how to get rid of cellulite
illustration by poonam chauhan

Why Cellulite Is So Stubborn and What Can Be Done

The real cause isn’t what you think

About 85 per cent of all women have cellulite, and according to our highly unscientific survey of friends, approximately the same number believe there’s no legit way to get rid of it. The fact that cellulite is extremely common and totally natural makes a solid case for not giving a damn about it (and if you agree, our work here is done!). But if you’re still bothered and keen to know how to deal with yours, read on.

First things first: Is it even possible to get rid of cellulite?

Let’s manage some expectations: “It is possible to get rid of cellulite if there are only a few discrete ‘dimples.’ However, the vast majority of the population has more than a few dimpled areas, which means you cannot get rid of it. The goal is improvement, not eradication,” explains dermatologist Dr. Mark Lupin, clinical instructor in the University of British Columbia’s Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, and medical director of Cosmedica Laser Centre in Victoria, B.C.

Why is cellulite so notoriously hard to treat?

Because it’s as normal as having cute dimples on your face. “Although most people do not like their cellulite, it is nevertheless difficult to treat a normal condition,” says  Lupin. The actual cause of cellulite is tethering of the skin due to connective bands known as fibrous septae, he explains.

If you have bands that run vertically, these tether the skin in such a way that it creates a bumpy appearance—picture: tufts in a couch. (Men tend to be blessed with horizontally oriented septae, which is why they’re typically cellulite-free.) Contrary to popular belief, body fat isn’t the reason someone gets cellulite, but “[having] more fat will exaggerate the dimpling, akin to increasing hills between valleys,” says Lupin.

So, will a serious workout regimen get rid of cellulite?

“From a health and fitness perspective, it’s skin, and you can’t really ‘train’ your skin,” says Jennifer Lau, Nike Master Trainer for Canada, co-owner of Fit Squad Training and also a registered holistic nutritionist. That said, lifestyle choices still count: If you’re exercising regularly and eating well, you’re bound to feel better—and probably more focused on your strong bod than a little who-cares cellulite.

Also, “when your muscles grow and feel firmer, you might feel like the cellulite is less apparent,” regardless of whether or not it’s actually decreased, Lau points out. To strengthen those muscles, be sure to get in your resistance training and not just cardio. Don’t know where to start? You can find workouts targeting glutes and legs on the free Nike Training Club app.

Do anti-cellulite creams work?

Topical skincare products that purport to smooth cellulite will often feature circulation-boosting ingredients like caffeine, but these don’t fundamentally change the structure of your skin (remember those fibrous bands?). As Lupin bluntly puts it: “Don’t waste your money. There are no creams that have been proven to work better than a simple moisturizer in a proper randomized, controlled clinical trial.”

Does dry brushing help with cellulite?

If a spa therapist has ever tried to foist a dry brush on you, promising that stroking the coarse bristles on your backside will somehow minimize the look of cellulite—well, they might be onto something. While you shouldn’t expect miracles, dry brushing basically works like a form of self-massage. “Massage helps lymphatic drainage, which might temporarily—for a few hours—help the appearance of cellulite,” says Lupin.

What in-office procedures are available to treat cellulite?

There are numerous types of cellulite-smoothing treatments on offer at medi-spas, many of which purportedly work by reducing localized body fat or tightening up the skin by boosting collagen production or firming muscles. These devices use technology such as radiofrequency energy (TiteFx and Thermage), acoustic waves (ZWave) and magnetic pulses (CoolTone by Coolsculpting), Lupin explains.

So, what is the best solution for cellulite then? Depends on whom you ask. For Lupin, a relatively new in-office procedure called Cellfina is “the present gold standard.” It deals with the root cause of cellulite, using a technique called subcision to precisely cut the fibrous bands tethering skin. But Cellfina sadly isn’t for everyone; it works best for those with localized dimples, rather than all-over bumpiness.

For Lau, the best way to deal with cellulite is to recognize that it’s no big deal: “Women over 25—we all have it. I was at the Beyoncé concert and the J.Lo concert, and they have a little bit of it. It doesn’t matter.”

 

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