There are few beauty topics more shrouded in myth and pseudo-scientific babble than the dreaded cellulite. With 90% of women suffering from some degree of lumpiness, you probably tried a ‘miracle cure' or two, only to be disappointed.
But don't throw in the towel and reach for an entire box of chocolates. You can beat cellulite, and the sooner you start working at it, the greater your chances of ditching the dimples for good. It takes dedication, but surely that won't put you off.
Your Multi-Pronged Attack
If cellulite was just fat, you could get rid of it by dieting. But cellulite is the result of lots of problems that need to be tackled simultaneously to beat it. Cellulite is not a cosmetic condition; it's linked to your physical and emotional health. Like diabetes, you can't cure it, but you can treat it through lifestyle changes.
This means supplying your body with the nutrients it needs to keep skin cells in peak condition and fat cells from swelling – nutrition, exercise, skin potions and pampering all play an essential part in doing just that. If you take the following steps, you should notice results within eight weeks, and consistent improvement the longer you keep up your new routine.
Diet
Hydration is the key to cell health. Gorge on foods like fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, nuts, fatty fish and wholegrain breads – they contain the lecithin, essential fatty acids, B Vitamins and antioxidants that help rebuild and fortify your cells. Ditch processed foods like shop-bought cakes and ready meals, fried foods, margarine and booze, all of which break down cells.
Supplements
If you're serious about busting cellulite, take daily supplements, such as glucosamine, an essential cellulite-zapper that's not readily found in food. Add a multivitamin and mineral supplement and a soy lecithin capsule.
Exercise
Sluggish circulation and swelling fat cells are cellulite's best friends, so commit to exercise once a day. Anything that makes you sweat will help you burn calories and get your blood pumping, while lifting weights will create fat burning lean muscle mass.
Potions
Using creams containing antioxidants, peptides and circulation boosting ingredients makes sense.
Pampering
Stress causes cellulite. Tension messes up your body chemistry and impairs the skin's self healing powers, so start soothing your body and mind. Experts swear by five minutes of dry body brushing a day with a natural bristle brush, working in long strokes towards the heart. It stimulates the lymphatic system, which removes stagnant fluids and toxins from your body. Regular baths with Epson salts or marine extracts boost circulation and draws out toxins.