Natural Home Treatments For Cellulite
Fawn Bales
CELLULITE
“Cellulite” is a skin condition that gives the appearance of
small bumps and ripples under the skin. The bumps are caused by
the underlying fat cells growing too large and stretching the
natural fiber compartments that hold the skin to the underlying
layers of tissues.
"Cellulite" is ordinary fat, but ordinary fat that affects the
appearance of the skin. Strands of fibrous collagen tissue
connect the skin to the subcutaneous layers and also separate
compartments that contain fat cells. When fat cells increase in
size, these compartments bulge and produce a rippled appearance
of the skin.
Women tend to have cellulite more often than men because they
have a vertical pattern of collagen in the underlying layer
that holds the fat cells, and when the fat cells become very
large, they bulge out of the chambers and appear as cellulite.
In men, the pattern of collagen is tighter, in a diagonal
pattern, and they have thicker skin, so there is less bulging
of the individual fat cells. Another factor in cellulite is
high levels of estrogen, since this hormone has a direct effect
on the holding capacity of fat cells through the increase of
alpha-adrenoreceptors, the chemical doorways that tell your fat
cells to hold on to their contents. Poor diet, bad circulation,
and poor lymphatic circulation can all contribute to the
appearance of cellulite.
TREATING SKIN WITH CELLULITE
There are several extra steps you can take for the treatment of
cellulite. Consider your skin care regimen, and fine-tune it to
meet the needs of skin that has a tendency to swell with
fluids, store fat and have poor circulation.
Nutrition: Although cellulite is a skin condition, it’s closely
tied to the storage of excess fat. If you are significantly
overweight, you should certainly alter your diet. The dietary
enzyme bromelain can improve overall circulation to your skin
and adipose tissues by removing the buildup of fibrin on the
walls of blood vessels. Treating cellulite requires a
two-pronged approach – one being the shrinking of the fat cells
themselves, the second being the regeneration of collagen and
strengthening of the skin outside of the swollen fat cells.
Cleansing: When cleaning your skin, use your wash cloth or
loufah to massage the area where cellulite occurs. At first,
use a circular motion and then a brushing motion upwards
towards the bowels. This will improve circulation and edema,
and help remove toxins and metabolic wastes out of the tissues
and interstitial spaces around the collagen and fat cells.
Other Treatments:
Dry Skin Brushing: Learn to dry brush your skin at
least twice every day – upon rising and before going to bed.
Skin brushing provides many benefits in the treatment of
cellulite. First of all, it’s “exercise” for you skin, and
strengthens the underlying dermis and pattern of collagen in
the subcutaneous layer. It stimulates the growth and repair of
the tissues by increasing blood flow to the area. It also helps
remove toxins and metabolic wastes out of the interstitial
fluids surrounding the tissues for disposal. Dry brushing is
good for you skin all over, but if you are suffering from
spider or varicose veins, brushing these areas vigorously
several times every day, first in a circular motion and then
upwards towards the colon, can improve the appearance of
cellulite.
Hormones: Cellulite is often associated with the use
of HRT and birth control pills. High levels of estrogen from
these medications can cause an increase in the fatty tissues
ability to store fats and cause them to bulge, pushing out the
skin and causing cellulite. If you are using birth control
pills for contraception, you may want to ask your doctor for a
lower-estrogen dose formula or a non-hormonal form, such as an
IUD. If you are on HRT, you may want to consider switching to a
lower dose, adding progesterone cream, or using a weaker
formula, such as an estrone cream.
Habits: Get out of the habit of crossing your legs,
knees and ankles. This reduces circulation and increases
swelling. Try to keep moving regularly, neither sitting nor
standing for long periods.
Exercise: Regular exercise is necessary for the
improvement of cellulite. Not only does it help reduce the
appearance of cellulite by burning the fatty acids that are
causing the cellulite. It also improves circulation and helps
to remove toxin-filled wastes away from the skin. Take up a
walking program, or sneaking in a set of exercises in the
restroom during breaks. Teresa Tapp’s “T-Tapp” program is
renowned for short, effective exercise movements that reduce
cellulite and increase overall blood and lymph circulation.
Rashelle Haines program “LifeLift” is also excellent for
improving lymphatic circulation, burning excess fat and glucose
and improving muscle and skin tone.
Body Wraps: Body wraps, both professional and homemade
can improve the appearance of cellulite. Body wraps use a
combination of minerals and herbs that stimulate the fat cells
to release their contents, they absorb toxins from the skin and
reduce swelling. Generally you will find stimulant herbs like
kelp or algae that stimulate the fat burning process in the
cells. You will find cosmetic clays that will remove toxins and
wastes from the pores, and horsetail and horse chestnut that
reduce edema (swelling) and provide minerals for strengthening
the skin. These formulas are applied to the skin with the use
of compression wraps. For recipes for doing home wraps, go to
the Botanical Beauty Lab website.
Massage: Massage, particularly the kind that improves
lymph flow, is very good for reducing the appearance of
cellulite. It improves the removal of metabolic wastes and
toxins from the interstitial tissues around the adipose
tissues, and gives the skin a smoother appearance. There are
many professionals offering massage for cellulite, including
lymphatic massage and endermology, but if that is out of your
budget, you may want to try a home massage device. Many are
available, from a simple round-prong hand tool to a powered
massager that provides heat, massage and suction similar to the
professional endermology machines.
SUPPLEMENTS FOR CELLULITE REDUCTION
Alfalfa: Alfalfa is a natural diuretic that helps balance the
body’s interstitial fluids and reduces edema and swelling. It’s
also a phytoprogesterone, which helps balance the excess
estrogen that can exacerbate cellulite.
Borage Oil: Borage oil contains high amounts gamma linoleic
acid, which is an important fatty acid to the strengthening of
cell walls.
Bromelain: Bromelain is a naturally occurring enzyme in natural
foods that aid in the digestion of proteins. The consumption of
bromelain aids in the removal of fibrin buildup in fine blood
vessels. This improves and increases circulation to the skin,
and aids in repair and rejuvenation.
Horsetail: Horse Chestnut herb contains high levels of the
mineral silica, which is used in the repair and maintenance of
skin cells.
Cider Vinegar contains an array of important enzymes and aids
in balancing body pH. It’s also a good source of potassium,
which is necessary for fluid balance in the body.
Coconut Oil contains medium chain triglycerides which are
easily absorbed and used by the body for fuel. It has the
capability of stimulating the thyroid gland, which increases
body temperature and metabolism and is known for improving the
burning of excess fat.
Ginkgo Biloba is a natural blood thinner that increases the
microcirculation to skin and fat cells.
Gotu Kolu is a natural source of caffeine. Caffeine stimulates
the beta-adrenoreceptors on the surface of the fat cells to
release their stores of fatty acids, aiding in the burning of
excess fat.
Green Tea: Green tea is a mild stimulate that contains caffeine
as well as powerful antioxidants that aid in the proper
replication and repair of skin cells.
MSM: Is an important mineral that is necessary for skin cell
repair.
EXTERNAL TREATMENTS FOR CELLULITE
Aloe Vera contains alatoin, which sooths and heals skin. It has
been shown clinically to increase microcirculation of the skin
and to speed healing of skin tissues.
Betonite Clay is a natural mineral clay that is known for its
ability to absorb impurities and toxins from the skin through
the pores.
Horsetail, ginkgo biloba, kelp and green tea also work
externally and can be added to lotions or creams for massage
into problem areas.
Many experts have recommended using coffee grounds as a scrub
for cellulite prone areas. The grounds work as an exfoliant, as
the caffeine absorbs into the skin and stimulate the beta
adrenoreceptors in the fat cells to release their contents.
Dead Sea Salts and Kelp or bladderwrack contain powerful
minerals that aid in the repair of skin cells as well as the
mineral iodine which can aid in the metabolism of the
underlying fat cells.
There are also many commercial formulas and methods for the
reduction of cellulite. Most contain caffeine or a similar
chemical called theophylline or aminophylline. Many also
contain kelp, bladderwrack and other herbs mentioned herein.
Just remember that cellulite reduction is a two step process.
The cause of cellulite is over-sized fat cells that have
stretched out the collagen structure underlying the skin. The
first step is to reduce bodyfat, and many herbs and nutrients
both external and external can accelerate the process. The
second step is to increase the strength of the skin and the
collagen webs under the subcutaneous tissues. Skin and collagen
require vitamins, minerals and fatty acids to rebuild themselves
properly. Excess fluids can exacerbate the problem, so proper
fluid intake and circulation is important. Drink plenty of
fluids, and stay active to increase the circulation of the
lymph system. With a little diligent effort the appearance of
cellulite can be reduced.
Fawn Bales has studied and practiced
alternative and herbal medicine for over 20 years. She has also
studied aesthetic technology and cosmetology. She is the
co-author of two natural beauty books and is a managing partner
of Botanical Beauty Lab a women's source for natural health and
beauty information at
http://www.botanicalbeautylab.com
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