Cellulite | How to Get Rid of It

‘Cellulite’ is a term commonly applied to areas of the body where the skin has taken on a dimpled appearance. The problem normally occurs wherever a lot of fat is in a position to be pulled downwards by the force of gravity. Areas most prone to cellulite are the underside of the upper arms, the breasts, the buttocks and the thighs. Cellulite has been nicknamed ‘orange peel’ due to its puckered and dimpled appearance. One leading beauty journalist refers to cellulite as ‘an internal pollution problem which manifests itself in the form of deadened areas of skin’.

Cellulite occurs almost without exception in women, particularly those who are overweight and in their middle years.

Dimpling is similar to normal fat accumulation and is in no way abnormal. Nor does it need any special treatment. That said, cellulite is far from attractive, and several things can be done to guard against it and to treat the problem once developed.

Despite the anxiety caused to many sufferers, the majority of doctors insist that cellulite does not exist, and that it is something invented by the cosmetics industry as a means of marketing expensive cures, exercise aids, even surgical correction procedures.

Scientists in Europe refute the claims of their colleagues and have discovered that cellulite invariably begins when the body is undergoing dramatic hormonal changes, as in puberty, pregnancy and at the onset of menopause. Another common contributor is the birth control pill. And there is much evidence to link cellulite with the female hormone oestrogen, which is responsible for fat formation and can also cause fluid retention.

Scientists have also noticed that the problem is more prevalent among women who are unable to eliminate toxic wastes efficiently from the system, or whose diets and inability to cope with stress leads to an over-production of metabolic wastes. Other common associates are constipation, an under-active thyroid and poor liver function.

Other contributors to cellulite include a poor diet that lacks fibre and leads to constipation, too many processed foods, a sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, too much smoking and drinking alcohol.

Claims are made that everything from electrical massage to diuretic therapy will cure cellulite. In fact, not all of these methods do anything but raise the sufferers’ hopes. This report concentrates on realistic ways to banish the problem.

Do You Have a Cellulite Problem?

This simple test will help you decide whether you have a problem which demands corrective action.

Pinch the skin on your inner thigh or upper arm. If it looks puckered, rather like orange peel, then you do have a problem which must be treated before it worsens.

If you don’t have a problem - yet - you must take action to prevent a problem occurring. Cellulite must be fought against daily, not once or twice a week.

Arguably, the battle is harder in winter when there is a tendency to put on weight and exercise is less acceptable. In summer, lots of walks and a diet rich in summer salads will work wonders. Rich puddings and early nights in winter can undo all of your hard work during the warmer months.

Extra care is vital in winter. Pay careful attention to diet, force yourself to take regular exercise and stick to a programme of bathtime exercises and massage to keep your body in trim.

Main Problem Areas

The Inner Thighs

A pad of fat on the inside of the upper thigh is a female characteristic and can be very attractive, giving the legs a rounded appearance in youth. In later years, however, fat deposited here is hard to shift and in time will dimple and turn to cellulite. Exercises make the muscles less flabby and diet can cure the problem altogether.

The Hips

Sedentary jobs, poor diet, childbirth, all take their toll on the woman’s hips, leading to fatty deposits which eventually turn to cellulite. It is here where the problem looks most unattractive. Unlike heavy thighs which can be disguised to some extent, it’s virtually impossible to conceal bulging, flabby hips.

The Solutions

Dieting

Dieting is the only real solution: it the fat is lost, the dimples diminish. First and foremost be careful not to gain unwanted pounds. Check regularly for bulges developing on thighs, hips and stomach, particularly in winter.

Follow a good calorie-controlled diet and make sure your weight stays within the recommended boundary for your height and build.

Food in General

Cellulite is common in women who are overweight and in others who have trouble ridding their bodies of toxins. A proper calorie-controlled diet will guard against you becoming overweight or obese, and increasing or reducing your intake of certain foods will help counteract cellulite caused by other factors.

Foods to avoid include:

Prepared and smoked fish and meats such as ham, bacon and sausages

Refined carbohydrates and processed foods

Heavily salted foods

Alcohol

Tea and coffee

Spicy foods

A diet rich in raw foods can reap enormous benefits in the battle against cellulite. High-fibre foods are particularly useful for detoxifying the body. A diet rich in raw fruits, vegetables and wholefoods will help.

Supplements known to help fight cellulite include the B vitamins, particularly B3, which encourages circulation, and B6, which is a natural diuretic. Herbs used for diuretic purposes include alfalfa, dandelion and cornsilk.

Drink lots of fresh fruit and vegetable juices to help clear your system and eliminate wastes. Choose from carrot, celery, cucumber, watercress, apple and orange, and drink at least two glasses each day. Drink plenty of natural spring or mineral water.

Avoid Smoking

Heavy smokers tend to suffer more than their non-smoking counterparts. Nicotine interferes with circulation and destroys the nutrients the body needs to protect collagen fibres.

Avoid Stress

Stress leads to the body accumulating toxins and turning to cellulite. Regular relaxation is essential. Relaxation classes, tapes and yoga can all help.

Skin-Brushing and Massage

Both help to wake up a sluggish system and eliminate waste. Try using a massage glove or loofah on the affected area each day after a bath. Finish with an anti-cellulite cream, some of which contain ivy extract to help disperse fluid trapped in the area. Bathing in essential oils can help to detoxify and stimulate the circulation.

Another effective technique is skin-brushing, involving brushing your skin all over with a natural fibre brush for about 5 minutes each day, before taking a bath. Begin at the top of the shoulders and work your way downwards, working in long smooth downwards strokes over shoulders, arms and trunk. Do this just once. Start with gentle strokes until your body gets used to it, then progressively increase the pressure. About one-third of the body’s wastes can be eliminated through the skin and brushing is a quick and easy way to achieve the optimum effect.

To test the effectiveness, after brushing pat the skin dry with a towel. Use the same towel, without washing it, for a few days when a foul smell will appear, indicating waste products eliminated through the skin.

Massage works wonders on reducing cellulite or preventing it forming. Deep massage breaks down fatty tissues and encourages circulation. An electric massager helps speed up the process. Alternatively, most beauty parlours provide specialist massage treatments.

A gentle hand massage is beneficial and can be administered yourself after a bath or shower. Massaging also aids relaxation.

As for brushing, start with firm but gentle massage and gradually build up the pressure. Always begin stroking above the area of cellulite and away from it to draw away any toxins and encourage fatty tissues to diminish.

Use some oil or a figure-firming gel to allow your hands to move smoothly across the skin. Stroke hand over hand, gradually increasing the pressure until your skin begins to tingle. If not too painful, try kneading the cellulite gently between forefinger and thumb. Continue massaging for at least five minutes or until your hands or skin begin to ache. Finish by rubbing in an anti-cellulite cream.

Special massage gloves can be purchased from beauty parlours and cosmetics counters. These are usually made of rubber and enclose a bar of soap, frequently made from extract of ivy. Gloves make massaging easier and if used regularly will show a reduction in cellulite in just a few weeks. The gloves are refillable.

An ordinary hemp glove or massage mitt available from most chemists and department stores will help improve circulation and encourage the elimination of toxic wastes.

Creams and Potions

A range of creams and potions is available to help reduce cellulite and stop it re-forming. These are rubbed into the skin with a gentle circling motion. However costly, none of these products will achieve much on their own and must be used only in conjunction with proper diet and nutritional supplements, together with regular skin-brushing and massage. Ask your beauty counter or parlour to recommend a suitable product for you.

Take Regular Exercise

Good circulation is essential to ensure that all parts of the body are supplied with oxygen for healthy tissue and to ensure that toxins and wastes are eliminated.

Aerobic exercise improves the blood flow and level of oxygen.

Exercising should be fun, not a punishment. Try joining a gym or exercise class. Aerobics sessions, including water aerobics, are available in most leisure centres.

Take plenty of walks and try gentle jogging. Anyone with a sitting down job should take regular breaks, walk around for a few minutes, and always take a long walk at lunchtime.

Exercise Machines and Equipment

Any well-equipped gymnasium or health club has all the exercise equipment you need to develop a firm body and counteract cellulite. Equipment falls into two main groups: passive exercisers and active exercisers.

Passive types include vibrator belts and machines designed to stimulate the muscles electronically. They make exercise easy but their benefits are limited. They can, however, help firm up flabby muscles, but there is no evidence that they aid weight loss or improve general fitness. On the benefits side, however, these machines can have a very relaxing effect with obvious benefits for anyone whose cellulite problem is exacerbated by stress.

Active exercisers, on the other hand, prove invaluable if used properly, and regularly. This includes rowing and jogging machines and exercise cycles.

Some equipment can be used at home, ranging from full-sized apparatus such as cycling and rowing machines, to simple aids like dumb-bells and weights.

Take Care at Special Times

Most women seem to develop cellulite at special times in their lives: during pregnancy, when going through the menopause, or when they first start taking the contraceptive pill. At these times you must take special care with your diet and always have regular exercise. Special antenatal exercises should be followed during pregnancy.

Cosmetic Surgery

This should be viewed as a last resort and only where a real cellulite problem exists which can not be cured by less drastic measures. Private clinics, most advertising in national newspapers and women’s glossy magazines can carry out the operation. If you have a real problem or you can not afford the hefty fees involved, free treatment may be available through the National Health Service. Most importantly, whether you intend to go private or not, ask your GP to advise you first. Cosmetic surgery doesn’t always go according to plan!