Studies have revealed that approximately 85% of adults over 23 have cellulite. Many people believe that only obese or overweight women are affected by cellulite, however, there are many things that cause cellulite such as age and family history. Poor circulation and poor lymph drainage are also among the factors that can cause cellulite.
What is Cellulite?
“Cellulite” is a skin condition that gives the appearance of small bumps and ripples under the skin. The bumps are caused by the underlying fat cells growing too large and stretching the natural fiber compartments that hold the skin to the underlying layers of tissues.
“Cellulite” is ordinary fat, but ordinary fat that affects the appearance of the skin. Strands of fibrous collagen tissue connect the skin to the subcutaneous layers and also separate compartments that contain fat cells. When fat cells increase in size, these compartments bulge and produce a rippled appearance of the skin.
What are the Causes of Cellulite?
Women tend to have cellulite more often than men because they have a vertical pattern of collagen in the underlying layer that holds the fat cells, and when the fat cells become very large, they bulge out of the chambers and appear as cellulite. In men, the pattern of collagen is tighter, in a diagonal pattern, and they have thicker skin, so there is less bulging of the individual fat cells. Another factor in cellulite is high levels of estrogen since this hormone has a direct effect on the holding capacity of fat cells through the increase of alpha-adrenoreceptors, the chemical doorways that tell your fat cells to hold on to their contents. Poor diet, bad circulation, and poor lymphatic circulation can all contribute to the appearance of cellulite and contribute to the overall causes of cellulite.
Treating The Causes Of Cellulite
There are several extra steps you can take to treat the causes of cellulite.
Nutrition
Although cellulite is a skin condition, it’s closely tied to the storage of excess fat. If you are significantly overweight, you should certainly alter your diet. The dietary enzyme bromelain can improve overall circulation to your skin and adipose tissues by removing the build-up of fibrin on the walls of blood vessels. Treating cellulite requires a two-pronged approach – one being the shrinking of the fat cells themselves, the second being the regeneration of collagen and strengthening of the skin outside of the swollen fat cells.
A nutritious diet rich in vitamins minerals and antioxidants provides the body and skin all its necessary health benefits in a healthy and efficient manner. This will stimulate the production of collagen and connective tissues, helping prevent cellulite. Healthy fat from nuts, seeds,and oily fish is also vital. Like with all good healthy diets processed carbohydrates should be avoided. Foods like doughnuts cakes, fast food, or sweet foods can cause higher insulin levels which promotes fat production. A diet rich in sodium promotes water retention, which could make cellulite look worse, reducing salt in your diet can play a part in reducing the causes of cellulite.
Cleansing
When cleaning your skin, use your washcloth or loofah to massage the area where cellulite occurs. First, use a circular motion and then a brushing motion upwards towards the bowels. This will improve circulation and edema, and help remove toxins and metabolic wastes out of the tissues and interstitial spaces around the collagen and fat cells.
Dry Skin Brushing
Dry skin brushing stimulates blood circulation around the body in different ways. It removes dead skin and promotes growth in newly planted skin cells. Dry brushing is one of the cheapest options that will stimulate lymphatic drainage and remove the accumulation of toxic compounds in the body, making your skin more cellulite-free and glowing.
Learn to dry brush your skin at least twice every day – upon rising and before going to bed. Skin brushing provides many benefits in the treatment of cellulite. First of all, it’s “exercise” for your skin and strengthens the underlying dermis and pattern of collagen in the subcutaneous layer. It stimulates the growth and repair of the tissues by increasing blood flow to the area. It also helps remove toxins and metabolic wastes out of the interstitial fluids surrounding the tissues for disposal. Dry brushing is good for your skin all over, but if you are suffering from spider or varicose veins, brushing these areas vigorously several times every day, first in a circular motion and then upwards towards the colon, can improve the appearance of cellulite.
Hormones
Cellulite is often associated with the use of HRT and birth control pills. High levels of estrogen from these medications can cause an increase in the fatty tissue’s ability to store fats and cause them to bulge, pushing out the skin and causing cellulite. If you are using birth control pills for contraception, you may want to ask your doctor for a lower-estrogen dose formula or a non-hormonal form, such as an IUD. If you are on HRT, you may want to consider switching to a lower dose, adding progesterone cream, or using a weaker formula, such as an estrone cream.
Habits
Get out of the habit of crossing your legs, knees, and ankles. This reduces circulation and increases swelling. Try to keep moving regularly, neither sitting nor standing for long periods.
Exercise
Regular exercise is necessary for the improvement of cellulite. Not only does it help reduce the appearance of cellulite by burning the fatty acids that are causing the cellulite. It also improves circulation and helps to remove toxin-filled wastes away from the skin. Take up a walking program, or sneaking in a set of exercises in the restroom during breaks.
Body Wraps
Both professional and homemade body wraps can improve the appearance of cellulite. Body wraps use a combination of minerals and herbs that stimulate the fat cells to release their contents, they absorb toxins from the skin and reduce swelling. Generally, you will find stimulant herbs like kelp or algae that stimulate the fat-burning process in the cells. You will find cosmetic clays that will remove toxins and wastes from the pores, and horsetail and horse chestnuts that reduce edema (swelling) and provide minerals for strengthening the skin. These formulas are applied to the skin with the use of compression wraps.
Massage
Massage, particularly the kind that improves lymph flow, is very good for reducing the appearance of cellulite. It improves the removal of metabolic wastes and toxins from the interstitial tissues around the adipose tissues and gives the skin a smoother appearance. There are many professionals offering massage for cellulite, including lymphatic massage and endermologie, but if that is out of your budget, you may want to try a home massage device. Many are available, from a simple round-prong hand tool to a powered massager that provides heat, massage, and suction similar to the professional endermologie.
Supplements for Cellulite Reduction & Treating The Causes Of Cellulite
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is a natural diuretic that helps balance the body’s interstitial fluids and reduces edema and swelling. It’s also a phyto progesterone, which helps balance the excess estrogen that can exacerbate cellulite.
Borage Oil
Borage oil contains high amounts of gamma linoleic acid, which is an important fatty acid to the strengthening of cell walls.
Bromelain
Bromelain is a naturally occurring enzyme in natural foods that aid in the digestion of proteins. The consumption of bromelain aids in the removal of fibrin build-up in fine blood vessels. This improves and increases circulation to the skin and aids in repair and rejuvenation.
Horsetail
Horse Chestnut herb contains high levels of the mineral silica, which is used in the repair and maintenance of skin cells.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Contains an array of important enzymes and aids in balancing body PH. It’s also a good source of potassium, which is necessary for fluid balance in the body.
Apple cider vinegar is a multipurpose solution to many problems. The vinegar can include calcium salt, mineral, magnesium, and iron. It removes cellulite, removes wastes as well as limits excess water in legs and bowels.
Coconut Oil
Contains medium-chain triglycerides which are easily absorbed and used by the body for fuel. It has the capability of stimulating the thyroid gland, which increases body temperature and metabolism, and is known for improving the burning of excess fat.
Coconut oil has a variety of uses, by massaging coconut oil into the affected area it norishes the skin, making it smooth, supple and soft.
Ginkgo Biloba
Is a natural blood thinner that increases the microcirculation to skin and fat cells.
Gotu Kola
Is a natural source of caffeine. Caffeine stimulates the beta-adrenoreceptors on the surface of the fat cells to release their stores of fatty acids, aiding in the burning of excess fat.
Green Tea
Green tea is a mild stimulant that contains caffeine as well as powerful antioxidants that aid in the proper replication and repair of skin cells.
Green Tea contains a great number of natural and effective ways to treat cellulite. It stops the formation of enzymes that absorb fat and accumulate it in the body as cellulite.
External Treatments For Cellulite
Aloe Vera
Contains allantoin, which soothes and heals skin. It has been shown clinically to increase microcirculation of the skin and to speed the healing of skin tissues.
Bentonite Clay
is a natural mineral clay that is known for its ability to absorb impurities and toxins from the skin through the pores.
Horsetail, ginkgo Biloba, kelp and green tea.
Also, work externally and can be added to lotions or creams for massage into problem areas.
Coffee beans
Many experts have recommended using coffee grounds as a scrub for cellulite-prone areas. The grounds work as an exfoliant, as the caffeine absorbs into the skin and stimulates the beta-adrenoreceptors in the fat cells to release their contents.
Dead sea salts
Dead Sea Salts and Kelp contain powerful minerals that aid in the repair of skin cells as well as the mineral iodine which can aid in the metabolism of the underlying fat cells.
Just remember that cellulite reduction is a two-step process. The causes of cellulite are oversized fat cells that have stretched out the collagen structure underlying the skin. The first step is to reduce body fat, and many herbs and nutrients both external and external can accelerate the process. The second step is to increase the strength of the skin and the collagen webs under the subcutaneous tissues. Skin and collagen require vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to rebuild themselves properly. Excess fluids can exacerbate the problem, so proper fluid intake and circulation are important. Drink plenty of fluids, and stay active to increase the circulation of the lymph system. With a little diligent effort, you can treat the causes of cellulite and the appearance can be reduced.
