Monday, December 29, 2008

Self-Massage as a Cellulite Treatment

By Deborah G Hutton

Cellulite is one of the things that every woman fears and millions of dollars are spent on treating cellulite every year. The condition occurs mainly on the stomach, thighs and hips because it is these areas which have the highest fat content in the woman's body. There are fat deposits that exist below the skin and when they begin to bulge dimples on the skin above begin to appear.

The appearance of cellulite can be reduced by a number of different treatments. A popular cellulite treatment is massage. By smoothing the lumpy fat deposits out and improving the blood circulation to the cellulite areas, massage can help improve the look of the skin.

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.

As with any other type of massage, it is best to use massage oil when doing cellulite self-massage. There are a particular set of oils which are thought to help the fat loss process and aid cellulite removal. The best person to talk to about these products is your beauty therapist or local suppler of natural oils.

If you have cellulite on your hips or abdomen / stomach you should use two hands. You want a kneading-type motion where you lift up the skin and cellulite with one hand and then drop it into the other. Make sure you are gentle.

One you have finished the kneading process it is time now to start doing circular-type motions across the problem areas. Try to do clockwise motions because this is the way your digestive system naturally moves. If you are pregnant or planning on being it is recommended that you don't massage your abdomen as there is risk you may hurt the baby.

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.

Using a cellulite massage machine can increase the effectiveness of the treatment. There are home units available that mean you can self-massage in the privacy of your own home. Many beauty spa also have commercial machines that they use on their private clients. - 16004

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