One of the binds of being a woman is the tendency to develop cellulite. It can appear at any time in a woman’s life, and these orange-peel thighs can cause misery and a lack of self-confidence in women. It can leave you clutching for cover-ups, hiding behind baggy trousers, or long shorts, even when sunning yourself on the beach. Cellulite is basically fat which appears lumpy or dimpled, especially around the bottom or thigh area, and due to tissue changes, it can worsen as you get older.

As the summer approaches, women will be seeking help to rid this curse, and if you are one of them, then follow these tips to get rid of it. Or, if you’re one of the lucky ones who hasn’t been afflicted with cellulite, follow the tips to help prevent it from appearing.

EXERCISE

Firstly, you need to work those legs, every which way you can. Simple exercises can be followed to reduce the appearance of cellulite, and to give a more toned finish.

Slow leg lifts while you lay on the floor will help. Slowly lift one leg at a time, and hold it for 4 seconds. Repeat with the other leg. Repeat until tired. The amount you can do will increase over time, and you will notice a difference after several weeks.

CREAMS

Many ladies swear by certain creams or lotions, which promise to reduce or even eradicate your dimply, wobbly bits.

Some of the creams have rave reviews, and may be worth checking out.

Revitol Cellulite Solution – this cream has recently been given 5 stars in an on-line poll, and at just $39.95, it certainly appears worth it. Almost all testers claimed there was a definite difference in appearance after 6 months of use.

Avotone Body Sculpting Cream – this one is a little pricier at $49.95, but it has a 4 and a half star rating, with all customers claiming that they were very satisfied. There were very few who did not notice a difference after testing.

Cellulean – this is a firming product, and again is a little more expensive at $69.95, but has a 4 star rating and is very effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite.

Another idea is to simply ensure you moisturize your thighs and buttocks area every day, and scrub vigorously while bathing. This will increase circulation and prevent the build up of fats.

DIET

Cellulite is usually a signal to women that their lifestyle needs to be changed, and the main area which you can improve is your diet.

Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, drink at least 6 glasses of water a day, and enrich your diet with fish and lean meat. Cut out fats from your diet, especially saturated fats, which are worse contributors to fatty build-ups.

DE-STRESS

Stress and hormones are also a factor which will need consideration if you are wanting to reduce or prevent cellulite.

Treat yourself to an occasional massage, and ensure you take time out to relax if you are feeling particularly stressed.

If you are at the end of your tether, and struggling with all of the above, then cellulite is not the end of the world. It can be reduced, and it may be prevented, but if you have it, and you can’t shift it, perhaps you need to learn to love it, as difficult as it may be.

Appearing in 90% of post-adolescent women, cellulite is a modern society syndrome. It is commonly found on women, but is rarely seen in men, although increasingly more men are suffering from furrows and dimples on the thighs, stomach and buttocks. Cellulite is a common term used to describe superficial pockets of trapped fat, which cause uneven dimpling or “orange peel” skin. Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not related to obesity, since it occurs in overweight, normal, and thin women as well.

Cellulite can be rid or reduced in appearance through both self care and professional therapies.

SELF CARE

Cellulite creams and gel – contains ingredients that help to stimulate fat metabolism and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Some ingredients such as retinoids could be effective against the appearance of cellulite. Retinoids reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and roughness of facial skin by improving the thickness of the epidermis and circulation to the surface of the skin. Another ingredient include Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) such as lactic acid and glycolic acid, found in plants and certain foods including citrus fruits, apples, grapes, tomatoes, apricots, and sour milk. AHAs act as exfoliators, accelerating the sloughing of the superficial layer of dead cells, increasing the cell turnover rate, and essentially thinning the outer most layer of the skin, hence improving the appearance of cellulite.

Massage – increases circulation and lymphatic drainage, reduces muscular spasms and breaks down adhesions

Diet This can have severe bearings on the appearance of cellulite. Important things to note about diet are to drink more water, reduce intake of salt, spices, processed food, which contributes to water retention and adds to cellulite problems. Steer clear of caffeine as well, as they constrict the blood vessels and may make cellulite more prominent. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables-low in calories yet packed with nutrients-and drink fruit and vegetable juices.

Lifestyle Maintain a healthy lifestyle by not smoking, exercising regularly and getting ample rest. Stay calm. Cellulite builds up when muscles get tense, and muscles get tense when you’re feeling stressed.

PROFESSIONAL THERAPIES

Body wraps Prior to body wrapping, the skin is brushed or massaged evenly with a variety of substances such as herbal extracts, algae, seaweed, and mud and then covered in linens. The body-shaping effect is the result of the combined action of perspiration and compression, which leads to a reduction of body dimensions

Suction Pump Machine (SPM) Professional machine to add in lymphatic drainage. Lymph drainage is done with a combination of cupping and massage, using the machine.

Endermologie – Introduced as a subdermal treatment for reducing cellulite over a decade ago. Endermologie was originally developed in France in the 1980’s as a treatment for adherent scars, although many patients observed reduction of body dimensions and improvement in skin texture. Since then, Endermologie has been used as a treatment for cellulite reduction and skin toning. Endermologie is a patented technique involving a mechanized device with two motorized rollers and regulated suction. This non-surgical and non-invasive device creates a symmetrical skin fold, which allows for deep tissue mobilization to occur and results in reduction of cellulite and loss of inches.

5 Tips to Reduce the Appearance of Cellulite

“Cottage cheese” or “orange peel” maybe some of the names

you have heard used to describe cellulite. Practically,

every woman cringes at the thought of hearing the word

“cellulite”. What is cellulite? Fatty deposits under the

skin that create uneven patches of dimpled or orange peel

like skin. Common parts of the body that cellulite appear

are the buttocks, thighs and hips.

Approximately 85-90% of women suffer from cellulite. It

was previously thought that mostly overweight persons were

affected by cellulite. Factors such as heredity, poor diet,

a lack of water intake, pregnancy and aging may contribute

to the development of cellulite. Even thin women can be

affected by this condition.

Currently, there is no known cure for cellulite. However,

there are many products on the market that can reduce its

appearance. Consider the following tips to help reduce

the appearance of cellulite:

-Drink plenty of water. Water helps remove toxins from the

body and keep the body hydrated

-Avoid foods high in fat content. Eat plenty of fiber foods.

-Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake

-Exercise. Walking is an easy exercise and this can

be done with a buddy.

-Use a topical treatment (cream, lotion). Many creams

reduce the appearance of cellulite by temporarily

tightening and plumping the skin which make your skin

look smoother. Follow the directions for applying the

cream. Test the cream for an allergic reaction by

applying a small amount on a part of body (outer thigh)

before massaging it all over an entire area. It is

recommended that you wait at least 24 hours before

applying it to an entire area.

Creams will be more effective if applied after a warm

bath, shower or “workout” because the skin is moist.

Spend time massaging the cream into the affected areas;

this will help improve the circulation. To get better

results in the fight against stubborn cellulite

coupled a topical treatment(cream), exercise and

good nutrition.

As with all things affecting health & beauty, companies develop new potions & treatments on a seemingly never-ending platform of promises and expectations.

And as with all things medical, there is no magic bullet. We need to accept that no single pill will ever fix any issue – we need to address all aspects – external & internal – causes, aggravations, allergies, weaknesses, diet AND associated health issues. Trying to fix cellulite without addressing other health issues will result in the problem returning and increasing. Likewise, trying to address the health issues without working on what has appeared as an external (and internal!) manifestation will result in health issues not only perpetuating, but mutating. The following gives arguments on the reasons why these modalities should be used within a Wholistic health & beauty regimen.

1. ACUPUNCTURE :

With the intention of tonifying, stimulating & draining the systems regulating the

Areas affected by cellulite, patients are either needled or treated using a

Needle-free apparatus to the ensuing points.

Treatment is carried out weekly; however, patients are to be instructed on basic

Acupressure in order to continue treatment daily. Finger-point can be used, or an

Acupuncture apparatus is quite appropriate :

UB 20 (Pishu) Useful for gastro-intestinal disorders,

Oedema, & soft tissue disorders.

GB 34 (Yanglingchuan) Useful for Muscle & tendon disorders &

Malfunction of gallbladder.

SP 9 (Yinlingchuan) Useful for oedema & ascites.

SP 6 (Sanyinjiao) Tonification point; lower limb & muscle

disorders.

ST 36 (Zusanli) General tonification point; obesity,

Affections of lower limb.

CV 5(Shimen) Oedema & ascites.

CV 9(Shuifen) Oedema & ascites.

SJ 20 (Jiasun) Disorders of endocrine system

Ex. 35 (Tannang) Poor gall bladder & liver function.

Using a point detector, the following regions were particularly affected -

Lower abdomen Inner thigh

Lower minus Gastrocnemius

Outer thigh Inner ankle

Soft tissue above knee Outer ankle

Tricep Inner

Some of the best treatments for cellulite will involve very little expenditure and very little time.

While there does not seem to be total agreement on the causes of cellulite, there are some ways to address the syndrome that many seem to agree on, one of which is a healthy, cleansing diet.

Many naturopathic physicians will attest to the concept of toxin buildup playing a part in the accumulation of the fatty deposits, and this makes sense. Toxins can affect skinny women, too, and not all cellulite-containing women are overweight. However, I believe there are “treatments” that can help most women. One thing that has become more popular (and perhaps always was with models) is the use of coffee grounds. This is cheap and simple. Many women will use damp coffee grounds and massage their cellulite-prone areas gently with them, then shower off after so the mess just drains along with the water from your shower. Some have wrapped saran wrap around the warm grounds, then left them on while doing some daily activities, then showered them off. Some testify to the difference this makes on their legs, at least temporarily. (A self-tanner applied afterward doubly enhances this treatment!)

Another treatment I have read about (and tried) is the application of essential citrus oils that have been diluted in carrier oils, then applied via gentle massage, or deep tissue massage on cellulite-prone areas.

Lymph drainage massage is considered important by some, and this makes sense, as S. Gursche and Z. Rona have stated: “Poor elimination of toxins, especially in the lymphatic system, plays a role in the establishment of cellulite” (p. 574). For external therapies, Gursche and Rona recommend horsetail leaves, cypress oil, fennel oil, geranium oil, and juniper berry (p. 576). I use grapefruit and mandarin oils, too, and the scents are delightfully energizing.

I believe it helps to eat organic foods as often as possible, and there are more available all the time. I am happy to say Nabob now produces organic coffee, Dairyland has organic milk, and I search for organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible. Summer is the perfect time to frequent local farmers’ markets. At many grocery stores, you can find natural nut butters without sugars of any kind, and to add fiber to your diet ground flax seeds are a wonderful addition that you can easily add without your family noticing much change. Flax can go in smoothies, homemade breads, pie crusts, cookies, cereals, lean

In order to prevent cellulite, you need to understand what causes it in the first place.

Cellulite is the bumpy fat deposits that many women complain about. As we all know "prevention is the best medicine"; it is much easier to prevent something from happening than have to fix it later.

If you understand what causes a problem like cellulite you do at least have a chance to prevent it. But the sooner you start the better, since some women start forming cellulite as young as age 14.

The reason for this is genetics. Now this is one factor you can not eliminate. If your mother, aunts, grandmother, etc. all have cellulite, you need to start working to prevent it earlier and work even harder to prevent it. The sooner the better – so mothers, if you have cellulite start helping your daughters prevent it NOW don’t wait until they are adults and it has already formed!

The "actual cause" of cellulite formation instead of smooth fat deposits is a combination of damage to the connective tissue and thin skin. So anything that damages either the body’s connective tissue or the skin must be avoided whenever possible. (NOTE: Connective tissue holds the body together so we don’t turn into a big puddle of goo! It is a gelatin based substance containing cells and fiber – collagen for strength and elastin for flexibility. Thin skin shows these deposits more readily, thicker skin helps smooth them over and cover them up.)

Aging – this is one factor we cannot eliminate. Women have a tendancy to increase fat deposits and have the skin thin as we age. But we can fight back. Watch your diet and your weight – this helps but does not eliminate the problem because even thin women do have cellulite deposits. Skin – moisturize and use sun screen – this will slow down the thinning process.

Smoking, alcohol and medications (drugs) – all of these cause thinning of the skin. (Hormones and hormone based birth control will also especially thin the skin – excess estrogen is the culprit.) They should be avoided or limited. Also some medications can cause damage to the body’s connective tissue.

Tension and fatigue – yes, you skin can be stressed and tired and this causes poor circulation and thinner skin. Massages, whirlpool spas, saunas: these all cause both you and your skin to relax and they improve circulation which also helps the connective tissue remain flexible and healthy.

Injuries – these cause physical damage to an area, including both skin and connective tissue. If you cannot avoid them, then make sure you take proper care of the area to promote complete healing.

Exercise – connective tissue needs constant motion to remain flexible and strong. It does not neet to be strenuous exercise. For healthy connective tissue: yoga, pilates, stretching, etc. are the best way to go. The entire body moves gently and repeatedly increasing circulation and keeping the connective tissue from hardening and forming "lumps" or "bubbles".

Diet – Plenty of water is needed to keep everything hydrated and healthy. Natural foods are best because then your body does not need to work as hard to detoxify and remove unnecessary chemicals, preservatives and pesticides which "poison" the connective tissue and the skin.

Preventing cellulite is MUCH easier than getting rid of it, just ask any woman who has it!

Cellulite can be a problem, even for thin women. There are a lot of creams and potions on the market that are said to beat cellulite. But sometimes, the simplest fixes are the best.

DIET AND EXERCISE

Your first order of business is to make sure you eat a healthy diet and exercise. Eating lean protien, fruits and vegetables, and healthy grains and fats can go a long way to helping you stay fit and avoid cellulite. A balanced exercise routine of cardio, strength, and stretching can also help eliminate cellulite.

SKIN HEALTH

The health of your skin is another factor. Sometimes, stimulating your lymphatic system with a loofah in the shower, or getting a massage, can help with cellulite. Also make sure your skin is well moisturized. You may want to try a firming anti-cellulite cream as well. There is some debate as to whether it really works. But, it couldn’t hurt.

COFFEE

One home remedy that I’ve found to be pretty effective is to use ground coffee as a stimulating exfoliant for the areas that have cellulite. I am not exactly sure why it works, but people have reported great results.

Cellulite is a common term used to describe superficial pockets of trapped fat, which cause uneven dimpling or “orange peel” skin. It appears in 90% of post-adolescent women and is rarely seen in men. Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not related to obesity, since it occurs in overweight, normal, and thin women as well.

Cellulite develops in the most superficial of the three fat layers below the skin, known as the hypodermis or subcutaneous fat layer. It is structurally unique because its fat lobes are organized into chambers by surrounding strands of connective tissue. Hormones, not exercise and diet, primarily regulate fat storage and metabolism in the subcutaneous fat layer.

The fat cells in the other two layers are dispersed in a loose network. Fat storage and metabolism in these two layers is predicted by genetics and influenced by the two basic elements of lifestyle – diet and exercise. These layers are not responsible for the formation of cellulite.

Medically, cellulite is know as “Edematous-fibrosclerotic panniculopathy”. In layman’s term, cellulite is a combination of fat globules, waste matter, and water imprisoned in connective tissue. As a result, a bumpy or dimpled appearance of the skin occurs. Common but not exclusive areas where cellulite is found, are the thighs, buttocks, and the abdomen.

6 key causes contribute to the occurrence of cellulite:-

Hormones

Hormonal factors play a big role in cellulite formation as cellulite develops mainly in women during periods of hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy menopause, premenstrual syndrome and the initial months on birth control pills. Hormones are responsible for regulating the changes in blood flow, lymphatic drainage, fat, and connective tissue, all of which play a role in the formation of cellulite.

Diet

Poor eating habits e.g. Too much salts and spices and processed food causes toxins to be trapped in the fatty tissue. Too much caffeine and cigarettes constrict blood vessels, making cellulite more prominent. Insufficient intake of water causes your body to signal more retention of water for survival, again leading to cellulite problems.

Exercise

Despite attempts to exercise regularly and maintain a well balanced diet, cellulite could still form as a result of complex changes to the subcutaneous fat layer. However, without a healthy lifestyle, overall appearance of existing cellulite can worsen over time due to weight gain poor nutrition and inadequate water intake.

Age

Aging results in a loss of thickness and tone of the connective tissue within the dermis and the superficial fat layer. The outcome is a more visible and flabby cellulite.

Tension & stress

Tension and stress can cause a muscle and the connective tissue that covers that muscle to seize up. Tension also blocks the tissue, preventing proper waste elimination and purification.

Medication

Medication, especially on a prolong basis disturbs the body’s natural processes and the purification system that is naturally in place, leading to the formation of cellulite. Medication can weaken the connective tissue, hence resulting in the lymph nodes not being able to transport waste away properly. As a result, cellulite forms.

Cellulite affects a large proportion of the female population. You can use these natural healing remedies to improve its unsightly appearance.

Most women, and even some men, suffer from cellulite areas of puckered, dimpled skin, typically appearing on your thighs, buttocks, abdomen and upper arms. In fact, more than 95 per cent of women are affected by this unsightly skin condition, regardless of their physical shape or size.

Cellulite is caused by a build-up of toxins underneath the skin. A chemical reaction causes these toxins to fuse with the fat in the skin and become hard, which produces cellulite. A popular misconception is that cellulite only affects larger women, but it afflicts women with smaller figures. Sadly, there is no miracle cure for cellulite, although many cosmetic companies would have you believe that expensive creams and lotions hold the answer. Only with determination can you smooth away cellulite and improve the appearance of your skin.

Scientists believe that there is a positive connection between the levels of the hormone estrogen in the body and the development of cellulite, and studies conducted recently show that women now have more estrogen in their bodies than ever before.

It appears that cellulite develops when there is an excess of estrogen-causing waste matter being transported away from the organs. Diet and lifestyle, however, are also important factors. Foods containing great amounts of preservatives, chemicals and additives add to the toxic load, resulting in a sluggish circulation and the increase of cellulite.

Reducing cellulite is a matter of making simple lifestyle choices; become fitter by exercising more and subscribing to a healthy and balanced diet.

Expensive creams may promise miracles, but the only real cure for cellulite is to boost your circulation. This helps your lymphatic system to clear waste matter before it settles to become cellulite.

Increasing your fitness levels with exercise will help boost your overall circulation, helping to clear cellulite. If your cellulite is limited to specific areas, you could also focus your exercise regime on those regions, for example with squats and lunges to lone your legs and buttocks. Yoga is also good for skin tone, as each Asana is designed to boost lymph and blood flow and improve muscle tone.

Nutrition is an important part of reducing the appearance of cellulite. Processed and refined foods, sugar, coffee and alcohol all increase

How do you tell your friend that she has cellulite, when she does not even know what it is? I had a friend once that thought she was hot stuff..Well apparently she did not own a mirror or at least a floor mirror. Every time she wore certain pieces of clothing that showed even the tiniest bit of leg it in the word of my husband “looked like she had been hit with a bag of quarters”. ME and our other friend were discussing cellulite when she popped in with “what is cellulite?” How do you respond? Do you say go look at your legs or do you explain it to her? Well we explained it to her, the idiots we were. Then she asked us the most obvious of all questions. “Do I have any cellulite?” We both politely responded no we don’t see any. Hey if she is to dumb to realize that the dimples in your legs are NOT supposed to be there why should we have to tell her the truth.