CELLULITE 101
Your guide to understanding and treating celllulite
WHAT IS CELLULITE?
Cellulite is a condition where fat deposits push through the connective tissue beneath the skin, creating an uneven, dimpled texture on its surface. It’s entirely natural and commonly appears on thighs, buttocks, upper arms and abdomen.
Up to 90% of women are affected by cellulite. It doesn’t matter what size or shape you are, how fit or unfit, or how old, cellulite is undemocratic in the way it affects us, yet it is still widely regarded as something that only happens when we are overweight. But there’s more nuance to it than this. Much more.
WHAT CAUSES CELLULITE?
Cellulite appears anywhere on the body, but most usually where there is a density of fat cells, and it manifests when those cells are forced out of their natural orderly position.
How does that happen? When we are born, our fat cells are the same size and vertically arranged in perfect alignment. As we age the support tissue which holds those fat cells in place loosens, so the fat cell structure loses its orderliness, and this shows on the surface of the skin. Congestion around the fat cells, which has built up because the lymph, the body natural waste disposal system, hasn’t moved it on and out, also pushes the fat cells out of alignment. Both of these issues can be impacted by hormones (in particular oestrogen) and to some extent genetics.
THE TOP CAUSES OF CELLULITE
These contributory factors affect each of us to a greater or lesser extent, which is why it can affect any women, no matter what size or shape, and why treating cellulite needs a lifestyle approach that includes high performance deep drainage products with a lipolysis benefit to restore fat cell orderliness.
Fluid retention
Fluid retention is the main cause of cellulite. It occurs naturally where there are more fat cells, which is why you often get cellulite on your thighs, upper arms and buttocks.
lifestyle
Not being active enough or drinking enough water to maintain good lymph flow and hydration. Water intake also helps to dilute the lymph, making it easier to remove body waste.
AGEING
Loss of tissue strength, skin elasticity and muscle tone, which occurs as we age,cancontribute to cellulite because as skin tissue weakens cellulite becomes more visible through it.
circulation
Poor circulation reduces collagen production, weakening connective tissues causing fluid retention, making skin appear puffier. It also slows down metabolism, which can lead to fat accumulation
genetics
Genetics contribute to metabolism, fat distribution, lymph and blood flow; it even impacts the way you age, affecting the strength of the collagen fibres, all of which contributes to the formation of cellulite.
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GRADES OF CELLULITE
It affects us all in different ways and in different places – legs, arms, bottom, tummies, and cellulite grades look like this:
grade 0
There isn't any cellulite on your body
grade 1
Your skin is smooth when you stand up, but mild dimpling appears when you sit down
grade 2
Your skin has moderate dimples when you stand up or when you sit down
grade 3
Your skin has severe dimples when you stand up or sit down
HOW TO GET RID OF CELLULITE
Thighs are probably the most common place to find cellulite because of the greater surface area and density of fat cells. It is entirely possible to shift it with a lifestyle strategy that is less challenging than many think.
AT HOME TREATMENTS
Shifting cellulite and keeping it away relies on daily home maintenance that includes body brushing or cupping to stimulate the lymph and circulation and encourage the body to decongest naturally and release the pockets of waste around fat cells that causes dimples on overlying skin. These tools are a key part of your cellulite-fighting repertoire.
Stimulating deep drainage cellulite products go a long to reducing this congestion around fat cells and tissues too, especially products containing caffeine and carnitine, which activates lipolysis, the fat cell shrinking process.
Consistent daily use will produce the best results, especially if you apply products after body brushing, and always in an upwards movement.
CELLULITE PRODUCTS
EXPERT HELP
Professional cellulite and lymphatic massages go a long way to support the above, and will enhance the performance of products you use at home.
While infrared frequency treatments help, manual deep tissue massage, that drains the lymph, reduces the fluid retention around fat cells and in tissues that causes cellulite, is most effective. It also reduces bloat and makes skin look cleaner and smoother.
Legology Lymphology® is a system developed to manipulate the lymph to positively enhance your silhouette. Our products and protocols all use the Lymphology® system to dissolve the congestion that builds up, triggering cellulite and the puffiness that makes legs feel heavy and tight and tummies bloated.
Hydration & Diet
Good hydration and a balanced diet are key to all cellulite routines.
A diet rich in green, leafy vegetables (high in antioxidants which improve vein strength and the circulation, and strengthen collagen, the fibres that keep skin toned and tight), lean protein (oily fish, chicken) and healthy fats supports a cellulite routine best.
Adjusting your diet can also support weight loss, if that’s an aim, by freeing fat from cells and in time reducing body fat storage.
Drinking water helps flush out the toxins that contribute to cellulite by supporting the lymph, ultimately reducing cellulite.
EXERCISE & REST
While exercise alone won’t remove cellulite, being regularly active is key to shifting it because it also supports the lymph: when you move your lymph moves and it’s your lymph that clears the congestion that contributes to cellulite. Exercise also helps to tone muscles in strategic zones which improves the overall look of limbs and skin.
Any form of aerobic exercise you can do, as long as you are moving, is a good thing; in addition to moving your lymph, exercise burns calories and builds lean muscle tissue.
Kate's tips to target cellulite
- Frequency brings rewards: maintain a consistent, daily routine to impact cellulite
- Apply products and body brush upwards towards lymph nodes and the heart
- Drink plenty of water everyday – at least 1.5 litres
- Aim to eat 30g of protein with every meal and get your carbohydrate intake from dark, leafy vegetables – they’re full of antioxidants which strengthens collagen and keeps skin firm and smooth
- Refined carbohydrates, processed foods and starch/sugar encourage the body to hold onto excess fluid, so can contribute to or worsen cellulite and bloat
- Dark chocolate and red wine are full of the same antioxidants that make dark green vegetables so valuable: there’s no harm in the occasional treats!
- Avoid saturated fats – they’re said to worsen cellulite by promoting fat storage and inflammation
- Gym exercises like barre core and pilates, based on small, repetitive and targeted movements, are useful because they isolate areas for focus
- It’s good to vary your activities – avoid doing the same exercises over and over: squats, for example, target muscle growth but can also build unwanted bulk
- Running at speed tends to be better than jogging in enhancing the appearance of thighs because it streamlines muscles
- Invest in a cellulite massage as often as you can. The best are done by hand where the therapist can feel areas of congestion and eke the fluid retention out with her fingers
- Treat yourself to a deep cleansing bath every week, adding Epsom salts to the water to encourage the body to detoxify
- If you’ve got access to a steam room or sauna at a gym or club use it as much as you can with a salt scrub to further detoxify your lymph
Frequently Asked Questions
Cellulite is caused by fat pushing through the connective tissue under the skin, creating a dimpled effect on the surface. Factors like poor lymph flow, hormones, genetics and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to its development.
You can reduce cellulite naturally through regular exercise, a healthy diet, hydration, and improving circulation with massage or dry brushing. Strength training and lymphatic drainage can also help smooth the skin's appearance.
Deep drainage products with actives like caffeine and carnitine, and duiretic aromatherapy oils like juniper and lemon, that detoxify and firm are best suited to treating cellulite. These products work best when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
Yes. You can visibly reduce the appearance of cellulite in a week with specific massage, good hydration, body brushing and deep drainage products. But longterm changes need consistent effort and lifestyle adjustments.
Women have thinner connective tissue and store fat differently; they are also more prone to cellulite due to the impact of the hormone oestrogen. Men have thicker skin and different fat distribution patterns, making them less prone to cellulite.
Body brushing, either wet (in the shower) or dry, improves the appearance of cellulite by increasing lymphatic flow and the circulation; it also exfoliates and plumps skin tissue, making it look smoother. However, body brushing needs to be done consistently (daily) to achieve and maintain results, and works best when support by deep drainage products and lifestyle adjustments.
In most cases yes, but you need to maintain a daily routine in the form of product application, activity and nutrition to see and sustain results.