Cellulite - our trusty 'friend' that sticks by us literally through thick and thin. But what can be done to prevent the ultimate foe - or make it go?
Cellulite develops when fat cells swell and the surrounding fibrous tissue changes in texture, causing a pulling effect and giving the skin a dimpled look. Although maintaining a healthy weight may help prevent more cellulite from forming, it's worth remembering that even slim people can be prone to orange peel skin - so losing weight won't necessarily shift it.
She was right you know – processed foods, high fat products, and refined wheat and sugar aren't good for you, and they won't do your cellulite any favours either. While excess salt and sugar can worsen cellulite, improving your diet won't necessarily get rid of the dreaded dimpled skin. Sadly, even those of us with the healthiest diets can still develop cellulite.
As cellulite is trapped in the connective tissue, no amount of exercise will shift it. Having said, keeping active will improve circulation to the area and may help prevent more forming. Don't worry, those gym sessions aren't wasted. Having toned legs will greatly improve your overall appearance, so even if some of that cellulite stays put it will be less noticeable.
Although staying hydrated is necessary for a healthy lifestyle, it's a common myth that downing lots of water will help combat cellulite. In fact, as cellulite is composed of fat tissue and water, drinking excessive amounts of water can actually make the dimple effect appear worse.
While smoking doesn't cause cellulite, it accelerates the breakdown of collagen in the skin, making it thinner and less elastic, and so worsens the appearance of any lumps and bumps. Another good reason to stub it out for good.
There are lots of creams on the market which claim to 'cure' cellulite - but do they actually work? Roc Retinol Body Contouring Triple Action is a good quality body contouring cream that may help improve the appearance of cellulite. But be patient – Rome wasn't built in a day and, likewise, cellulite won't just go away. You'll need to apply every day for at least eight weeks to see results.
There are plenty of surgical treatments that promise to improve the appearance of orange peel skin. Liposuction, however, probably isn't one of them. Liposuction works by removing fat deposits, whereas cellulite is the tissue around fat cells, which cannot be removed. There is even some evidence that liposuction can worsen the appearance of cellulite - so make sure you do your homework before you part with your cash.