Every woman hopes she won’t get cellulite. Yet one in nine women gets it. It is a typical female ailment. Cellulite is also called ‘orange peel’. But what exactly is cellulite? This article explains all this clearly, and most importantly, is there anything that can be done about it?
What is cellulite?
With cellulite, the skin looks bumpy and lumpy. This mainly occurs on the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and sometimes also the upper arms. Many people think that fatter women suffer more from cellulite than slimmer women. This is not the case, a slimmer woman is just as likely to suffer from cellulite than a slightly fatter woman. Cellulite is caused by a disruption of the connective tissue and the increase in fat cells in your subcutaneous tissue. This means that waste products can be disposed of less effectively. The hormone estrogen plays an important role in cellulite. Estrogen causes fat to be stored and the fat cells to swell, which in turn causes poorer fluid regulation and removal of waste products. Aging also plays a major role. The elasticity of the skin decreases as you get older. This causes your skin to shrink, so to speak. This increases pressure on the skin, pushing out fat, waste and moisture, causing bumpy and lumpy skin.
The different phases of cellulite
- This is the first stage of cellulite. There is virtually nothing visible on the skin. There are no bumps or bumps visible. If you grab a part of the skin and squeeze it, some wrinkles in the skin will become visible.
- Then the second phase of cellulite, just like in phase one, there are no bumps or bumps visible to the naked eye. This becomes visible if you grab a part of the skin and squeeze it.
- The third phase involves the ‘orange peel’. This is clearly visible when you are standing.
- And the fourth phase also involves the ‘orange peel’. This is clearly visible when you are standing and lying down.
Can you prevent cellulite?
No. Unfortunately, nothing can prevent cellulite from appearing. However, you can reduce the speed of the process. Drink at least one and a half liters of water per day and exercise sufficiently (try to exercise for an hour three times a week). Limit drinking coffee, tea and alcohol. Caffeine also has a bad influence. This substance has a negative effect on the blood circulation because it constricts the blood vessels. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables! Fruits that promote blood circulation or have a diuretic effect: apricots, pineapple, oranges, forest fruits, kiwis, peaches, plums, cherries, grapes.
It also appears to be good to massage the skin where the cellulite is located. Do this for ten minutes (per leg, buttock, arms or stomach) before going to sleep. Use an oily cream and possibly a massage roller. You should see results after a week!
There are also many creams on the market that claim to reduce cellulite. These products are often very expensive and there are almost no results to be seen. Fortunately, there is also a cellulite cream that you can make yourself! Fun to make, and a lot cheaper. First, mix two tablespoons of almond oil with one tablespoon of oatmeal. Mix this together well. Then massage this into the skin, with small circular movements.
Is there a cause for cellulite?
A common cause of cellulite is smoking. Smoking causes the blood vessels to narrow. People who sit a lot can also develop a predisposition to cellulite. Sitting causes poor circulation. Hereditary factors can also cause fat cells to grow in the subcutaneous fat tissue and cellulite to form. Certain medications such as the pill can also disrupt the body’s natural purification system. This then ensures reduced waste disposal. Too much junk food and ready-made products with too much sugar and fat also cause toxins to settle in the fatty tissue.
Some more tips!
- Do not wear tight clothing, as this will impede blood circulation.
- Limit bathing and showering above 38 degrees Celsius and make it a habit to rinse the body with cold water after the bath or shower.
- Drink at least 1.5 liters of water. This prevents the body from retaining fluid and ensures optimal metabolism.
- Stop smoking! Smoking can make cellulite worse because it clogs your skin and fills your body with toxins. This affects the elasticity of your skin and therefore worsens cellulite.
- Eat protein more often. Protein can help you because it contains protein, which helps remove excess fluid. For best results, you should eat 3 servings of fish, beans, legumes, poultry or tofu per day.
