As we age, women not only have to deal with weight gain but add to this the prevalence of uneven, lumpy skin along the stomach, hips, thighs and buttocks – cellulite. Cellulite occurs in over 80 per cent of women, making them self-conscious when wearing shorts, swimsuits and even pants.
Skin is connected to underlying muscle by vertical strands of tissue. This connective tissue loses its elasticity as we age, causing it to be more rigid and to pull down on the skin more tightly, while the increased fat from weight gain pushes upward on the skin, creating the dimpled appearance.
From as early as our 30s the collagen that helps maintain the elasticity of connective tissue between tmuscles and the skin starts to decrease, resulting in the connective tissue strands no longer stretching when we gain weight and allowing the area to still look smooth even though it is larger. Instead, the strands become stiffer, anchors to the underlying muscles, causes skin to look lumpy when we gain weight as the fat pushes up between the rigid strands. So how does cellulite develop?
Weight gain
The more fat that accumulates in the subcutaneous layer, the more obvious the lumpy, cottage-cheese pattern as the fat pushes up against the skin that is restrained by connective fibres.
Diet and lifestyle
Not drinking enough water leads to more toxins being built up in the body. In addition, a diet high in processed foods that contain a lot of preservatives, soft drinks, alcohol, sugar, refined carbohydrates like white flour products and a lot of saturated fat enhance cellulite and weight gain. Smoking also increases toxins.
Genetics
Genetics seem to play a role in cellulite development as well as body fat deposition, the amount of subcutaneous fat (fat deposited just below the skin), as well as the variable thickness and density of the dermal and epidermal skin layers can be hereditary. All of these impact on cellulite.
What you can do to fight cellulite
Diet and exercise need to be addressed to focus on not only losing excess body fat which accentuates cellulite, but also to reduce toxins and fluid retention well as increase circulation which helps minimize the orange-peel look.
With regards to diet, increase water intake to a minimum of eight glasses per day. Minimize consumption of saturated fat and refined carbohydrates, highly processed foods, coffee, tea or alcohol, and limit smoking.
Add skin brushing – also called dry body brushing – to your daily regime. It is a simple technique that stimulates blood and lymph flow, exfoliates skin and encourages new cell growth. There is a specific method and direction to body brushing that enhances it effects.
Endermologie is a safe, non-surgical and non-invasive treatment for cellulite. It involves the use a patented vacuum device that creates suction to temporarily immobilize and lift your soft tissue while rollers create deep massage to the connective tissue and fat globules to improve the appearance of cellulite.
Ultrasound cellulite treatments are safe, pain-free non-surgical and non-invasive. Firstly, the area is treated with ultrasonic waves which penetrate down to the subcutaneous fat layer where cellulite is stored, stimulating blood circulation, breaking down fat deposits and softening the rigid connective tissue, thereby creating a firmer, smoother and more toned look to the skin.
The second stage uses a suction technique which reduces the fluid deposits and promotes lymphatic drainage, helping the body to naturally expel the fat and toxins that were broken down by the ultrasonic waves. With ultrasonic waves, a visible difference resultsfrom the first treatment as the treated area immediately looks smoother and skin is tighter to the touch.
