To get rid of cellulite, a balanced diet, sports, and a good slimming product are not enough. Massage is essential to drain and dislodge fat. Discover the advice of Yann Maurel-Loré, esthetician and founder of the organic cosmetics brand Estime & Sens, for a truly effective anti-cellulite self-massage. Goodbye orange peel and capitons!
Kneading, kneading, smoothing, palpating-rolling, tapping … so many massage techniques which are the ultimate weapon in the fight against dimpling. If massage is so effective in achieving this, it is because it will revive the lymphatic circulation, dislodge fatty deposits and thus give the skin a more supple and smooth appearance. “The massage will create hyperemia, that is to say a slight redness in the skin. This will activate the microcirculation”, Explains Yann Maurel-Loré. An anti-cellulite massage can be carried out in an institute or at home by an esthetician, but also with a physiotherapist in the office. Of course, you can also carry out your anti-cellulite self-massage at home. As long as you are motivated and above all very diligent, you will get excellent results.
The different types of cellulite
Over 90% of women have cellulite. If the buttocks, thighs, stomach and hips are the most affected areas, it is also possible to have cellulite in the calves, arms and even the back. And it's not a question of weight, far from it! Many very thin women also suffer from the "orange peel" effect. To know how to fight your enemy, you have to know them. Before studying the most effective anti-cellulite massages, it is therefore necessary to take stock of the different types of cellulite:
- Adipose cellulite : the most common, it results from engorgement of fat cells resulting from excess fat storage.
- Fibrous cellulite : visible even without pinching the skin, this form of cellulite is very difficult to remove because it is caused by hardening of the collagen fibers.
- Aqueous cellulite : as the name suggests, it is due to water retention.
Anti-cellulite massage at home: how to do it?
Yann Maurel-Loré details for us the different anti-cellulite massages that can be easily done at home. Depending on your skin type, your expectations, but also the time you have. On the other hand, the esthetician insists on several points: "To be effective, the session must last at least 6 minutes: three devoted to massage, three devoted to the application of the slimming product. It is also important to always perform the massage with an upward movement, for example from the knees to the top of the thigh, to respect the direction of venous return”.
- Palpate roll: for normal skin
“Palpate rolling is the technical term. I prefer to speak of “kneading”, a more meaningful termSays the esthetician. The gesture consists in taking the mass to slim down with both hands then to knead it as one would do it with a bread dough. “This technique is reserved for normal skin, which does not have small visible vesselsAdds the specialist. This will create hyperemia to drain and dislodge fat. The massage can be carried out with the slimming product of your choice or the latter can be applied afterwards, after the three minutes of massage.
- A gentle massage for sensitive skin
Palpate rolling, too aggressive, is not recommended for sensitive skin. “The goal will be to create hyperemia, but with more kindness and gentleness”, Nuance Yann Maurel-Loré. We will therefore make circular movements on the area to slim down using only the second phalanxes of the fingers, which we will place flat on the skin.
- Anti-cellulite massage for women on the go
For all those who are frightened by the prospect of long daily massages, don't panic, there are solutions. “In the shower, put your shower head in the massage position. Then make circular movements 40cm from the skin on the area to be refined. Ideal for stimulating micro-circulation”, Recommends the specialist. Another possibility, for example if you are stuck in traffic or watching television, a quick kneading session of the area to slim down is also quite possible.
Oil, cream, balm: anti-cellulite treatments suitable for massage
"To be really effective, a slimming product must penetrate to the hypodermis", explains the esthetician. It is therefore important, before choosing a product, to understand its action. The anti-dimpling gel will have a tightening effect and smooth the skin. The penetration of the active ingredients is satisfactory thanks to the gel texture, but above all it has a surface action.
Oil, on the other hand, can penetrate much deeper, as it will follow the path of the hair follicle. Unlike cream, the oil does not contain water, so its active ingredients are much more concentrated.
Yann Maurel-Loré insists on the need to apply it morning and evening for three months by performing a massage, to associate it with physical exercise or the practice of a sport, and to adopt a lighter diet.
Our opinion : An organic oil that has everything good with pink pepper extract which promotes the destocking of fats and the firming kigelia extract. For increased efficiency, you can combine the oil with the 24-hour multi-zone cream from the same house. One press of cream + three presses of oil for a complete anti-cellulite slimming treatment!
Our opinion : an oil with the delicate scent of pineapple that smells good in the tropics. Ideal for making anti-cellulite massage a real wellness break.
Our opinion : an oil with 100% natural ingredients based on extracts of young birch leaves and rosemary. The smell may surprise but the product is effective.
- Anti-cellulite treatment encrusted 15 days, Somatoline Cosmetic, on sale on Amazon (31.80 euros, 150ml)
Our opinion : a classic anti-cellulite treatment with a concentrate of active substances that promises results in two weeks. Avoid if you have sensitive skin, it can sting and blush.
Our opinion : a very soft, creamy balm, ideal for postpartum, but not only. With its five vegetable oils, it respects and nourishes the skin intensely.
Device, suction cup, accessories: what do we think about it?
Anti-cellulite devices are not reserved for beauty salons. However, be careful when using them at home, bruises are common. There are several kinds of devices: infrared, electrostimulation or simply devices that will massage by mechanically reproducing the action of the palpate-roll. On the accessories side, the suction cup will also (but with a small contribution from you!) Reproduce the action of the palpate roll. Be careful, the beginnings can be uncomfortable but should not be painful, in which case the movement is too sudden.
Thanks to Yann Maurel-Loré, esthetician and founder of the organic cosmetics brand Estime & Sens.
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