Cellulite is something very common in women, especially for those from the West. Its causes are complicated (hormonal, genetic, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet...) and only less than 10% of women are naturally free of it, so even professional models and celebrities who take great care of themselves have cellulite. However, there is nothing wrong if you have cellulite. It is not a health concern per se, and if you don't mind the dimpled appearance on your skin, there is no reason to devote more energy to the issue. On the other hand, if the “orange peel skin” bothers you a lot and affects your self-confidence, you should know that it can be improved with help from good tools, patience, and consistency.
Cellulite is difficult to get rid of because it is not directly related to fat. So even if we exercise a lot to lose weight, it won’t necessarily reduce its appearance. In fact, cellulite occurs mostly due to what happens around the fat—the accumulation of fluids and the worsening of micro-circulation, which, over time, lead to fibrosis (the loss of elasticity of the connective tissue).
After knowing that water retention is the number one cause of cellulite, the place to start treating it is minimizing the excess fluids trapped in our body. We could—eat more foods that are high in antioxidants or have draining properties; move more (a brisk 30-minute walk can do wonders); and get lymphatic draining massages, which is the best way to stimulate circulation and relieve swelling.
Complementing these overall changes in lifestyle should be localized treatment, targeting very specifically at the fatty nodules so commonly accumulated in the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Topical skincare products cannot penetrate so deeply to the root of where cellulite start to form, so we should accompany the product with a professional anti-cellulite massage to improve its absorption and efficacy.
However, not everyone can afford going to a specialty beauty salon for anti-cellulite massages every day, which makes using a good techno-beauty device designed for cellulite the best choice for most people. In the end, not only it saves time and money, but also gives you the control of tackling different areas according to your own needs and desires. But the real challenge lies in choosing the right one. Below we have summarized the top 10 factors to consider when choosing an anti-cellulite massager.
10 important tips for choosing the best anti-cellulite massager
- Type and technology: we are going to focus on evaluating and selecting massaging devices, because they are the most effective for at home use. Other types may require features for medical use to show results. Some devices, besides the basic massaging function, also incorporate other technologies such as LED, EMS, suction...
- Power: When selecting a massage device, pay close attention to its maximum power, also if the massaging intensity is adjustable to suit different types of massage and different body areas. It is therefore important the quality of the motor, and its specifications.
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Accessories: Accessories are important. Because different shapes and designs can mean different functions. For instance, to drain out excess fluids and to break up fat nodules are two types of tasks that indeed require different massage movements, hence requiring different designs to the massaging head. Their size also matters because it will determine how much time you’ll need to go over the whole body. When selecting, check if the heads go on and off easily enough, and if they stay stable and secure when attached to the motor shaft.
- Ergonomics: It is important that it can be easily handled on both sides of the body by both hands. Is it too heavy? How’s the grip? Does it vibrate too much in hand?
- Noise: Having a motor that rotates means it will make some noise, but the level of it can vary greatly from one to another.
- Consumption and voltage: Most of them do not consume much energy, between 45-20W, and they are usually single voltage (230-240V).
- Cableless or plug-in: Admittedly the rechargeable function is convenient, but for the massage to be effective it needs to be powerful enough, in which case the cableless ones lose power very quickly. On the other hand, while plugged in, the motor can steadily function at its highest capacity throughout the entire treatment, though it can be somewhat inconvenient.
- For wet or dry use: If the device is rechargeable and has full water protection, they can be used and enjoyed in the shower. Although for the purpose of reducing cellulite, the massage is best done on dry skin.
- Price: Nowadays a massaging device can range from $25 to $800, among which many claim to reduce cellulite, while the truth is most of them are ineffective because they are either too small or too weak—due to a low-quality motor. So, if you are determined to find an effective solution for cellulite, better to research well and invest in a good one from the beginning—one that can take care of you for years.
- Clinical studies and professional assessment: Has the device undergone clinical studies and assessed by different women from a diverse background? Have their claimed results been proven and endorsed by professionals? Look for this information on the brand’s website.
Sadly, the majority of the electric massagers on the market are not designed by professionals, rendering them merely helpful in relieving muscle tension, as they only work on the epidermis level and little deeper. Reducing cellulite, however, requires the massager to impact the deepest sky layer, where the root of cellulite is. A simple test you can do to check if the massager qualifies in this regard is to set the intensity to maximum and press it against your thigh, and if it stops, it doesn’t have sufficient power to do the heavy lifting we need. This type of devices is usually inexpensive (under 100€), since its construction is very simple, and it only has a small and basic motor. And most needs to be purchased online, which poses further problem for us to compare, test, and decide.
It is also important to see which company is behind each device and whether they are trustworthy. Some belong to generalist brands that make, for example, a variety of small household appliances. A massager produced by such companies is simply another item on their catalogs. These companies do not develop the massager themselves, as in-house development requires time, investment, and deep knowledge on specific topics. So instead of painstakingly going through this process, these brands would simply look for a reliable manufacturer that has the product in its catalog, customize it slightly in shapes and colors, and launch it to the market.
It is also common to see products that look very similar from various brands. The good thing is that this usually indicates a reliable supplier, and that these appliances are manufactured according to the regional quality and safety regulations. They usually offer technical service, warranty, etc.
Examples of 1 device from 2 different brands:
There are also many others from totally unknown brands, sometimes even knockoffs, which are not made under safety regulations and do not offer any guarantee. We recommend that you never buy this type of devices out of quality and safety concerns. The prices are usually very cheap, less than $50.
Ideally, we are looking for a device that’s specifically designed to treat cellulite and made by a reliable company who has done solid research then developed the product themselves, while meeting all regulations and has a good track record in customer service.
