Ironing Out the Facts on Cellulite
“I sure wish I had cute little dimples all over my thighs,” said NO ONE EVER! Dimples have always been a trademark of pure cuteness, but ONLY regarding those pinchable rosy cheeks when you’re 8. Shirley Temple basically coined the look while on The Good Ship Lollipop back in 1968. Little did Shirley know, not all dimples are created equal and some start showing up on our other cheeks before we know what hit us. The age-old question remains in every household today, “Can I get rid of this cellulite?” Let’s find that out…shall we?
What is Cellulite?
Cellulite is a skin condition in which fat cells create small bulges while fibrous bands known as septa cause puckering around the fat cells.
Orange Peels are not Pretty
Cellulite is often referred to as the orange peel looking skin that can appear on the abdomen, upper arms, lower back, buttocks, and thighs. As a result of cellulite’s dimply look, women often shy away from wearing their favorite pair of shorts, skirts, swimsuits, and even short sleeves. This can cause not only a case of the summer bummers but can also lead to a very low self-esteem. Most of us know what cellulite looks like on the outside, but what’s going on under the skin?
Underneath it All
According to Very Well Fit, underneath the top layers of your skin (the epidermis and dermis), fat cells store excess energy. Small bands of connective tissue run vertically between these fat cells and connect the top layers of skin to deeper tissue in your body. The bands create chambers or mini pockets where normal-sized fat cells have plenty of room to reside.
But when fat cells expand, the chambers get more crowded and begin to bulge, creating a small bump on the top of the skin. The bands, however, remain tethered to deeper tissue and this creates a “valley” appearance on the top of the skin. The combination of bulges and valleys on the top of the skin creates dimpling that we call cellulite.
In some clinical settings, the look of your cellulite may be graded. There are three grades of cellulite appearance:
Grade 1: You have smooth skin while laying down and standing up.
Grade 2: Some dimpling appears while standing.
Grade 3: Dimpling appears under all circumstances.
What Can You Do?
Most women have cellulite somewhere on their body by the age of 30, some are predisposed to have it more than others simply based on genetics. None of us asked for it and no one wants it. That being said, a poor diet, weight gain, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and alcohol have all been proven to lead to cellulite production. As women age, our skin becomes much thinner, therefore, cellulite shows up more and more. So, is trying to get rid of cellulite a lost cause?
Excuse Me, I Didn’t Order the Cottage Cheese
So how can we even begin getting started on what seems like an impossible feat? First things first…GET HEALTHY! Living an active lifestyle along with sticking to a healthy diet automatically sets you apart from 80% of the population. We already learned that cellulite is basically a bunch of trapped fat cells. Eating chicken and waffles and staying in bed or sitting at a desk all day WILL lead to the growth of fat cells, therefore leading to cellulite. Walking or running daily and eating a well-balanced diet doesn’t lead to the growth of fat cells, therefore leading to less cellulite. Matter of fact, eating healthy and being active can reduce body fat, it isn’t rocket science, but science can play a role in helping reduce body fat.
Our Terrific Scientifics
At Elite Health Online, we carry a wide range of products that can lead to fat reduction in a person leading a healthy lifestyle and eating a balanced diet. We even have products that can reduce sugar cravings, fat cravings and lower your caloric intake significantly.
- Naltrexone
- Lipo Drops
- Lipoden Injections
- 5-Amino
- Thermogenics
Naltrexone, Lipoden and Lipo Drops are all part of our weight loss stack. The combination of these amazing products create energy, reduce your appetite, helps shed subcutaneous fat and increases your mood. It’s the perfect starter kit to any weight loss regimen. Explore more about these products under our weight loss section.
Thermogenics help you lose weight by burning serious fat while keeping you laser focused, not only during your workout, but throughout the day. If you’re the kind of person that doesn’t need to have to think about what to take when, thermogenics are the perfect solution.
So Now What?
You’ve burned the fat, you’re working out, you’re eating right, you’ve lost some weight, but the dimples don’t dissipate. We get it, here’s why. As we lose fat, our skin becomes looser and not tight like we would like it to be after all the hard work we’ve put in.
We’re Here to PUMP You UP!
Don’t stop at just losing the weight, now it’s time to make sure that loose skin gets plumped back up. Muscles are magnificent for any aging person over 30. The earlier you start muscle loss prevention (also known as sarcopenia) the better. Preserving muscle early on will keep your skins elasticity as well as its willingness to plump backup after weight loss. To help build muscle, you need 0.45 gram of protein per pound of body weight, for example, a person weighing 140 pounds should eat 63 grams of protein a day (140 x 0.45). Good sources are milk, cheese, eggs, poultry, fish, peanuts, and beans. If you’re a beginner to body pumping, here’s an easy plan anyone can follow: Alternating any of the 4 groups with off days in between. Groups 1 & 2 are a little easier to start with, then work your way up to Groups 4 & 5. Start with lighter weights and figure out how many pounds are right for you. You should feel the burn by the last few reps. Always consult a physician before starting any new regimen.
Group 1
Squats
3 sets of 10-12 reps.
Bench Press
3 sets of 10-12 reps.
Rows
3 sets of 10-12 reps.
Group 2
Deadlifts
3 sets of 12-15 reps.
Lat Pull Downs
3 sets of 8-10 reps.
Overhead Shoulder Press
3 sets of 10-12 reps.
Group 3
Squats
3 sets of 8-10 reps.
Bench Press
3 sets of 8-10 reps.
Rows
3 sets of 8-10 reps.
Triceps Press Downs
1 set of 10-12 reps.
Calf Raises
1-2 sets of 10-12 reps.
Group 4
Deadlifts
3 sets of 6-8 reps.
Lat Pull Downs
3 sets of 8-10 reps.
Overhead Shoulder Press
3 sets of 8-10 reps.
Biceps Curls
1 set of 10-12 reps.
Abs
1-2 sets of 25 reps.
Our Skin Enhancers
We believe in beautiful skin because it radiates a healthy body. Our peptides for skin therapy are made up of nutrients specific to dermal and epidermal needs. Sermorelin and CJC-1295 not only enhance your natural skin’s glow, they also aide in proper sleep habits. Like mom always said, “All you need is a good night’s sleep.”
Beyond our Products
Here are some other ways you can go about reducing cellulite, but no promises, we’ve never tried them.
Therapy from Your Local Spa and Dermatologist
- Acoustic wave therapy:This non-invasive technique uses shock wave energy to improve circulation and skin elasticity.
- Carboxytherapy: This treatment involves injecting carbon dioxide gas beneath the skin to minimize the appearance of cellulite.
- Creams: While they are not likely to get rid of cellulite, creams containing certain ingredients may help to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Specifically, creams containing caffeine can help to dehydrate fat cells, while creams containing retinol may thicken the skin, making cellulite less obvious.
- Cryolipolysis: Cryolipolysis, commonly known as CoolSculpting, is an FDA-cleared procedure that can diminish the appearance of cellulite by freezing fat cells underneath the skin.5 While it’s non-invasive, it can take several months and repeat treatments in order to see results.
- Endermologie: Commonly referred to as lipomassage, this deep massage treatment is performed at a spa, using a vacuum-like tool to lift up your skin. Researchers say it can take several treatments to see results, which are usually temporary.
Lasers and Lipo
- Laser treatments: This minimally-invasive technique utilizes laser or light-based devices to tighten the skin. Your doctor will numb the skin and then insert this device underneath it, working to disconnect the tight fibers that create a dimpled appearance, while also melting bulging fat.
- Microdermabrasion: This exfoliating procedure, usually performed by a dermatologist, is primarily used to even out skin tone. In doing so, it may also help to conceal cellulite.
- Subcision: This procedure, commonly known as Cellfina, involves inserting a needle just under the skin to break up the tough bands that form the appearance of cellulite. Results are usually temporary, lasting about two years.
- Ultrasonic liposculpting: This technique uses ultrasound to target and destroy fat to reduce evidence of cellulite.
- Vacuum-assisted precise tissue release: Similar to subcision, this method also breaks up the tough bands that create the appearance of cellulite. This procedure involves your doctor using a device with small blades to cut through these bands, moving the tissue upward to get rid of the dimpled skin.
Let’s Sum It Up
Cellulite is inevitable for most of us, but there ARE ways we can prevent it from getting out of control as well as reversing it. When it comes down to brass tacks, working out, eating right, and keeping your skin healthy are the best way to go about it. It is really that simple. Those dimples cannot be completely ironed out, but they can certainly be steamed out and made a little smoother along the way.
Tip of The Day:
Speaking of steam, did you know that sitting for 20 minutes in a wet or dry sauna can do WONDERS for your skin. Our bodies want to sweat, and our pores love it. Whenever our bodies produce sweat, it’s not only cooling us down with those little drops, but also releasing toxins and irritants that can otherwise cause puffiness, wrinkles, bags, skin tags etc. We know it may not be the easiest thing to do daily, but if you ever find yourself within a stone’s throw from a sauna, wrap yourself up in a towel and sit a spell. Cheers to sweatin it out and taken names!!
