Statistics show that between 80-98% of women have cellulite. It’s more prevalent in women than in men and is characterized by dimpling in the skin, with texture similar to orange peel. No one knows exactly what causes cellulite, but researchers believe it has something to do with the structure of the skin, muscle tissue and fat cells.
Below the epidermis is a layer of fat cells, which are joined together by collagen bonds. Women have pillar-like collagen bonds while men have crisscross shape bonds. The structure of these bonds is what’s believed to cause fat cells to be visible on the skin, thereby forming cellulite.
There are some factors that make a person more likely to develop cellulite more than others. These include:
- Genetics
- Age
- Hormones
- Smoking
- Poor diet
There’s obviously not much that can be done for genetics, age and hormones but you have a lot of control over the remaining 2 factors – diet and smoking.
Other things you can do reduce the appearance of cellulite are:
1. Take time to exercise regularly.
When we exercise, we strengthen and grow our muscles while reducing fat. As the amount of fat decreases, it also reduces the pressure on the outer layer of the skin thereby reducing cellulite. If you’re interested in a fun way to burn calories and fat, consider joining group classes in Gold’s Gym.
2. Maintain a healthy diet.
Keeping a close watch on what you eat and avoiding activities that are harmful to your health such as drinking alcohol can make sure your body is full of the nutrients it needs.
3. Stay hydrated.
When your body doesn’t get enough fluid to function properly, then your organs will start to malfunction and your cells will become parched which will show in your skin. Making sure you drink enough water to keep your cells functioning gives your skin a fresher look and this will also help reduce the appearance of cellulite.
4. Get regular massages.
Anti-cellulite massages stimulate lymphatic drainage by applying pressure on the body’s fat tissues and cells helping to minimize the appearance of cellulite.
5. Try dry brushing.
Dry brushing has been found effective in removing old skin cells, improving blood circulation, and eliminating lymphatic build up. It may not be able to breakup cellulite but can help reduce its appearance.
Things That Don’t Help with Cellulite
There are some misconceptions about how you can eliminate cellulite. Among these are:
1. Losing weight
Weight loss can also affect muscle mass and with reduced muscle tone, cellulite becomes more pronounced.
2. Liposuction
It’s true that liposuction removes fat in certain areas in the body but it can also make cellulite more visible.
3. Miracle creams
The truth is, there is no cream that can stop cellulite. There are creams however, that can temporarily mask its appearance.
Final Thoughts
There may be home remedies you can try to minimize the appearance of cellulite. But ultimately, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and staying active are the way to go. Take a look at this video for tips on how you can naturally reduce the appearance of cellulite: