Let's Get To The Bottom Of Cellulite & Natural Remedies

By definition, cellulite is a cosmetic, localised skin condition that causes a dimpled appearance on the surface of the skin. The bumpy "orange peel" texture is a combination of expanding fat cells that bunch up underneath the skin and fibrous bands that run perpendicular to the surface of the skin.

Even though almost all women will get cellulite somewhere on their bodies, women are often embarrassed by the texture and try to delete cellulite or reduce its appearance. We don't believe it's anything to be conscious about, and with that in mind looked further into why we get embarrassed if almost everyone has it. One theory is that media images deceive the public about how common this condition really is, which leads many to feel bad about it.

There are three treatable components of cellulite: You have to address the collagen; you have to reduce the fat, and you have to increase circulation. But it depends on the grade of cellulite you have.

There are four different grades of cellulite and it's easy to know what you have; get under some good lighting to find out where yours stands.

Grade 1 – Even when skin is pinched, there's no visible cellulite.

Grade 2 – When skin is pinched, you can see an orange peel effect appear. However, when you stand or lay down, it is invisible.

Grade 3 – When you stand, cellulite is visible, but disappears when you lay down.

Grade 4 – Cellulite is visible when standing or laying.

A common wonder is if diet does play a role in the appearance of cellulite, and the conclusion is yes. Being overweight does make the appearance of cellulite more noticeable; the more fat you have underneath your skin, the more it’s likely to put stress on your connective tissue and bulge out of its weak spots. But cellulite also happens to women of all shapes and sizes, says Shira Ein-Dor, owner of the American Cellulite Reduction Centre in New York City, who has even treated Victoria Secret models, she says "They’re very lean, they work out and eat well, they do everything right but they still have cellulite.”

From the waist up, for every four receptors that break down fat, there are five that make it, so it's almost a one-to-one ratio. From the trunk up, there's just one layer of fat, except for the triceps arm area. So it's really a whole biochemistry. People tell you: Don't eat fat, don't eat sugar. It's really more than that. It's hormone balance—you need to eat healthy, you need activity.

Estrogen also makes fat whereas testosterone breaks down fat. So a women's body is basically—and we hate to say it—genetically designed to be a place for cellulite to develop. Men have one layer of fat throughout their entire body and a one-to-one alpha- and beta-receptor ratio.

Below are some natural remedies that should all help balance the connective tissue/fat in the body and address the many possible causes of cellulite and be beneficial for other reasons too, so they are worth a try!

Gelatin

Gelatin promotes the production of collagen, and is known to improve digestion, joint recovery, build muscle mass, contribute to skin, hair and nail growth, aids weight regulation and tightens loose skin. It is a lovely protein that provides a building block for our skin cells — thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles, stretch marks, and the dreaded cellulite.

Change Restrictive Clothing & Underwear

If you currently where restrictive clothes and underwear, try swapping your current style to something looser. The appearance of cellulite has been linked to low circulation and limited blood flow and if you are constantly wearing tight clothing, this may be a contributing factor. For example, if your jeans or knickers are so tight your skin has visible marks when you remove them, they could be doing damage. Consider swapping knickers to a thong.

Workout

It’s time to get active. Literally. If you really want to lose weight and/or tone your body, as well as get rid of cellulite, you need to get moving. Strengthen your butt and thigh muscles to shrink fat cells in these areas and to tighten your connective tissue.

Squats, lunges, or a HIIT workout – all strengthen your legs and basically the entire body. Plus, those exercises will boost your metabolism. Bodyweight training is also very effective if you’re looking to work several muscle groups at the same time. If your priority is burning calories, try Tabata training, interval runs, hill workouts, or skipping rope.

Dry Brushing

Dermatologists and Ayurvedists alike agree that when performed correctly, regular dry brushing (two to three times per week) can help improve circulation, lymphatic drainage, and visibly reduce the appearance of cellulite temporarily. Dry brushing originates from Ayurveda, and those who practice Ayurveda believe dry brushing can also help prevent the formation of cellulite.

Coffee Or Seaweed Scrub

Scrubbing coffee grounds on your skin can reduce the appearance of cellulite temporarily. Caffeine stimulates dilation while the scrubbing motion increases circulation, plumping up the skin and making cellulite look less obvious. Plus, coffee grounds contain antioxidants, so they can increase collagen production.

Seaweed is also a natural exfoliator, similar to coffee grounds. Massaging a seaweed paste has benefits of activating proper blood circulation, eliminates toxins from the body, and improves the skin, making it smooth and cellulite free.

Moisturise

Daily moisturising will assist in eliminating cellulite from your body, leaving your skin smoother, softer, and better. Regardless of the season, one should have the daily habit of moisturising the body. Opt for natural ones rather than chemical infused lotions. The best natural moisturising lotion can be found in coconut oil. Coconut oil is high in saturated fats, it has anti fungal as well as antibacterial properties. Massaging this oil after shower will firm the skin, helping to delete cellulite, if done on a daily basis.

Healthy Diet

Fuel your body with the right foods. A low-sodium diet is advised, because 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 are also a good bet, like apricots, bananas, potatoes, ginger and artichokes. 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. Also nuts with a high vitamin E content are great for your skin. But, keep in mind that nuts contain lots of fats, so a handful a day is enough.

Also consider vitamin C, which you can find in bell peppers and kiwis etc to foster collagen production in your body, as collagen is responsible for smooth and even skin.

Another theory is that consumption of the wrong kinds of fats leads to an imbalance of the fatty acids that the body needs for smooth skin and tissue. There is some evidence that consuming enough omega-3 fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins will help reduce cellulite over time. Either way, omega-3s, a healthy diet and fat-soluble vitamins are important for many other functions in the body, so it won’t hurt to try.

Balance Hormones

It seems that many sources agree that hormones play a large part in cellulite formation (one reason that women typically get it and men don’t,) and that working towards proper hormone balance can help reduce cellulite. Even if it doesn’t get rid of cellulite, balancing hormones helps in so many other ways that it is worth working on.

Anti Cellulite Massage

An anti cellulite massage works by breaking down the underlying fat in the areas affected by cellulite. A massage therapist would use special techniques of pinching and rolling to break down the fat. Additionally the therapy aims to increase blood circulation in the affected areas thereby accelerating the recovery process.

Unlike a full body massage the massage therapist should primarily focus on the areas with cellulite during the entire duration of the massage. Some therapists are able to perform a type of massage called myofascial massage or myofascial release, which smoothes the layer of connective tissue and can apparently also help with some types of muscle and joint problems that are related to imbalances in the fascia.

Another option is to use a deep tissue foam roller regularly, along with a vacuum cup to treat stubborn zones.

Hydrate

Water is one component that can heal anything. Cellulite has toxins in it. Drinking an adequate amount of water per day is sufficient enough to flush out toxins from the body, maintaining a healthy glow, and a stronger immune system. Add different flavour combos into your water to add extra zeal to it - read our related post at the end of this article.

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a multi-purposeful solution to many complicated situations. Similarly, apple cider vinegar can be used to get rid of cellulite. The vinegar contains potassium, magnesium, minerals and calcium. These chemical components decreases cellulite, eliminates toxins, and controls excess water around the thighs and stomach.

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