It’s incredibly common
“First, it’s important to know how common it is for women to develop cellulite. On average, 90% of us get it or will get it, and this can be explained by the architecture of our skin’s connective tissue. For women, this is placed very close to the surface of the skin and in rectangular compartments, so the surface appearance of the skin is modified over time.” – Flavia Morellatolymphatic drainage specialist
“Everything from genetics to the thickness of your skin can determine how much cellulite you have and how visible it is. There are so many variables. As we age, the skin naturally loses some of its elasticity and this can make cellulite appear more pronounced.’ – Dr Natalie Geary, The Light Touch Clinic and founder of Dr Go Figure
Cellulite carries many myths
“A common myth is that cellulite is mainly caused by being overweight. While excess body weight can contribute to its appearance, it is far from the main cause. Cellulite affects people of any weight and even the thinnest – and most athletic – people can have cellulite. Men are the only ones exempt. It is true that cellulite mainly affects women, which is due to differences in the distribution of fat and muscle. Men can develop cellulite, but it is less common as men’s connective tissue structure is much smaller.’
“Another myth is that you can prevent cellulite altogether. Of course, you can make certain lifestyle choices to reduce its appearance, but most of us will experience it at some point – no matter what we do. Staying hydrated can help as it will maintain skin elasticity, so make it a habit to drink at least a couple of glasses of water a day.” – Dr Grace Hula, esthetician and founder G&M Healthcare
There are many reasons
“Cellulite has an uneven or dimpled appearance, which usually appears in areas such as the thighs and buttocks. As it sits beneath our connective tissues – which are very close to the top layer of our skin – it can be quite visible. It’s not widely known why it happens – there can be a number of reasons – but recent studies have found that it can occur when the fibrous bands that connect your skin to the underlying muscles tighten irregularly. This tightening pulls your skin down and the fat layer underneath is pushed up. Diet is also a major contributor to cellulite. Maintaining a balanced diet that is not high in sugar or fat will help keep your body fit and healthy, and therefore reduce the appearance of cellulite. In general, genetics and aging are the biggest causes of cellulite, mainly because fat accumulates and collagen is depleted as we age.” – Natalie
“Smoking is another major cause of cellulite. Regular smokers will find that their blood circulation is the first thing to be affected. It can negatively affect the body’s lymphatic drainage, which contributes to the degradation of collagen and elastin, making cellulite appear worse. Likewise, you need a good detoxification system. So basic things like drinking plenty of water and eating a high fiber diet will help flush out toxins and prevent them from interfering with your cells – which is known to degenerate your skin tissue and causes an uneven tone.’ – Flavia
Hormonal changes can also be a trigger
“Hormonal changes can worsen the appearance of cellulite. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can affect the structure and distribution of fat, connective tissue and blood flow, making cellulite more noticeable. Hormonal fluctuations that occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause can contribute to the development or flare-up of cellulite. However, hormonal changes are not the only cause of cellulite and other factors also play a role.” – Grace
Your outfit matters
“While cellulite is caused by a combination of factors, any increased pressure from tight clothing on the blood and lymph vessels can indirectly affect structural connective tissue with more toxins. It can also increase water retention, worsening the appearance of your cellulite. If you’ve ever seen indentations in your skin after removing skinny jeans, you’ll have seen how restrictive some clothes can be. Keep this in mind if you are someone who sits for long periods of time and want to minimize the appearance of your cellulite.” – Flavia
Self-massage and dry brushing can help
“Contrary to popular belief, self-massage can actually help because it stimulates circulation. When combined with lymphatic drainage, it can help control the inflammatory process and eliminate metabolic waste and water retention – both of which cause cellulite. Although it is not the only way to get rid of uneven skin, it is a great way to support the detoxification process. A good dry body brush is worth picking up. Regular use will control inflammation and prevent further cellulite from forming.” – Flavia
“Self-massage can really disperse any inflammation and get the muscles working. However, you’ll likely need a deep tissue massage designed to break down cellulite to really see a difference. We can’t really deliver the same power as a professional, and you’ll have to do it regularly to see a noticeable result – but if you’re willing to really invest the time and effort, you will see results.” – Natalie
Exercise will improve your cellulite
“I’m often asked if exercise improves the appearance of cellulite at all – and I can tell you it does. Exercise is proven to reduce body fat, increase muscle mass and improve the appearance of cellulite. It’s all about stimulating circulation and maintaining healthy blood flow.” – Natalie
“While cardiovascular exercise helps – think running, walking and cycling – you also want to do strength training once or twice a week. Squats, lunges and lifting weights are all key to building muscle, which will improve the tone and firmness of the underlying tissue, in turn reducing the visibility of cellulite. A combination of cardio and strength training is often recommended if you want to see a noticeable difference.” – Dr Radmila Lukian, dermatologist at Lucia Clinic
Certain treatments will make a difference
“Effective cellulite treatments require a professional understanding of physiology as well as hands-on assessment. Like anything else, it will require a proper treatment plan if you are serious about undergoing more invasive procedures. Available options include two types of pulsed ultrasound and a sound wave device that can be used in a 5% pulse mode to target fat cells and break them up. It’s worth noting that although most treatments are successful, everyone’s genetics vary, so while cellulite can be controlled, it may still be visible. Another great treatment is Morpheus RF, which uses microneedling to stimulate collagen and elastin production to retexturize the skin. The body brushing and deep tissue massage are both great additions.” – Flavia
“Laser treatments are becoming an increasingly popular way to treat cellulite. Since there is no proven treatment to clear it up completely, patients are looking for solutions that can be topped up every six to 12 months. The Emerald Laser is ideal – it’s the only non-invasive device approved by the FDA to “improve the appearance of cellulite”, but it can also reduce fatty tissue, increase tired and loose collagen levels, and tighten and tighten loose skin. Connective tissue regeneration like this takes time, so be patient if you pursue this as an option. You’ll start to see a difference after three to six treatments and then only need occasional visits throughout the year.” – Natalie
Proper skin care is worth trying
“There are so many skincare products on the market that claim to ‘beat cellulite’ and some are better than others. The key is to look for ingredients that are proven to tone the skin and increase circulation. These include:
Caffeine: It is thought to increase circulation and promote lipolysis of fat cells. While drinking too much coffee is bad for developing cellulite (it can dehydrate you), when used topically, it can be very beneficial.
Retinol: A derivative of vitamin A, retinol does many wonderful things for your skin. For the past 40 years or so, clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of retinol cream on wrinkles and aging skin. As a cellulite treatment, a 0.3% concentration applied twice daily for six months has been shown to improve the appearance of cellulite. It works by increasing blood flow and thickening the dermis of the skin.
Vitamin C: Studies show that this important vitamin is vital for collagen synthesis and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Fisetin & Frambione: These two ingredients, derived from strawberries and raspberries, have been shown to aid in lipolysis (fat burning). They also have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Centella Asiatica: This has been shown to increase blood flow and allow better absorption of nutrients. It works hard to improve circulation and repair connective tissue beneath the skin’s surface for a firmer appearance.” – Natalie
