Posted by Dr. Miguel Fernández Calderón: 08/10/2024
Cellulite is an aesthetic condition that affects millions of women worldwide. Although it poses no health risk, it can be uncomfortable and affect body appearance. If you’re concerned about how your body looks due to this condition, there are several actions you can take. For this reason, we’ll explain to you below how to eliminate cellulite.
What is cellulite?
Cellulite is a skin condition in which fat accumulates beneath the skin and creates bumps and dimples, especially in areas such as the thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen. It’s a harmless condition that occurs mainly in women, and appears like orange peel or with lumps.
Differences between cellulite and other skin problems
Cellulite is an aesthetic issue that causes the skin to appear dimpled and uneven, it doesn’t cause pain, but it does lower self-esteem and confidence. In contrast, medical conditions like lipedema cause fat to accumulate excessively in the lower body areas.
Causes of cellulite
- Genetic factors. Genetics influences the skin characteristics of each person, defining structure and texture. Genetics also affects body shape and type. Although being overweight can worsen the condition, cellulite is not exclusive to overweight individuals—it can also appear in thin people.
- Lifestyle and diet. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the reasons cellulite appears. Exercising and physical activity accelerate metabolism and help eliminate toxins.
- Hormonal changes. During stages such as menopause or the menstrual cycle, hormonal imbalances occur in adipocytes that promote cellulite formation, fluid retention and inflammation.
How to eliminate cellulite naturally
Recommended exercises
Exercise can help improve the orange peel appearance caused by cellulite. Aerobic workouts such as running, cycling and resistance training are effective for increasing muscle mass and improving blood flow, which will also help you achieve perfect buttocks.
Diet to reduce cellulite
The foods we consume have a direct impact on our overall health, and also on cellulite appearance. There are eating habits that increase the risk of cellulite, such as refined carbohydrates, fats, salt and preservatives.
That’s why we recommend consuming foods that provide more fiber, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Hydration and its impact on cellulite
Drinking enough water daily is essential for our body, and it helps improve skin appearance by reducing cellulite. Proper hydration improves skin elasticity and allows you to eliminate toxins that contribute to inflammation and fluid retention.
Consuming sufficient water also optimizes cell function, which allows for healthier and better-looking skin.
How to reduce cellulite on the legs
Doing cardiovascular exercises regularly and complementing them with strength activities allows you to reduce fat in the leg area and increase muscle mass, which makes it possible to reduce cellulite.
It’s also important to avoid staying in the same position for long periods—whether standing, sitting, or otherwise; as this can affect circulation in the legs and cause cellulite.
Medical and aesthetic treatments to eliminate cellulite
Laser and ultrasound treatments
Laser or ultrasound treatments to reduce cellulite are very effective if you’re wondering how to eliminate cellulite on your legs. They work by liquefying fat, cutting connective tissue and stimulating collagen production, which tightens the skin and improves skin appearance.
Anti-cellulite creams: Do they really work?
Anti-cellulite creams are composed of ingredients such as caffeine, aminophylline and theophylline that help break down fat. Although this option doesn’t work like magic, it does serve as a complement to other treatment alternatives.
Creams with retinol used over an extended period can help reduce the orange peel appearance. Those containing caffeine improve circulation and help eliminate serum fluid, and burn fat that causes cellulite.
Cosmetic surgery and liposculpture
Cosmetic surgery also offers options such as microair liposuction, traditional liposuction or liposculpture, which although their primary goal is not to eliminate cellulite, are effective because removing localized fat deposits can improve skin appearance.
A thigh lift is another surgical alternative. This procedure allows you to tighten thigh skin while removing excess fat in this area. Resulting in better-contoured thighs and reducing the orange peel appearance.
A Brazilian Butt Lift or buttock lift is another surgery that can make cellulite on the buttocks less visible thanks to fat transfer that enhances the shape of the buttocks.
Tips to prevent cellulite
Daily skin care routines
To achieve healthier skin and improve the appearance of cellulite, it is necessary to keep the skin well moisturized and free of dead skin cells. To achieve this, it is essential to moisturize the skin of the entire body at least once a day and apply exfoliating creams to remove dead skin cells. This results in smoother and firmer-looking skin.
Importance of maintaining a healthy weight
Although cellulite can appear in both thin and overweight individuals, constant weight fluctuations produce sagging skin, and in those flaccid areas, the appearance of orange peel skin can worsen.
Avoid habits that worsen cellulite
- Reduce the consumption of “light” or “diet” drinks, since their content of artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and food dyes contribute to the appearance of cellulite.
- Control your caffeine consumption to avoid dehydration and the appearance of adipocytes.
- Avoid smoking or using tobacco products.
It should be remembered that diet and physical activity play a decisive role in the path to eliminating cellulite. However, there are also procedures performed by professionals in the aesthetic field, such as liposuction, which can be an option to reduce orange peel skin.
