One of the most common complaints women have with their looks is the unsightly appearance of cellulite. Cellulite affects 8 out of 10 women as well as a small percentage of men. Throughout the years people have tried reducing cellulite in a variety of ways. Some have used a combination of diet and exercise, creams, or surgeries. What works for one person may not work for another, but thankfully there are a variety of different ways for reducing cellulite. One of the best ways to start reducing cellulite is to learn a bit more about what it really is.
What Is Cellulite?
Cellulite isn't anything to be overly concerned about it is simply fat cells which have pushed up into the middle layers of the skin. It is most commonly found in the buttocks, thighs, abdomen, breasts, and upper arms. Cellulite happens when the skin begins to lose elasticity, either with age or in areas which experience heavy friction such as the inner thighs and upper arms. The loss of elasticity in your skin happens when the connective tissues start to break down. When this happens, the fat cells underneath your skin bunch up and create the appearance of “cottage cheese thighs”. Another common cause of cellulite is genetic, chances are if anyone in your family has had issues with it, you might too.
Different Ways of Reducing Cellulite
One of the most common and effective ways of reducing cellulite is creating a healthier lifestyle, one involving a healthy diet full of lean meats, vegetables, whole grains, and fruit. Avoid fried foods and those that are high in saturated fats. Reducing the amount of salt in your diet as well as drinking lots of water also helps your body to flush toxins and reduce fat. Quitting smoking and reducing the amount of alcohol you drink also play a part in reducing cellulite.
In addition to a healthy diet, a regular exercise routine is great for reducing cellulite. A good exercise routine involves both cardio and strength training. Cardio helps to boost metabolism and burn fat, while strength training helps to tone and strengthen your muscles which will help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Some exercises you can do are squats, weight lifting, biking, running, swimming and yoga.
• Other common, although more expensive, ways of reducing cellulite are surgeries like liposuction or laser cellulite reduction. Liposuction is a procedure where excess fat is removed with high powered suction. It reduces the amount of cellulite and can help to improve body shape. Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures and generally has minimal scarring.
• Laser cellulite reduction is another surgical process to help with reducing cellulite. The laser removal process breaks down the connective fibers and visibly helps to smooth skin. It also breaks down and shrinks the fat cells under the skin and allows your body to process the excess as waste. There are a couple different types of laser reduction. The first type involves a small incision and insertion of a laser into the skin. Another way of reducing cellulite involves a laser aimed at the skin in combination with massage and suction, this procedure will help loosen and then remove the excess fat. Both will help smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Last, but certainly not least are cellulite reduction creams. They are painless and much cheaper than cellulite reduction surgeries. Creams aid you in reducing cellulite by hydrating and toning the skin, boosting metabolism, and reducing the fat cells. While using cellulite creams, noticeable results can be achieved in as little time as a few minute or it may take as long as one to two weeks. You should look for a cream with a combination of proven ingredients to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Some of the most common ingredients in cellulite reduction creams are Shea butter, which helps to tone your skin and caffeine which helps to reduce excess water your body has stored.
There are many different ways for reducing cellulite. Before you pick one, take a little time to evaluate how much cellulite you have and do some research into your options. What works for one person may not work for another, but with so many options available there is something for everyone.