Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Basics of Cellulite Massage

By Deborah G Hutton

The cellulite condition often occurs on a woman's hips, stomach or thighs. This is because these areas are the most susceptible to fat. When the fat deposits that are close to the skin begins to expand the skin begin to get a dimpled appearance. It is this orange peel look which is commonly referred to as cellulite.

There are hundreds of treatments available that claim to reduce cellulite. One such treatment is massage. This treatment is thought to help to reduce cellulite by smoothing out the fat and increasing blood circulation to the problem areas.

Massage for cellulite can be done at home or by a therapist at a beauty spa. You or the therapist could use a machine, or you may want to opt for self-massage. Massage is effective especially when combined with other known treatments such as cream, laser or body wraps. When done at home it is a cost effective alternative which can produce excellent results when conducted properly.

When starting out with self-massage you will first need to choose an oil that will help you lubricate the skin. Some oils that are available claim to be able to aid the cellulite reduction process. Your local dealer of oils will be able to explain to you what these oils are in more detail.

If your problem area is the stomach or hips you should use two hands to knead the skin and cellulite. Lift the flesh up with one hand and then knead it into the other. Be gentle and massage all across the problem areas.

Gently make circular movements and strokes. It is recommended that you avoid doing counter clockwise movements as this is not the natural direction of your digestive system. Also, you should avoid any cellulite massage on the abdomen when you are or may be pregnant to avoid hurting the foetus.

One of the most common areas for cellulite is the thighs. In order to massage this area use the same long stroking motion as above and don't forget the area at the back.

Knead the cellulite with both hands, picking up and then dropping the skin and fat in alternative motions with your hands.

To increase the cellulite removal process you can combine the self-massage with other cellulite treatments. If you are on a tight budget some simple steps can make a large difference. This includes increasing the amount of water you use each day, losing weight by eating correctly and exercising, or using a loofah sponge in the shower to rub the problem areas.

If you really want use cellulite massage as a treatment option then you should explore using a specially designed machine for home use. Alternatively, you could ask your beauty therapist if they have a machine that they use on their clients. - 16003

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