CELLULITE "Cellulitis" is a skin condition that causes the appearance of small bumps and ripples under the skin. Bumps are caused by the underlying fat cells growing too large and stretching the natural fibers that hold the skin to the underlying tissue layers. "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 the compartments that contain the fat cells. As the fat cells enlarge, these compartments bulge, creating a wavy appearance to the skin. Women tend to have cellulite more often than men because they have a vertical collagen structure in the underlying layer that holds the fat cells, and when the fat cells get very large, they bulge out of the chambers and look like cellulite. In men, the collagen pattern is tighter, diagonal, and they have thicker skin, so individual fat cells bulge less. Another factor in cellulite is high estrogen levels, as this hormone has a direct effect on the storage capacity of fat cells by increasing alpha-adrenoreceptors, the chemical doors that tell your fat cells to hold back their contents. Poor diet, poor circulation and poor lymphatic circulation can all contribute to cellulite. TREATING SKIN WITH CELLULITE There are several other steps you can take to treat cellulite. Consider your skin care regimen and fine-tune it to meet the needs of skin that tends to swell, store oil, and has poor circulation. Nutrition: Although cellulite is a skin condition, it is closely related to the storage of excess fat. If you are significantly overweight, you should definitely change your diet. The dietary enzyme bromelain can improve overall circulation to the skin and adipose tissues by removing fibrin buildup on blood vessel walls. The treatment of cellulite requires a two-fold approach – one is the reduction of the fat cells themselves, the other is the regeneration of collagen and firming of the skin outside the swollen fat cells. Cleansing: When cleaning the skin, use a washcloth or loofah to massage the area where the cellulite occurs. First, use a circular motion and then move the brush upwards towards the gut. This will improve circulation and swelling and help remove toxins and metabolic waste from the tissues and interstitial spaces around the collagen and fat cells. Other treatments: – Brushing dry skin: Learn to brush dry skin at least twice a day – when you get up and before you go to bed. Skin brushing provides many benefits in the treatment of cellulite. First, it's a "workout" for your skin and strengthens the underlying dermis and collagen structure in the subcutaneous tissue. Stimulates tissue growth and repair by increasing blood flow to the area. It also helps remove toxins and metabolic wastes from the interstitial fluids surrounding the tissues for disposal. Dry brushing is good for your skin all over, but if you suffer from spider veins or varicose veins, vigorously brushing these areas several times a day, first in a circular motion and then upwards towards your 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 the adipose tissue to increase its ability to store fat, causing it to bulge, push out the skin, and cause cellulite. If you use birth control pills as birth control, you may want to ask your doctor about a formula with a lower dose of estrogen 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 estrone cream. – Habits: Get rid of the habit of crossing your legs, knees and ankles. This reduces circulation and increases swelling. Try to maintain regular movement, do not sit or stand for long periods of time. – Exercise: Regular exercise is necessary to improve cellulite. Not only that, it helps reduce the appearance of cellulite by burning the fatty acids that cause cellulite. It also improves blood circulation and helps remove toxin-filled waste products from the skin. Do a walking program or slip in a set of toilet exercises during your breaks. – Body wraps: Body wraps, both professional and homemade, can improve the appearance of cellulite. Body wraps use a combination of minerals and herbs to stimulate fat cells to release their contents, absorb toxins from the skin and reduce swelling. In general, you will find stimulating herbs such as kelp or kelp that stimulate the fat burning process in the cells. You'll find beauty clays to remove toxins and waste from pores, and horsetail and horsetail to reduce swelling (edema) and provide skin-strengthening minerals. These formulas are applied to the skin using compression wraps. For homemade wrap recipes, visit the Botanical Beauty Lab website. - Massage: Massage, especially massage 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 fatty tissues and gives the skin a smoother appearance. There are many professionals who offer cellulite massages, including lymphatic massage and endermology, but if that's out of your budget, you might want to try a home massager. There are many available, from a simple hand tool with a round tip to an electric massager that provides heat, massage and suction similar to professional endermology devices.CELLULITE REDUCTION SUPPLEMENTS Alfalfa: Alfalfa is a natural diuretic that helps balance the body's interstitial fluids and reduces puffiness and swelling. It's also a phytoprogesterone that helps balance excess estrogen, which can worsen cellulite. Borage oil: Borage oil contains high levels of gamma linoleic acid, which is an important fatty acid for strengthening cell walls. Bromelain: Bromelain is a naturally occurring enzyme in natural foods that aids in protein digestion. Consuming bromelain helps in removing fibrin build-up in delicate blood vessels. This improves and increases blood circulation to the skin and helps in repair and rejuvenation. Horsetail: The horsetail herb contains high amounts of the mineral silica, which is used in the repair and maintenance of skin cells. Cider Vinegar contains a number of important enzymes and helps balance the body's pH. It is also a good source of potassium, which is essential for fluid balance in the body. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides, which are easily absorbed and used by the body as fuel. It has the ability to stimulate the thyroid gland, which increases body temperature and metabolism and is known to improve the burning of excess fat. Ginkgo Biloba is a natural blood thinner that increases the microcirculation of the skin and fat cells. Gotu Kolu is a natural source of caffeine. Caffeine stimulates beta-adrenoreceptors on the surface of fat cells to release their stores of fatty acids, helping to burn excess fat. Green Tea: Green tea is a mild stimulant that contains caffeine as well as powerful antioxidants that aid in the proper replication and repair of skin cells. MSM: It is an important mineral that is necessary for the renewal of skin cells. EXTERNAL TREATMENT OF CELLULITE Aloe Vera contains alatoin, which soothes and heals the skin. It has been clinically proven to increase skin microcirculation and accelerate the healing of skin tissues. Betonite clay is a natural mineral clay 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 to massage problem areas. Many experts recommend using coffee grounds as a scrub on areas prone to cellulite. The ingredients act as an exfoliant as the caffeine is absorbed into the skin and stimulates the beta adrenoreceptors in the fat cells to release their contents. Dead Sea salts and kelp contain powerful minerals that help repair skin cells, as well as the mineral iodine, which can aid in the metabolism of essential fat cells. There are also many commercial formulas and methods for reducing cellulite. Most of them contain caffeine or a similar chemical called theophylline or aminophylline. Many also contain kelp, bladderwort, and other herbs mentioned here. Remember that cellulite reduction is a two-step process. The cause of cellulite is excessively large fat cells that have stretched the collagen structure under the skin. The first step is to reduce body fat, and many herbs and nutrients both exogenous and exogenous can speed up this process. The second step is to increase the strength of the skin and the collagen networks under the skin. Skin and collagen need vitamins, minerals and fatty acids to regenerate properly. Excess fluids can make the problem worse, so proper fluid intake and circulation are important. Drink plenty of fluids and stay active to increase circulation in the lymphatic system. With a little effort, the appearance of cellulite can be reduced.
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