Goodbye, Cellulite: 20 Best Remedies To Fight The "orange Peel"

What is cellulite

It is not necessary to say that cellulite is a meaningless cosmetic defect of the skin, which in some way gives it a certain charm (remember Rubens' paintings). The word has Latin roots and the suffix -it, which, according to medical language, means "inflammation" (cystitis, arthritis, appendicitis - there are enough examples). Why, then, does everyone around say that cellulite is a physiological norm? It's all about different stages of development, of which there are only four.

The first stage is associated with the fact that a small stagnation of fluid forms in the layers of the skin. At the same time, it is moderately elastic, smooth, vascular pattern and any other serious visual changes are not noticeable. We can say that this is the very notorious "norm". You can cope with such cellulite quite quickly: you just need to adjust your diet, physical activity and, if necessary, hormonal levels.

The second stage of cellulite is formed when the venous and lymphatic systems do not cope with their work and begin to poorly remove fluid from the body. Due to excess water, the transport of nutrients to skin cells and subcutaneous fat is disrupted. Acidification of tissues, together with a lack of oxygen, change the structure of the intercellular fluid: it becomes jelly-like, connective tissue grows, and with light pressure you can see bumps and irregularities ─ the hated "orange peel". This stage can also be corrected quite easily - we will talk about the methods a little later.

The third stage of cellulite "grows" from the second: swelling increases, adipose tissue grows, the tuberosity of the skin becomes visually noticeable, and a venous pattern appears. Half measures are not enough here: stage number 3 requires a serious approach, including taking courses in hardware techniques.

Stage 4 is characterized by severe tissue edema and hypersensitivity of the skin (up to painful sensations). This is the most advanced form of cellulite, which, at times, may even require surgical intervention.

The causes of cellulite

Men are more fortunate: they have no cellulite (well, almost no). And this is despite the fact that the factors contributing to its development are abused - lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, chronic stress and lack of sleep, bad habits - they are much more often. This fact has a physiological explanation: "female" cellulite develops more often and faster due to the structural features of the subcutaneous fat and the work of female sex hormones (the hormone estrogen is responsible for the distribution of the fat layer in the bowels of the body). By the way, it is about hormones that we often forget, and this should never be done: a “hormonal storm” associated with pregnancy or a sharp change in the usual way of life can be the beginning of a sharp progression of the initial stage of cellulite.

Cellulite is distinguished by its national character: its forms and rates of development are associated with "kitchen" traditions. So, in countries that worship hearty fatty foods (this, including Russia), the problem is more acute than where the population prefers low-calorie meals and polyunsaturated fats (for example, Japan).

Composition of anti-cellulite products

It's too late to run to the pharmacy for a wonderful anti-cellulite cream, when skin changes are noticeable with the naked eye: the deformation of the subcutaneous fat begins long before this moment. And the treatment of cellulite of the third and fourth stages is a long and costly business, and it is better to try to avoid it by starting prevention in advance.

Instantly smoothing and restoring body concentrate Skin Fitness, Biotherm

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Serious manufacturers do not turn an anti-cellulite cream into a chemical cocktail of dozens of components (when there are many ingredients, the concentration of each - and therefore the final effectiveness of the product - will be minimal), preferring one, but in greater quantities.

Toning oil for legs White Ginger Counturing Oil For Legs, Sesley

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The most popular components of anti-cellulite products are caffeine (sometimes its concentration can reach 10%) and its derivatives (coffee, chocolate, guarana extract), plant extracts (horse chestnut, ivy, cuff, kelp), essential oils and powerful lipolytics, t.e. "Fat burners", which are specially developed by the manufacturers of cosmetics themselves. Anti-cellulite cosmetics cannot do without the so-called "thermal additives" (menthol, camphor, pepper, nicotinic acid, etc.), which have a slight warming or, conversely, cooling effect, improving blood flow and promoting more effective penetration of active ingredients.

Anti-cellulite gel for splitting and reducing the volume of fatty deposits Celulex, Sesderm

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How to use anti-cellulite cosmetics

For a product marked "anti-cellulite" or "modeling" to work, just follow a few simple rules.

1. Use it regularly: optimally twice a day (some brands, such as the American Bliss, produce two types of products specifically for this purpose - daytime and nighttime).

2. Consider texture. Anti-cellulite creams and gels, as a rule, do not require a long massage (it is better to do it first in the shower with a massage mitt): diligent rubbing can stratify the structure, and instead of an "active" coating, you will get useless pellets. Most of the products are applied simply: a couple of rubbing movements to distribute the cream over the surface, and a quick study of the most problematic areas like breeches with the knuckles or the edge of the palm. A completely different story with anti-cellulite oils: their rich texture and more oily formula require careful rubbing to be absorbed by the skin. Conclusion: follow the cosmetics manufacturer's comments on the packaging.

3. Apply after shower. The anti-cellulite cream is applied to clean skin: otherwise, the product may simply roll off without having any result. In addition, cosmetics work many times more productively on the skin warmed up after hot water. Home peels and scrubs will help to enhance the penetration effect of active ingredients.

The fight against cellulite will take time: reasonable dietary restrictions and an increase in physical activity, together with the use of high-quality modeling agents, will give first results no earlier than in 2-3 months.

Why do we need hardware techniques

When cellulite has entered the second stage, it will not be possible to cope with it only with the help of home care - cosmetics and self-massage - alas. Hardware techniques will come to the rescue. Vacuum-roller massage continues to be among the most effective of them today (mechanical pressure increases blood circulation in problem areas, improving lymphatic drainage). It is good to supplement such massage with sessions of pressotherapy - it helps to remove excess fluid from the body, helping to successfully fight cellulite. Another method that helps to cope with the "orange peel" is mesotherapy, during which a cocktail is injected into problem areas that affects fat cells and connective tissue adhesions.

Not so long ago, the arsenal of cosmetologists was replenished with another effective technology for fighting cellulite: a procedure called "radial shock wave therapy". Presented at the Kraftway clinic, it is performed on the Z wave apparatus (manufactured by the German company Zimmer Medizin Systeme), shock wave therapy has been successfully used in physiotherapy for more than 35 years, and its properties turned out to be very useful in cosmetology. The acoustic energy generated by the shock wave is capable of penetrating deep into tissues and attacking cellulite along all fronts (promotes the resorption of fibrous-scar tissue, triggers intracellular lipolysis, increases the elasticity of connective tissue, enhances blood circulation, has a lymphatic drainage effect and reduces internal edema).

Procedures on the Z wave apparatus (duration 10-30 minutes, depending on the zone) eliminate the main thing - the cause of cellulite, while the achieved effect lasts for a long time. Course therapy ─ optimal 4-8 sessions with an interval of 2-3 days ─ will provide a visible tightening of the turgor, smoothing of the skin in the most problematic areas (hips, legs, arms and abdomen) and the desired reduction in volume.

Photo: Getty Images, press archives