While some men have cellulite, it’s much more common in women because the area where women tend to store body fat — around the hips — is the area where cellulite appears. Contrary to what you may think, it doesn’t show up only on curvy bodies. Thin people can have it, too, though carrying extra pounds makes it more noticeable. Other contributing factors include a family history of cellulite, the thickness of your skin, and hormonal changes. And as skin becomes less elastic with age, cellulite becomes more obvious.
Cellulite Remedies
There are numerous products and therapies on the market for cellulite, but only a few have actually been found to help. If you’re bothered by your cellulite, consider the following treatments:
- Massage therapy. Special machines gather areas of skin with cellulite and massage them. A technique called Endermologie, which squeezes and suctions this skin, has been approved by the FDA to temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite. Ten to 12 treatments are usually required before you notice a change, and you’ll need regular follow-up therapy to maintain the look. Treatment is expensive.
- Laser therapy and radiofrequency systems. The FDA has approved two of these systems to treat cellulite. One combines suction or massage with infrared light and radiofrequency energy. The other combines massage with laser energy. Both require multiple treatments but can reduce the appearance of cellulite for up to six months. Because so many sessions are involved, this therapy is expensive.
- Aim for a healthy weight and get regular exercise. While this approach won’t eliminate cellulite, keeping your body as firm and fit as possible can improve the appearance of dimpled skin. Start by making sure you eat a diet low in saturated fat, trans fats, and sugar but rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat sources of protein and dairy products. Then try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.
- Quit smoking. Smoking damages connective tissue, and this affects the appearance of the skin.
Just as important as what works is what doesn’t. Cellulite creams, dietary supplements, and special salon wraps may be advertised as cures for cellulite, but there’s no scientific evidence to back this up. Drinking lots of water won’t help either, unless you’re dehydrated to begin with.
Some people try to get rid of cellulite with liposuction, a procedure in which a surgeon inserts a narrow tube under the skin and suctions out fat cells. While this can recontour the body, liposuction doesn’t remove cellulite and can actually make it look worse.
Most women can’t avoid getting cellulite, but you can minimize its appearance by maintaining the right weight for you and working out regularly — and doing both of those things will also be a boon to your health.
Six Natural Steps To Treat Cellulite
- CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE:Cellulite may improve by taking regular exercise and shedding excess weight, although it tends to worsen in pregnancy. There is no evidence to suggest that rubbing in expensive moisturizers and oils has any positive effect.
- 2 NUTRITION:
Weight loss is the first step toward the reduction of cellulite, but do take care - lose weight too quickly and the condition can get worse. So no crash diets, no ridiculous regimes of meal replacements and pills, just sensible eating together with a reduction of refined carbohydrates - from sugars, biscuits, cakes, candies, and soft drinks.
Eat plenty of brown rice, oats, beans, whole wheat bread, and pasta for their soluble fiber content, plenty of bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, and sweet potatoes for their beta-carotene. Reduce your intake of salt and cut down on alcohol.
- 3 HERBAL REMEDIES:
Popular demand has created a variety of "over-the-counter" herbal products claiming to reduce cellulite. Most are based on metabolic stimulants, such as kelp, to encourage weight loss and should not be used for more than 2 to 3 weeks. Avoid over-the-counter cellulite remedies based on powerful laxatives (for example, senna, cascara sagrada, rhubarb root), which are designed to cause sudden weight loss. Patent skin rubs are often based on rubefacient oils, such as juniper or pepper, which increase surface blood flow in an attempt to revive tired tissues.
- 4 REFLEXOLOGY:
A brisk reflexology treatment every three to four days over the entire feet can help to boost circulation. Try out yoga - circulation in the thighs will be generally helped by postures like the Dance, Cobbler Locust, and Bow, as well as by all the standing postures.
- 5 AROMATHERAPY:
The following oils help with cellulite:
Juniper
Fennel
Rosemary
Use these oils as a massage and in baths (including foot baths). You are looking for long-term benefits, as there is not short-term relief for cellulite. The skin will feel better before it looks better. Remember that stress can be a factor.
- 6 PREVENTING CELLULITE:
Keep your weight down, keep active, and avoid high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt foods.
Skin Care
Stimulate circulation to the skin by vigorous brushing with a loofah or soft brush in the bath or shower. Massaging the areas of cellulite briskly - always in the direction of the heart - stimulates the lymph flow, although it will not rub away the cellulite. Using gels containing extracts of horse chestnut has been shown to increase the effectiveness of skin-brushing.
- CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE: