We Need to Talk About Cellulite

Cellulite–no one wants to have it or talk about it. Don’t shy away–there are many ways to both proactively and retroactively combat those hateful little dimples.

What Cellulite Is

Cellulite appears as fat gathers underneath different areas of our skin. The way fat is distributed around individual bodies is affected mainly by differing genetic, hormonal, and dietary factors. As fat gathers around connective tissue it causes the skin to pucker where it would instead be taut–giving hips, buttocks, and legs the familiar and dreaded appearance of unflattering dimples.

Factors

• Hormonal

As women age, the body begins to produce less estrogen. Estrogen stabilizes steady blood flow throughout the body, which is key to maintaining strong connective tissue. Hormones can also mean poor circulation. In order for collagen to produce, the body needs good circulation to create this protein that is very important to the upkeep of youthful skin.

•  Genetics

Our genes account for a lot, and can predispose our bodies to forming cellulite. We can have slower metabolisms that cause us to hold more fat on the body.

• Diet

What we eat and how we eat it has an affect on our blood circulation, collagen production, fat storage, and ultimately the strength of our connective tissue.

Keep hydrated and eat foods that are high in water content to encourage healthy tissue formation.

Foods that are lower in bad fats are also easier for our bodies to digest and turn into energy. Avoid trans fats that get stuck in the body and form fat deposits.

As mentioned frequently in previous posts and as recently as last week–antioxidant rich foods like blueberries and dark leafy greens are one of your best allies when it comes to building skin-smoothing collagen. Antioxidants stop free-radicals from attacking blood cells and halting collagen production.

•  Smoking

Smoking can indeed be a factor in the formation of cellulite. Smoking causes a reduction in blood flow, disrupting collagen reduction, and allowing for damage to connective tissue.

Options

To deal with stubborn cellulite, there are non-surgical and non-invasive treatments that target its appearance and existence on the body. Venus Legacy™ is a treatment that creates a specialized thermal reaction using safe multi-polar radio frequency and Pulsed Magnetic fields to treat cellulite and fat. Venus Legacy™ treatments increase circulation and plump your skin by stimulating collagen production. It is pain-free and requires no down-time following the treatment.

The Skinny on ‘Middle-Aged Spread’

Life isn’t always fair and the battle against the bulge is often a greater concern for women than men. As women enter their middle year, ‘middle-aged spread’ becomes a concern; the proportion of fat to body weight for women tends to increaser more than it does for me. During the menopausal years, those stubborn pockets of fat park themselves around the midsection.

 Preventing the inevitable

Women used to accept these changes as a fact of life. But it doesn’t have to be that way and for health reasons, they shouldn’t be. Abdominal or visceral fat is a key concern because of the associated health risks. Visceral fat lies deep within the abdominal cavity, padding the spaces between abdominal organs and has been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and breast cancer.

 Location

When fat accumulates in the lower body, this is referred to as having a pear shape. When it is located in the abdominal area, it’s referred to as an apple shape. Where it ends up is determined by several factors including heredity. Estrogen production decreases after menopause are also linked to an increase in abdominal fat.

Studies also indicate waist circumference may be a better predictor of health issues than measuring body mass index (BMI), which only provides overall body fat.

 Eliminating abdominal fat

Exercising and diet may not eliminate visceral fat. Why? Hormones heavily influence abdominal fat, especially the hormone cortisol. Even though you may be hitting the gym regularly and eating all the right foods, you may experience difficulty getting rid of stomach fat with traditional methods, especially as you age.

The losing battle against Fat, Cellulite and Loose Skin

It’s frustrating—you stick to a healthy diet, hit the gym regularly, but your body refuses to co-operate. After depriving yourself of tasty, but calorie-laden food and becoming a gym rat, you still don’t see results. Or you’ve seen some, but you’ve arrived at a plateau. There’s still a thick layer of fat around your middle or love handles on either side, your thighs jiggle and cellulite has taken up residence on the backs of your leg and your derriere.

Perhaps you’re one of the luckier ones and you have lost weight, but now you’re dealing with loose skin on your face and body?

Don’t wave the white flag just yet

There is a safe and long-term solution to your woes. Venus Legacy offers a pain free solution for non-surgical body contouring and skin tightening for the face, neck and body by combining proven Multi-polar and Magnetic pulse (MP) technology. The Venus Legacy achieves deep energy penetration and lymphatic drainage, as well as stimulating circulation.

What kind of results can be expected?

Treatment can be done in hard to reach areas, such as around the eyes and along the jowls, smoothing wrinkles and fine lines. Body contouring, temporary cellulite reduction and skin tightening, circumferential reduction and stretch mark reduction can also be achieved with the Venus Legacy.

Although a proper diet and healthy exercise have a multitude of benefits, if you’re not achieving the more visible results you want to see on your face and body, consider adding the Venus Legacy to your arsenal.

What Causes Cellulite?

There are some that claim toxins cause cellulite and that it can be reduced or eliminated by removing toxins, but this is a myth.

One of the culprits behind cellulite can be your genes. If your mother and grandmother had it, you may be prone to developing this skin condition.

What is Cellulite?

It’s not a medical problem. It’s simply fat that has accumulated below the skin. When the fat pushes against connective tissue, it appears bumpy and causes the skin to pucker.

What causes it?

Thin people can have cellulite. Just because you have it, doesn’t mean you are overweight, but if you are, losing that extra weight may help to reduce the appearance of cellulite. It’s more common among women that men.

Other factors that cause cellulite:

·      Poor diet and fat dieting

·      Slow metabolism

·      Lack of exercise

·      Hormonal changes

·      Dehydration

·      Total body fat

·      Thickness and color of your skin

Cellulite is less noticeable on darker skin. If you have fair skin, apply a self-tanner before heading out in a bathing suit or shorts to minimize the appearance of cellulite.

The Facts Behind Cellulite

Cellulite, which is also referred to as adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis, and gynoid lipodystrophy by those in the healthcare field, is a condition in which areas of the skin accumulate underlying fat deposits, giving them a dimpled, lumpy appearance.

Cellulite usually is most noticeable on the buttocks and thighs. It typically appears after puberty and some studies indicate that close to 90 percent of women may have cellulite at some point. Although it can affect both men and women, it is seen more often in females because their bodies are more prone to having particular types of fat and connective tissue

What causes Cellulite?

Why cellulite appears is not well understood, but there are some theories behind why it appears on some people and not others:

1. Hormonal factors

Hormones likely play an important role in the development of cellulite. Some research indicates estrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin play a part of the cellulite production process.

2. Genetics

Genes may predispose an individual to particular characteristics associated with cellulite, such as gender, race, slow metabolism, distribution of fat just below the surface the skin, and poor circulation.

3. Diet

Diets high in fat, carbohydrates, or salt with insufficient fiber can cause cellulite.

4. Lifestyle

Cellulite may be more prevalent with people who smoke, don’t exercise and sit or stand in one position for long periods of time.

5. Clothing

Underwear with tight elastic across the buttocks, which limits blood flow, may contribute to the appearance of cellulite.

How to get rid of Cellulite Part I

Although most women suffer from cellulite to some degree, it can be embarrassing especially in the summer season when more skin is on display. There are a number of ways to help banish cellulite, some of which are effective than others.

Dry Skin Brushing

Exfoliating your body is just as important as your face to achieve glowing, health-looking skin. Whether or not you suffer from cellulite, brushing your skin is a must. It stimulates skin cell rejuvenation and improves lymphatic flow, key to ridding your body of toxins which create cellulite.

How to skin brush:

• Purchase a natural bristle skin brush with a long handle, so you can reach every part of your body
• Skin brush before showering by using firm but gentle circular strokes over the entire body
• Work towards the heart
• Repeat daily

Skin may be slightly irritated for the first few days. If you find your skin is red and tender, use a gentler stroke.

Coffee Scrubs

Coffee is not only invigorating for your nervous system, it can also stimulate your skin by improving blood flow when used topically. In combination with dry skin brushing, you’ll get optimal results.

As most any of us can verify, coffee is invigorating! It is also stimulating for your skin, as it can improve blood flow when rubbed in topically. The best part is that a coffee scrub is incredibly simple to do and compliments the dry skin brush beautifully.

How to do a Coffee scrub

Instead of throwing out your coffee grounds, save them in a cup or jar and use the next time you have a shower. Dry brush first, and then step into the shower and massage areas of cellulite with the coffee grounds for a few minutes.

Wear loose Fitting clothes

Good circulation is essential for getting rid of cellulite. Wear a slightly looser fit to reduce cellulite.

Exercise

Sitting at a desk is one of the major culprits behind cellulite because it prevents sufficient blood blow to the buttocks and thighs. Make sure to take breaks regularly and walk around to get blood flowing.

Cellulite can be stubborn and difficult to treat. Check in again next week to learn about the Venus Legacy Treatment, which delivers outstanding results in the battle against cellulite and pockets of fat.

How To Get rid Of Cellulite Part II

Once cellulite and pockets of fat have accumulated on the body, they can be difficult to eliminate. Exercise, scrubs, diet and other methods can help to get rid of them, but may not be as effective as you want. Even if you are extremely fit and adhere to a healthy lifestyle and diet, over time, skin looses elasticity, collagen production slows down and it can become harder to lose areas of fat.

What can I do?

Many people are turning to aesthetic procedures such as the Venus Legacy™ treatment to eliminate cellulite and stubborn pockets of fat.

How does it work?

Venus Legacy™ creates a specialized thermal reaction that uses multi-polar radio frequency and Pulsed Magnetic fields to treat cellulite and fat. Venus Legacy™ treatments increase circulation and plump your skin.

Your skin responds by stimulating the natural collagen production process. This causes the existing collagen to contract, as well as produces new collagen.

What are the results?

Your skin becomes tighter and smoother, and the cellulite dissipates. This procedure can be applied to many areas of your body, including the face for skin tightening. You’ll see decreased cellulite, tighter skin and improved body contours in as little as one painless treatment.

There is no downtime with this treatment and it can be repeated as necessary. It’s safe and effective all skin types, and best of all, painless. A treatment to one area takes less than 30 minutes, and has no adverse side effects. You can have a treatment on your lunch break and return to work right away.