Cellulite is caused by a build-up of fat cells in the subcutaneous layer of the skin, which can cause dimpled skin.
Although there's no sure-fire way to make it go away, there are some things that can help in reducing the appearance of cellulite.
Infrared saunas are one such treatment, along with other laser treatments and sauna dry brushing techniques.
In this article, we'll go into some of these treatments as well as preventative measures to reduce or manage cellulite.
Do Infrared Saunas Help Cellulite?
Recent studies have looked at the relationship between infrared wavelengths and heat, and the effects it has on our skin. While infrared has been shown to help prevent premature skin aging, infrared heat also has a unique attribute in toxin removal that relates to treating cellulite.
Far infrared sauna detoxification occurs because the infrared wavelengths have deep penetration into the fat cells, causing them to vibrate and melt away.
In combination with the increased circulation, widen blood vessels and overall lower blood pressure from the infrared heat cause stubborn toxins once held in the fat can pass through the body's natural detoxification pathways such as the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and of course sweat from the skin.
Does Heat Break-up Cellulite?
Similar to how dry brushing, gua sha and foam rolling are thought to help in reducing cellulite, the breakdown of the physical fat cells in this area also prevents cellulite formation.
Additionally to breaking down the fat cells through infrared light and weight loss attributes, infrared saunas prevent the body from storing toxins in the first place by regularly maintaining a healthy level.
How do you Flush-out Cellulite?
There is no way to 'flush out' cellulite, however, through the properties of infrared saunas mentioned above, cellulite reduction from an infrared sauna session can occur.
The misconception that you can flush out cellulite most likely comes from these properties mentioned, such as:
All of which results in excessive sweating, and hence the visualisation of being able to "flush out" cellulite.
How Long Does it Take to See Results from an Infrared Sauna?
The jury is still out on exactly how effective infrared saunas are at treating cellulite, as the scientific literature does not yet exist.
How long you stay in a sauna and how often you should sauna will also play a role in the sauna health benefits you gain from regular sauna bathing. In fact, using a Clearlight Sauna for only 3 times a week for 30 minutes has been shown to drop an average of 4% body fat over a four-month period!
Although stress is typically a hidden culprit, high levels of stress can cause us to hold on to extra fat and make us feel sluggish. Stress cannot be entirely alleviated by diet or exercise alone, and infrared saunas can reduce stress.