Cellulite is actually a group of classic fat cells, whose storage capacity is saturated. Thus, they block the circulation of liquids, particularly lymph, whose role is to transport toxins to organs capable of processing them. When the toxins cannot be eliminated, they accumulate and create inflammation in the affected areas. This will further exacerbate the swelling already felt due to the poor circulation. One of the other unpleasant consequences is aesthetic: the skin, also compressed by this inflammatory phenomenon, loses its elasticity. It then takes on the famous orange peel appearance, characteristic of the presence of cellulite. What we see on the outside is just a reflection of the underlying disorders.
Cellulite is the result of the combination of several factors:
- Genetic: some people have an imbalance between lipolysis (fat breakdown) and lipogenesis (fat storage).
- Hormonal: it is the balance between estrogen and progesterone that determines the distribution of fat in the body: each episode of hormonal life (puberty, pregnancy, taking contraception…) causes variations.
- Circulatory: the worse the blood and lymphatic circulation, the higher the risk of developing cellulite.
- Food: the amount of food consumed, as well as its quality, influences fat storage in the body.
- Muscle: The tonicity of muscles helps to regulate fat mass.
What are the different types of cellulite?
Knowing your type of cellulite is essential to better eliminate it.
Fat Cellulite: The Discreet One
How to spot it? Fat cellulite is seen when you pinch your skin. It is soft and not painful at all.
The causes: a few extra kilos related to a lack of exercise or a natural predisposition to being overweight (corpulence). Indeed, the accumulation of fat cells in the hypodermis (layer beneath the dermis) prevents toxins from being eliminated, which creates inflammation. These swellings change the appearance of the skin.
To combat the fat of cellulite, it is necessary to accelerate fat loss. Starting with a balanced diet is an essential first step, while engaging in regular physical activity. But specific techniques can help you, such as cavitation methods with focused ultrasound, shock waves…
Water Cellulite: The Visible One
How to spot it? Easy, no need to pinch the skin. Water cellulite is visible and quite soft to the touch, and is sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heavy legs.
The causes: Water cellulite is linked to problems with venous and lymphatic circulation, which are indicative of water retention. Indeed, when the water absorbed by the body is not properly eliminated, it accumulates and alters the appearance of the skin, causing small dimples to appear.
If you have developed water cellulite, you should obviously prioritize drainage techniques.
Fibrous Cellulite: The Painful One
How to spot it? Fibrous cellulite is hard and painful to the touch. Having been present for some time, this type is (unfortunately) the most difficult to eliminate. The causes: a lack of exercise, a lifestyle that is too sedentary, and a diet that favors processed foods over vegetables. Over time, the collagen that surrounds the fat cells in the hypodermis hardens and eventually traps the fat under the skin. As a result, the cellulite is embedded.
This embedded or fibrous cellulite is difficult to eliminate. The most effective methods are invasive. But it is possible to prevent its appearance: certain nutrients can indeed help maintain collagen. You should have a varied diet, with complete proteins, eat meat, fish, seafood or eggs. But also eat fresh: fruits and vegetables to get plenty of vitamins.
Several methods can be used to fight this cellulite. First of all, clients can undergo Lumicell Wave 6 sessions to soften and break it down. The “lipolaser” can be another solution afterwards.
You can also opt for body massage therapy. It should be noted that industrial sugars, when consumed in excess, promote fibrous cellulite: manufactured products, sodas, cakes, chocolate bars…
To fight cellulite, you need to have a balanced diet, drink water, exercise, undergo treatments for cellulite (palpate-roll massage, lymphatic drainage, lipocavitation), apply anti-cellulite creams, etc. There are many tips to combat it. But the most important are the foods that cause this cellulite. You need to know them to avoid them:
- White sugar does not provide us with any nutrients. Nowadays, many nutritionists even consider it a poison. It contains so-called empty calories, which contribute to the appearance of cellulite and being overweight.
- Refined salt or table salt. It causes water retention and poor blood circulation, which inevitably leads to cellulite.
- Fried foods have a high fat content. Also, in many cases, they are of poor quality. When you heat fat to temperatures that are too high, they generate toxic substances.
- Alcoholic beverages do not directly produce cellulite. However, they cause the blood vessels in the skin to constrict, which makes the situation worse. In addition, they are “empty calories”, which make you fat but do not provide nutrients!
- Foods made from refined white flour are not easy to digest. They cause an accumulation of toxins in our body, which can then transform into cellulite, skin impurities, etc. Moreover, these foods cause constipation. That’s why we recommend avoiding white bread and flour.
- Bad food in general (pastries, hamburgers, fries, sandwiches, sauces, ready meals, etc.) combines the majority of harmful ingredients for cellulite. It contains refined flour, sugars, refined salt, and highly harmful processed fats for our body.
Any physical activity practiced regularly helps fight against fat accumulation. To reduce the appearance of cellulite, it is recommended to target a sport that specifically engages the thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, or abdominal belt. Swimming, Pilates, weightlifting, cycling, and aquagym are some examples. They will help strengthen the body, at home or at the gym!
Medical-aesthetic treatments for cellulite
It is possible to treat cellulite using advanced technologies in aesthetic medicine without surgery. These include the Lumicell Wave 6 treatment, which combines four technologies (a combined rolling massage with infrared light that releases lymphatic blockages and stimulates blood circulation, ultrasound (cavitation) emitting a million vibrations per second, radiofrequency that stimulates collagen synthesis to firm the skin, and meso-aesthetic electrodes that naturally affect soft and hard fatty tissues by propelling amino acids and hyaluronic acids into targeted areas). After a treatment course, the appearance of the skin is visibly firmer and smoother. As results appear gradually, it is important, in anticipation of summer, to start treatments at the beginning of spring. You can also use it a few weeks before a trip to the sun. Remember that the results will not be visible overnight, but after a month or two.
Another important piece of advice:
For effective results, do not forget to follow the diet and exercise tips at the beginning of the article.
Furthermore, it is also essential to:
- Avoid tight clothing and high heels.
- Eliminate tobacco and alcohol from your life, as they worsen circulation.
- Combat stress as it interferes with any healing treatment you wish to achieve.