Cellulite Culprits + Quick Fixes
If cellulite is stopping you from wearing your favorite shorts and skirts, it’s time to deal with it before it gets any worse. It’s not that there’s anything dangerous or uncommon about cellulite – it affects many of us. It just doesn’t look nice.
Cellulite affects the thighs, hips, and belly, giving them a lumpy appearance, which is especially noticeable in daylight.
So how do you get rid of cellulite and prevent it from spreading across your body parts? Let’s find out!
WHAT IS CELLULITE?
Cellulite is fat beneath the skin that gives the skin a lumpy look. It looks lumpy because it pushes against tissue causing the skin above to pucker. Anyone can get cellulite – whether you’re heavy or thin. Even the slimmest, fittest people get it. In fact, 93% of all women have cellulite.
Everything from your hormones to genetics can play a role. Cellulite also tends to affect women more than men, although the reason why is not yet clear.
Fortunately, there are numerous cellulite treatments you can use at home to tackle the lumps. You can also opt for an in-office treatment to permanently remove cellulite.
Cellulite Culprits
Anyone can get cellulite, but there are a few lifestyle factors that may play a role in increasing your chances of getting it.
- Fatty, unhealthy diet
- Slow metabolism
- Dehydration
- Lack of physical activity
- Yo-yo dieting
How to Reduce Cellulite Naturally
Topical Retinoids
Retinoids, derived from vitamin A, are highly effective in targeting cellulite. In this study, patients who used a 0.3% topical retinoid cream showed increased blood flow and improved skin density. Retinoids are known for smoothing and tightening the skin, which is why they’re often infused in anti-aging cosmetics too.
Try Truly’s Anti-Cellulite Serum, a powerful cellulite treatment that minimizes the appearance of dimpled skin while visibly smoothing skin on the thighs, hips, and stomach. Formulated with retinol, vegan collagen, and aloe, this retinoid serum can firm up the skin after just one use.
Dry Brushing
Got one of those big wooden body brushes hanging in your bathroom? If not, you need to get your hands on one – and soon!
Daily body brushing can jumpstart lymphatic drainage, which increases circulation throughout the body and helps to eliminate toxins that can accumulate in the fat layer and lead to more pronounced cellulite. Dry brushing requires dry skin, so try doing the massage before you take a shower.
If you don’t have the patience to brush your skin daily, you can also opt for an in-office lymphatic massage. Studies involving both manual and mechanical lymph massage indicate how effective they are at reducing the appearance of cellulite.
Caffeine Scrub
According to research, caffeine can dehydrate skin cells, making the appearance of your skin less dimply. In a small study, researchers found that applying caffeine to the affected areas twice daily can penetrate the dermis, lessening the appearance of cellulite within six weeks. The reason for this? Caffeine is said to improve blood flow to the area and offer tightening effects.
Used topically, a coffee exfoliant can minimize the appearance of cellulite by stimulating lymphatic drainage and by temporarily tightening and plumping the skin.
Cellulite-Busting Masks
Believe it or not, there really are masks out there especially formulated for targeting cellulite. So the next time you get a chance to self-pamper, make time to apply a nourishing, anti-cellulite body mask.
Truly’s Anti-Cellulite Mask firms, smooths, and defines. Made with retinol, bitter orange, and coconut oil, this mask is designed to target cellulite, stimulate circulation, and improve skin tone. The result? Diminished cellulite and radiant skin all over. Leave it on overnight for best results.
Fake Tan
The quickest and easiest way to blur the appearance of cellulite is by slathering your body in fake tan. Numerous women claim that having tanned skin made their cellulite look a lot less visible. Best of all, the results are practically instant and it’s completely pain-free.
How to Prevent Cellulite
There are a few lifestyle changes you can make to prevent cellulite from occurring in the first place – or worsening.
For starters, try cutting down on refined and processed foods that contain chemicals, sweeteners, and additives. Adopt a healthier diet with fresh, nutrient-rich foods and limit your dairy, sugar, and fat intake. Making these changes will make a real difference in the long-run.
Next, start moving more. Cellulite forms in the areas of the body with the least circulation. So if you’re someone who spends a long time sitting down, start standing and moving around more often to stimulate blood circulation throughout your body.
Running and swimming are also good exercises for keeping your body energized and tackling dimpled skin. These exercises are the best at increasing circulation and loosening fatty tissue from under the skin.
And finally, drink up. Staying hydrated keeps the skin in good shape since cellulite can look a lot worse in a dehydrated state. That’s because dehydration causes the skin to become thinner and weaker, thus resulting in more pronounced cellulite.
In-Office Cellulite Treatments
If you’re 100% committed to getting rid of your cellulite, the fastest solution is undergoing an in-office treatment. Discuss the different treatments with your dermatologist to find out which is recommended for your skin type. There are a range of treatments to choose from including laser, radiofrequency, and subcision, among others.
The latter is highly recommended by dermatologist Arash Akhavan, M.D.
“Once the site of the dimple is numbed using a tiny needle, another microscopic device goes in and cuts or shatters the connective cord, so the fibrous bands can’t find each other again,” says Dr. Akhavan. “The good thing about this procedure is you’ll only need to do it once—it’s considered semi-permanent because the results show in as little as three days and are still visible in three years.”
If you have any questions or want to see what options are available to you, talk with your dermatologist first. In-office treatments tend to be expensive, so you want to make sure you choose a treatment that’s going to work for you.