“I have worked with cellulite reduction for 24+ years now and a similar time with aromatherapy. Furthermore, I have formulated anti-cellulite creams with essential oils. What I have found is that for essential oils to work against cellulite they must be used in high concentrations and for a long time. However, such use quite often results in irritation so the use of essential oils for significant and long-term cellulite reduction is unsustainable. On the other hand, there are dozens of non-essential oil active ingredients which are non-irritating and which are far more researched, safe and effective and these preferable to essential oils for safe and effective cellulite reduction.”
Aromatherapy for cellulite? DOes it make sense?
Essential oils at high concentrations for cellulite
Essential oil skin penetration and side effects of protracted use
Non-essential oil active ingredients in anti-cellulite formulations are much more effective, safe, sustainable
LipoTherapeia® Plus: Have a skin tightening/cellulite treatment with London’s cellulite experts
The Cellulite School™: Get advanced training in cellulite reduction and skin tightening
Essential oils at high concentrations for cellulite reduction
Several aromatherapy oils have applications for cellulite reduction, due to their circulation boosting effects and in some cases even due their lipolytic effects (limited research exists on the latter, though).
Examples of such potentially cellulite fighting essential oils, when used in HIGH concentrations, include all the pine/fir/cypress type essential oils; all the citrus essential oils; and all the menthol-containing essential oils, among others.
In low concentrations those same oils also have an agreeable smell and can form the basis of a lovely, relaxing aromatherapy swedish massage or deep tissue massage. However, in high concentrations the same oils become pungent and extreme, irritating the airways and sometimes also irritating the skin.
Aromatherapy massage treatments are supposed to use essential oils at around 1% concentration for the whole mix of oils - and they definitely must be below 3% (1% is the upper limit of pleasantness with 3% feeling a bit too strong to the nose).
However, for essential oils to work for cellulite, they need to be used above 3% for the total mix of oils applied. This may still not be a problem for application once a week or even daily application for a few days.
However, after a few applications at such concentrations the chance of skin irritation gradually increases and after several applications at high concentration the chance of such irritation increases disproportionately.
Essential oil skin penetration and side effects of protracted use
The vast majority of people and aromatherapists are unaware that essential oils are very good at penetrating the skin and continuous absorption of essential oil chemical components at high concentrations is not a good idea.
With protracted use, intolerance may follow and this happens often to aromatherapists who routinely use essential oils with the same chemical components - including the author of this article, who initially thought otherwise.
Furthermore, different people may find different oils in a typical anti-cellulite aromatherapy mix disagreeable, especially when included at high concentrations.
Given that cellulite does not get reduced in a few days - several weeks and months of treatment / skincare application are recommended - the use of essential oil application is not recommended for cellulite reduction.
This is because at low concentrations not much happens (apart from helping other active get absorbed) and at high concentrations protracted use of essential oils is irritating and unsustainable.
Non-essential oil active ingredients in anti-cellulite formulations are much more effective, safe, sustainable
And this is the reason we do not use essential oils in our cellulite creams any more.
Instead, we prefer the use of polyphenols and other active ingredients, such as centella asiatica triterpenes for gotu kola, forskolin, caffeine, EGCG from green tea, cocoa flavanols, hesperidin from citrus fruits, curcumin from turmeric and hydroxyproline (the most important aminoacid of collagen) among others.
These are both extensively researched (thousands of papers written on those actives, unlike essential oils which have very few research done on them, in relation to cellulite factors) and safe / non-irritating at recommended concentrations.
In fact, all the above are also taken internally as supplements and are components of common edible herbs and plants.
As with everything to do with cellulite, excessive force, either with treatments or active ingredients, does not make sense and long-term application is needed for good, sustainable, long-term results.
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At LipoTherapeia we have specialised 100% in skin tightening and cellulite reduction for more than two decades and 20,000+ sessions.
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We are proud to be the first and only cellulite clinic in the world to offer Cellulite Ultrasonography™ to our clients, for accurate assessment, better treatment and enhanced results. Since 2022 we have assessed and provided valuable insights to hundreds of clients to better understand their specific case, see how their skin looks from inside and make informed decisions.
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Cellulite surgery, such as cellulaze, cellutite, cellfina, subcision etc
Face-lift surgery
Non-surgical procedures, such as RF microneedling, extreme intensity HIFU, extreme intensity RF, extreme intensity ultrasound etc
Everything will be shown and explained to you clearly and you can see and understand how the different structures inside your skin affect your appearance.
If there is scar tissue / fibrosis, those will be clearly seen and you can differentiate between fibrosis, water retention or unremoved fat after all types of cosmetic surgery or harsh non-surgical procedures such as RF microneedling, extreme intensity HIFU etc.
(DISCLAIMER: Please note that this service is for your informational purposes only and does not constitute medical diagnosis or advice.)
The 45’ appointment includes full assessment and consultation and optional treatment plan for cellulite reduction and/or skin tightening.
If you do wish to have treatment with us, the ultrasound scan, assessment and consultation will be used to optimise your course of treatments and maximise your results.
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