What woman has never looked in the mirror and lamented the “bumpy” appearance of her skin in certain places on her body? This typically feminine phenomenon results from an accumulation of fat stored under the skin, hence its nickname “orange peel”. Cellulite is more particularly lodged on the thighs, hips or buttocks.
“Some women may have it on their stomachs, arms and even knees,” says Véronique Legrand, naturotherapist at Osmose Santé Naturelle, in Toulouse. “Cellulite reduces blood circulation and causes problems with cell metabolism,” says Bakary Sissako, sports coach.
At issue in particular? “Certain bad eating habits that promote excess fluid reserves in the body,” he continues. A diet that is too fatty, too salty or too sweet promotes the appearance of cellulite. But other factors such as stress, hormonal imbalance, blood circulation disorders, a tendency to retain water can be the cause.
Cellulite: 4 things to do all year round
The solutions ? Sport, but not only
To prevent the appearance of cellulite and limit its effects, it is essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Nothing like sports. “During a session, the body secretes adrenaline, a stress hormone that has the ability to destock fat cells, explains the sports coach. Sport also burns fat, and it promotes blood circulation and that of fluids.
Other natural methods have the power to reduce it:
- Manual lymphatic drainage. This massage technique aims to stimulate the circulation of the lymph in order to rid the body of its toxins. “It helps fight cellulite and lipedema, understand the accumulation of subcutaneous fat” informs Véronique Legrand. It is a way of regenerating the body. You can perform this massage in aesthetic care centers, at physiotherapists. Exerting pressure on the right lymphatic points requires knowledge, which is why it is difficult to achieve it yourself.
- The palpate-roll. This technique (to be performed in a salon) consists of intensely kneading the skin in order to destock subcutaneous fat. It also activates the venous and lymphatic circulations. A more or less painful, but effective method, which fights against the “orange peel skin” appearance and water retention. “It can be done using a machine, but I prefer to do it manually because it’s gentler and I have better control of the areas to be treated. This also avoids “breaking” the fibers of the skin. I may need to use suction cups after applying massage oil,” says Véronique Legrand.
Phytotherapy (in macerate) and aromatherapy also help to drain toxins and decongest. Zoom on the best anti-cellulite plants in our slideshow.
Our Experts: Caroline Gayet, herbal dietician; Véronique Legrand, osteopath; Bakary Sissako, sports coach.
Read also :
- 10 tips to get rid of cellulite
- 10 gestures to lose weight from the bottom (almost) effortlessly
- Essential oils: 5 slimming prescriptions