Do Massage Guns Help with Cellulite? Facts, Tips, & Alternatives

Written By Alecsa Stewart 
Scientifically Reviewed by Daniel Chantigian

Cellulite - the term used for dimpled skin noticed on the lower body - is a contentious word. Medical literature - such as the Cleveland Clinic - refers to cellulite as “collections of fat that push against the connective tissue beneath your skin… Cellulite makes the surface of the skin look lumpy and puckered, or appear dimpled.”

Can you reduce or eliminate cellulite with the use of massage guns? Does vibration massage that stimulates blood flow and helps with lymphatic drainage, be useful to reduce the appearance of cellulite? Massage guns may be useful for increasing localized blood flow, which might reduce the appearance of cellulite. They also have the added benefit of being portable, convenient, and easy to use at home.

Read on to learn more about using massage guns if you have cellulite and what complementary therapies may also be of interest.

Do Massage Guns Help with Cellulite?

Massage guns replace traditional face-to-face sessions with a massage therapist, allowing you to enjoy percussive therapy at home or anywhere that is convenient for you. Scientific studies show that massage guns may be effective in the short term for relaxing muscles, improving range of motion, and increasing flexibility. They also boost blood flow to the massaged area, which is often associated with reducing the visible aspects of cellulite according to the Cleveland Clinic and this research study. Additionally, massage helps facilitate lymphatic drainage, reducing swelling like lymphedema and the cellulite potentially linked with that condition, which indicates that massage guns could help do the same.

However, it is worth adding an important caveat to this. While cellulite undoubtedly exists, the connection between it and the negativity surrounding it has increased dramatically since 1968. Historians associate Vogue Magazine with popularizing it as a “condition” that women should try to conceal or diminish. A 1978 study went so far as to call it “an invented disease.” A huge industry was built around women wanting to reduce or eliminate the appearance of cellulite, resorting to “quick fixes” such as certain beauty products. We are not advocating for that approach here but merely discussing the techniques that can be used to massage, increase blood flow, and relax the muscles, which are beneficial for your health overall and that may also reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Boost blood flow all day long in cozy compression socks.

 

 

Does Using a Massage Gun Break Up Cellulite?

Massage guns cannot remove or “break up” cellulite, but they might help reduce the appearance of it. However, the percussive therapy, like deep tissue massage, helps increase circulation and mobilize the leg muscles and soft tissue. This may help improve the appearance of cellulite, but more research is needed to link whether improved blood flow affects cellulite in a conclusive manner.

How Can Massage Guns Help with Cellulite?

Massage therapy was found to deliver a range of benefits like better blood flow, improved lymphatic drainage, increased muscle range of motion, etc. All these have a positive impact on the overall muscle health, aspects of the leg vein health, and on your overall health. Therefore, it is possible that massage guns could reduce the appearance of cellulite, but more evidence is needed to understand this. Below is information about how massage guns may help with cellulite.

Increased Blood Flow

Through percussive therapy and the low-frequency vibration it provides, massage guns are one of the useful tools you can deploy to improve blood flow to the muscles. They are a great alternative to self-massaging, for times when you’re tired or want to try a different stimulus.

Better blood flow is essential for all our bodily functions. For athletes (recreational or professional), it’s a crucial component of recovery as increased blood circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, helping repair tissue damage after workouts and reducing the time it takes to go back to training. But the general population can also benefit from better blood flow because it helps reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) from exercise, lower swelling or inflammation from blood pooling around the ankles, fight cramps, numbness, or “pins and needles” feelings - and the list goes on.

Improved blood flow has been associated with a reduction in the appearance of cellulite. More importantly, since it helps with muscle recovery, better blood flow can keep you motivated to exercise and improve how you feel after every session. Regular exercise leads to increased muscle mass and lower body fat, which can flatten cellulite and reduce its visibility.

Lymphatic Drainage

Poor lymphatic drainage can cause the appearance of your skin to change, but this is not necessarily the same thing as cellulite. However, maintaining a healthy lymphatic system is essential for maintaining a strong immune system and overall health. With the help of massage guns, you can target parts of the body where lymph fluid has built up, mobilize the tissue, and speed up lymphatic drainage.

Muscle Relaxation

A key benefit of massage guns is the way you can deploy them to work on each muscle group and soothe tensions. A 2010 study also found that massage therapy (through mechanical massage, lymphatic drainage massage, and connective tissue manipulation) could help decrease regional fat and the circumference of the thigh.

By relaxing and mobilizing the muscles, you can smooth the appearance of the legs and promote better recovery for muscle building through exercise. These are both ways that could reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Enhanced Skin Elasticity

As we age, we tend to lose skin elasticity, which makes the appearance of cellulite more evident. This is also caused by gaining weight at the same time, leading to dimples on the legs. One way to counter this is to stimulate collagen production in the body (which also decreased with age). Improved blood flow has been linked with better collagen production - something that massage guns and self-massage might contribute to.

Keep blood flowing throughout the legs with compression tights.

 

 

How to Use a Massage Gun for Cellulite

While there is no clear evidence that massage helps with cellulite, using a massage gun helps improve blood flow, mobilize the muscles, increase lymphatic drainage, and stimulate collagen production (which may smooth the skin and make cellulite less obvious). Here are tips on using a massage gun to improve the appearance of cellulite:

• Always massage the muscle, not a bone or joint.

• Avoid bruised areas and open wounds.

• Start with the lowest intensity setting on the massage gun and work your way up gradually, if needed.

• Experiment with different accessories - massage guns will have different sized heads that can target smaller or larger muscle groups in different ways.

• Work your way up and down one muscle group at a time, from a relaxed position, where you are not tensing the targeted muscle.

• Spend a few minutes on each muscle group.

You can get more tips on using a massage gun for best results in our guide.

Complementary Therapies for Cellulite

If you are looking to add more ways to reduce the appearance of cellulite, you can also boost blood flow and improve skin appearance with compression socks, dry brushing, self-massage, and some lifestyle choices.

Compression Socks

High quality, graduated compression socks are great for improving circulation in the lower limbs, preventing blood and lymph fluid build-up, and keeping legs refreshed and energized. While wearing them is beneficial for your whole-body circulation, you’ll want to look at full-leg length cover, such as compression tights and stockings, for boosting blood flow in the cellulite affected areas.

Full-length compression tights support the thighs and buttocks, improving muscle recovery in the upper legs and contributing to better circulation. They also provide a soothing massage to these areas and give more support and confidence when exercising. They are great for all-day wear or for physical activities - which are, in turn, excellent for reducing the appearance of cellulite.

Discover compression tights to wear while exercising or relaxing.

 

<

 

Dry Brushing

Many people use dry brushing to buff away dead skin cells and stimulate blood flow. This common treatment option involves massaging the thighs with a dry, stiff-bristled brush. You will normally notice the skin plumping up due to the increase in blood flow. This is a temporary visual change; however, it does not remove the cellulite from the skin.

Self-Massage

Massaging the legs helps relieve stress and soothe muscle aches. We recommend at-home self-massage, either done manually or with a massage gun, for cooling down or recovering after exercise, standing on your feet all day, or long journeys in a car or plane. Just like the massage gun, the manual massage improves muscle mobility, helps soothe and relax, and can increase localized blood flow.

Another popular cellulite treatment is massage using a foam roller. However, it is important to know there is no such thing as “breaking up fat cells” by pressing your legs against a foam roller. But foam rolling is beneficial for relaxing tight quadriceps and hamstrings, so you may want to add it to your cool-down routine.

Diet and Exercise

Ultimately, a healthy diet and regular exercise are good for your health and will also contribute to a healthy circulatory system, reducing the risks of blood clots, edema, and other issues. It is also a common belief that losing weight through a healthy diet will reduce cellulite. Yes, reducing the size of your thighs and toning up the muscle will significantly alter their appearance. Some of the looser skin or dimples will also reduce as a result. However, cellulite will still be visible (even if less so).

You should always try to lead a healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet with plenty of whole fruits and vegetables, staying well hydrated, and exercising regularly. Adding massage techniques such as a massage gun to your muscle soothing activities is beneficial as it reduces tension, helps improve blood flow, and increases lymphatic drainage. Wearing compression socks and tights during exercise or for recovery is also effective for the same reasons.

There is no strong scientific evidence connecting all these various treatments to reducing or eliminating cellulite. This skin condition is completely benign and an aesthetic concern only. Increasing muscle mass and reducing fat deposits will lead to a toned, tightened appearance, which may reduce some dimples and folds. But it will not eliminate cellulite completely - and the good news is that you do not need to do this, either. Cellulite is harmless!

References

Basu, P., Sen, U., Tyagi, N., & Tyagi, S. C. (2010). Blood flow interplays with elastin: collagen and MMP: TIMP ratios to maintain healthy vascular structure and function. Vascular health and risk management, 6, 215–228. Read it here.

Bayrakci Tunay, V., Akbayrak, T., Bakar, Y., Kayihan, H., & Ergun, N. (2010). Effects of mechanical massage, manual lymphatic drainage and connective tissue manipulation techniques on fat mass in women with cellulite. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology: JEADV, 24(2), 138–142. Read it here.

Charles, T., Mackintosh, D., Healy, B., Perrin, K., Weatherall, M., & Beasley, R. (2011). Merino wool graduated compression stocking increases lower limb venous blood flow: a randomized controlled trial. Advances in therapy, 28(3), 227–237. Read it here.

Ferreira, R. M., Silva, R., Vigário, P., Martins, P. N., Casanova, F., Fernandes, R. J., & Sampaio, A. R. (2023). The Effects of Massage Guns on Performance and Recovery: A Systematic Review. Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology, 8(3), 138. Read it here.

Needs, D., Blotter, J., Cowan, M., Fellingham, G., Johnson, A. W., & Feland, J. B. (2023). Effect of Localized Vibration Massage on Popliteal Blood Flow. Journal of clinical medicine, 12(5), 2047. Read it here.

Nürnberger, F., & Müller, G. (1978). So-called cellulite: an invented disease. The Journal of dermatologic surgery and oncology, 4(3), 221–229. Read it here.

Piotrowska, A., Czerwińska-Ledwig, O., Stefańska, M., Pałka, T., Maciejczyk, M., Bujas, P., Bawelski, M., Ridan, T., Żychowska, M., Sadowska-Krępa, E., & Dębiec-Bąk, A. (2022). Changes in Skin Microcirculation Resulting from Vibration Therapy in Women with Cellulite. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(6), 3385. Read it here.

Venslauskas, M., Ostasevicius, V., & Vilkinis, P. (2017). Influence of low-frequency vibrations on blood flow improvement in human's limbs. Bio-medical materials and engineering, 28(2), 117–130. Read it here.