EFFECTIVELY REDUCE CELLULITE: WHAT REALLY HELPS?

Almost every woman has it: cellulite! Many find the small or large bumps and dimples very disturbing. Cellulite, also known as orange peel skin, can have many causes: Genetic disposition, hormonal reasons, a cellulite-promoting diet, a lot of stress, alcohol, nicotine¹ and a general circulatory, connective tissue and vascular weakness are the main reasons for the unwelcome fat deposits. But the dents on the skin can be tackled. Cosmetic products with highly effective ingredients, a change in lifestyle, invasive procedures, massages and fitness can help to reduce the appearance of orange peel skin.

12 Jun 2024

From BIOTHERM

• 01 What is cellulite?
• 02 Where does cellulite occur?
• 03 How does cellulite develop?
• 04 What helps against cellulite?
• 05 What else helps against cellulite?
• 06 How can I prevent cellulite?
• 07 Conclusion: You can alleviate your cellulite through various factors

WHAT IS CELLULITE?

Not all cellulite is the same. The dimples are divided into four degrees of severity ⁵:

The number of depressions, the depth of the depressions, the clinical appearance of obvious raised lesions, the presence of flaccidity and the degree of cellulite² all play a role in the assessment of the degree of cellulite.

CELLULITE OR LIPEDEMA?

The difference between cellulite and lipedema is mainly that lipedema is a disease. Whether cellulite is a disease is still controversial ³.

One thing is certain: cellulite is considered annoying primarily for cosmetic reasons. Lipedema causes pain and is always a case for a doctor.

This is how you recognize the fat distribution disorder:

• Your skin hurts when touched and is sensitive to pressure/li>
• You get bruises and bruises faster than others
• Your skin is uncomfortably tight
• Like cellulite, you have dimples and dimples on the skin
• Sudden weight gain
• In lipedema, the body shape is often asymmetrical
• Fat deposits form on the knees
• Lipedema occurs mainly on the legs or arms

As soon as you have a combination of some of these signs, it's time to visit your dermatologist or family doctor.

WHERE DOES CELLULITE OCCUR?

Cellulite can affect any area with subcutaneous fatty tissue⁵, i.e.: the abdomen, upper arms, buttocks, breasts, neck and legs⁴. Men tend not to be affected by orange peel skin⁵. This is because women's connective tissue is structured differently.

But why is that? Well, women's bodies are, among other things, optimally prepared for growing a child inside them and giving birth. Women's skin is therefore much more elastic and the connective tissue is looser - collagen fibers, which make up the elasticity, are less complexly cross-linked than in men⁶. Water and fat can thus generally accumulate much faster and more intensively in the connective tissue and skin than in men - so try to focus primarily on why you have cellulite and lovingly accept your skin dimples. Because the reason for orange peel skin, as annoying as it may be, is actually a beautiful one.

And: You are not alone! Because cellulite affects all women worldwide and regardless of their origin. About 85 percent of women over the age of 20 have some degree of cellulite ⁷.

CELLULITE ON BUTTOCKS

The buttocks have a particularly large amount of fatty tissue and are therefore virtually preprogrammed for cellulite. Anyone who wants to do something against cellulite on the buttocks is very well advised to use caffeine creams against cellulite. Our miracle weapon against orange peel skin Biovergetures stimulates microcirculation in the tissue due to its caffeine content, which can additionally prevent the formation of new fat cells. Massages with pinching and rolling techniques also have a similar positive effect on the intensity of the depth of the dimples.

Generally, the less fat, the less pronounced the dents. Therefore, even a mild daily workout will bring your butt back into shape over time. Try to integrate a little more movement into your daily routine. For example, you could take the stairs instead of the elevator and ride your bike for shorter distances instead of taking the bus or the car.

CELLULITE ON THE LEGS

In general, and especially during hormonal fluctuations or high temperatures, many women tend to accumulate water in the legs. This makes the legs swell and the cellulite dimples look even more pronounced. How mean, because especially in summer you want to wear airy clothes and show more skin.

Drainage therapy in combination with a caffeine cream helps against cellulite. This stimulates microcirculation and literally pushes the water out of the legs. You can intensify this effect by massaging the cream from the foot toward the heart. Lymphatic drainage can be either a massage technique that you can do yourself at home or have it done in a specialized practice.

CELLULITE ON THE ARMS

Besides the unpopular and flabby "Angle arms", cellulite can also affect the appearance of the upper arms. Due to sagging connective tissue, for example because of hormonal changes or radical diets, orange peel skin can also spread to the arms. Here, a firming and restructuring body lotion with Life Plankton™ helps to restore firmness to the tissue.

CELLULITE ON BELLY

Almost every woman knows it: The fat on the belly is particularly stubborn and does not want to disappear even with exercise. That is why the cellulite dimples are particularly stubborn here. Here, too, the diet should be balanced and targeted fitness exercises should be performed. This can help to tighten the skin and visually soften the cellulite. A skin-firming body lotion with antioxidant effects and Life Plankton™ can also regenerate the skin on the belly and make it more supple again.

Beauty tip: Still looking for the right skincare routine for your cellulite? Schedule a free video consultation with our skincare experts today and get inspired by our products for firm skin.

HOW DOES CELLULITE DEVELOP?

Cellulite develops when the connective tissue can no longer bind the fat cells in the subcutaneous tissue. Then the cellular metabolism is hindered, the water balance changes in the tissue and the skin swells, hardens into nodules and changes its appearance. But what triggers this reaction? These are the main factors that promote cellulite:

GENETIC PREDISPOSITION AND SEX

Women after puberty are significantly more likely to be affected by cellulite, as their connective tissue is much looser than that of men. Women's skin can also store more fat and the collagen fibers in the skin run parallel and not as in men, where the collagen fibers are more interconnected. This results in significantly larger and more elastic interstices in women, which promotes orange peel skin.

The probability of getting cellulite after puberty is significantly increased if the mother, for example, also has orange peel skin or connective tissue weakness. In this case, it is advisable to pay attention to a healthy lifestyle and weight at an early age. The better the blood supply to the skin, the less likely it is that cellulite dimples will form.

POOR NUTRITION

Highly processed foods with a lot of salt, sugar and fat promote the storage of fat in the skin cells and can retain water in the skin. Those with a disposition for orange peel skin should avoid fast food and highly processed foods such as chips, chocolate and wine gums. But alcohol and nicotine can also be responsible for the unsightly dimples on the thighs, stomach and arms. Alcohol deprives the body of water and vitamins needed for important metabolic processes. The immune system can be weakened, inflammatory processes can be stimulated, which promotes the formation of dimples. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, promotes collagen degradation and thus increases cellulite. Thus, the fat cells of the subcutis are damaged, which makes cellulite even more visible.

LACK OF EXERCISE

People who do not exercise much, have a lot of stress and spend most of their time sitting at a desk increase the likelihood of cellulite. This is because the body fat percentage is very likely to increase, which promotes the formation of cellulite. In addition, exercise stimulates the entire metabolism and tightens the skin. Exercise provides the skin cells with vitamins, fluids, oxygen and all the necessary substances to look healthy and beautiful. Sports, even light sports can help prevent and reduce cellulite.

HIGH BODY FAT PERCENTAGE

Even slim and very slim people can have cellulite, but you do not see it so much. The less fat the body has available, the less pronounced is the cottage cheese appearance of the skin. A healthy, balanced diet with fruits, vegetables and whole grains is optimal. Avoiding animal foods and alcohol, coffee and black tea further promotes the reduction of cellulite.

CELLULITE DURING PREGNANCY

Cellulite can worsen during high estrogen states - even during pregnancy⁸.

WHAT HELPS AGAINST CELLULITE?

If you drink caffeine, it can promote the formation of cellulite. However, if caffeine is applied to the skin from the outside, it can visibly reduce cellulite⁷. However, retinoids (substances similar to vitamin A) and various botanical extracts can also improve the appearance of cellulite⁷. The effect is enhanced if the active ingredients are intensively massaged into the skin, as this stimulates microcirculation in the skin⁷. What other ingredients help against cellulite:

INGREDIENTS AGAINST CELLULITE

Diet, exercise and abstaining from nicotine and alcohol can have a positive effect on cellulite. Caffeine, retinoids and massages can reduce the appearance of existing dimples⁷. What other ingredients help against orange peel skin?

• Healing earth & silica - silicon: Silicon is contained in healing earth and silica. Silicon is a trace element that cross-links proteins, stimulates collagen formation and thus tightens the connective tissue ⁹.


• Aloe Vera: The plant active ingredient extracted from the plant Aloe Vera can alleviate inflammatory processes and make wounds heal faster¹⁰. In addition, aloe vera has a skin-firming property that has a positive effect on the visual appearance of cellulite.


• Caffeine: Caffeine in creams, scrubs, body lotions and other highly effective care products acts as a very powerful antioxidant. The skin is smoothed and softened by the active ingredient caffeine, which can reduce the visibility of cellulite. Caffeine also stimulates blood circulation and has therefore proven effective in anti-cellulite creams⁸.


• Hyaluron: Hyaluronic acid is generally known as an anti-aging active ingredient in creams, but also as an injection. The polysaccharide has the property to store large amounts of water on itself and thus in the skin. Cellulite benefits from this property. Hyaluron makes the connective tissue more elastic and supple¹¹.


• Vitamins: Vitamins are healthy - everyone knows that. But why actually? Vitamins are substances that we need to survive and that we have to take in with our food. This is because we cannot produce almost all vitamins (except for vitamin D) ourselves¹². Therefore, it is of great importance that our diet is healthy and varied. This is the only way to ensure that cells are built and protected. Vitamins also regulate metabolism and are an important component of enzymes. Vitamins can therefore have a positive effect on cellulite, or the lack of vitamins can exacerbate cellulite.

HOME REMEDY AGAINST CELLULITE

So ingredients like caffeine, silicon in silica, aloe vera and hyaluron help effectively against cellulite. But what else can you do to get rid of those pesky dimples?

SPORT AGAINST CELLULITE

Train away cellulite? Is that possible? Well, you can't get rid of cellulite completely with sports alone. But sport promotes blood circulation, strengthens the muscle and connective tissue and promotes general metabolism and blood flow. All factors have a positive effect on cellulite. So, sports against cellulite is an excellent idea and should be regularly integrated into your daily routine. This can be strength training against cellulite, but also yoga or daily stair climbing, instead of the elevator.

DIET AGAINST CELLULITE

That poor nutrition promotes cellulite is obvious. But what diet is good for the dimples in the skin? Anyone who wants to do something against cellulite with nutrition should rely on these foods. Because they strengthen the connective tissue and thus the elasticity and resistance of the skin:

Food:	What it does:
Legumes like lentils and beans	Plant proteins support the skin in the formation of structure-giving collagen. Zinc and selenium have an anti-inflammatory effect and promote skin regeneration.
Avocados	Contain potassium, which helps to drain excess water from the body. In addition, avocados have abundant antioxidants.
Tomatoes and tomato paste	Contain lycopene. This protects the body cells from harmful free radicals and even cancer. The contained vitamin C boosts collagen production.
Linseed oil, Brussels sprouts, spinach, soybean	Contain important omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids can stabilize the cells and are involved in collagen production¹⁴.
Red bell pepper, sea buckthorn, parsley, oranges	These foods contain a lot of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and strengthens connective tissue and promotes collagen synthesis¹⁵.

It is also good to drink a lot, so that all metabolic processes can also function smoothly and the skin is nicely hydrated. It is also much done with all flour products, such as bread, pasta and cakes only from whole grain flour or with whole grain flour to make or buy. Because whole wheat flour contains significantly more vitamins, minerals and fiber than white flour.

WHAT ELSE HELPS AGAINST CELLULITE?

There are still all kinds of methods how to do something against cellulite with the influence of physical force from the outside.

MASSAGES AND BRUSHES AGAINST CELLULITE

Vigorous massages, and brushing - preferably with an anti-cellulite cream, body lotion or olive oil - promote circulation and can strengthen connective tissue.

ALTERNATING SHOWERS AGAINST CELLULITE

The alternation of hot and cold water stimulates blood circulation and thus strengthens the connective tissue.

CUPPING AGAINST CELLULITE

Vacuum massage with cupping glasses creates negative pressure where cellulite is located and stimulates blood circulation and strengthens connective tissue.

MICRONEEDLING AGAINST CELLULITE

Microneedling involves very fine perforation, i.e. injury, of the skin surface and also the second layer of the skin. This stimulates lymph flow, promotes skin regeneration and collagen synthesis. In addition, blood circulation is stimulated and the skin texture appears firmer after some time. Please only let professionals perform this procedure.

TREATMENT AGAINST CELLULITE

There are all sorts of other methods that are used to improve cellulite. These are high-frequency, laser and light-based energies, some of which are combined to smooth the affected skin tissue. Studies show: Laser liposuction can at least visually soften cellulite⁵. There are all sorts of other methods, such as a fat-removal injection against cellulite or cellulite surgery. Here you should definitely get good advice from your dermatologist.

HOW CAN I PREVENT CELLULITE?

Prevention is, as with so many cosmetic issues related to the skin, the be-all and end-all. Exercise, a healthy diet rich in vitamins, drinking enough and keeping your hands off alcohol and cigarettes - this already does a lot to combat dimples. Daily care with cream with caffeine and a regenerating body lotion does the rest.

CONCLUSION: YOU CAN MITIGATE YOUR CELLULITE THROUGH VARIOUS FACTORS

Try to make your peace with cellulite - because you are not alone: About 85 percent of women over 20 years have cellulite! However, a relaxed approach to the dimples does not exclude that you can do something against the cottage cheese structure of your thighs at the same time. You can do a lot against the unloved dimples with a highly effective cream with caffeine and a firming body lotion. Factors such as a healthy diet, a reasonably stress-free daily routine and a minimum of alcohol and nicotine can reduce your cellulite.

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