Combating cellulite

  • 2010-03-17
  • By Darja Kuznecova

RIGA - Cellulite can be defined as a lumpy substance that resembles cottage cheese and is commonly found on human parts such as the buttocks, stomach and thighs. More specifically, the term is used to describe deposits of any material (generally fats) trapped in pockets of connective tissues that are situated just under the skin. Cosmetically, such a condition is responsible for a progressive bulky appearance with creases and layers of fats that are visible even from a distance.
Can you believe that even thin people can have cellulite trouble? Even underweight people have such complaints. And so now you can understand that this is not the case only with fat and over weight people. The fat tissues and cells are pushed up. And so they show on the upper surface of the skin.

Causes of cellulite include hormonal changes during puberty, during pregnancy and pre/post menopausal periods. Certain anomalies, overproduction of estrogen, disturbance in endocrine functions can also increase fat storage in the body and finally result in cellulite. A person with a sedentary lifestyle that lacks exercise and physical activity is also susceptible to cellulite. Excess consumption of saturated fats and sugary items and poor hydration also contribute to housing unwanted layers of the fat in a part of the body, that can later appear as cellulite. Poor blood circulation and poor lymphatic flow can also cause cellulite according to some health experts. Now, if you want to know what are the preventive factors to fight cellulite, then you must understand one thing and that is, you must rely on a good and nourished diet. And only after that can you get some success. Never forget the power of exercise and physical activity. You must know that you can be fit and fine if you have a healthy lifestyle.

Cellulite treatment

It might take some trial and error before you find the best cellulite treatment. Often a combination of treatments provides the best results, and the only way to know what treatments will work the best for you is to try them. Your particular cellulite problem might be due to insufficient exercise, loose skin tone, or poor diet. Or it might be more due to a slow metabolism, insufficient water intake, or a result of aging. Depending on the root causes, the best cellulite treatment will vary. Remember this when you’re testing cellulite treatments. Research and ask friends, and use customer satisfaction ratings to find the best cellulite treatments. Always remember your results will vary, and you might have to try a few things before you find what really works for you.

Lymph Drainage

Lymph drainage is one of the cellulite treatment methods. It improves blood circulation and reduces fat storage in the body. By performing lymphatic drainage massage correctly, we can stimulate the opening of the initial lymphatic and increase the volume of lymph flow by as much as 20 times. With an increase of lymph flow immune function is increased. Harmful substances are removed from the tissues and neutralized in the nodes. It has also been shown that an increase in lymph flow stimulates an increased production of lymphocytes - enhancing immune function. During the lymphatic drainage your body gets rid of toxins and loose fats. When the lymph is flowing, the cells are being bathed in fresh fluid, causing the skin to look fresh and alive. We have all experienced having minor edema in our faces- that puffy feeling and baggy eyes when we first wake in the morning after a long night. Usually after a few minutes of being vertical the lymph system starts to drain the face. A great way to see the power of lymph drainage is to apply a few strokes on one of those mornings, and watch in just a few minutes the tissues drain right before your eyes- leaving you looking vibrant and healthy. The same process happens with your troubled cellulite skin during the massage.

Cellulite reducing exercises

A Lifestyle approach to cellulite reduction will help you to get rid of it and keep it off. The components of the lifestyle approach for minimizing cellulite include proper exercise to minimize fat in your cells. If you are just starting out, do one set of 10-12 repetitions of each exercise. If you are more advanced, work up to 3 sets of each. In general, breathe out on the parts of the exercise where you are exerting yourself the most. Remember to visualize your body parts as you want them to look while you do the exercises.

-    Start with your legs a little wider than shoulder width apart. Keep your gaze forward, lift your shoulders up back and around and stick your chest out. Your abdominal muscles should be gently contracted into your straight spine.
-    Bend your knees and lower your body, as if sitting down in a chair on a slow count of four. Do not allow your knees to go past your toes. Keep your weight on your heels and stick your backside out.
-    Return to the starting position on a slow count of four.
(variation: When you return to the starting position, slowly lift your leg straight in back of you. Lower the leg back down and when your foot hits the floor, immediately begin your squat again.)
-    Take a large step back so that your feet are staggered. Plant your front foot and lift your back heel so that your weight is pressed into the ball of the back foot.
-    On a slow count of 4, gently let both knees bend, being careful not to let your front knee go past your toes.
-    On a slow count of 4, rise back up to the starting position and contract the muscles in your backside and hamstrings.
-    Tip: Keep your torso straight up and down. Don't pitch forward as you lunge.

A better way to success is to attend fitness centers or go to dance classes. Under supervision of a fitness trainer you can get better results in combating cellulite.

Home tips for cellulite treatment

There are multiple ways of treating cellulite and home remedies are one of them. In fact, many doctors recommend patients take on other methods to reduce cellulite like daily massages, dieting, and exercise.

Coffee scrub

Caffeine is a major ingredient in effective treatments to get rid of cellulite. This is because caffeine has the properties to constrict blood vessels, making the skin appear tighter. A simple way to utilize this ingredient is to grab your jar of coffee and make it your coffee scrub. Here is a simple cellulite treatment to try at home. Go into your kitchen and grab a can of instant coffee. Place at least two cups of coffee into a bowl or dish. Head for a warm shower or bath. This will help the caffeine penetrate deep into your skin. With circular motions, gently rub the coffee grounds on areas which have cellulite. Rinse and you’re done. You will notice smoother, firmer skin right away.

Gentle massage

Along with advanced cellulite creams, electronic massagers are now proving to get rid of cellulite. Here is an easy massage trick to try at home. It really works! Use a soft bristle brush you have at home. Make gentle massage on cellulite areas such as buttocks or thighs in a circular motion. Spend 5-10 minutes on each area. Do brush massage daily to get rid of cellulite by loosening trapped fat cells. The brush massage will help circulate the fat and spread it out evenly underneath your skin. Soon you will have smoother looking skin!

Healthy Diet

If you want to reduce cellulite you need to detox your body, especially your liver and colon. Lay off nicotine and caffeine, do not consume excess salt or fat and drink plenty of water. Eat foods rich in nutrients like soy, blueberries and nuts. Make sure you get the nutrients glucosamine, B vitamins and essential fatty acids. Onions are also a wonderful food to combat cellulite. Onions act as a natural diuretic releasing water buildup from skin cells.

Special exercises

Exercise to lose weight and tone your legs and buttocks. Do specific exercises to increase muscle mass in your thighs like walking, biking, stair climbing, yoga and pilates. The less fat and more muscle you have will make cellulite disappear. Muscle will stretch the skin and smooth out the dimpled bumpy appearance.

Special Wear

Wearing pantyhose will also help combat and reduce cellulite, especially the body shaping ones that contour your thighs. Pantyhose compress fat and help aid circulation. There are cellulite reduction pantyhose on the market now specifically made to help reduce the appearance of cellulite.