Last updated: February 13, 2023
As hot girl summer approaches or a vacation looms, most of us start to think about tackling some of our biggest perceived body issues.
A really common complaint that many women have is that they don’t like the way their cellulite looks.
Despite the fact that cellulite is normal and most women have it, social media and the beauty industry have led us to believe that we shouldn’t have it.
The orange peel look on body parts like the legs, stomach and arms is really common and a normal thing for a human body to have.
However, if you want to reduce the appearance of cellulite there are a few ways to do it.
Using gua sha for cellulite is a really good option.
Let’s look at the theory behind gua sha massage, cellulite itself and exactly how you can use gua sha for cellulite.
What is gua sha?
Gua sha is actually the name given in traditional Chinese medicine to the technique of scraping the skin to relieve tension and swelling.
A gua sha tool is the implement used to do this.
Most commonly used on the face to reduce puffiness and tighten the look of skin, a gua sha treatment can also be used on the body.
What is cellulite?
Cellulite is the name given to the bumps and dimples that appear on the skin.
It’s a normal bodily process that happens when fat cells gather in pockets under the connective tissue we all have in our skin.
Our connective tissue is made up of collagen and elastin, and it supports the skin as our bodies move around.
Over time, body fat naturally gathers in between the connective tissue which is when cellulite can start to appear.
As we get older our bodies also produce less collagen and elastin which can weaken the connective fibres, resulting in fat deposits and therefore cellulite looking more pronounced.
Does gua sha help with cellulite?
The answer is yes! You can use a gua sha for cellulite reduction.
Combined with a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water, as well as regular exercise and dry brushing, a full body gua sha session really can improve the appearance of cellulite.
Gua sha helps improve the look of cellulite in the following ways:
Gua sha stimulates the lymphatic system
Fluid retention can make cellulite appear more prominent.
Anything that improves lymphatic drainage, like regular gua sha massage, will help to shift stagnant fluid and smooth the skin’s surface.
Gua sha increases blood flow to the skin
Improved blood circulation brings more nutrients to the skin and also helps to remove waste products from skin cells.
Metabolic waste slows blood flow and can make cellulite look worse. Gua sha helps with the overall detoxification process.
Gua sha encourages the production of collagen
The gentle pressure from a gua sha tool causes micro trauma to the skin and tissues.
These are not painful but they are a great way to stimulate collagen production.
Your body rushes to produce collagen to repair these tiny amounts of damage, which will firm up your skin and make cellulite look smoother.
Can a gua sha slim your thighs?
Alongside using a gua sha for cellulite, it can also help to make your thighs and other body areas appear slimmer.
Gua sha does this by reducing skin inflammation and excess water, and as a result will give you smoother skin and a more streamlined appearance.
The extra bonus is that a gua sha stone has other benefits for your whole body at the same time as reducing the look of cellulite.
Gua sha massage also has soothing benefits which will reduce muscle soreness so it’s a great step to add to your post-workout routine too.
How to use a gua sha for cellulite
For the best results use the right tool when it comes to trying gua sha for cellulite.
A gua sha for cellulite can be made of rose quartz or jade, or even wood or stainless steel.
For ease of use, try a gua sha with a handle so you can get a really good grip on it.
To use a gua sha for cellulite, do the following:
Apply a body oil or lotion to cellulite-affected areas
A massage oil or thin lotion will ensure your gua sha tool slides smoothly across your skin.
You can use any type of body oil on the market today so choose something with added hydrating or skin tightening benefits to get the most out of your skincare routine.
Rest your gua sha tool at a flat angle against the skin
Rather than a 90 degree angle, lay the gua sha as flat against your skin as possible to get as much of its smooth surface touching your skin as you can.
A good angle to aim for is 15 degrees as this will ensure the thin edge still scrapes the skin first.
This gua sha technique will give you the best skin benefits.
Use upward strokes on your target areas
Using long strokes, drag the gua sha upwards over cellulite-prone areas six to eight times.
The first time you do this you will notice you get skin redness and possibly light bruising.
This is normal and will fade quickly afterwards.
Increase pressure where possible
When you start trying out using gua sha for cellulite, you may need to use a very mild pressure initially.
As you get used to the feeling during your daily routine, you can increase the force gradually.
This will give you more of a deep tissue massage and really get to work on that deeper connective tissue and built-up fluid.
After using gua sha for cellulite
You should feel like you’ve had a relaxing massage which will leave you invigorated and clear-headed.
As with any skin care treatment, consistency is key.
Providing you incorporate this regular massage routine into your daily life, you will see gua sha work its magic on your entire body.
Over time you will start to see firm skin, a softer skin texture and less water retention which are just a few of the many benefits of gua sha.
As with all anti-cellulite treatments, combine this with healthy foods and exercise and you’ll start to see gua sha help cellulite on any part of the body you want it to.
More beauty tips:
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