There are a lot of information regarding cellulite. Some are myths and some do speak the truth. But how can we tell which is which?
Here are some facts that may help in dealing with this condition.
Women get more cellulite than men
Yes, women do tend to carry more fat around their hips and thighs. And we also have less supportive connective tissue to keep it all in place. It is estimated, however, that about 10% of men suffer from cellulite, as well.
Cellulite gets worse with age
Hormones seem to play a role in the appearance of cellulite: As women age, their bodies produce less estrogen—a hormone that helps keep blood vessels flowing smoothly. Less estrogen can mean poorer circulation, which can also mean a decrease in new collagen production and the breakdown of older connective tissue.
Cellulite may be in your genes
It’s true that cellulite runs in families; if your mother and grandmother had cellulite, you have a better chance of also developing it. If you’re not one of the lucky ones with smooth-skinned relatives, take heart: Genetics is only one small part of the cellulite puzzle; factors like diet, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight also play a role.
Exercise can reduce the appearance of cellulite
A regular exercise practice cannot cure cellulite—but in many cases it can help prevent or reduce its appearance. Cellulite occurs when connective fibers underneath the skin become weak or lose their elasticity, but stretching and strengthening those areas (in addition to burning away excess fat overall) can help.
Skin fillers can even out dimply skin
Injectable dermal fillers like Restylane and Radiesse, used primarily to plump up sagging cheekbones and remove facial wrinkles, have also shown to be beneficial—at least temporarily—for cellulite-plagued sections of skin.
Non-invasive procedures for cellulite really do work
Laser, radio-frequency, and massage techniques have been used for several years to reduce the appearance of cellulite—and while their results are not permanent, they are effective.
Certain foods can help fight cellulite
Your diet alone can’t determine whether you will or will not get cellulite, but eating a well-balanced, plant-heavy diet can reduce inflammation throughout your body and help you maintain a healthy weight. Staying hydrated—both by drinking water and by eating plenty of foods with high water content—will also keep your connective tissue strong and supple, and may even help you slim down. Aim to eat more cucumbers, radishes, tomatoes, and bell peppers, which (along with many other fruits and veggies) are all more than 90% water.
Smoking can affect the appearance of cellulite
Cigarette smoke has been shown to reduce blood vessel flow and to weaken and disrupt the formation of collagen, allowing for the connective tissue to become stretched and damaged more easily and for underlying fat to show through. Plus, smoking can make you look bad (literally) in lots of other ways, as well: It causes premature wrinkles and aging, leave skin dry and discolored and can contribute to stretch marks, to name a few.
Having combination skin is dreadful. You have to deal with both oily and dry skin, very contradicting conditions.
With advances in skincare treatment, it’s not so difficult to treat combination skin nowadays.
First, you need to set up a skin consult. That way, we can easily assess what your skin needs. We can also tailor a home care program for you.
Second, you need to exfoliate regularly. This will reduce oil production, clear pores and remove drier, flaky skin.
Third, use a toner that has real science behind it. Our skincare products are designed for all skin types. We can effectively treat combination skin without a lot of hassle. Our Eminence Organic Skincare line has anti-inflammatory agents, vitamin C and soothing ingredients that nourish and balance combination skin.
Fourth, embrace oils. Since your skin is both oily and dry, using oil-free products encourages your skin to produce more. In turn, this causes breakouts and blemishes. Use a high end oil such as Eminence Organic Skincare, which has vitamin E and essential fatty acids on the drier areas of your skin.
And lastly, when using make-up, make sure it’s from an all natural mineral make-up line. This will keep the dry and oily parts of your skin in harmony.
It might seem like your boss controls everything you do, but it’s not really true. Actually, that would be your Central Nervous System, your body’s main computer.
Tight work deadlines, family responsibilities, not to mention the pressure you put on yourself, all add up to your body’s version of the caveman’s fight or flight response.
We might not have to worry about a saber tooth tiger, but your boss can sure feel like one. (Or maybe a very bad computer virus!)
The problem is this. The caveman fights the tiger and lives to see another day.
His stress is suddenly gone—poof! And he’s got dinner. Not a bad prize for a hard day’s work.
But today, it’s a different story. The stress never stops. You may think you learn to “live with it,” but your body spends every minute trying to balance out systems that are totally out of whack:
Sleep—turns into insomnia
Digestion—Heartburn, indigestion, constipation
Immunity—More susceptibility to illness
Stress causes your heart to work harder. Breathing becomes more rapid and shallow; digestion slows. In fact, nearly every body process is degraded because of it.
You might not be able to turn off the stress—or run from it—like our ancestors, but you can do something about it. Take control of your health by including massage as part of your self-care plan.
Massage is the one therapy that actually gives you the stress release you need. That “limp as dishrag” feeling you get after a massage is working wonders to repair the damage that every day stress causes.
Massage has been clinically proven to:
• Reduce cortisol, the stress hormone responsible for that tummy you can’t get rid of.
• Reduce blood pressure
• Increase circulation and oxygen, which improves mental clarity
The National Institute Of Health and the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry both published studies demonstrating the positive effects of massage on stress and anxiety.
Get the weight of the world off of your shoulders. Massage feels good and it’s so good for you. Do it for yourself and your family.
