Wave goodbye to stretch marks and cellulite!
Thursday 12 July 2012
The age-old debate about whether or not you can beat pesky cellulite for good still hasn’t been resolved, much to our annoyance! But, there are a lot of waysyou can make a vast improvement on the appearance of your derriere and thighs, and we have gone and done the research for you.
Here is Closer's top tips on how to work towards dimple and stretch-mark free skin...
What is cellulite?
First things first: we ALL get it, so don’t think you’re the only one!
In fact, 90% of women suffer from the dreaded ‘orange peel’ and ‘cottage cheese’ effects of cellulite (and we reckon the remaining 10% just haven’t noticed it yet!)
Cellulite is caused by pesky little fat cells, trapped toxins and water sitting in the skin’s uppermost layers.
And if you’re asking why it’s us women who have to suffer from it and not men, it’s because cellulite is linked to the female hormone oestrogen.
Women also have more fatty deposits than men, so are more likely to suffer from the curse of the ‘cottage cheese effect’.
What causes cellulite?
* A diet high in toxins e.g. fried foods, sugar, caffeine, salt
* Bad lifestyle – e.g. poor circulation caused by a lack of exercise, stress, being run-down
* Hormones – cellulite is triggered by changes in oestrogen and progesterone levels, which control how much fat your body stores or releases. Oral contraceptives and pregnancy can affect these levels.
* Age – the tone and condition of skin declines with age, along with its ability to process nutrition for skin tissue
What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks occur when the skin is stretched by a significant amount over a short space of time. This rapid stretching causes the middle layer of the skin to break in places, allowing the deeper layers of the skin to show through – resulting in stretch marks.
Like cellulite, stretch marks are super common and also occur mainly in women rather than in men. Stretch marks tend to show up on the stomach, bum and thighs.
What causes stretch marks?
* Pregnancy
* Weight gain, or dramatic weight loss
* Growth spurts triggered by puberty
* In some cases, stretch marks can also be symptomatic of an underlying health problem, such as Cushing's syndrome - caused by an over-production of steroid hormones.
If you’re feeling a little bit depressed by all this science talk, fear not! Luckily, there are some key things you can do to combat both cellulite and stretch marks!
Wonder potions for cellulite and stretch marks:
A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons against cellulite and stretch marks but for a quick fix, try a moisturising lotion to firm up the skin’s top layer and improve elasticity.
These creams should be applied regularly and rubbed into affected areas. Remember to do this after showering when the skin is dehydrated.
Some of the best firming skin creams are:
Palmers Cocoa Butter
This purse-friendly and yummy-smelling moisturiser is loved by expecting mums and is a great all-round body lotion. It contains shea butter, collagen, elastin & vitamin E. Cocoa butter helps to rejuvenate tired looking skin and improve the skin's elasticity and texture.
Emu Skin Oil
The Australian Aborigines have used this oil for thousands of years to treat burns, wounds, bruises, and as a pain reliever for bone, muscle and joint disorders. Emu oil has been proven to reduce scar formation in healed burn wounds, muscle sprains, and arthritis because of its strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Bio Oil
Another classic that helps to improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone. Bio Oil is made up of natural ingredients including Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Lavender Oil, Rosemary Oil and Chamomile Oil.
Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E Oil improves skin condition and increases the growth of new skin cells. It also improves circulation, so don't worry if your skin gets slightly reddish after you have massaged it in.
Other tips to help banish cellulite:
* Up your exercise: A combo of weight training and cardio is best for banishing the dreaded peel effect. Lunges and squats for the legs work well, as do sit-ups for the abs. Running, skipping, swimming and dancing are also guaranteed cellulite busters.
* Improve your diet: Flush out cellulite-causing toxins by drinking lots and lots of water. Up your intake of fresh fruit and veg, eggs, fish, wholegrain bread, nuts, vitamin B and essential fatty acids.
Other tips to help banish stretch marks:
* Prescription creams: Medicated creams such as Tretinoin are available on prescription from your doctor. Tretinoin creams improve the appearance of the skin by reducing fine lines and wrinkles, reducing roughness and improving the skin’s colouration.
* Improve your diet: Eat foods that are rich in vitamin A, E and C. Also go for foods that are rich in zinc and silica, like eggs, nuts, milk, rice, oats and fresh veg. These are good for skin and help form collagen, the supporting fibers in the skin. Eating foods rich in essential fatty acids (such as vegetable and fish oils) increases the skin’s capacity to make cell walls.
If you fancy getting bikini confident like Kim Kardashian then why not head over to www.closerdiets.com where you can join our Beach Body Ready plan and you could drop a stone in just eight weeks! Join now and get a Fake Bake spray tan for just £15!
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