About 90 percent of women over the age of 21 have cellulite (specifically, and according to the latest published statistics, it is about 85 percent). And it is believed that women are more predisposed to suffer from this problem -which is more aesthetic than health- due to the shape of subcutaneous fat, which is different compared to men.
In this sense, it is known that the female body is organized in vertical chambers, which allows fat to accumulate in greater quantity compared to the male body. In fact, the male body is organized in diagonal and smaller units, which accumulates less fat (i.e. less adipose tissue).
How to remove cellulite effectively?
We must bear in mind that the advice that we offer below will not “magically” free you from cellulite completely. Because it is an aesthetic problem that depends above all on genetics and how the female body is structured, completely eliminating or preventing it is almost impossible. But it is possible to follow a series of useful tips and guidelines to reduce and eliminate it to a greater extent.
Massages
One of the most useful and simple treatments are massages, which we can perform at home or with the help of a professional masseuse, and which provide excellent benefits not only when it comes to reducing cellulite, but also for the mind and body in general.
And it is that by improving lymphatic drainage, the massage specifically applied for this purpose can help positively when it comes to reducing cellulite. And its qualities do not end here, since it can be useful for stretching the skin tissue, which ultimately means that it helps to stretch the dimples so characteristic of cellulite.
Massage creams also tend to offer the same benefits, especially if they have been developed to be used to reduce cellulite. However, the key component is the massage process. Of course, to achieve interesting results, it is essential to repeat the process constantly, to maintain the desired results.
Of particular note are lymphatic massage techniques, which have been shown to be incredibly effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite, as demonstrated by two scientific studies examining the effects of manual and mechanical lymphatic massage.
Since lymphatic stimulation increases circulation throughout the body, experts believe it likely has an effect on the skin as well.
Lose weight
Only if it is medically considered that we may be overweight, weight loss can help some people with cellulite and excess weight. And it is that the loss of excess fat can reduce the appearance of cellulite in a completely natural way.
This does not mean that those women who have a healthy weight (or even those who may be underweight for their height and physical complexion) are still at risk of developing cellulite.
In any case, if you want to lose weight because, for example, you are somewhat overweight or obese, you can opt for a healthy diet and regular physical exercise. They are especially useful for reducing cellulite on the thighs and buttocks, especially if you opt for some of the activities that we suggest in the next section.
Perform certain physical exercises
Certain exercises for both legs and buttocks can help tremendously positively when it comes to tightening the skin around the thigh region. As a result, it is possible to observe an evident reduction of the cellulite itself.
But something fundamental must be taken into account: exercise is not an infallible way to get rid of cellulite on the thighs, but it does help positively when it comes to having stronger muscles and much tighter skin, which in the long run it is ideal for reducing the appearance of dimpling and orange peel skin.
- Squats. Get into a comfortable position. To perform them correctly you must emulate the gesture you usually do when you are going to sit on a chair. To do this, starting from the pelvis (and not from the knees). Make sure your toes point forward. Lower your buttocks, making sure your knees don’t go past your toes. Make the gesture as if you were sitting down, returning back to the starting position. Repeat it again.
- Jump squats. It is another useful exercise, similar to the previous one, but with the difference that immediately after performing the regular squat, and after returning to the initial position, we must perform a small jump.
- On knees. Place your knees on the floor, getting into a four-legged position. Now stretch each leg back as if you were kicking, concentrating on using only your glutes and upper thighs. Lower the leg you used and repeat with the other side.
Among other aspects, it is recommended to do between 12 to 15 repetitions each time, being able to increase the repetitions as you progress in the practice of physical exercise. You must make sure, however, to stretch both before and after physical exercise to avoid soreness, tears and muscle tension.
There are also other physical exercises that can be extremely useful for burning fat. The most interesting are: walking, jogging or running, swimming, cycling or swimming, especially if they are practiced on a regular basis.
Furthermore, research suggests that better muscle definition, coupled with weight loss in affected areas, can positively help reduce the appearance of cellulite, as increasing muscle tone decreases the appearance of cellulite. irregular pattern of fat cells, making the area firmer and smoother.
Exfoliating creams
There is a wide variety of creams that help smooth the skin, as well as reduce the presence of cellulite. Obviously, the main recommendation that should be given in this regard, according to the majority of professional opinions in this regard, is to always keep the skin as hydrated as possible.
However, according to the scientific literature that exists so far, there are actually few ingredients whose positive effects and benefits in reducing cellulite have been truly demonstrated.
The same does not happen with caffeine, which does seem to be extremely useful, by dehydrating the cells to the point that cellulite is less irregular. In one small study, for example, researchers were able to discover that applying water-soluble caffeine to the skin twice daily had the benefit, and quality, of penetrating deep into the dermis and reducing the appearance of cellulite in just 6 weeks.
In this sense, experts believe that caffeine can help improve blood flow in the area, tightening the skin. Although, it is true, at the moment the exact mechanisms that produce this effect are not understood.
Use of topical retinoids
Another ingredient that has been studied when applied topically when it comes to eliminating or treating cellulite are those known as retinoids, active ingredients derived from vitamin A, one of the most popularly known vitamins for its qualities in skin care with the in order to combat aging and acne.
In a study conducted some time ago, volunteers using a 0.3% topical cream showed improvement, reporting increased blood flow and better skin density.
Bioactive Collagen Peptides
Another compound that seems to be very beneficial in the treatment of cellulite is bioactive collagen peptides. For example, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, women with moderate cellulite who took a daily dose of 2.5 grams saw a statistically significant reduction in the appearance of cellulite.
It is believed, in fact, that the elasticity helped reduce cellulite, since the different fibrous bands ended up stretching more. Additionally, the supplements used were helpful in improving overall skin health.
Do you know what cellulite really is?
Cellulite is a metabolic condition that causes the skin to appear irregularly bulging and with small depressions, whose appearance is very reminiscent of orange peel. For this reason, it is commonly known as “orange peel”.
It usually forms in the natural area of the thighs, or in the buttocks. And although we will investigate about it in the section dedicated to What are the causes of cellulite, the truth is that it usually arises especially after puberty or during pregnancy, when great hormonal changes occur.
It forms when deeper fatty tissue tends to push against connective tissue, creating the typical dimpled appearance so characteristic of cellulite. And it develops to a greater extent in the thighs because it is the area of the body where, naturally, it usually has more fatty tissue.
What are the causes of cellulite?
There are some risk factors that can influence the development of cellulite. Not only age has an influence, but also certain hormonal changes due to the action of estrogens (which is why it usually arises during puberty or during pregnancy), due to inflammation of the tissues or after weight gain, due to the increase in fatty tissue.
But these are not the only noteworthy risk factors. For example, loss of collagen, poor circulation (an extremely common problem that arises especially in the legs), poor lymphatic drainage, thinning of the epidermis or a family history of cellulite, can influence directly or indirectly.
