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Cellulite afflicts up to 90 per cent of women, over the age of 30, and is the term used to describe the pattern of fat pads, or orange peel skin associated with cellulite. It is normally found where the body naturally deposits fat, the top of the legs, the stomach and bottom. Cellulite is caused by the leakage of plasma from the capillary vessels, which causes the body’s natural defence system to trigger the fat cells to reproduce in defence. So, why does cellulite appear in the form of lumpy skin? The simple explanation for this is that women store fat in columns of cells, stacked side by side, causing the skin to look dimpled.
There are salon treatments available designed specifically to help in the eradication of cellulite. However, they tend to be expensive and time consuming, and let's face it, not many of us have the time or the money to spend in the beauty salon! But, all is not lost, as there is an array of beauty products available for us to use at home. So, even if you're running late for work, you can still get rid of cellulite by slapping on the latest treatment, just as easily as a body moisturiser.
One thing to consider when starting a course of cellulite treatment, is that our skin is continually renewing itself, taking only 21 days to completely replace a body layer. To help stop skin being clogged by the application of products, and to help your chosen cellulite treatment penetrate the skin, you firstly need to use a body exfoliant to remove dead skin cells. You will find that many treatments are offered with body exfoliants, but if not, then you ought to consider buying one to use along side your treatment. One’s to try include: Clarin’s Exfoliating Body Scrub (£20); Clinique’s Body Line Exfoliator (£12); and Exfoliating Cream (£16.50), or Té Tao’s Body Polish (£3.95), which is available from Boots or Superdrug.
Clarins Body Lift 2000 (£25), takes tested on 2000 women, with what the company describes as 'amazing results.' Using a plant-based extract cangzhu, it helps to reduce fatty deposits, and is suggested for use with complimentary treatments of: Body Firming Cream (£28), which helps firm loose skin, or Body Shaping Cream (£28), formulated to help improve skin tone.
Our tester used the Body Firming Cream in conjunction with the Body Life 2000, and found that when applied daily after a shower, and in the evening before going to bed, in just a few short days her skin was left feeling firmer and more toned.
Many modern cellulite creams use plant and seaweed-based creams, which firm the skin and help stimulate the circulation, helping to eliminate dry patches so that the skin feels smoother to the touch. Such creams include: Lancome's RefleXe Contour (£30/250ml); Mary Cohr's Intensive Body Contour Gel (£35/200ml), (stockists: 01344 873123); Matis's Total Energie Body Contour Cream (£17.50/250ml), (stockists: 01322 290101); and Clarins’ range of anti-cellulite products.
Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is best known for its use in face creams because of its anti-ageing properties. It helps to smooth and tone the skin, as well as reduce the appearance of uneven skin colour. Creams which use this technology in their cellulite treatments include: Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Firm Lift Body Lotion (£23/200ml), ROC’s Retinol Body Contouring Concentrate (£21.95/150ml) and Lancaster's new Deep Life Body Firming Treatment (£39/200ml). A cream which does things a little differently is Christian Dior's Body Light (£26/200ml), with it's triple-action refining formula. This product promises to help boost cell drainage using a cocktail of bio-technological agents, and boosts the skin's micro-circulation to prevent the formation of new fatty deposits.
Many beauty salons who offer cellulite treatments, also offer products as home treatments. So, instead of having to make a visit, you can treat yourself at home. One of the salon treatments that we tested out was Decleor. The two-step system first uses Aromessence Slendisium, an oil which includes rosemary, patchouli and lemon grass. Then you apply Lift Cellulium, a body refining cream on top. The result is better looking, firmer thighs, but it hasn’t banished the cellulite, yet. Salon treatments available for home treatment include: Decleor's Life Cellulium Body Refining Gel (£23/100ml) and Aromessence Slendisium (£29/100ml), stockists: 020 7402 9474; Guinot's Exfoliating Body Scrub (£19.50/200ml) and Absolue Minceur Body Contouring Complex (£35/200ml), stockists: 01344 873123; Gatineau's Contour Gel (£25.25/250ml), stockists: 0800 731 5805; GM Collin's 3-in-1 Contour Gel (£25/150ml), for stockists call: 01767 682288 and Phytomer's Celluli Mask (£21.50/150ml), which is a twice weekly body mask, for suggested use with a daily treatment of either Body Contour Gel (£26/250ml) or OligoForce Contouring Serum (£21/ 50ml), stockists: 0808 1002204. Not all cellulite treatments involve having to apply copious amounts of body cream. Caudalie is a skin care range which specialises in using naturally active substances derived from the vine. It’s cellulite treatment comes in the form of a Bath Oil Contouring Treatment (£35/125ml), which you simply add to your bath. This cocktail of essentials oils and red vine is said to help improve circulation, helping to remove signs of cellulite. Available from Space NK and Harrods. Or you can try Thigh Hopes from Benefit (£19.50/235ml), a foam body wash, which exfoliates dead skin with AHA’s to stimulate the removal of cellulite. Stockists: 0901 1130001. For those brave enough to want to find out how much cellulite they have, there is a product available which can actually show you. Celluvision Personal is an easy-to-use device in the form of a plate, which uses contact thermography and liquid crystals to provide you with a thermal.
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