“TL;DR: The notion that massaging cellulite cream into the skin, rather than the cream itself, reduces cellulite is a persistent myth. This idea stems from the misconception that creams are not absorbed, leading some to attribute their effects to the act of massaging. However, the brief, light massage involved in applying cream—typically lasting a minute—is far too weak to impact cellulite, being hundreds of times less effective than a professional, hour-long, cellulite-specific massage. Even these intensive massages require multiple sessions for modest results. Claims by so-called “skin experts” promoting this myth often lack practical experience or scientific backing. In reality, well-formulated cellulite creams, containing high concentrations of active ingredients, can be absorbed effectively into the skin and produce results within weeks when used consistently alongside a healthy lifestyle. Vigorous, frequent massages of 30–60 minutes may offer some benefits, especially when paired with quality creams, but the minimal rubbing during cream application is negligible in comparison. Most creams fail due to poor formulation or inconsistent use, not absorption issues.”
Cellulite cream myths don’t get worse than this one
Is it the cellulite cream that works or is it massaging it on the thighs that actually reduces cellulite?
Yet another cellulite myth, propagated by so-called “experts” with zero hands-on experience on cellulite
Cellulite removal with two minutes of massage a day? doesn’t it sound dreamy to you?
One-minute light rubbing of a cellulite cream vs 60 minutes of professional massage
Cellulite creams do get absorbed and - some of them - do work
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Is it the cellulite cream that works or is it massaging it on the thighs that actually reduces cellulite?
This silly myth is the natural evolution of the “creams don’t get absorbed” myth: if creams do not get absorbed and yet people are happy with (some of) them, that means that something else must be that works, other than the cream.
And what else could it be than massaging the creams into skin? Makes sense, right?
Well, errrm, no. This whole idea smacks of ignorance, which is made worse by the confidence with which it is spelt out by so called “skin experts” in the media - even doctors.
Let’s see how things actually work…
Yet another cellulite myth, propagated by so-called “experts” with zero hands-on experience on cellulite
The idea that massaging a cream for one minute can have an effect on cellulite is yet another urban beauty myth.
This myth is propagated by ignorant “skin experts” who know nothing about anti-cellulite massage, cellulite cream formulation or even about cellulite itself for that matter, and who have never tried to apply their theories professionally, in real life.
However, like all the other myths about cellulite, this myth is proven completely irrational, even by employing very simple thinking, let alone practice, experience or science.
Cellulite removal with two minutes of massage a day? doesn’t it sound dreamy to you?
The puny 1-minute amateur light massage needed to apply a cream on the thighs is 60x times less effective than a light 60-minute swedish massage.
Now, if you have had one of those swedish massages before, you would already know that they don't do anything for cellulite, despite the 60 minutes of treatment.
And given that strong, cellulite-specific massage is easily 5x times more effective than a wishy-washy swedish massage, then the one-minute cellulite cream application massage is probably 300x times less effective than a good anti-cellulite massage.
One-minute light rubbing of a cellulite cream vs 60 minutes of professional massage
In fact, if you were lucky enough to have found a specialist therapist who offers a proper cellulite massage, you would also know that at least:
6, 12 or even 24 sessions ✅
of a super-strong ✅
skilled ✅
60-minute long ✅
…massage is necessary to see some half-decent results.
So a massage cream application offers literally HUNDREDS OF TIMES LESS EFFICACY than a proper cellulite massage, with the professional cellulite massage itself not being a fast miracle cure either, by any stretch of the imagination.
How can then one experience cellulite reduction after two weeks of mildly massaging a cream onto the skin once a day, i.e. a total of 14 minutes of light massage spread over 14 days? Not to mention that most people apply a cellulite cream only from time to time, whenever they remember…
It really beggars belief that people fall for this irrational myth, decade in, decade out.
The fact is that if any results are produced by an anti-cellulite cream that actually works (sure, most don’t work), they are definitely down to the cream itself and not to the little puny massage needed to absorb the cream.
On the other hand, massaging your skin VIGOROUSLY for 30 or 60 minutes, at least three times a week, can offer some benefits indeed, especially when combined with using a good anti-cellulite cream once or twice a day.
But this is totally different to an one-minute or even a five-minute application massage that helps the cream get absorbed.
Cellulite creams do get absorbed and - some of them - do work
As we mentioned in a previous article, creams do get absorbed, and well-designed creams get absorbed very, very well, all the way into the dermis and below.
And as we have also mentioned before, most cellulite creams unfortunately do not work, not because they don’t get absorbed but simply because they are NOT comprehensive and/or NOT concentrated enough (a real cellulite cream, should contain multiple, high-purity anti-cellulite actives in high concentrations).
And another reason for cellulite creams not working is because the person that applies them does not use the cream daily and/or does not pay any attention to healthy eating and exercise.
However, some creams do work and together with a healthy lifestyle can offer some great results within 3-12 weeks of daily use.
Have a skin tightening/cellulite treatment in London with the experts
At LipoTherapeia we have specialised 100% in skin tightening and cellulite reduction for more than two decades and 20,000+ sessions.
This is all we study and practise every day and have researched and tried hands-on all the important skin tightening equipment and their manufacturers.
As strong, deep acting radiofrequency and deep-acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation are the technologies of choice for skin tightening and cellulite reduction, we have invested in the best RF/ultrasound technologies in the world.
(Of course, we keep looking for new technologies every day and if/when a better technology materialises we will be the first to provide it. However, we will never follow the latest ineffective gimmick, just because it’s good marketing to offer the latest hyped up - yet ineffective and/or unsafe treatment.)
Furthermore, over the last two decades we have developed advanced RF and cavitation treatment protocols in order to make the most of our technologies, for maximum results, naturally and safely.
And for even better, faster results, we now combine our RF/ultrasound treatments with high-power red/infrared light LED treatment.
Our radiofrequency/ultrasound/LED treatments are comfortable, pain-free, downtime-free, injection-free, 99.5%+ safe and always non-invasive.
(No unsafe and ineffective RF microneedling or HIFU and no safe but ineffective acoustic wave therapy, superficial RF (bipolar/tripolar/multipolar etc), low power RF/cavitation, electrical muscle stimulation, lymphatic massage, cupping, dry brushing and no ridiculous bum bum creams.)
Our focus is on honest, realistic, science-based treatment, combined with caring, professional service, with a smile.
We will be pleased to see you, assess your cellulite, skin laxity or fibrosis, listen to your story, discuss your case and offer you the best possible treatment.
The Cellulite School™: Get advanced training in cellulite reduction and skin tightening
Why train with The Cellulite School™?
We all know that training in cellulite reduction and skin tightening is as basic as it gets. It is typically a 4-6 hour training, involving only basic instruction from the manufacturer on how operators can use the machine; lots of myths, erroneous information and misconceptions; and some basic health and safety on how to use the machine.
There is no proper, real training in the science or cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency, ultrasound and all related technologies is non-existent - worldwide.
Do you want to deeply understand radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, LED phototherapy, cellulite and skin tightening?
Get proper training based on 25-year theory and practical application of cellulite reduction and valuable insights from 24,000+ sessions and 4,200+ clients.
Attend a half-day, 1-day, 2-day or 3-day one-to-one masterclass and confidently offer your clients the safest, strongest and most effective treatment possible.
Get properly trained in the science of cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency, ultrasound, phototherapy and all related technologies, at LipoTherapeia.
Service available via Zoom or at our central London practice.
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