What causes cellulite and how can I get rid of it?

Cellulite is fat cells that have bulged into the skin's middle layer, where they pull on connective tissue to create an unattractive, dimpled skin surface. Until recently, the conventional medical wisdom was that NOTHING could be done to get rid of cellulite.

That has changed with a new laser treatment called Cellulaze, which can get rid of cellulite surgically. The results are impressive, but the procedure is expensive reaching from 5000 to even 7000 dollars, according to Cynosure, the company that makes the machine.

Are there any good homemade anti cellulite remedies?

If you don't want to pull out some huge amounts of money, don't want to undergo an invasive procedure that comes along with some disturbing disadvantages like Cellulaze does, there are things you can do to get rid of cellulite yourself, according to Dr. Murad, a board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at University of California. Cellulite progresses through four stages and the sooner you begin to treat your cellulite, the more success you will have.

To get rid of cellulite, Dr. Murad says you need to strengthen and hydrate your body's cells and the connective tissue in your body. Cellulite may not disappear altogether, but it should diminish if you follow some of these steps.

Anti cellulite lifestyle

• Avoid junk food, diet soda, processed foods, artificial colors and flavors, and saturated fats such as butter and animal fats. Limit sugar and salt, which aggravate fluid retention. A trip to a detox spa or a health spa can help you make some of these changes.
• Avoid toxins like excessive alcohol and cigarettes, which put a burden on your body's lymphatic system. This is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health, AND it helps get rid of cellulite.
• Improve your eating habits.. This means eating lots of leafy greens and fruit. Organic food is better because it contains fewer toxins like pesticides.
• Maintain your healthiest weight. Yo-yo dieting can aggravate cellulite.
• Drink a lot of water to hydrate your body and flush out toxins. Eight to ten glasses a day are recommended.
• Brush your skin daily, preferably before bathing. The best is a Tampico Skin Brush (compare prices) made with natural agave plant fiber. This simple technique stimulates blood and lymph flow, removes dead skin cells and encourages new cell growth. Skin brushing is also inexpensive. You can get a good quality body brush for $6-$8.
• Take Glucosamine supplements (compare prices), which helps your body repair the dermis and connective tissue, an effective cellulite treatment.
• Finish your daily shower with a cool rinse to tone your skin.
• Bathe in a comfortable, warm (not too hot!) seaweed bath to remineralize and increase circulation, ideally three times a week. Spa Technologies Sea Cal (compare prices) is the high-quality product that Spa Montage uses. If the cellulite is severe, avoid high-pressure massage so as not to damage lymphatic function and micro-circulation.
• Give up smoking, alcohol and even excessive exercising.
• Apply an essential oil blend designed to stimulate the circulatory and lymphatic systems to the back of your knees and at the top of your thighs near your bikini line.

While regular treatment cannot completely rid the body of cellulite, especially as it gets more advanced, it can help prevent further deterioration of the tissues and reduce both pain and swelling.

Will Creams Get Rid of Cellulite?

Most anti-cellulite creams have caffeine, which dehydrates the skin. This tightens and firms the skin for a temporary improvement in appearance. So it's not actually getting rid of the cellulite, just changing the way your skin looks, which can be a plus in bathing suit season.

Anti cellulite creams, anti cellulite lotions and anti cellulite oils are expensive and are unfortunately a big disappointment. But if you want to give anti cellulite products a shot, look for the ones with 5% caffeine, the best anti cellulite ingredient.

The newest cellulite-fighting ingredient is aminophylline, which helps break down fat in cells so it can burn easier.

What cellulite treatments don't work?

• Wearing inflatable plastic shorts around the house. They just make you uncomfortable and sweaty.
• Getting traditional liposuction won't get rid of cellulite. In fact, it might make the problem more noticeable.
• Body wraps that promise to reduce the diameter of your thigh by one inch work by compressing the tissue. They're a good choice for a big night out, but they don't get rid of cellulite for good. So if you just want a quick fix for cellulite, body wraps are your go to anti cellulite solution.
• Using detox foot pads. The moisture itself turns them dark, not toxins leaving your body.