The truth about cellulite

As the mercury soars, who doesn’t let out a sigh of relief, glad we can cover up, blaming fear of sunburn for avoiding the beach? ‘It’s too hot,’ we tell the children when they beg to go to the pool, but in reality we’re secretly relieved and wish we could use this excuse all year round, rather than the c-word that’s to blame for our not wanting to put on our swimming costumes: cellulite. Sadly it’s not an unfounded fear – a terrifying 90 per cent of us suffer from cellulite on our thighs, bottom and abdomen.

Cellulite isn’t simply a matter of excess flab, the puckering is caused by fibrous bands under the skin that connect layers of tissue. Unfortunately, in women they’re arranged at perpendicular angles, like a net (these bands in men are oblique). So, in women, fat cells bulge through the bands creating dimples. Other factors, such as age and genes, also play a role. In addition to diet and exercise, we’ve found products that work and some simple lifestyle tweaks that will smooth things over once and for all...

Jump-start blood flow

The reason: Sluggish circulation has been cited as a major contributor to cellulite. ‘When fluid, toxins and fat build up between [subcutaneous] fibrous bands, the fat cells bulge, which shows up as a bumpy skin surface,’ says Noella Gabriel, director of product development for spa brand Elemis.

The fix: Commit to using a scrub or daily body brushing, says Gabriel. ‘Stroking a dry brush, pre-shower, across your limbs and torso, starting at the feet, will remove waste and toxins from under your skin’s surface. It also exfoliates, encouraging new cell growth for smoother-looking skin.’ Choose a dry brush made of natural fibres such as cactus bristle as they have just enough rigidity to invigorate the skin – we love Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush, Dh169, Elemis.ae.

Take a deep breath and relax…

The reason: ‘Stress causes the majority of the body’s blood flow to be directed towards vital organs such as the heart, lungs and brain,’ explains Antonia Wheatley, Aveda, a British skin and spa educator. ‘This, in turn, means the lymphatic system won’t dispose of waste as efficiently and toxins accumulate in the body more quickly, leading to cellulite.’ What’s more, stress also releases the hormone cortisol, an appetite stimulator, which increases the urge to comfort-eat.

The fix: Restorative yoga is an all-round winner. ‘During this form of yoga you’re supported in poses on the floor that help to open up muscles that have seized up and tighten connective tissue,’ says Antonia. ‘Once the body is relaxed it send signals back to the brain to switch on the parasympathetic response to rest and release tension.’ In terms of toning, it also gives the gluteus (buttocks), the quadriceps (front of the thighs) and hamstrings (back of the thighs) a real workout.

To boost results, try rolling Aveda Stress Fix Concentrate (Dh170 at www.desertcart.ae) across the inside of your wrists, take a deep breath, then start your session.

Cut out the wrong caffeine

The reason: Drinking more than two caffeinated drinks a day overstimulates the nervous system, which triggers the production of cortisol, “a hormone that makes abdominal cells more prone to collecting fat and fluid,” says skin expert Antonia. Moreover, caffeine is dehydrating, making the circulation sluggish.

The fix: Although skipping your daily latte can reduce cellulite, caffeine in beauty products helps constrict fat cells. According to Gabriel, creams with a 5 per cent concentration of caffeine dehydrate fat cells for a few hours so skin appears tighter and more lifted.

‘It’s just a temporary fix, but because caffeine is a diuretic it can help improve the look of cellulite by draining the fluid between fat cells.’ She adds, ‘The more hydrated and denser your skin, the more difficult it is for fat cells to create a puckering effect.’ To streamline legs, Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Control, Dh280, works wonders.

Get kneading

The reason: Spending just 15 minutes a day massaging your skin can reap rewards. ‘Simply by kneading the skin, you tighten the surface and help to break down fatty deposits that lie beneath,’ says Nichola Joss, beauty therapist to celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow. ‘You also improve the tone of the underlying muscles for more sculpted contours.’

The fix: Electric rollers take massage up a notch and mimic the deep-tissue-like treatments performed in spas and salons. Try the Bliss Fatgirl Slim Lean Machine Dh850, Basharacare.com, an at-home power tool that lifts, sucks, rolls and pulsates away dimples to make your legs and abdomen look more steamlined. Otherwise try a manual massage technique with every firming cream you apply: ‘I like to apply a layer of the Ren Body Contouring Anti-Cellulite Gel [Dh190, Harvey Nichols] on my thighs and hips,’ says Joss. ‘Then I hold my hand in a claw shape and use my fingertips and thumb to firmly work the gel into problem areas.

Detox with birch

The reason: Birch has been used since, well forever, to support the body’s digestion and detox processes. ‘Birch contains flavonoids, which serve two important roles,’ says Evelyn Liddell, head of new product development at beauty and wellbeing brand Weleda. ‘They protect cells from damage by free-radicals, so keeping skin firm. Plus they encourage the flushing of fat and toxins out of the body’s system. A whole body approach is what’s likely to work best on cellulite, which is why detox is crucial.’

Cellulite myths busted

Dr Sail Abu Saif, a specialist dermatologist at the New Age Clinic in Abu Dhabi, reveals the truth about those dreaded orange-peel dimples...

Only women get cellulite

‘While 90 per cent of women will develop cellulite at some point in their life, 10 per cent of men will too. Compared to men, women tend to have less supportive connective tissue to hold fat in its place. But that doesn’t mean men don’t fall victim to dimples.’

Only older people get it

Cellulite is just excess fat

‘Cellulite is based mainly on the way your muscle, connective and fat tissue are arranged underneath the skin.’

Losing weight will get rid of it

‘Weight loss can only shrink the contents of the fat cells, but doesn’t eliminate the fat cells.’

It is caused by toxins

‘Cellulite has nothing to do with toxins in your body. Rather, it’s the weakening of connective tissue from hormones, lack of exercise, and poor circulation.’

Certain foods can help fight cellulite

Professional treatments to tackle those dimples

Talise Spa

The claim: Infused with nutrients from the deep sea, this indulgent treatment purifies and revitalises. You’re cocooned in a wrap whilst your body works to renew skin cells and boost the lymphatic system, which in turn helps to reduce cellulite.

Sisters Beauty Lounge

Shrinking Violet Body Wrap (90 minutes, Dh650)

The claim: The non-invasive treatment is a pain-free way to eliminate fat from all over the body, targeting tricky areas such as the hips, bottom, upper arms and tummy, using an innovative technique called Lipolysis, which breaks down fat into free fatty acids so it can then be easily drained. The treatment carries on working for 72 hours afterwards.

Softouch Spa, Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates

Green Coffee Body Wrap for Cellulite (60 minutes, Dh475)

The claim: This encourages the body’s ability to break down fat, reduce bloating and boosting your metabolism. The 100 per cent pure micronised Green Coffee is rich in chlorogenic acid, proteins and essential oils, which help to even out skin, and smooth any lumps.

The Nail Spa

So Spa, Sofitel The Palm

Lipoliss Anti-Cellulite Detox Treatment, (60 minutes, Dh650)