What causes it?

Genetics

Cellulite is genetic. You might have noticed even the slimmest women still cellulite. Your genetics and your distribution of body fat play a major role in how much cellulite is visible on your body. This also includes the thickness of your skin.

A slow metabolism and poor blood circulation

Individuals who suffer from a sluggish metabolism and weak blood circulation in their lower body will tend to have more cellulite. This is because poor blood circulation will increase the storage of fatty deposits and weaker connective tissues underneath the skin.

Hormones

A weak thyroid will negatively impact on the regulation of hormones and contribute to the appearance of cellulite. Changes in your hormones may also increase the buildup of cellulite.

A poor diet

Individuals who do not follow a good diet and eat junk food will slow down their metabolism and enhance the production of cellulite.

A sedentary lifestyle

People who do not do any form of exercise or tend to sit down for long periods of time will have more cellulite than those who are active, lift weights and exercise.

Being overweight

Not maintaining a healthy range of body fat will automatically increase the appearance of cellulite.

Smokers

Recent studies have shown that smokers tend to suffer from cellulite more than those who do not smoke.

Tight clothing

Another cause of cellulite is wearing extremely tight clothing that decreases the blood flow in your lower body and contributes to cellulite production.

Aging

As we get older, our skin elasticity loosens and cellulite might start to get worse. Do not let this demotivate you though. Loose skin can always be corrected through weight training and a good diet. I’ve met women in their 50s who take care of themselves and don’t look a day older than 20.

How do you minimize the appearance of cellulite?

Start eating right

If you want to get rid of your cellulite, then it is absolutely mandatory to follow a good diet. Eliminate junk food from your diet except for once a week. Eat wholegrains, healthy fats, lean protein, fruits and vegetables in order to improve the appearance of your skin and reduce the production of cellulite. You’ll discover that eating healthy food won’t just make you feel better, but will automatically make you LOOK better and make you glow too. Here is some more information on what to eat on a daily basis.

Improve your lifestyle

An unhealthy lifestyle of regular smoking, drinking and inactivity will only make cellulite worse and promote poor blood circulation in your lower body. Drink alcohol in moderation (my recommendation is two drinks a week) and try to cut back on smoking until you quit altogether. Your body is a reflection of your lifestyle. Start being more productive and you’ll notice your body will respond positively.

Exercise and lift weights

Regular cardiovascular exercise will increase the blood circulation in your lower body and will help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Training your lower body with weights will help burn fatty deposits and sculpt lean muscle instead.

Become as lean as possible

Excess weight will only contribute to the storage of fat and increase the appearance of cellulite. The first step towards getting rid of cellulite would be to lose any extra fat and become as lean as you possibly can. If you are already overweight, work towards becoming a healthy weight to start seeing considerable changes in your cellulite. If you are not overweight, focus on building more muscle definition in your lower body while following a healthy diet.

Get regular massages in your lower body

As many women suffer from poor blood circulation in their lower body, regular massages on the buttocks and thighs will help regular the circulation and improve the appearance of cellulite. Treat yourself and head to a spa for a massage. Another alternative would be to massage yourself with lotions and creams.

Get a spray tan

Darkening the color of your skin is one of the most effective ways of reducing the appearance of cellulite. If you have a special event or want to feel confident walking around on the beach, get a spray tan one day before and you will automatically decrease its appearance.

Surgical options

The most recent surgical treatment to date which is the ONLY treatment that goes under the skin to tackle cellulite is called cellulaze. It is minimally invasive and can be performed under local anesthesia. It aims to permanently treat cellulite by targeting the problem directly. It involves using laser underneath your skin which breaks down the joining of connective tissue that causes the buildup of cellulite. Cellulaze is FDA approved and claims to work for anyone who is already quite slim but can’t seem to get rid of their cellulite.

Do anti-cellulite creams work?

Extensive research has suggested that there is no evidence that these creams actually get rid of cellulite. Although some may slightly improve the appearance of the skin, this is rather due to the narrowing of blood vessels and the removal of water from the skin which has nothing to do with the breakdown of cellulite. Research has actually shown that removing water from the skin can be dangerous for people with poor blood circulation. Another factor that might help is the massaging of the cream into the legs which improves blood circulation, and not the cream itself. It is certainly helpful to massage your lower body with lotions and oils, but there is no need to spend money on expensive creams. Regardless of what the package claims, you will certainly never see any results if you use a cream without following a proper diet and exercising.

Is mesotherapy necessary?

Mesotherapy involves injecting amino acids and enzymes underneath your skin over a period of several treatments. It claims to break down fat and improve the appearance of cellulite. Although there is no evidence proving that this actually works, the risks are extremely high including infection, swelling and irregular contours. I personally advise against this. If you have the time, money and willingness to subject yourself to a series of injections, then there is no reason why you would not be able to start eating healthy and lifting weights. You’ll find that exercise and a good diet will yield far more pleasing results than a risky treatment with no scientific evidence.

What about Velasmooth and slimming machines?

Firstly, there is NO slimming machine that will make you lose fat without following a good diet and exercise. Those ads that claim you can have a six pack by strapping yourself to a machine are weight loss scams. If they actually worked, everyone would be walking around with a six pack.

There have been controversial theories about Velasmooth and slimming machines where some claim that they work (in addition to dieting and exercise) and others claim that they do not. Those who claim that they worked have only reported minor differences in their cellulite.  Although many professionals promote a healthy diet and exercise along with the use of slimming machines, these machines quite often cost up to thousands of dollars and require several hours of treatments. As the changes are only minor (if they actually work for you), I do not believe they are worth spending thousands of dollars and dedicating hours of your time towards these treatments. You would see far better results spending your time and money on healthy food and working out with a personal trainer.

Does liposuction help with the appearance of medical treatments?

On the contrary, liposuction can worsen the appearance of cellulite. This is simply because it removes fat underneath the skin and can reduce the thickness of your layer of skin. Thin layers of skin will increase the appearance of cellulite. The American Academy of Dermatology issued a warning that liposuction may create depressions in the skin and increase the appearance of cellulite.

A final word

Finally, the simplest answer towards getting rid of cellulite is to lose fat and increase your lean muscle mass in your lower body. If you are already quite slim and suffer from cellulite, focus on building more muscle in your buttocks and thighs. This can be done by consuming more protein and lifting heavier weights. Exercise and a healthy diet will transform your body and appearance of cellulite far more rapidly than any other treatment possibly can.

I have personally tried every pill, lotion, cream, oil and even slimming machines and have never seen any positive changes. The only time I have ever noticed dramatic results is when I reached my leanest this summer through hardcore training and a strict diet. Although some of the other treatments may help, do not ever let them be a substitute for hard work.