What woman has never looked in the mirror and deplored the “bumpy” appearance of her skin in certain places of her body? This typically feminine phenomenon results from a mass of fat stored under the skin, hence its nickname “orange peel”. Cellulite is more particularly lodged on the thighs, hips or buttocks.
“Some women can 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”, indicates Bakary Sissako, sports coach.
In particular in question? “Certain bad eating habits that promote excess fluid reserve 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.
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 sport. “During a session, the body secretes adrenaline, a stress hormone which has the ability to destock fat cells, explains the sports coach. Sport also helps burn 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 restart the circulation of lymph in order to rid the body of its toxins. “It helps fight against cellulite and lipedema, understand the accumulation of subcutaneous fat” informs Véronique Legrand. It is a way of regenerating the organism. You can perform this massage in beauty care centers, at physiotherapists. Applying pressure to the right lymph points requires knowledge, which is why it is difficult to do it yourself.
- The palpate-roll. This technique (to be carried out in an institute) consists in kneading the skin intensely in order to destock the subcutaneous fat. It also activates the venous and lymphatic circulation. A more or less painful method, but effective, which fights against the aspect “orange peel” and water retention. “It can be done with a machine, but I prefer to do it manually because it is softer and I have better control of the areas to be treated. It also prevents “breaking” the skin fibers. I may need to use suction cups after applying a massage oil, ”says Véronique Legrand.
Herbal medicine (macerated) and aromatherapy also help to drain toxins and decongest. Zoom on the best anti-cellulite plants in our slideshow.
Our experts: Caroline Gayet, phytotherapist dietitian; Véronique Legrand, naturotherapist; Bakary Sissako, sports coach.
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- 10 tips to get rid of cellulite
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