How do cellulite massagers work

Women are willing to spend tens of thousands of dollars to conquer their archnemesis: cellulite. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons , nearly 31, procedures for this pesky skin condition were performed in But teasing out the truth between the beauty tips and overhyped cellulite treatments can be a challenge.

The classic appearance of cellulite is caused by changes in fat cells that live in between collagen fibers — the latticework of your skin. Fat cells rupture and sag between collagen supports, causing that distinctive dimpling effect. But beyond genetics, understanding why some women get it more than others is a challenge.

He says some patients tell him that cellulite can be "emotionally devastating. Given the expense, some of the following treatments should be avoided altogether — others may be worth a small try.

The good news for cellulite sufferers is that researchers are working to find a solution. Some approaches, such as acoustic wave therapy, laser treatments , and subcision in which a needle is inserted under the skin to break up the fibrous bands responsible for puckering have shown good results. The challenge for researchers is to distinguish between treatments that provide some temporary improvement and those that can change cellulite at the structural level.

Stay tuned. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. In an age of Instagram influencers and photoshopped models looking down at us from billboards everywhere we go, you'd be forgiven for thinking cellulite wasn't all that common.

Despite cellulite being so normal, our increasing beauty standards mean many women are willing to do almost anything to help combat it. This range of products is growing in number and being recommended by professionals all over the planet, but does it really work, and if so, how?

We've brought together the facts and figures into one easy-to-read article that will hopefully tell you everything you need to know, so let's take a look:.

Anti-cellulite massager devices are intended to simulate a cellulite massage being carried out by a trained professional, allowing you to get long term massages without the cost of repeated visits to a professional. This tissue is aligned in a single vertical straight line in women and as a criss-cross pattern in men, which is why men are less likely to suffer from cellulite.

Massages involve stimulating these fat cells and spreading them more evenly and naturally around the body. While exercise and eating well can reduce the fat content of the body and help fight cellulite, we all have some level of fat in our bodies, and this fat can still collect in certain places.

Because of this, while exercise is always encouraged and can help combat cellulite, anti-cellulite massages are one of the best methods for treating cellulite and should be top of your list when it comes to products you can buy. Along with helping to shift the cellulite itself, these massages also help encourage healthy blood flow which also prevents the ageing of the skin and helps tighten the skin naturally.

Cellulite is formed by tight bands of skin and the fat collecting between them. Massages both loosen this skin and move the fat around which not only reduces cellulite but other types of saggy skin too, leaving your skin feeling more tight and toned. Anti-cellulite massages, along with the improved circulation they cause help the body to rid itself of toxins which aids the body's healthy management of itself and makes it easier for the body to do things like getting fitter or shedding excess fat.

Not only that but it eliminates excess water from the muscles, and helps to make your skin more elastic and healthy, forcing it back into its natural shape and preventing the fibrous strands that make cellulite collect in visible areas. Massages have been shown to help keep muscles tight and shapely, and even encourage growth. If you work out regularly, the bulk of your muscles will be accustomed to being under resistance and as such, this might not work too well for you.

But the softer muscles that we rarely exercise can benefit from this, and if you are somebody who doesn't exercise too regularly, that could well be the case for your whole body. Lymph is a fluid that transports oxygen and nutrition to our cells, collecting toxins and removing them along the journey.

Draining this lymph fluid is how our body manages itself and clears out these toxins, but the lymphatic system doesn't have a pump like the heart, and so relies on our muscular movements to push it around the body. While stretching out your skin and improving your circulation, your anti-cellulite massage is also thought to help lymphatic drainage. Food and Drug Administration FDA approved this as a medical device that has little potential to cause harm.

Each session lasts about 45 minutes. Bottom line: Study results vary. Other studies show that the women who received it had a noticeable reduction. These results, however, were temporary. If you see results, it seems that you must continue the treatments to continue seeing results.

The cellulite tends to return within 1 month of stopping treatment. If you opt for this spa treatment, the cellulite will be slathered with algae or clay — and sometimes a mixture of both. Next, electrodes are attached to the area. Before the technician leaves the room, the area will be wrapped in plastic. Some people say the current feels painful or unpleasant. This treatment is said to reduce the size of the treated area, which may reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Some people say their skin feels more toned, but they still see cellulite. This is a type of treatment that heats the cellulite. One FDA-approved device combines radiofrequency with a laser, suction, and massage in order to target cellulite.

Bottom line: Recent studies suggest some patients see a little less cellulite. This result, however, is short lived and several treatments are needed to see this minor change. It can make the dimpling more obvious. Adding a laser treatment to liposuction, however, may help get rid of cellulite. A technique called ultrasonic liposculpting is a non-invasive procedure that targets and destroys fat.

Bottom line: There is no evidence that ultrasound alone can reduce cellulite. When combined with another cellulite treatment, however, ultrasound may reduce the appearance of cellulite.

More studies are needed. Bottom line: While it can be very effective for getting rid of small pockets of unwanted fat, it currently cannot get rid of cellulite. During this procedure, you receive a series of injections in the area s with cellulite. Different substances are injected into the area, including caffeine, hormones, enzymes, and herbal extracts.

Bottom line: Few studies show this works. Side effects are common and include redness and swelling, tender lumps beneath the skin, infection, allergic skin reaction, and skin changes. Some people say that taking supplements that contain ingredients like caffeine, grape seed extract, or gingko biloba can reduce cellulite.

Your results depend on the skill and experience of the person who performs the treatment. Dermatologists are the skin experts, so they understand the skin and what lies just beneath it. A dermatologist who offers cellulite treatment can help you decide which treatment may be most effective for you and answer your questions.

Non-invasive fat removal: What you can expect.