The best cellulite treatment

 

 

In 20 years of practice, I’ve personally run the gamut of cellulite treatments. I’ve tried skin wraps, caffeine baths, even electrical stimulation! It’s amazing what we’ll do to get the smooth vibrant skin we had as children. The truth is, 80–90% of women have some form of cellulite on their bodies. Some of my patients won’t be seen in a swimsuit, shorts, skirts or anything that exposes their legs. They are mortified and committed to doing whatever it takes to get rid of cellulite. For others, it’s a minor inconvenience.

With the myriad of treatments out there — from cellulite creams to mesotherapy — all claiming to “melt” fat and cure cellulite, we’re getting the message that this is a problem that can only be helped from the outside in. But my clinical experience tells me it’s not that simple. Even if one of these miracle cellulite cures works for a few days or weeks, the cellulite always returns — unless we commit to making deeper changes.

Like most things in nature, cellulite cannot be resolved with a quick fix. What I believe is most important is honoring your body first. Understand that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. And true beauty emerges when you are at your optimum health. At this point, not only do you enjoy more energy and vitality, but you look and feel better. Your skin glows and has more resilience; your eyes sparkle. It doesn’t matter what message the media or society sends us about what beauty is. The bottom line is: good health becomes you.

Let’s take a closer look at how cellulite evolves and lay the groundwork for minimizing it — from the inside out.

What causes cellulite — is it really just fat?

Orange peel, cottage cheese, pin-cushion skin — we’ve all heard the nicknames for cellulite. And though they may not be appealing, these names describe what cellulite looks like on the outside. It can show up just about anywhere, but is most commonly seen around the thighs, buttocks, knees and upper arms. The age when women start to notice cellulite can vary from person to person. Some see it as early as adolescence.

Though cellulite contains fat, it’s made up of more than just fat cells. Located in the subcutaneous (subsurface) layer of our skin, it consists of fat cells and a surrounding network of connective tissue that keeps them in place, known as septa. This combination provides many benefits for the body — Mother Nature always has a reason! It furnishes insulation, cushioning, and structural support for our skin, as well as temperature regulation for our bodies. It also serves to store fat so the body has sufficient calories available for pregnancy and lactation. This is why women who’ve had children may notice more cellulite after pregnancy. Additionally, the fat in our skin serves as an endocrine organ, helping to balance our hormones well into old age.

Cellulite forms when the septa tighten down on the fat cells or when the fat cells push up on the septa. Think of an overstuffed chair, where the cushion bursts out above the structural support. What causes a tightening down on the “tufts”?

It begins with the lymph system.

Your lymph system and the cellulite “sink”

Your lymphatic system plays an integral role in the development of cellulite. Cellulite begins with stiffening septa caused by impaired blood and lymph circulation to and from the subcutaneous layer of skin. If you think of the subcutaneous layer of skin as a sink, the circulatory and lymphatic systems are its pipes. The “sink” needs pipes to deliver clean water and pipes to take away dirty water. When everything is running smoothly, your capillaries are delivering fresh nutrient-rich blood to the skin and the lymph is taking away waste and toxins. When things get clogged up and blood circulation decreases, this starves and weakens the surrounding tissue and causes fluid to be retained. A decrease in lymph drainage causes the fluids that normally carry away waste to be trapped.

Because of the stagnant flow of blood and lymph fluid, the septa become more fibrous and tighten down on underlying fat cells. This happens because cells starved of oxygen and nutrients become incorporated into septa, thickening and hardening them. A decrease in circulation causes veins and capillaries to become weakened and leak blood into the surrounding tissue. This increases pressure in the subcutaneous layer and restricts flow even more.

Finally, the increased pressure leads to a rerouting of blood flow around the cellulite area. Septa fibers continue to thicken and fat continues to be deposited in the subcutaneous layer. However, because of poor circulation, the fat and toxins cannot be effectively removed.

Cellulite and toxins

Toxic build-up is the overriding cause of stagnant lymph. Over the years, toxins from the environment, processed foods and foods with lots of chemical additives accumulate in our bodies. While the liver, kidneys, sweat glands and lymph system work hard to rid your body of toxins, these in-house detox systems can’t always keep up the pace. An overload of toxins means they get deposited and trapped in other places, particularly in and around fat cells, including those in the subcutaneous skin layer. This entrapment causes premature hardening of the once elastic septa, causing them to bear down on the fat cells below. Like the overstuffed chair, tight structural support leads to bulging from below.

Smoking is another toxic habit believed to play a role in cellulite. Smoking cigarettes allows free radicals to damage vein and capillary walls so that they become inflamed and leaky. Nicotine is known as a vasoconstrictor, meaning it constricts blood vessels. This narrows the “pipes” and allows less in-flow for nourishment and less out-flow for cleaning and detoxification. When microcirculation is compromised, so are the tissues that receive nutrient-rich blood from the capillaries. All of this puts the natural aging process in our skin on fast-forward.

To return to fully nourishing your skin cells, you have to begin by removing the blockage, and then allow the lymph to freely flow again. This is done by detoxifying your cells. If you think about it, you would never drive a car for 30 years without changing the oil or the air filter. Our bodies need cleansing too. And the more we do it, the better we feel. I recommend detoxing your system two to three times a year, especially as you age. Detoxing gives your body systems, like the lymph, liver and kidneys, time to catch up and clean up.

Simple cellulite treatment — keeping the lymph in flux

Following regular and thorough detox, the next stage in cleaning up your cellulite is to keep your lymph system flowing properly. Chinese medical practitioners believe lymph is the key to health. And it’s true — the lymphatic system is far more important than conventional medicine gives it credit for. Since two of the lymphatic system’s many responsibilities are to aid in blood circulation and to carry toxins away from tissues, keeping this pump-less system primed is paramount in preventing cellulite formation. (For a full overview, read our article on the lymph system and your health.) Because the lymph system doesn’t have its own pump, it is the entire body’s responsibility to promote lymphatic flow. And it does that through movement.

Exercise, deep breathing and massage are three fundamental ways to stimulate the cleansing flow of the lymphatic vessels. Exercise that targets lymph includes any type of up and down motion, such as skipping rope or jumping on a trampoline. Even as little as five minutes a day can help move the sludge collecting in your lymph vessels.

Regular exercise can also help you to burn extra fat. Now I don’t wish to downplay how important a healthy body weight is, but many women believe their cellulite will vanish if they just lose weight. This is only true in part. The fat in cellulite resides in the skin layers and is not the source of fat our bodies burn as fuel for energy. Fat burned for energy comes from far below the skin, near our bones. Nevertheless, losing weight can help by decreasing the fat in the deeper layer that pushes up on the septa and fat cells in your subcutaneous skin layer. This reduces the pressure on the latticework of septa, lessening the overall appearance of cellulite.

Gender, fat and cellulite

So why is cellulite primarily a female problem? At a structural level, the anatomy of a woman’s skin is different from that of a man’s. At the level of our body chemistry, however, it’s primarily about estrogen. In fact, men rarely get cellulite unless they are in an estrogen-dominant state, such as with certain genetic disorders, low testosterone states, or when they are receiving estrogen therapy for prostate cancer.

As women’s bodies release estrogen, fluid builds up within fatty tissue. Estrogen also encourages the storage of excess fat around our hips, thighs and bottoms. This is Mother Nature’s way of making sure we have enough energy in reserve for pregnancy and lactation, as well as providing us with an estrogenic “cushion” as we advance in years.

Pregnancy can also influence cellulite. During preparation for childbirth, the body releases a hormone called relaxin that serves to break down connective tissue in the cervix. This loosening of tissue is a good thing because it softens the cervix and widens the pubic bones, accommodating our babies’ passage into the world. But as we know, hormones never govern just one event. Relaxin also decreases production of collagen — the protein responsible for keeping our skin strong and elastic. With less elasticity in our skin, we are much more likely to see the pushing up of fat cells on the septa.

Hormones and cellulite

Healthy elastic skin depends on well-balanced hormones. This is why during the hormonal fluctuation of pregnancy and later again in perimenopause many women notice a sudden increase in cellulite. Estrogen has long been known to help keep skin firm and elastic due to its role in increasing collagen formation. When hormones aren’t balanced and collagen production is low, it isn’t just our skin that is affected. Low collagen levels mean less resilience in the walls of your lymph vessels and veins, both of which are responsible for removing toxins from the subcutaneous layer where cellulite forms. The weakness causes blood and lymph flow to stagnate and can lead to stiffening of the septa.

Progesterone may be just as important a player as estrogen. This may be because progesterone, when given to your body in a natural form, can be converted into other hormones, including estrogen if and when needed. In fact, a recent study showed that 2% progesterone cream used on the skin of peri- and postmenopausal women was effective in increasing elasticity and firmness, though the study did not describe the mechanism for this.

Human growth hormone (hGH) is yet another hormone that comes into play when looking at skin. Many women, such as Suzanne Somers, are turning to expensive hGH shots for its healing and rejuvenating effects. Much of the hype around this treatment stems from a study done on a group of men over the age of 60 who were given specified amounts of hGH and compared to those given a placebo. The researchers found that those who were taking the hormone had increased lean body mass, decrease in fat tissue and a 7.1% increase in skin thickness.

This study has been referenced on many websites claiming to sell hGH in oral formulations. But, because hGH is a peptide that can be broken down by gastric acid, oral preparations could not be expected to be effective. The hormone itself has to be injected in order to work.

Conventional medicine sometimes argues against the use of hGH for its cosmetic benefits, and there are potential risks associated with its use. It can increase your fasting blood glucose, which can eventually lead to insulin resistance. It can also increase your blood pressure and the rate of cancer growth in your body. To top it off, treatment can cost over $10,000 a year!

That said, used with care under certain circumstances for certain conditions, human growth hormone can be a helpful treatment option. For patients who are debilitated or elderly, for example, it can be tremendously therapeutic and healing. But when it comes to aging, healthy skin and “vanishing” cellulite, it comes at a price, and you will want to weigh your options — monetarily and physically.

Genes, cellulite, and healthy aging

Many of us tend to blame our health problems on age or genetics. You may think, “Well, if Mom had cellulite, so will I.” While it’s true that your genes provide a blueprint for your body and our bodies do begin to break down more than build up as we age, the conversation that speaks loudest and most clearly to your genes is what you do to your body on a day-to-day basis. Many diseases and abnormalities run in families because members of a family tend to lead similar nutritional lifestyles. Look at your parents’ health issues as an opportunity to learn more about yourself. In doing this, we can prevent many of the problems our parents had.

We cannot, however, stop the march of time. Our skin does become thinner and naturally less elastic as we age. But with a regular detox and exercise schedule, improved nutrition and balanced hormones, you can slow the clock. How you treat your body has a lot to do with the aging process. If you give your body the full complement of nutrients and support for its regular growth and repair, you will not only feel a difference in your energy level, but you will see improvement in your hair, nails and skin.

Popular treatments for cellulite

Making deeper lifestyle changes is a process that requires time and patience. Many people are looking for the quick fix, which is why it’s easy to get caught up in the sea of products available and their promises to rid us of any and all flaws in our appearance. We have to remember that the popular cellulite treatments — including liposuction, mesotherapy (a series of rapid injections), and fat injections — may work in the short term, but to get to the root of cellulite we have to employ lasting changes in our lives.

Is a deeper commitment to change worthwhile? The truth is, lifestyle changes may not make your cellulite vanish overnight, but they will address the underlying causes. Before you try surgery or injections, start from within. Women to Women believes that starting from the inside always yields better results. Step back and look at how you’re supporting your body. Like a growing plant, your skin is constantly breaking down and rebuilding itself: to thrive it needs air, water, nutrients, and balance.

Looking at cellulite holistically — the Women to Women approach

The bottom line is that all the body’s systems are interconnected, and cellulite beneath your skin may be an important indication that something isn’t being cleared away or fed properly from within. As you clear your system of toxins and give it what it needs physically, nutritionally and hormonally, you will not only feel more energetic and vibrant, but your outward appearance will reveal how healthy you are on the inside.

• Detox regularly. Start your cellulite elimination process by cleaning house from tip to toe. Try a program designed to clear the digestive, circulatory, and lymphatic systems, such as our two-week Quick Cleanse. Or consider the benefits of a cellulite diet based on Ayurvedic principles. For example, try this mung bean soup detox (proceed with care, as some people detox very quickly).
  Make it less likely for toxins to find a home in your body by limiting your exposure. Tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, chemicals and preservatives all contribute to the toxins your lymph, liver and kidneys must eliminate.
  Toxins can also originate from emotional issues. Find ways to rid yourself of what’s lying beneath the surface from the past. We’ve have had good success with the Quadrinity Process.

• Revise your diet. Focus on whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables, and go organic whenever practicable. The less processed and refined foods you eat, the fewer toxins in your system. Treat yourself generously to foods high in antioxidants, such as deeply pigmented fruits and veggies: blueberries, cherries, blackberries, citrus, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, and peas. In addition to feeding the skin, these foods combat free radicals — the molecules linked to cancer and premature aging. They also help to strengthen the flexibility of septa — and with elastic septa, cellulite stays beneath the surface.
  Avoid sugar as best you can. Sugar interferes with how our bodies metabolize vitamin C, which is integral in restoring skin structure and the formation of collagen and elastin. (For more information, see our nutritional and lifestyle guidelines.)

• Take a high-quality multivitamin. Fill in any nutritional gaps with a quality multivitamin/mineral complex such as the one we offer in our Personal Program. This will ensure your skin has all the building materials it needs. The right supplement should contain essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C.

• Balance your hormones. Because cellulite formation is linked to estrogen levels, it is important that your hormones are well balanced. Gentle endocrine support can help get your hormonal balance back on track. Progesterone is a precursor to testosterone and estrogen. When your body is off-balance, especially during perimenopause, some people — though not everyone — can make what they need from progesterone and restore balance.

• Exercise regularly. Carrying out some form of exercise (3–5 days a week for 20–45 minutes) will allow you to burn excess fat and increase your muscle tone. Both of these benefits help to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
  Exercise widens the circulatory pipes, bringing more “clean” or nutrient-rich blood to your skin and taking away waste products, which preserves your elasticity. And it has the same stimulating effect on the lymph system. By contracting your muscles you exert a pump-like force that pushes lymph fluid forward to remove waste.
  However you choose to get your vessels pumping, whether it’s jumping on a trampoline, biking, hiking, swimming, yoga, or Pilates, working your muscles will increase blood and lymph flow, burn fat and help reduce pressure on your skin.

• Don’t forget to breathe. Deep breathing not only helps us to relax, but it also increases blood and lymphatic fluid circulation, serving to eliminate toxins and nurture your skin cells with nutrients and oxygen.

• Reduce stress. When we are stressed, our bodies release adrenaline. Adrenaline naturally directs blood to our “fight or flight” muscles, such as the triceps, biceps and quadriceps, in preparation for defense or retreat. This means blood is redirected away from the skin, decreasing circulation and resulting in fewer nutrients delivered to skin tissue and less toxins removed.
  In addition to the physical consequences of stress, we also tend to reach for unhealthy food during periods of uncertainty, leading to greater toxin build-up, increased fat storage and ultimately, the appearance of cellulite.
  Yoga is a wonderful way to de-stress, meanwhile helping you to burn fat and tone your muscles. You might also try meditating for 15–20 minutes a day to clear your head and relax those tense muscles. Many women also enjoy massage as a way to relax. Massage accomplishes much more than just relaxing the body.

• Try a self cellulite massage. By putting pressure on your muscles, massage can increase circulatory and lymphatic system function, helping to feed your body and rid it of toxins. Massaging cellulite is also beneficial for targeting those difficult areas, such as the inner knee and upper thigh, that we can’t always get at through exercise. Like diet and exercise, massage for cellulite is something you can try on your own. Gently massage the area in circular motions, kneading the skin like dough. Performing self-massage techniques a few minutes each day will help deliver nutrients to your skin and break down unnecessary fat and toxins.

• Treat yourself to lymph massage. The goal of lymphatic massage is to drain and increase the flow of the lymphatic fluid in your body. The technique involves very subtle finger movements to create sufficient pressure to mechanically move lymph through lymph vessels and nodes from the lower part of your body to the upper part. Lymph fluid is ultimately carried to the thoracic duct, which empties into the subclavian vein under your collarbone. By connecting the lymphatic system with the circulatory system, the thoracic duct sends toxins picked up along the way to be filtered out of the body.
  Remember that your lymph vessels are as thin as threads and must be massaged delicately in order to produce an effect. You might consider visiting a lymphatic drainage massage therapist for best results.

Health becomes you!

How we look matters — not because society tells us we’re supposed to be beautiful and look young forever, but because how we see ourselves determines how we feel. And when we are uncomfortable with our appearance, it’s an opportunity for us to look inward and decide if there are ways to take better care of ourselves.

At Women to Women, we feel that you deserve to look beautiful and feel great well into old age. This means honoring your body and giving it what it needs. Remember that the skin, like any other organ in the body, needs to be fed and cleansed by the circulatory and lymphatic systems. These two systems work well if you only allow them to, by giving them what they need physically, hormonally and nutritionally. There is no instant cure for cellulite — the miracle happens when you understand and honor your body’s needs.