Lymphatic drainage, a solution against cellulite?

The essential points to remember.

Lymphatic drainage stimulates lymph circulation, promoting the elimination of accumulated fluids and toxins.
Aqueous cellulite, linked to water retention, is the subtype that responds most favourably to lymphatic drainage.
Clinical studies show that lymphatic drainage contributes to reducing the severity of cellulite after liposuction, although this method should not be regarded as a miracle cure.
As lymphatic drainage carries contraindications, it is important to seek prior medical advice.

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What is the relationship between cellulite and the lymphatic system?

The cellulite is an alteration in the structure of subcutaneous adipose tissue that leads to a dimpled appearance of the skin, often referred to as 'orange-peel skin'. More common in women, it results from an imbalance between fat storage and removal, associated with microcirculatory and connective tissue alterations.

Among the various types of cellulite, it is primarily aqueous cellulite that is linked to poor blood and lymphatic circulation. Indeed, the lymphatic system, whose role is to drain fluids and waste products from the body, can become sluggish: this encourages water retention and contributes to sensation of swelling in certain areas of the body, such as the thighs or buttocks. Conversely, the other forms of cellulite – adipose and fibrous – are less directly related to lymphatic circulation issues. Adipose cellulite is caused by an excess storage of fat in adipocytes, whereas fibrous cellulite is accompanied by a hardening of connective tissue, making the skin more tender to the touch and the dimpled appearance more marked.

Type of cellulite	Causes
Aqueous cellulite	Water retention, poor blood and lymphatic circulation
Adipose cellulite	Excess fat stored in adipocytes, often associated with rapid weight gain
Fibrous cellulite	Hardening of the connective tissue, which can be painful and is often longstanding and well-established

The different types of cellulite.

Does lymphatic drainage eliminate cellulite?

Lymphatic drainage is a massage technique developed in the 1930s by Dr Emil VODDER, whose aim is to stimulate lymph circulation, to facilitate the removal of fluids and toxins accumulated in the tissues. This mechanism is particularly relevant in the case of aqueous cellulite, which primarily arises from water retention and poor circulation. By promoting tissue decongestion, lymphatic drainage can reduce swelling, ease the sensation of heaviness and visibly diminish the volume associated with this form of cellulite.

In the case of adipose cellulite, the role of lymphatic drainage is more indirect. This form of cellulite is caused by an accumulation of hypertrophied adipocytes, which compress the blood and lymphatic vessels, thereby exacerbating fluid stagnation. By stimulating lymphatic circulation, lymphatic drainage massage does not reduce fat mass but can limit water retention that accompanies it, thereby improving tissue suppleness and slightly reducing the dimpled appearance. However, lymphatic drainage is powerless against fibrous, hard, entrenched cellulite.

The efficacy of lymphatic drainage in treating cellulite has been the subject of several studies, although these did not specify the type of cellulite from which participants suffered.

A clinical study compared the efficacy of manual lymphatic drainage with that of shock wave therapy in the management of cellulite following liposuction. Thirty women with grade 3 cellulite (on a 4-point scale) were divided into two groups: group A underwent shock wave therapy sessions, while group B received manual lymphatic drainage, both administered twice weekly over four weeks. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness measured by skinfold calipers, of 24.4% in group A and 15.38% in group B. Furthermore, cellulite severity, assessed dermatologically, decreased markedly in both groups, although shock wave therapy proved more effective than lymphatic drainage.

Grade moyen de la cellulite dans les groupes A et B avant et après traitement. — Mean grade of cellulite in groups A and B before and after treatment.
Source: ELADL H. L. & al. Comparison of extracorporeal shock wave therapy versus manual lymphatic drainage on cellulite after liposuction: A randomized clinical trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2021).

These results confirm that lymphatic drainage can improve the appearance of cellulite, although other techniques may demonstrate greater efficacy. Another study aimed to compare manual lymphatic drainage with the use of a pneumatic compression pump in women presenting with grade 3 out of 4 cellulite following thigh liposuction. Thirty patients were allocated into two equal groups: the first (group A) underwent manual lymphatic drainage sessions combined with treadmill walking three times a week for eight weeks, whereas the second (group B) received pneumatic compression sessions alongside the same physical activity. Assessment of cellulite severity using a clinical scale showed a significant improvement in both groups, more pronounced in the women who received the drainage massage.

Lymphatic drainage appears to be a relevant approach to improving the appearance of cellulite, particularly when it is linked to water retention. While it is not a miracle cure for eliminating cellulite, it can be considered an interesting complementary option.

Important to know: Contraindications to lymphatic drainage.

Lymphatic drainage is not suitable for all individuals. It is particularly inadvisable in cases of acute infections, fever or inflammatory diseases, as stimulating lymphatic circulation could aggravate one’s health. People with heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, phlebitis or a history of thrombosis should likewise avoid this form of massage. Moreover, cancer may also be a contraindication, since drainage could interfere with disease progression. It is therefore always essential to seek medical advice before undertaking lymphatic drainage sessions.