Summer is finally here, and with it comes our desire for light outfits and lazy swims. There’s just one snag: that stubborn concern nestled beneath the skin of our abdomen, better known as cellulite. The good news is that one simple move can easily become part of your routine: cupping massage, also known as skin rolling. Where does stomach cellulite come from? What are the two main cupping techniques? And how do you do it step by step with a cupping cup? Here’s everything you need to know.
The (all too) visible enemy to tackle
The vast majority of women deal with it, regardless of their body type. Cellulite is the result of a natural bodily response: storing fat. A relic of leaner times that women could certainly do without! Fatty deposits settle beneath the skin of the stomach, altering its appearance. The upshot: a texture reminiscent of citrus peel, hence the rather unflattering nickname “orange peel skin“. Add to this a sometimes erratic lifestyle (sedentary habits, poor diet) and hormonal upheaval (pregnancy, menopause)… and hello, little belly pouch! So how can you look after this area? No magic formula, just a well-known massage technique: cupping massage for the stomach.
The benefits of cupping massage
This massage technique involves kneading the skin of the stomach, a move often associated with lipolysis. When practised consistently and correctly, cupping massage fits naturally into a skincare routine. A well-performed cupping massage on the abdominal wall is a nice complement to our tips for your stomach. That said, mastering the right technique is key to making the most of it.
Cupping massage techniques
There are two schools of thought: those who favour mechanical massage and those who swear by manual cupping.
- Mechanical cupping massage involves the use of a machine (typically an in-salon treatment). Various techniques are used: liposuction, fat ionisation and/or heat diffusion.
- Manual cupping massage, on the other hand, fits into a daily at-home skincare routine. It involves massaging the stomach with a massage oil (take your pick from our anti-cellulite care, a massage oil for cellulite or even a shower massage oil!). The technique involves pinching a fold of skin, lifting it and rolling it between your fingers. This move takes a little practice, but it’s made much easier with a small silicone tool: the cupping cup!
How to perform a proper cupping massage on your stomach
Today, doing a proper stomach cupping massage has never been easier, whatever your cellulite type (adipose, aqueous or fibrous). The anti-cellulite cupping cup is a handy tool designed to recreate the movement of a skin-rolling massage.
Start by applying your massage oil to your stomach — this allows the cup to glide smoothly. Then perform your stomach cupping massage using your anti-cellulite cupping cup: simply massage your abdominal wall and love handles for 3 minutes, using diagonal strokes and circular movements (starting from the centre of the stomach and gliding outwards to each side).
The rolling action of the skin inside the cup recreates the movement of a manual stomach cupping massage. Finish your massage by working any remaining oil into the skin with your hands. An intensive 21-day course, followed by regular cupping sessions 2 to 3 times a week, helps you make this move a habit. For more ideas, have a look at our tips for a flat stomach.
Stomach cupping massage before and after: what to expect
Every skin is different. How your stomach looks after a period of cupping massage varies from person to person, depending on your cellulite type, your lifestyle or the hormonal changes mentioned above. Consistency is what counts: a 21-day course, followed by 2 to 3 sessions a week with the cupping cup, is an easy rhythm to fit into your routine.
To compare your “before” and “after”, take photos in the same light and the same pose, a few weeks apart. Massage is no substitute for a balanced diet and regular exercise. If you’re pregnant, feel any pain or have the slightest doubt, ask your GP for advice.
The cupping tool that replicates pinching and rolling, 3 minutes per zone
- The professionals' technique, at home: you lift, glide, and release, and the tool grips the skin fold like a manual pinching and rolling
- Soft silicone that fits thighs, buttocks, stomach, and arms
- 3 minutes per zone, every day, always with a massage oil so the tool glides
Related articles
- Cupping massage: how many times a week?
- 5 ideas to incorporate cupping massage into your slimming routine
- 3 good habits for caring for your stomach
Useful categories: Belly cellulite, Anti-Cellulite Massages.
