Orange peel skin – we’ve all got it and it’s difficult to shift. Even if you lose weight, it’s always there. Are there any ways to reduce it though and do they actually work? I’m going to take a look at some of the different ways that claim to reduce cellulite. Cellulite can appear anywhere there is excess fat and skin, most commonly on the thighs and upper arms. Hormones, genetics and an unhealthy lifestyle all play a part and it gets worse with age (great). Losing weight and staying hydrated are the first ports of call, but one look at some ‘celebrity’ magazines and you’ll see slim women having their cellulite pointed out helpfully, so they’re not immune. It’s a common problem, and one which we should have a degree of acceptance about.
Dry Brushing
I remember Bridget Jones in the first movie scrubbing away at her thighs and I believe I did it too in my younger years. I don’t think I was consistent enough to achieve long lasting results though. You’re meant to use a natural fibre dry brush to brush from the bottom to the top of the leg, in circular left to right movements twice a day before a shower. There is anecdotal evidence that it works, but there is no scientific evidence. If anything, it improves circulation and lymphatic drainage, and the increased blood flow to the area can make the skin plumper, reducing the bumpiness of the skin.
Cayenne Pepper
Made famous by Beyonce, it is said to have toxin eliminating powers. You can mix up a drink with lemon, ginger and cayenne pepper which is said to help reduce cellulite. I’m skeptical. It’s probably nicer in food! If you want to try it, there’s lots of recipes available, but basically it’s 1 or 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon of grated ginger, the juice of a lemon mixed with warm water. Take twice a day. Try it and report back to me with your smooth thighs. Make a million pounds.
Coffee Grounds
Apparently coarse coffee grounds can be used as an exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin cells and regenerate new, healthy cells. To make a coffee scrub, mix together a quarter of a cup of coffee grounds, three tablespoons of sugar and two tablespoons of melted coconut oil to form a paste. Take a little bit of this paste and massage the affected skin with it for several minutes using firm pressure. Finally, rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this for two or three times a week until you get the desired results. You can also prepare a wrap with coffee and olive oil. Heat one-half cup of coffee grounds and a little extra-virgin olive oil in the microwave for 20 seconds. Spread the warm mixture on the cellulite and cover it with plastic wrap. Leave it on for 30 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water. Do this twice a week until you see improvement.
Pulse Light Treatment
At a clinic near you, or if you’re after cellulite reduction treatments in London, you can get a treatment session using non surgical cellulite reduction and circumference reduction. You’ll need around 6 treatments to get the results you want but it does seem to work. It uses a combination of four different technologies, infrared light, bi-polar radio frequency energy, vacuum and roller massage. The infrared light heats up the hypodermis (the innermost and thickest layer of your skin) and the radio frequency spreads the heat equally throughout the skin. The massage and vacuum stimulates the circulation and lymph drainage, much like the dry brushing.
Seaweed
Seaweed is a natural exfoliating agent, and stimulates blood circulation, improves skin texture and flushes harmful toxins from the body. This in turn is said to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. For instructions on making your own seaweed wrap, follow these instructions from Savvy homemade. They have lots of other wraps with natural ingredients.
Crabs don’t get cellulite
Apple Cider Vinegar
It’s the latest thing, I keep hearing about it – take it neat like in a shot glass, or add one part apple cider vinegar to 2 parts water, add honey and rub onto the affected area twice daily. It’s the presence of minerals, potassium, magnesium and calcium that play a key role in flushing out toxins and water retention around the thighs and stomach. Trouble is I can’t stand it!
Omega 3 supplements
There’s some evidence that if you redress the balance of ‘bad’ fats with good fats, either through diet or Omega 3 supplements, over time your cellulite will reduce.
Change your lifestyle
Ah, that old chestnut. It solves most problems. Quit smoking, drink less, eat right, exercise and drink plenty of water. That will definitely reduce your cellulite, but it takes forever and involves pain. I don’t smoke, but I am guilty of everything else. Swimming is good, particularly breast stroke, the powerful movement to the legs helps and is a good place to start. General toning and strengtheniing, like yoga and pilates will help too and isn’t too strenuous.
Hormone Balance
I mentioned above that hormones play a part in cellulite. Get your hormone levels checked, and make adjustments as necessary. There are some natural ways to improve hormone balance – using coconut oil, limiting caffeine and avoiding harmful chemicals can all help.
I’m off to scrub my thighs and wrap them in clingfilm.
Have you got any remedies to combat cellulite? Have you tried any of the above and did they give you any results? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post, all opinions are my own
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