Cellulite: The Bane of Most Women

There is probably not a woman alive who does not know what cellulite is. It’s that lumpy, cottage cheese-like stuff that pops up on your thighs, arms and butt or essentially anywhere it decides to plop, making the body’s owner very unhappy. Cellulite is the result of fibrous connective cords tethering the skin to underlying muscle, with fat lying in between, according to The Mayo Clinic. As fat cells amass, they push against the skin. At the same time, the long, robust cords are pulling down, which results in dimpling and a rutted skin surface.

Women are the unlucky ones when it comes to these annoying fatty deposits. They are more inclined to get it than men because the fat in a woman’s body normally distributes in the hips, butt and thighs of women and not so much so in males.

As we age and our skin loses its elasticity, making cellulite is even more prevalent. Cellulite can be a genetic ‘gift.’ If your mom had it there is a good chance you will too. Pregnancy increases the likelihood of the appearance of cellulite as does a sedentary lifestyle.

Cellulite is not the exclusive domain of overweight people; thin people can have it as well. There is no sure-fire way to completely eliminate cellulite but there are some techniques that will lessen the appearance of the lumpy stuff.

It Can’t Hurt to Try This …

Since fat is trapped under the skin, resulting in skin dimpling, working out – yes, plain old exercise – can help by moving fat through the bloodstream and out of the body. Sweating is essential to this process because when sweating the body burns fat and skin is detoxified. Blood flow and lympathic circulation are augmented when a person exercises, and this helps diminish the appearance of cellulite. Dr Oz recommends a celulite seaweed scrub you can make at home, which is purported to reduce the appearance of cellulite. The concoction reportedly exfoliates and stimulates microcirculation, which leads to fat drainage. Combine ¼ cup sea salt with ¼ cup olive oil, three Tbsp. of seaweed powder and 1 drop of essential oil. Put the ingredients in an airtight container. Massage it on the various areas of your body that are plagued by cellulite while in the shower or tub. Dr. Oz also endorses endermologie, which involves the use of a suction massage that improves lymphatic drainage and plumps skin. Endermologie reactivates cell activity via mechanical stimulation of the skin. The results are temporary.

• Another recommendation … eat more pineapple, which contains bromelain. This tricks fat cells into releasing stored fat and your skins becomes smoother as a result.
• Avoid eating sugar because it stores in fat cells, making the cells expand.
• Salt results in fluid retention and exacerbates the appearance of cellulite. Stir clear of salt/sodium.
• Mix three parts apple cider vinegar with one part massage oil and rub on the cellulite areas. Homeremediesweb.com claims this reduces the appearance of cellulite.
• Drinking water helps flush out toxins as well as plumps up skin so it looks smoother.
• Ask your physician if aminophylline cream actually works in reducing the appearance of cellulite. The cream reportedly breaks down fat in cells and makes it easier to burn off fat.
• Creams containing retinol (vitamin A) ward off free radicals that cause collagen in the skin to breakdown. Vitamin A also makes skin look smoother and cellulite less obvious.
• Try a battery-powered roller that you use to massage cellulite areas of the body. When you create friction by using this device, or when getting a deep massage, this softens and loosens the fibrous connective bands found between skin and fat which pull fat to the surface and create the lumpy appearance. Massage drains excess fluids from the body as well as stimulates circulation.
• Try a caffeine cream. Caffeine breaks down fat cells, which makes the skin evener. The cream should have 5% caffeine concentration.

What techniques do YOU use to combat cellulite? Please let us know. We would love to hear your advice and recommendations.  

By Cindi Pearce