Expert-Recommended Techniques to Help Improve Cellulite
Why is it that dimples on your cheeks are adorable, but
dimples on your thighs aren’t? Yep, we’re talking about cellulite. When fat
presses against and bulges through the web-like layer of connective tissue
below the skin it creates an uneven surface resulting in dimples, bumps and
heavy sighs in dressing rooms everywhere. Cellulite most often lands on the
thighs, hips, butt, abdomen and knees. While most women have it, cellulite is
far more rare in men (lucky boys).
Despite the fact that tons of different products claim that
they can banish cellulite, researchers maintain that there is no cure for
cellulite. While there are no ways to fully erase those obnoxious dimples,
there are things experts say you can do that may help reduce the appearance of
cellulite—we’ve outlined six of the most effective, inexpensive strategies below.
Exercise
“Unfortunately, there is no way to remove cellulite, but you
can minimize the appearance by toning the muscles under and surrounding the
area,” explains certified personal trainer Jennifer Menzer.
She recommends a blood-pumping routine of cardio plus
strength training to tone up troubled areas.
“Cellulite is just a fat, so toning muscles in the
surrounding areas can help its appearance,” adds registered dietitian Daniela
Knight. “Losing weight can help, as well.” We want to stress,
though, that even the skinniest amongst us can still suffer from cellulite—it
can be an equal opportunity fat problem.
Depending on your body shape, your cellulite may appear more
in certain areas.
Diet While exercise is a critical step in tightening up at losing
weight, so too is your diet.
“Make sure to follow a healthy, high fiber, lower calorie
diet,” advises Knight. Menzer adds that to do this, you need “a combination of
whole healthy foods such as fruit, veggies, lean meats and whole grains—think
oats, quinoa and faro.”
Watch your salt intake too. Too much sodium causes your body
to retain excess fluids, which can make your cellulite more noticeable. Make
sure you’re drinking enough water each day, which will help flush toxins from
your body, reduce water retention, and make you feel less bloated.
And remember, as Knight advises, “Fad diets tend to not be
effective.” But you’re smart ladies, we’re sure you already knew that.
Side note: Healthy eating will not only help get you in your
best shape and boost your energy levels, but it can also leave your skin
glowing.
Lotions & Creams Don’t get sucked into the hype from product manufacturers:
There isn’t a miracle cream, lotion or gel out just yet, so don’t waste your
hard earned money on an expensive product that will more than likely leave you
unsatisfied.
Two product areas that have gained popularity for reducing
the appearance—notice we’re saying
reduce
appearance, not getting rid of
completely—are retinol creams and caffeine lotions.
The Mayo Clinic recommends a twice-daily application of
products with 0.3 percent retinol (a form of vitamin A) cream to affected areas
to reduce the appearance of cellulite, but only after a strict six-month regimen.
Retinol stimulates collagen production, which may make the skin thicker and
better able to hide cellulite dimples.
Just how caffeine leaves you thirsty for a glass of water,
it can also dehydrate cellulite-affected areas of your skin. By flushing out
moisture under the skin, it can slightly tighten the skin, potentially leaving
it looking less lumpy and bumpy—but only temporarily, and you may not even
notice a difference. If you want to give it a try, though, look for lotions
that contain at least five percent caffeine. There are even several drug-store
alternatives that hit the mark at the moment.
Dry Brushing
Massages stimulate blood flow, which releases toxins and excess
fluid—this can plump up your skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. So
massage is often recommended as an alternative natural treatment to temporarily
reduce the appearance of cellulite.
But massage can be difficult to do properly yourself, and
dropping into a massage parlor each time you want to wear shorts isn’t exactly
affordable. So instead try dry brushing, which will give you the same massage
effect for less money and with the added benefit smoothing your skin as it sloughs
off the top layer of dead, dry cells.
To dry brush, you simply need a natural bristle (not
synthetic) body brush that you keep dry at all times. Before showering, sweep
the dry brush over your dry skin starting at your feet and working your way up
your legs and rear, working in the direction toward your heart. (The point here
is you’re moving the fluid in the direction of circulation, to the heart.)
Don’t go back and forth over the same area of skin and don’t
press too hard as this can damage your skin.
Once your legs are complete, perform the same technique on
your arms: start at your hands and brush up your arms, toward your heart. For
your stomach, simply brush in a counterclockwise motion.
When you’re done just hop in the shower and wash off all those
loose dead skin cells.
De-stress
An often-overlooked fact is that stress may actually
increase your risk for cellulite—who knew? This may be due to the fact that
stress can cause an increase in certain hormones associated with the
development of cellulite.
If you needed one more reason to stop being a stress-junkie,
perhaps this is it.
Tanning
Being tan won’t reduce dimpling, but it certainly can reduce
the appearance of it. Get bronzed with sunless tanner instead of tanning your
hide with cancer causing, skin damaging UV rays.
To disguise cellulite, apply one layer of self-tanner to your
problem areas and then follow up a few hours later with your regular full body
layer of tanner. The first layer should be a lotion self-tanner, but you can
use a spray for the full body if you like. Strategically double layering your
color in problem areas helps to conceal lumps and bumps in a contouring-like
manner.
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Article source: chixrx.com
