That Dirty Little Secret – Cellulite
By Jen Harmatz, Murad Director of National Retail Education
You are sitting with a few of your closest girlfriends having an intense, whispered conversation. Someone walks by, talking immediately stops and then one of you changes the subject.
It seems like whenever people have a conversation about cellulite, it’s often hidden in back rooms. Cellulite is one of those things that women desperately want to understand but don’t want to talk about out in the open. It’s time to put it right out there for all to see, dimples and all.
Today we will discuss the truth about cellulite and address some of women’s most commonly asked questions about it.
What is cellulite?
There are 2 types of body fat: normal fat and subdermal fat. There are many layers within the skin before you get to the muscle underneath. Normal fat lives closest to the muscle and is the fat that is burned when you increase your exercise and change your eating habits. This type of fat does not contribute to cellulite. Subdermal fat consists of buoyant fat cells that have been pushed closest to the dermis. They live in a different layer within the skin and cannot be burned as fuel. We have control over the normal fat, but we have almost no control over the subdermal fat. When the outermost layers of our skin, the dermis and epidermis, are weakened, then that subdermal fat presses against the outer layer of skin, becoming visible cellulite.
Cellulite has nothing to do with whether or not you need to shed a few pounds. The truth of the matter is we cannot affect cellulite with diet or exercise. I know, I know; I was upset when I first learned this, too. But stick with me, because pretty soon I will give you some tips on what we can do about it.
Why do we get cellulite?
Hormones play a big factor in why we get cellulite. We know the cases of men having cellulite are rare. This is due to the lower levels of estrogen in men. Women who have estrogen levels that flux significantly can have a greater tendency to cellulite. It can also be because, not only do men generally have a thicker dermis than women, but also their connective tissue forms bands that crisscross. Women’s connective tissue forms bands that are vertical. These vertical bands make women’s skin more susceptible to damage caused by the environment and aging.
When the outer layer of our skin starts to weaken, we start to see cellulite appear. Imagine a tightly woven basket; see all the different bands of fibers interlaced with no gaps between them. This is what healthy skin looks like; with the fibers being the connective tissue and skin cells woven together tightly to protect your body from the outside elements. Now imagine that same basket with several of those bands of fibers missing. We see gaps and holes where things can slip in or out. This is unhealthy, damaged skin. When you have those gaps in the skin, the buoyant cells that make up cellulite start to push up against that outer layer of skin. So instead of smooth, firm skin, we see texture and dimples.
We don’t know 100% why some women get cellulite and others don’t. Genetics certainly plays a role. We all love our moms, but we don’t need EVERYTHING passed down from them. Chances are if your mom and grandmother have cellulite, then you could too.
What can we do about cellulite?
First things first. You need the outer layer of skin to be stronger. We can do this through nutrition with a powerful multivitamin. You want it to be bursting with amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamin B and trace minerals. Try Murad’s Firm and Tone Dietary Supplement Pack to get all the essential vitamins you need to keep skin looking its best.
Another way to strengthen the skin is to add foods like pomegranates, lecithin, ginger, flax seed, lean meats, goji berries, cabbage, green beans, arugula, grapefruit and avocados to your diet.
Try dry brushing. Make sure to get a long-handled brush made out of vegetable fibers so you can reach everywhere. Do this on clean, dry skin in the morning before you shower. Start at your feet, moving the brush in circular motions and work your way up the body. Remember to do your back, too (hence the long handle). Doing this will stimulate the blood, remove dead skin cells and encourage new cell growth, ultimately helping the skin to be healthy and strong.
Deep-tissue massage can be beneficial in helping tissue to be longer and smoother. You can massage areas that have cellulite yourself once or twice a day to minimize the appearance of lumps and dimples. This will improve blood flow and encourage water drainage.
Try body creams with ingredients like oat and algae extracts, goji berry, guarana, caffeine, grapefruit and mandarin orange oils, and horse chestnut. These ingredients help to firm, tone and tighten the appearance of skin.
Every body is different, so try a combination of several of the above tips to find what works best for you. To see the most significant difference, attack cellulite from several different angles.
Jen Harmatz is a seasoned makeup artist and skin specialist who has worked on the GRAMMY Awards and the Oprah Winfrey Show. She knows from experience that perfecting the “canvas” lets you put your best face forward. She has created education initiatives to empower people across multiple channels to improve their skin, life and overall well-being.
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