• 1.  What is a Massage Gun?
• 2. Do Massage Guns Help With Cellulite?
• 3. Massage Gun for Cellulite: Safe or Risky?
• 4. How to Use a Massage Gun For Cellulite?
• 5. Advantages of Combining Massage Gun With Other Treatments
• 6.  FAQ for Massage Gun for Cellulite

What is a Massage Gun?

A massage gun is a handheld device that can be used for a percussive massage. By percussive we mean that the massage works by essentially “pummeling” the skin with a ball-like massager that’s powered by a motor inside the device. It’s very different from the controlled massage you can get from a masseuse, where hands are used to manipulate muscles through rubbing. The benefit of massage guns is that they’re easy to self-administer and use at home. For physiotherapists and athletic trainers, they can be useful tools when working with clients. They’re particularly beneficial for reducing muscle tightness or soreness, improving muscle movement before exercise, and helping with recovery. 

 Do Massage Guns Help With Cellulite?

But now to answer your real question - how do massage guns help with cellulite? The answer is that they’re probably not a great cellulite solution. Massage, especially deep lymphatic drainage massage, can absolutely reduce the appearance of cellulite, at least temporarily and with regular treatment.

However, the percussive massage done with a massage gun isn’t the same as the release given with other tools. Percussive massages are excellent for releasing tense muscles and even fascia, but that doesn’t mean they can break up the connective bands or release lymph buildup, which are the fundamental reasons why some massage techniques do help with the look of cellulite.  

Massage Gun for Cellulite: Safe or Risky?

Using massage guns correctly and only on soft tissue is largely safe, but there’s room for error that can lead to some serious complications.

The most major issues usually come from using a massage gun over bony areas, which is why you’ll want to be very cautious if you want to use your massage gun on your back or shoulders.

When it comes to using massage guns for cellulite, the good news is that those treatment areas are not too bony. You’ll want to be careful if you want to use it near your hips, since you can inadvertently damage the hip bone.

There is some risk to soft tissue as well, though. You can inadvertently bruise yourself if you apply too much force or use the massage gun over the same area for too long. In one case, a woman with anemia developed a serious muscle injury as a result of using a massage gun post-workout. If you have any underlying conditions, it’s important you speak to a doctor or physiotherapist before using a massage gun regularly, to make sure you do so safely. 

How to Use a Massage Gun For Cellulite?

Using a massage gun for cellulite is pretty simple! First of all, make sure that your massage gun has enough of a charge. Most devices are designed with rechargeable batteries. Then, assemble your massage gun and use an attachment that corresponds well with the size of the area where you have cellulite. That usually means choosing a larger attachment, since cellulite is most common over the thighs and buttocks.

Next, you can start massaging! The best time to massage is when your skin is clean and dry. A lot of people like to use massage guns prior to stretching or after working out. You can make massaging part of your day or night routine.

Turn the massage gun on a medium setting to start out, and bring it against your skin. Press the device against your skin to create some pressure, and begin moving it over the area where you have cellulite, moving it upwards and downwards in order to promote some lymphatic drainage.

If the pressure setting you chose feels very mild, you can always increase the pressure. If it’s too intense or painful, turn it down.

That said, we’d also like to present an alternative: Gua sha for cellulite. Gua sha is a body-scraping massage technique championed by Traditional Chinese Medicine. On the body, a gua sha stone makes it possible to achieve a deeper massage that helps to break down dimple-causing connective bands and encourage lymphatic drainage with minimal strain and without the risks that come from using a massage gun. As a bonus, it’s also more affordable and it’s easy to combine with cellulite-busting topical treatments.  

Advantages of Combining Massage Gun With Other Treatments

Massage guns are not our top choice for stimulating lymphatic drainage or breaking up fascia, but if you already own one for muscle relief, it doesn’t hurt to also use it on the areas where you’re cellulite-prone.

To boost your massage gun’s potential to reduce cellulite, make sure to incorporate other body toning treatments into your regular self-care routine.

At Evertone, we developed an evidence-backed range of products that visibly reduce cellulite, using ingredients proven to give the skin a significantly tighter, smoother appearance. Our heavy hitters include a caffeine-enhanced Body Shaper Cream and a potent Body Firmer Masque.

You can also practice caffeine-enhanced exfoliation that’ll actively stimulate your skin from the surface while removing dead skin cells, to encourage a firmer look.