Cellulite is the herniation of subcutaneous fat within fibrous connective tissue that manifests as skin dimpling and nodularity, often on the pelvic region (specifically the buttocks), lower limbs, and abdomen. Cellulite occurs in most postpubescent females. It is estimated that more than 85% of all women 21 years and older have cellulite. It is not as common in men. A review gives a prevalence of 85-98% of women, indicating that it is physiologic (caused by the body) rather than pathologic (caused by disease).
It can result from a complex combination of factors:
- metabolism
- physiology
- diet and exercise habits
- obesity
- sex-specific dimorphic skin architecture
- alteration of connective tissue structure
- hormonal factors
- genetic factors
- the microcirculatory system
- the extracellular matrix
- subtle inflammatory alterations
In terms of your overall health, there is nothing wrong with having cellulite. However, many people wish to reduce its appearance.
Ways to reduce the appearance of cellulite
Hit the weight room
Exercise is crucial. While there is-shockingly-no specific research on how working out affects cellulite, a toning routine can tighten up the whole package. Women need to start lifting weights two to three times a week. Resistance exercise acts like fillers for your skin. If your muscles are more defined, your skin will look smoother. If you lose weight and replace it with muscle, you are going to have a fat layer that is not as thick, and your cellulite is going to improve.
Scale back
Getting to a healthy weight can help reduce cellulite. Yet just ditching pounds without firming up is not always the no-brainer cellulite-reduction move you would think it is. When you lose weight, your skin may be more lax, pulling on the septae, and cellulite may become more visible. The younger you are and the better your skin elasticity is, the smoother the results. For the rest of us, strength training is the number-one way to keep things as taut as possible.
Make your skin stronger
Topical treatments that may build collagen in the skin, like Retin-A or creams with retinol or vitamin C, could not hurt and may help.
Stop smoking (if you do)
Cigarette smoke can weaken the formation of collagen, the main structural component of connective tissue, making cellulite more visible.
Don’t get sucked into trying liposuction
Many doctors still suggest it, but it does not work and can actually make skin look more dimpled by removing too much fat.
Eat healthy food
A healthy, balanced diet is not just a great way to shed a few pounds – it also gives you more energy to do what you love, which benefits your mind and body. Enlarged fat cells restrict your blood vessels. Consequently, the blood flow in your whole body is hampered, your metabolism slows down, and lymph drainage is impaired. This, in turn, makes your skin less elastic and cellulite more visible.
Nutrition tips to get rid of cellulite
Lots of liquids
Drink enough fluids like water or unsweetened tea (try green tea or nettle tea) during the day. This helps your body transport vital nutrients to its cells and eliminate waste products.
Low-sodium nutrition
Did you know that foods rich in salt lead to fluid retention in body tissue? This contributes to the appearance of cellulite.
Foods rich in potassium
Go for foods like apricots, bananas, potatoes, ginger and artichokes. They have one thing in common: they contain lots of potassium. This important mineral helps with oxygen and nutrient transport to your cells. Moreover, potassium also promotes the excretion of waste products from your body while cells are repaired and renewed. In addition, nuts with a high Vitamin E content are great for your skin. But, keep in mind that nuts contain lots of fats. A handful a day is enough.
Vitamin C
Bell peppers and kiwis are both rich in Vitamin C, which fosters collagen production in your body. And collagen is responsible for smooth and even skin.
Home remedies for cellulite
Massage
Massages help relax both the body and mind. Massaging the areas in your body with cellulite can cause significant smoothing of the skin. It may also cause a reduction in cellulite as it facilitates lymphatic drainage.
The type of massage cream used to massage the problem areas makes the process more effective. It is important to repeat this procedure several times to help firm up the skin and reduce cellulite.
Dry Brushing
Dry brushing is one of the simplest ways to get rid of cellulite. The process of dry brushing improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, and removes the build-up of toxins from body. Plus, it is believed that the improved blood flow to the skin makes it appear plump, thus reducing the appearance of cellulite.
Be sure to use a body brush made with natural fibers.
Before beginning, make sure your skin and the brush are both dry. Gently brush from your feet up to your shoulders, focusing more on areas with the most cellulite. Remember to brush from left to right side of the body and keep the brushing movements concentrated toward the heart to encourage blood circulation. Do this dry brushing for about five minutes. Finally, shower to wash away the dead skin cells and impurities.
Do this once daily before taking a shower for a few months or until you notice improvement in your skin texture.
Foam roller
There are many reasons to own a foam roller, and using one as a regular part of your fitness routine can help prevent pain and injury. Foam rolling may also temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite, since the act of massaging cellulite-prone areas may loosen fascia.
Ground Coffee
Coarse coffee grounds can be used as an exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin cells and regenerate new, healthy cells. Moreover, drinking coffee will help increase blood circulation.
Mix together one-fourth cup of coffee grounds, three tablespoons of sugar and two tablespoons of melted coconut oil to form a paste. Take a little bit of this paste and massage the affected skin with it for several minutes using firm pressure. Finally, rinse it off with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy two or three times a week until you get the desired results. You can store the excess in a glass jar for future use.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a rich source of bioactive compounds that can treat skin problems. Aloe vera extracts can help in collagen synthesis. This helps in tightening the skin and may reduce cellulite.
Take 2-3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and gently massage it over the problem area. Massage in circular motions (this also facilitates better absorption). You can repeat this process at least 3 times a week.
Green Clay
Green clay has ability to stimulate blood and lymph circulation, remove dead skin cells, absorb impurities and fats, and repair and strengthen connective tissues. Due to all these properties, green clay is considered highly effective for reducing the appearance of cellulite.
Mix together one-half cup each of green clay and seaweed, one-quarter cup of freshly squeezed lime juice, three tablespoons of hot water, and one tablespoon of organic honey to form a thick and smooth paste. Rub the mixture onto the affected area using circular motions, and then cover it with plastic wrap. Leave it on for 30 minutes, and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Follow this treatment on a weekly basis until you get the desired result.
Grapefruit Oil
Grapefruit oil is known to have bioactive compounds that can inhibit adipogenesis. This means that you can use this oil on areas with cellulite and may see a decrease in the excess fat in these regions.
Dab 2-3 drops of grapefruit oil mixed with 1-2 drops of carrier oil on a cotton ball. Gently massage this over the problem areas. Leave it on for about an hour and wash off. Repeat 3-4 times a week.
Green Tea
Green tea contains catechins. These compounds show a decrease in fat content in the body and boost metabolism levels. This, in turn, may help reduce cellulite in your body.
Steep a green tea bag in a cup of boiling water. Consume the tea while it is warm. You can consume at least 2 cups of green tea a day.
The same things you would do to keep your body fit and healthy are your best tools if you are wondering how to get rid of cellulite.