As we continue to develop new cosmetic procedures, people have been opting to go with those that are more natural in order to avoid high costs and pain. For example, while laser treatments are more popular than ever, so to are massage treatments, which can be used to decrease the amount of cellulite seen in the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and lower back.

But what is a cellulite massage treatment, and how does it work? The basis for the procedure is actually pretty simple. It reduces the look – if not the actual presence – of cellulite by increasing blood flow. This will lessen the dimples in the skin, and also help to dislodge some of the fat so it can be absorbed deeper into the body, targeting that fat when you work to tone the area with exercise.

The process starts out by applying some kind of ointment or moisturizer that is specifically made to work as a cellulite cream. It is this that tightens the skin, and the most important part of the procedure. Making sure there is a thin layer over the entire area, you begin kneading it into the skin by grasping it firmly and slowly working your way in a circular motion around the buttocks, thighs and back. You can use a similar process for the stomach, but you have to be more gentle in the rubbing.

You can also use an electrical massage, which still uses the creams but instead of the hands it applies electric currents and pulses to work into the skin. This is usually done at a spa or clinic, and can be dangerous, according to the FDA. Some have warned that it can damage muscle and skin, but this depends on what method is being used.

In the end, the massage can be done by someone at home, and it is a great way to work out the cellulite while firming the skin. But it isn’t the massage that makes it work; rather, it is rubbing in the cream that is used to melt away the fat deposits and tighten the area. This will smooth it out, which is what you should be aiming to do.

Because of this, we recommend that you skip the expensive massage (which can cost up to $200 a session), and invest in a good cellulite cream. Then, have someone massage it in for you, or do it yourself. You will save a lot of time and money that way.