All You Need to Know About Cellulite
First of all, it has been so long… I think about a month since I posted on my beautiful little blog. As you all know, I started skin care school this year and I am on my way to becoming a medical aesthetician (Yay). I kid you not, I did not expect my life to be this hectic. I usually cruise through things in life but this time, I am genuinely seeing what life actually is. The biggest change has been changing from a university, theory-heavy setting, to an intimate and more practical setting(still with a lot of theory). Now, this may not seem like something big but I went from classes being optional, to them being absolutely compulsory, I wake up by half 5, if I am lazy, 6:15 – but then I need to rush and make sure that everything of mine is done the night before. I am at school, from 8 am – 4 pm every single day and it has been so super taxing. I love what I am doing and I honestly would not trade the experience for anything else in the world. But, damn… School, business and work on the side really is hectic to handle.
Anyway, this week, we were talking about Cellulite and I thought: hey, this is a great topic, a lot of people have asked me about it and on the internet, there are a lot of funny explanation of what cellulite really is. So, I am like your inside man and I am about to give you the low down and all the medical FACTS about cellulite. My idea hereabouts is to save you some time and money in regards to cellulite, what it is and how one should go about treating it and improving its appearance on the skin.
WHAT IS CELLULITE
We all know that cellulite presents itself as dimples in the skin and is most prominent in the buttocks and thigh region and especially in us women. A clear definition of cellulite would read as follows: The degradation of connective tissue which binds the skin to the underlying muscle of the body.
Underneath the skin lies adipose (fat) tissue which consists of pockets of fat cells which are separated by connective tissue (this is the tissue which binds the skin to the underlying muscle). Due to the lack of lymphatic and venous (blood ) circulation going through the adipose tissue, the connective tissue does not receive sufficient nutrients from the blood supply, the waste is not able to be removed. Over time, the buildup of waste causes a buildup of toxins, this results in the degeneration of the connective tissue.
The healthy connective tissue will be present underneath the skin and will ‘hold up’ the skin – this gives the skin a firm, smooth and healthy appearance. When the tissue becomes degenerated, the connective tissue becomes shortened and does not ‘hold’ the skin upright. It shortens and pulls the skin down with it which causes the dimpling effect that most women see and some men experience.
I was trying to add a diagram so you guys can see what I am trying to explain, but wow, all these diagrams are trash. But here is one that kind of looks like what I am explaining… it’s just not labelled completely.
HARD CELLULITE VS SOFT CELLULITE
When it comes to dealing with cellulite, you need to understand that they differ and so the treatment to the cellulite will also have to take on a different approach. The first kind of cellulite that you get is called ‘hard cellulite’. This is the cellulite that is visible only when you pinch or press the skin together. So, if when you are standing, have no cellulite but do have it when you sit down, you have hard cellulite. This cellulite is generally found in younger women who are active or older women who have been active for the most part of their lives. Usually, this kind of cellulite is accompanied by alipidic (dry) skin as well as some stretch marks.
I will say, this is me. I am not generally an active person – but I do have a small body and my elasticity is basically that of a bin packet. I have this kind of cellulite and mine is unfortunately accompanied by stretch marks and alipidic skin as well (God is fair, right?).
an example of hard cellulite
Soft cellulite is very visible and very obvious. Sometimes, the dimpling can be so deep that the cellulite protrudes through clothing items. This type of cellulite is usually apparent in people who are overweight or obese. Over here, the muscle tone is very poor and the tissue lacks firmness. Some people who have this kind of cellulite usually also have dilated veins which result in varicose veins. Unlike soft cellulite, which is very localised, this one is more widespread.
an example of soft cellulite (an extreme case)
WHY US WOMEN??
*sigh* apparently we have more cellulite because we are much fattier than men. Women carry more adipose tissue in their body, so automatically, we become the ideal candidates… nice. As if we do not have enough problems as it is. Our bodies, as women, before our menstrual cycle, tend to gain weight to prepare for the loss if nutrients whilst on the cycle and this causes fluid retention which contributes to the appearance of cellulite.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
This is where you are going to start to hate me because all the things we love shoving in our mouths are probably contributing to your worst nightmare.
STAY AWAY FROM THE FOLLOWING FOODS AS THEY CONTRIBUTE TO)
- salted foods (fluid retention and put pressure on your heart which reduces blood circulation)
- Fried foods (I mean, do you really need any more fat in your system)
- Chocolate (Sugar is just bad for you)
- Alcohol (dehydrates your body and is toxic to your body – Ain never gonna stop me thoe LOL)
- Spices (these are your REFINED/FAKE spices such as your chicken and beef and seasoning spices which are majority sodium anyway)
- Preservatives in foods and flavourings
- Canned food
- Smoked foods
- Refined foods
- Caffeine (it’s so bad for your body, guys… just don’t)
LACK OF EXERCISE
The main cause of cellulite is poor circulation that feeds into the connective tissue in your skin. The more you sit down or are inactive, the more the buildup of toxins in your body the degradation of your connective fibres. Exercise increases blood circulation as well as lymphatic circulation which removes toxins from your body.
BAD POSTURE
Mind the way you stand and the way you sit down. Many of us are not well-educated about posture and this can be damaging to our muscle and bones and also contribute to cellulite. As I have said, it all boils down to circulation and when the body is in its correct posture, it can perform at its best. Bad posture automatically means bad circulation and this is because if you have bad posture, you are also not breathing efficiently and this lowers the amount of oxygen in the blood which is essential for maintenance of connective tissue.
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MEDICATION
For those of us on the PILL or INJECTION – sadly – it contributes to cellulite. These, as well as antidepressants, slow down the blood flow and contribute to cellulite formation.
INCORRECT DIET OR CRASH DIETS
I always tell you guys not to fall for these internet diets that tell you to cut this off and eat more of that. We need to start tackling our issues with our bodies REALISTICALLY as well as HOLISTICALLY. Personally speaking, I do not enjoy diets and do not believe in cutting off food groups from your diet. We have a food pyramid for a REASON and we should follow it. A healthy diet is a balanced diet which ensures that your body needs all the nutrients that it needs to perform at its best and be at its healthiest. Some fad diets will tell you ‘eat as much junk as you want’ but, remember, it’s not just about calories, but it’s also about where you get your calories and the nutrients which accompany your calories.
HOW DO I IMPROVE MY CELLULITE
This is simple, the whole time I have been preaching lack of circulation. All you have to do to improve the appearance if cellulite is to stimulate your circulation! Please do not fall for these creams that claim to improve your cellulite, there is no such fix. In order for the cream to fix your cellulite it, it would have to penetrate so many layers before it even gets to the connective fibres. It would then have to stimulate your blood flow and toxic waste removal… there is just no way.
The options are going to get treatments as aesthetics centres. I know there is a beautiful one in Sandton (hey there) and there are various treatments they can help you with as well as home care plans that you should follow. getting an invigorating massage can also help break down the fat deposits and stimulate blood circulation which will help with the appearance of the cellulite. Do try dry brushing, it not only exfoliates the skin but stimulates circulation as well. Dry brushing is easy and can be done at home – just purchase the brush from Dischem!
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Real Coffee beans are also a great solution with results that you will have to work for. It is cheaper than getting medical treatment but is effective. Grind coffee beans and add your favourite carrier oil to it (not a lot). Use this to scrub the affected areas and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off. Caffeine is bad INSIDE your body but is a great stimulant for OUTSIDE of your body!
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Personally, I think cellulite is not that deep and it’s something we should appreciate and love. I just know that there are women out there who are spending thousands on creams which will not yield any long term results and I am also speaking from a point of view which has no first-hand experience with soft cellulite. I have managed to lighten most of my stretch marks on my own and would really love to completely get rid of them, so from that point of view, I understand the insecurities which come with having cellulite.
