the condition can easily affect both men and women.

Massage is perhaps one of the most popular methods to treat cellulite. But how exactly does it work? Here are the reasons why massage can contribute to their disappearance:

It Drains Excess Body Fluid

Excess bodily fluids can quickly increase the appearance of cellulite. A good massage basically moves that fluid along the body so that it can be flushed out or drained. You’ll find that this helps improve circulation and gives you sleeker lines, especially along the thigh area.

It Improves Blood Circulation

Inactivity is one of the reasons why cellulite becomes obvious on the skin. Exercise helps pump up the blood, circulates it and breaks down the fat deposits. Massage addresses cellulite in the same way – it agitates the skin, muscles, and underlying fat in order to promote the circulation of blood.

It Redistributes Fat Cells

Cellulite is basically fat cells that can be broken down and moved around through a good massage. The targeted approach helps tear down the fat cells and move them around the body – redistributing it so it doesn’t accumulate in just one area. At the same time, the massage helps with blood circulation and when combined with good exercise, you’ll find that it reduces cellulite appearance.

It Plumps Up The Skin

Massage also creates a much plumped-up look to the skin, making it appear fuller and healthier. This is not surprising since a good massage redirects blood flow throughout the body, making sure that it circulates properly – especially in the hard-to-reach areas. Once the blood starts to actively pump through your limbs, this energises the skin, causing it to lift and look healthier as it receives more nutrients from the blood. As a result, the cellulite tends to sink down and becomes less obvious.

How To Use A Massage Gun To Treat Cellulite

The use of a massage gun on cellulite can be just as effective as an actual massage. However, you have to know exactly how to use it since a massage gun can’t perform all the complicated manoeuvres of the human hand. A massage gun can’t knead, wring, or pinch the skin to break down the fat cells.

Massage guns work primarily because they’re good for percussive therapy. This means that they beat on the muscle at rapid and repeated intervals – providing a very satisfying beating massage on the targeted area. The massage gun’s speed and strength can be adjusted depending on your personal preferences.

So what does the repeated percussion do? It manages to massage the skin deeply through intense pulses over the muscle. This helps improve blood circulation so that nutrients can freely move across the muscles. At the same time, it manages to break down the cellulite so that it becomes less clumped within a specific area.

When combined with a good workout, it becomes easier to melt down the globs of fat and reduce their numbers. Think of cellulite as a large chunk of ice – the massage gun helps break it down into smaller pieces. These smaller pieces are then easier to melt with heat compared to melting one huge chunk of the ice.

When using a massage gun on cellulite, you’ll have to position the massage gun in different ways. Don’t just focus on the cellulite-rich area but instead move through the whole limb – as if you’re trying to direct the flow of the fat cells. Using the different attachments can also help create the sensation of kneading, wringing, or pinching the skin for a more effective massage.

Other Ways To Treat Cellulite

Aside from a massage gun, you’ll find that there are other ways to treat cellulite. These methods can be used together with massage guns so you’ll get better results.

1. Topical Treatments

An easy way to approach cellulite problems would be through the application of creams and lotions. These topical products contain specific ingredients that help improve blood flow and thicken the skin to reduce the visibility of cellulite. However, it takes a few months of consistent application before you can actually see the results of the cream.

Notably, many cellulite products are made using caffeine as the primary ingredient. If you have lots of coffee grounds at home, you might want to try using this as an exfoliating scrub to save on the costs just to see if it would work!

Caffeine works because it has been known to increase blood flow, tighten the skin, and reduce the appearance of pores. More importantly, it manages to retain water and thus reduces the water content of the fat cells. This somehow shrinks them down and makes them less visible.

2. Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is perhaps the easiest way you can address cellulite. The scientific support for this method isn’t as strong – but measurable improvement can be noticed. Dry brushing works mainly because it helps with blood circulation and lymph flow.

When done on a routine basis, the method reduces the puckered appearance of the skin. Dry brushing doesn’t require specialized materials – just get an organic loofah and brush the target area in one long stroke. Do this while the skin is dry for best results.

3. Exfoliants

With or without cellulite, exfoliating your body is always a good idea as it helps get rid of dead skin cells and pave the way for a fresher batch. When applied to cellulite-affected areas, you’ll find that it can also help reduce the appearance of those dimpled structures.

Any exfoliating product can work from coffee grounds, sugar scrubs, or a loofah. In many cases, exfoliating works the same way as dry scrubbing. However, exfoliating is usually done wet while dry scrubbing is done while in the shower.

Make sure to prep your skin before doing this and also moisturise the area after exfoliation. This way, you wouldn’t suffer from dried-out skin which can occur if you exfoliate too often. Two to three times a week of exfoliating should be enough. Done routinely – you’ll be able to notice fewer instances of cellulite.

4. Diet And Exercise

Since cellulite is fat cells, it makes sense that reducing the fat ratio of your body can reduce their appearance. Does that mean that really thin people don’t have cellulite? Not necessarily, but you’ll find that slimmer figures make them less obvious. To reduce the instance of cellulite, try focusing on cardiovascular workouts that promote blood flow and tighten your skin. You will find that as you attain a slimmer and more toned figure, cellulite starts to become less prevalent.

Conclusion

Can massage guns help with cellulite? The answer is yes. It works through percussive therapy that helps break down the fat cells and somehow redistribute them more evenly. This way, the cellulite doesn’t appear so obviously on the skin so that they look practically gone. When it comes to cellulite treatment, however, it’s best to combine different methods so you’ll get the best results.

1. Can you ever get rid of cellulite?

Removing cellulite absolutely and permanently is not possible. They are going to show up and the techniques to remove cellulite only reduce their appearance. However, with the right methods, diet, and exercise – you can keep cellulite at a minimum.

2. Can massage guns help with muscle growth?

Strictly speaking, no. You cannot use a massage gun every day and expect muscle to grow there. However, massage guns can be used to help relieve pain created by workouts, allowing you to get back to your exercises quickly for muscle growth.