Heath & Beauty - Free Fitness Library
You can be fit and slim and have CELLULITE
It's probably one of every woman's biggest beauty worries. And no-one seems immune - models, royalty, even fitness teachers have it! British doctors often dismiss cellulite as ordinary body fat, but in the rest of Europe it is treated as a real medical condition. Besides, it is not just overweight people who get cellulite - a lot of thin people also have it.
What is it?
Uneven, lumpy fat that accumulates on the lower body. It can spread to the abdominal, lower back and back of arms. Pinching the skin produces a bulging and pitting of the fatty tissues.
There are several different theories around, but cellulite is generally believed to consist of fat cells which have become saturated with excess fluids and toxins. A number of factors lead to this stagnation in the cells - most experts agree that female hormones (men are rarely afflicted), poor circulation (working at a desk, sitting down all day at work or for long periods of time), fats, chocolate, alcohol and processed foods are all contributing factors. The contraceptive pill and HRT can both aggravate the condition, and many women find their cellulite starts or gets worse when they are put on a high-oestrogen pill or during pregnancy. Cellulite is more noticeable nearer ones period as the body retains water.
The causes
Weight gain is not the main cause of cellulite. Research has shown that there are several causes:
- Circulatory
- Hormonal
- A sluggish lymphatic system
- Diet - lifestyle
- Intestinal factors
- Hereditary factors
- Less activity due to injuries
- Desk bound work
Whatever it is, if you've got it you'll know it, and your main concern is probably how to get rid of it. So what can you do? Read on for the "Get Active" guide to the best ways to tackle all those bumps, dimples and bulges.
What The Experts Offer
Medi-Cell
Many women have reported impressive results from Futureshape's "Medi-Cell"
treatment. Futureshape believe that cellulite is composed of fat cells
whose normally porous membranes are clogged by calcified deposits of
waste material - they
use a special ultrasound machine to break down the calcified waste products.
Before treatment, a cellulite scanner using micro-encapsulated crystals
is used to detect the problem areas and the severity of the cellulite.
The actual ultrasound treatment is painless and is combined with body
brushing and a gentle lymphatic massage, taking about 40 minutes altogether.
Clients are generally advised to have two treatments a week, and, depending
on the extent of the problem, usually need anything from 20 to 60 treatments.
Futureshape advises clients to drink a lot of water, follow a healthy
diet and to continue the treatment at home with skin brushing and alternate
hot and cold water showers to stimulate circulation. Clients are also
told to refrain from muscle-building exercise during the treatment -
apparently muscle inhibits the reception of ultrasound. At around £45
per treatment, depending on the length of the course, Medi-Cell is not
cheap, but it certainly seems to give results.
34-year-old Lynn Harvey went for a consultation with Futureshape after
her husband pointed out the cellulite on the back of her thighs. She
was told she would need 60 treatments, as the cellulite was quite advanced.
"I paid £1500, which seemed like a lot of money at the time,
but it was worth it. My cellulite has now completely gone. At one stage
my cellulite actually got worse, especially since I was told to stop
doing the step classes I'd been doing at the gym and my legs got looser.
But then it turned around and started getting better."
For details of your nearest Medi-Cell centre, call 0171 937 4174.
Mesotherapy
Dr Elisabeth Dancey uses the French technique, Mesotherapy, to treat cellulite. This consists of a weekly series of localised injections, using a mixture of drugs aimed at improving circulation and burning up fat. Each treatment lasts about 15 to 20 minutes and costs £50. Dr Dancey says most women need about 10 to 15 treatments, although you should notice some improvement after 4. In addition to the injections, Dr Dancey recommends a low-fat, low-sugar, food combining diet, manual lymphatic drainage and moderate exercise. Dr Dancey is at the Wimpole Street Medical Centre, London (0171 224 1330).
25-year old Annabel consulted Dr Dancey about the cellulite on her knees and calves: "I'd tried everything - massage, oils, you name it, but nothing worked. After 9 mesotherapy treatments I really noticed a big improvement. Dr Dancey also told me I was eating far too much bread and I should cut it out of my diet. I later found out I was actually a coeliac (allergic to gluten), which was causing a lot of my fluid retention, so I now follow a completely cereal-free diet. My cellulite problem started when I started taking a high oestrogen contraceptive pill, so I have now switched to the mini pill."
Liposuction
Often regarded as a last resort, this is a surgical technique, where the fat is sucked out from beneath the skin through a small tube. Although some women have good results with this procedure, it is primarily intended to get rid of fat, not cellulite. So, although you may lose inches, the texture of your skin may stay the same. It is also expensive (around £2000 upwards) and you can be left with severe bruising for a few weeks. A newer form of liposuction uses ultrasound to liquefy fat without disturbing the surrounding blood vessels and tissue. Contact the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (0171 405 2234) for full details and to find a reputable surgeon.
Salon Treatments
Beauty salons offer a variety of treatments which include:
- Ionithermie - the skin is covered with gel and warm clay, then vibrating electric pads are used in order to tone and firm the skin.
- Fisiotron - Uses electrotherapy and essential oils intended to stimulate the body's lymphatic system and to tone muscles.
- Body wraps - These all involve the body being covered in some form of cream, mud or gel, before being tightly wrapped up. The theory is that this draws out excess fluid and toxins from the body.
You will need to have a course of treatments to see any real improvement and will have to exercise and pay attention to your diet at the same time (see Self Help). Many people believe, however, that any effects of these salon treatments are only temporary. However, one salon treatment that has had proven long-term results is Futureshape's Medi-Cell treatment, which uses a special ultra-sound machine to break down cellulite.
Creams and Gels
There is now a wide range of anti-cellulite creams, gels and oils available. The female members of the "Get Active Team" put several of these to the test and found that although most of the products left their skin soft and sweet smelling, none of them were very effective at banishing the dreaded cellulite. However, used as part of a strict self-help programme of healthy eating, massage, exercise and body-brushing, they may help to make a difference.
Clarins Body Lift (£24 for 200ml).
A peach-coloured emulsion which should be applied once a day with light massage movements. It is designed to stimulate cells into releasing fat and producing skin-firming collagen and elastin. Our tester reported that it left her skin feeling tight and smooth, although she noticed no reduction in her cellulite after a month's use.
Estee Lauder Thigh Zone (£27 for 200ml).
Light and pleasant smelling, this works on the principle that cellulite is a skin rather than a body problem, aiming to build firmer, more supportive skin. Our tester found it easy (no massage required) and pleasant (lovely fresh smell)to use and it left her skin feeling lovely and soft. But after using it twice daily for a month, there was no change in her cellulite (although, to be fair, Estee Lauder recommend two months' usage for optimum improvements).
Christian Dior's Svelte (£27 for 200ml).
A light, "body refining gel", containing special plant extracts for reducing puffiness and eliminating toxins. It is intended to be applied once a day, with no massage needed. After one month our tester's skin felt smoother, but the cellulite was still there.
Cellulex Body Toning Cream (£19.95, call 0171 235 4518 for mail order).
This contains the ingredient aminophylline, originally used for the relief of asthma, which is believed to stimulates the release of fat from fat cells.
Boots No 7 Firming Anti-Cellulite Cream (£17.50 for 200ml).
This should be massaged in, in order to increase lymphatic flow. It contains caffeine and theophylline complex, aimed at breaking down fatty deposits under the skin's surface.
Self-Help - Diet
An anti-cellulite diet should be low-fat, low-salt (to reduce fluid retention) low-sugar and additive-free. Avoid all refined, processed foods and fats, saturated fats, full fat dairy products, caffeine and alcohol and stick to plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Some experts, such as Dr Dancey, recommend following a food combining plan (don't mix protein and starch ). While some therapists advise drinking lots of pure mineral water to flush out toxins, others believe this can promote fluid retention.
Lymph Drainage
One of the most important steps in the cellulite battle is to improve lymphatic circulation. The Lymphatic system works like a giant waste disposal system, helping our body to get rid of any rubbish - toxins, bacteria and dead cells are all pushed into the lymphatic system and transported to the lymph nodes to be cleansed of impurities. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle, with pollution and a bad diet, can overload the lymph, leading to congestion and all sorts of problems, including cellulite. Ways to improve the lymph system include a diet rich in unrefined, low-fat foods, body brushing and lymph drainage massage (see below).
Body Brushing
Dry skin brushing, which is a very effective way to cleanse and stimulate the lymph system, is regarded by most experts an important part of an anti-cellulite regime. You should do this daily, before your bath or shower, using a natural bristle body-brush with a detachable handle. Always brush towards the heart, using long, firm strokes and aim to brush each section twice. Start by brushing your fingers and hands, then brush up the arms. Next brush the soles of your feet, around your ankles, then up to your knees, the backs of your knees and up the back and front of the thighs to the buttocks. Brush around the buttocks and hips. Then brush your neck, brushing downwards from the head. Finish with the front and sides of your body (women should avoid the nipples). NB. Avoid brushing bruised, infected or broken skin.
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)
MLD is a very gentle massage technique, involving specific draining and pumping actions performed by the hands on the skin. The effect is to drain lymph fluid away from the congested tissues, allowing the circulation to flow more easily. Some experts believe this is the only massage suitable for cellulite and that over-strong massage techniques can damage delicate cellulite tissue. To find a MLD practitioner, send an SAE to MLD UK, 8 Wittenham Lane, Dorchester on Thames, Oxon OX10 7JW.
Exercise
Low-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking or swimming or low-impact aerobics, is recommended for fighting cellulite. Some experts believe that high-impact aerobic exercise can actually make cellulite worse, by creating more waste to overburden the lymph. Dancing, stretching and yoga are considered ideal. But the best forms of anti-cellulite exercises are rebounding on a mini-trampoline for 20 minutes a day, as it stimulates the lymphatic system and aquatic workouts such as a deepwater workout using a buoyancy belt as this is impact free yet tough on the muscles and great for cellulite as the hydro static pressure of water on a semi submerged body helps to stimulate the lymphatics.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy can be a powerful treatment for cellulite. You can make up your own aromatherapy oil (consult a good aromatherapy book) and use it for self-massage. Use rhythmic, gentle movements, not pummelling and pounding, as fragile cellulite tissue needs careful handling. Alternatively, visit a professional aromatherapist (to find one near you, call the International Federation of Aromatherapists on 01455 637987).
We've tried and tested everything, and here is one story we can tell you of, a success story at the end of the day.
Here is a fitness instructors story:
In the summer of 1994, I noticed cellulite on my body so I went for Medi-Cell treatments, 20 treatments over the space of 10 weeks. As well as the treatment, I went on a low fat diet and stopped eating butter, milk etc, I even bought low fat turkey which has 1g of fat per 100g! The cellulite disapperard and I went back to eating "normally". The next summer, the cellulite was back again.
This time when I noticed it, I started on a 1,700 calorie, 6g of fat per day diet, and due to an ankle injury had to change my type of exercise from aerobics to using a Rebounder. I lost all of my body fat from all over my body and my cellulite due to the rebounder and the fact that I was on such a low calorie and fat intake diet and teaching 12 classes a week in this way.
I then started to look ill, I resumed a healthier diet, gained some weight and my cellulite has stayed away.
Another instructor who was teaching 18 classes a week lost her cellulite when she went on a low fat diet and stopped drinking alcohol.
Our Conclusion
So there you have it, you have the choice of seeking expert help or creating your own self help plan, depending on what you can afford and how badly it affects you and your lifestyle. If cellulite is making you depressed, seek help. Whatever you decide, cellulite is a womans problem that needs a lot of attention and self discipline to deal with, you either learn to live with it or go nuts and totally purist when it comes to eliminating all alcohol, tea, coffee, chocolate, all fatty foods and becoming a social bore.
If it seems impossible, the only consolation is to remember even the
most famous women and hundreds of fitness teachers have it.