If you’ve noticed bumps and dimples on your thighs, buttocks, legs or arms, you are not alone. Cellulite affects up to 90% of women, though it can also affect men and can appear at any age. Cellulite describes the lumpy and uneven appearance of the skin overlying areas of fat which is pulled downwards into the deeper tissues, creating an orange peel effect.
By getting a greater understanding of the causes of cellulite and the best cellulite treatments available, you can hopefully minimise any embarrassment caused by this imperfection.
Causes of Cellulite
Cellulite forms when fat cells increase and push up against the tough connective tissues beneath your skin. This creates the appearance of dimples and lumps in the skin’s surface. Cellulite can affect men and women of any age, body shape or weight, though women are more predisposed to get cellulite as their tissues don’t have the same criss-cross structure that men have.
The exact cause of cellulite is unknown, but here are some of the key issues thought to increase the chances of developing cellulite:
Hormones – oestrogen, insulin and thyroid hormones all play a role in the production of cellulite. It is also thought that as women approach menopause and oestrogen levels decrease, so too does the blood flow to the connective tissue under the skin, which can decrease collagen levels and make fatty deposits more visible.
Genetics – your genes can affect your chances of developing cellulite as factors such as ethnicity, distribution of fat and metabolism can all have an impact on how likely you are to get cellulite.
Lifestyle – what you eat, how often you exercise and how sedentary your lifestyle is can all contribute to cellulite production. A diet high in fat, salt and carbohydrates can lead to a greater risk of cellulite as can smoking and leading an inactive lifestyle. However, staying fit and healthy and getting plenty of exercise will not necessarily prevent it from developing.
Best Cellulite Treatments
If you are looking to get rid of cellulite then you might be researching the possibilities to find the best cellulite treatments to suit you. There are many different kinds of anti-cellulite treatment available including:
Medical treatments – this can involve freezing the fat cells underneath the skin, using sound waves to eliminate fat or using a needle to break up the tough bands underneath the skin.
Topical treatments – there are a variety of creams and gels available with active ingredients such as caffeine, retinol and ginkgo biloba which can increase blood flow and thicken the outer layer of skin to reduce dimples.
At-home treatments – you can also try some simple treatments at home such as exercises that help burn body fat, using a dry brush to help stimulate lymph and blood flow or using coffee grounds to exfoliate the skin and encourage new cell growth. Staying hydrated is also important as dehydration can make cellulite more visible.
It is worth noting that all treatments may have different results for each individual and that most only deliver a temporary reduction of cellulite. Some treatments can be repeated periodically to help deliver longer-lasting results, so it’s a good idea to consult the treatment provider to find out what the expected outcome is.
When choosing the best cellulite treatments to suit you it’s also wise to consider your needs and preferences so you can choose a method that will fit in with your lifestyle.
Anti Cellulite Massage Therapy
Massage therapy may be another tool in your fight against cellulite. Whilst it won’t remove cellulite completely, it may be able to improve the skin’s appearance by getting rid of excess body fluid, improving circulation and redistributing fat cells.
If you want to try massage therapy to reduce the appearance of your cellulite you can either opt to massage with a dry brush or foam roller, or you can try manual massage with a topical anti cellulite gel.
Massaging the affected areas has been scientifically shown to increase circulation, which in turn allows your body to naturally absorb the fat stored in the problem areas, such as the hips, thighs and buttocks.
To get the most out of it, you’ll need to massage the problem areas regularly as the excess fat stores will take time to become absorbed.
What You’ve Learned About Cellulite
Hopefully, after reading this, you now know more about what cellulite is and what causes it. You should also be better informed about the different methods of reducing cellulite and how to find the best cellulite treatments for you. For many, cellulite will be a fact of life and any approach to reduce it should be taken with caution as there are no miracle cures. That said, there are plenty of treatments, home remedies and lifestyle changes you can try to help improve the appearance of your cellulite affected areas.
5kind is an online retailer of natural skin therapy products, including natural cream for anti cellulite massage. Their website provides more information on the benefits of this product, how to use it and what to expect.
