Cellulite is among women's top cosmetic complaints, and it's also one of the most difficult to treat. Contrary to popular belief, cellulite isn't a medical condition or a health problem; it's simply fat. As with losing fat anywhere else on your body, reducing cellulite without invasive procedures comes down to eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise.
Considerations
There are steps you can take to reduce the appearance of cellulite, but you might not be able to get rid of it entirely. This is because cellulite is simply fat, which even the thinnest individuals have. Cellulite appears when fat bulges through the fibrous cords that connect your skin to your muscles, giving the overlying skin a dimpled appearance. Cellulite is most common on the butt, hips and thighs.
Causes
While cellulite can affect people of both genders and any age, it's more common among women and tends to worsen with age. This is because women tend to carry their body fat in their hips, buttocks and thighs, and because skin loses elasticity and thins as you age, making the underlying cellulite more visible. The fibrous bands under a woman's skin also form a honeycomb pattern which lets fat bulge through easier than it does through a man's criss-cross patterned bands.
Diet and Weight
If you're overweight, reducing your body fat is the first step to reducing cellulite. You can't lose all your fat, but you can improve the appearance of your cellulite by losing some of it. Even if you're not overweight, improving your diet can help you trim excess fat and reduce cellulite. Instead of trying to cut calories, focus on getting most of your calories from whole grains, fruit, vegetables, lean protein and low-fat dairy; filling up on these nutrient-dense foods may help you eat less overall.
Exercise
Exercise plays a dual role in reducing cellulite; it helps burn calories to reduce body fat and strengthens the muscles underlying cellulite so it appears smoother. The American Council on Exercise recommends daily cardio exercise with two or three strength-training sessions every week for treating cellulite. Any form of cardio is fine, but be sure your strength routine includes moves that target the muscles in your lower body like squats, lunges, abductions and hip abductions.
Cellulite Products
Most store shelves are lined with lotions, creams and even pills that promise to erase cellulite, and even spas now offer body wraps designed to treat cellulite. Unfortunately, while these methods are non-invasive, they're also not effective. Most of these products tighten the skin briefly to reduce the appearance of cellulite, but skin quickly goes back to the way it was, reports Health Services at Columbia University.
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