Can You Use a Massage Gun for Cellulite?

We all know the struggle with cellulite – that pesky, dimpled skin that just won’t go away. Mind you, that’s partly because cellulite is completely normal, but that doesn’t mean we like how it looks and, of course, we’re trying to get rid of it every way we can. 

Massage guns, which are known for being used for muscle recovery and pain relief, are being hyped up as a possible solution for cellulite. If you know anything about them, you know that they work by sending quick, concentrated pulses to your muscles and boost blood flow to the area. But can that circulation make your skin look smoother and even break up fat cells?

Keep reading and you’ll find out!

What is a Massage Gun?

A massage gun is a portable, handheld device that looks similar to a power drill. Using one is often referred to as percussive massage treatment or vibration therapy. They are usually wireless, use rechargeable batteries for power, and come with various attachments.

Once turned on, the gun vibrates at a high frequency, which helps people to recover from working out by reducing soreness. Its ability to help aid muscle recovery is a significant benefit but is certainly not its only use.

Massage Gun For Cellulite — How Does It Work?

Cellulite occurs when fat deposits push through the connective tissue under the skin and this is what causes that dimpled look on areas like thighs, hips, buttocks, etc.

Cellulite can occur due to several factors, for example:

• Age: As you get older, your skin will be less elastic than it was when you were younger. This can cause cellulite to be more noticeable than before.

• Gender: Women are more likely to have cellulite than men. Not only because women tend to store fat in noticeable areas but because the dermis (the inner layer of your skin) is also thinner than males causing cellulite to be more visible.

• Diet: It’s not so much what you eat, it’s more about the calorie intake bacsue even people who eat really well have cellulite. If your calorie intake is excessive, you’ll gain fat, and that can lead to more cellulite presence too.

• Genetics: Unfortunately, some people are more likely to encounter this issue than others, regardless of any other reason.

• Lifestyle: Regular exercise, not smoking, and a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of developing cellulite.

• Weight: Those who are overweight may encounter this issue more than others, but it’s not just about the weight. Skin thickness and the structure of your connective tissue also affect how visible your cellulite is.

• Hormones/Pregnancy: Estrogen is produced during pregnancy, and it can affect fat distribution, which can make cellulite more noticeable. Estrogen does not increase cellulite directly.

A massage gun can help by sending quick, percussive pulses to these areas, which boosts blood flow and promotes lymphatic drainage. This improved circulation can make the skin look smoother and less dimpled, at least for a while. 

To use it, you quickly move the head of the massage gun back and forth to apply pressure to the muscles and skin. This action helps break up fluid buildup and improve lymphatic flow, which temporarily makes the cellulite less visible. However, keep in mind that a massage gun doesn’t change the underlying fat deposits or connective tissue that causes cellulite. 

If you want results that last, you can’t rely on the massage gun – you’ll need to exercise, watch what you eat, and drink plenty of water and maybe look for supplementation that may help with some nutrition gaps.

Massage Gun For Cellulite Before and After Use

Before you use a massage gun, your cellulite will look dimpled and uneven because of poor blood circulation and fluid retention. After a session with a massage gun, increased blood flow and improved lymphatic drainage can make the skin look smoother and more toned. Since there’s no fluid buildup anymore, your skin will look firmer and overall better. 

Sadly, this isn’t a permanent result. You’ll need to use a massage gun consistently if you want your skin to keep looking firmer and more toned.

Recommended Massage Gun For Cellulite

Ekrin B37

• Material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
• Power Source: Battery powered
• Battery Capacity: 8 hours
• Weight: 2.2 lbs
• Size: 5.91 x 3.15 x 2.36 inches
• Speed of Rotation: 3200 rpm
• Noise Level: 35-55 dB

CHECK PRICE ON EKRIN

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Our recommended massage gun would be Ekrin B37 Massage Gun. This percussion gun is made using premium materials, has an ergonomic design, and uses up to 56 lbs of force. Despite its impressive power, you won’t have to worry about noise, as the brushless motor has been soundproofed.

The percussion massager has an angled handle that ensures a greater ability to reach those hard-to-reach areas and less arm fatigue. It has an 8-hour battery life and a travel case with four interchangeable attachments for multiple uses.

How to Use a Massage Gun For Cellulite?

You should follow this simple guide to using a massage gun to reduce cellulite safely:

1. While holding the massage gun, turn it on to medium speed.
2. Hold the head of the gun gently over the area you want to massage. The head should be straight and not at a slant.
3. Slowly apply pressure to the desired area. You should not feel any pain during this process.
4. Move the head of the gun around the area slowly. Aim to maintain consistent pressure and stick to smaller circles throughout the massage.
5. Focus on one area for 1-2 minutes before moving to another location. You should not exceed this time as you may experience pain, swelling, and bruising.
6. After the massage, you may want to pinch your skin gently. This will help smooth out your skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite.
7. Depending on your own experience, you should increase both the speed of the gun and the pressure applied. Remember, you should not be experiencing any pain at any point during the massage.

How Often to Use a Massage Gun For Cellulite?

You’ll need to be consistent, but that doesn’t mean you should go crazy and spend hours each day massaging. Do sessions of about 10-15 minutes, two to three times a week. This will allow your skin and underlying tissues time to respond to the treatment without becoming irritated.

Start with a lower intensity and gradually increase it. You can also (slowly) increase the length of the sessions and once your body gets used to the massage, you can even go for up to 1 hour per session.

7 Other Ways to Reduce Cellulite

If you’re looking for a magic way that will take away your cellulite overnight – you’re out of luck. But, hey, if you ever come across something like that, let us know! 

If you’re serious about getting rid of cellulite, you should know it’s a process. It didn’t just appear all at once and it won’t disappear in a blink. 

Here’s how to actually reduce cellulite:

1. Quit Smoking

There are plenty of reasons why you should quit smoking. To start, it is incredibly hazardous to your health and could lead to you developing lung cancer.

Smoking is also not good for healthy skin as it can cause your skin to lose its elasticity, making your cellulite appear more prominently. It can also cause a reduction in the production of collagen, a problem that can cause more wrinkles to appear.

2. Exercise Regularly

Physical activity will tone your muscles and reduce body fat. Strength training and aerobic exercises, like running, swimming, and cycling, can improve muscle tone and circulation, which can minimize the appearance of cellulite. Overall higher muscle mass and lower bodyfat will be the best way to reduce cellulite.

3. Healthy Diet

Eat a balanced diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, natural collagen and whole foods in general. Control your kcal intake and be sure you prioritize protein in your diet. This will support overall health and it can help reduce body fat.

Food that’s high in antioxidants, like berries, can help your skin get healthier and they can boost collagen production, which will make your skin look smoother.

4. Hydration

If you drink a lot of water, it will keep your skin hydrated. Proper hydration can improve your skin’s texture and increase elasticity, so cellulite won’t be as visible.

5. Dry Skin Brushing

This is an Ayurvedic method whereby a natural brush or loofah is used over your entire body. A process that helps improve blood circulation.

6. Creams

There are certain creams available designed to help combat cellulite. Look for creams containing ingredients such as collagen peptides, as can potentially help improve the firmness and elasticity of your skin.

This method is not a quick fix, and you should rely on something other than a cream solely for this issue. It will have to be used in conjunction with other methods too.

7. Supplements

Certain supplements can help promote healthy circulation that will improve the appearance of cellulite. Ingredients such as green tea extract, turmeric, ginger, grape seed, and vitamin C can help.

Adequate protein intake is super important. Vitamin C, Zinc and more are also crucial for collagen synthesis.  Vitamin D is also super important for skin health for many reasons, so focus a bit on your sun exposure as well.

FAQ

Will a Massage Gun Help With Cellulite?

It can help with its appearance, but the results are temporary and a massage gun can’t help with the actual fat cells. It will increase circulation and promote lymphatic drainage, which will make your skin look smoother and cellulite will be less visible.

Can a Massage Gun Break up Fat?

Nope. It can only temporarily improve blood flow and make cellulite less obvious, but it can’t physically break down fat cells. Fat cells shrink when the body uses stored fat energy, but you can’t mechanically break them up with a massage gun.

Can a Massage Gun Tighten Skin?

Temporarily, yes. It will increase blood flow and promote lymphatic drainage, so your skin will look firmer and smoother. But these results are only short-term. 

Conclusion

If you were hoping to see an article praising massage guns for their ability to break down fat cells and erase cellulite, you’re probably a bit disappointed. But hey, at least now you know the actual ways to deal with cellulite!

A massage gun can help with the appearance, but actual cellulite needs to be fought off with hydration, exercise, and a good diet. Not the answer anyone wants to hear, but there it is. Cellulite is stubborn and you’ll need time, patience, and work to get rid of it. Massage guns can be used among other methods but if there is a dilemma between massage gun or exercise – choose exercise.

How do you deal with cellulite? Are there any topical products you swear by? Have you used a massage gun to try to help with cellulite? 

Leave your thoughts and questions in the comments and let’s help each other be cellulite-free!

Also read:

• Massage Gun Benefits
• Mini Percussion Massager
• Most Powerful Massage Gun
• Best Affordable Massage Gun
• How to Use Massage Gun on Neck
• Are Massage Guns Good for Back Pain

References:

1. The Impact of Vibration Therapy Interventions on Skin Condition and Skin Temperature Changes in Young Women with Lipodystrophy: A Pilot Study // PubMed:
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31275423/
3. Whole-body vibration in the reduction of the cellulite // PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30300017
4. Photos made by Torokhtiy Media Team.