Posts Tagged ‘skin care’

Banishing Cellulite for Good

Friday, May 1st, 2009
by El Bilson

Is there really a way toward banishing cellulite? In a great attempt to get your money, the cosmetics industry wants you to buy their cellulite products. It seems as though every year there are new lotions, creams, body wraps, ultrasonic massagers and medical treatments such as mesotherapy designed to help you get rid of cellulite. Is there any truth to the hype? Can any of these products really get rid of that frustrating cellulite?

Cellulite is the display of pockets of fat under the skin. The odds that you will get cellulite are mostly based on your genes. Most women have at least minimal cellulite but some cases are more extreme than others. If you have only a small amount of cellulite, lotions and creams can be a real solution to banishing cellulite for you.

Most over the counter cellulite treatments contain the same ingredients. Caffeine, aminophyline and collagen work towards smoothing and tightening the skin. Vigorously massaging the creams or lotions onto the effected area will increase the circulation in the area. This will help any fat that is getting broken down to metabolize and will allow the body to get rid of it as a waste.

For moderate to severe cases of cellulite, don’t waste your money and energy on lotions and fancy creams. You’re going to need some intensive treatments. There is a process called Endermology where a powerful electronic device massages the effected areas with more pressure than you could exert with your hands. It can be slightly uncomfortable and leave minor bruising. However, most patients see results of smoother, tighter skin within a few weeks. The problem is that multiple sessions will be required and it isn’t exactly cheap.

Mesotherapy is one of the best treatments for cellulite on the market. It is a minimally invasive cosmetic medical procedure that can be very helpful for women who have tried other treatments with little success. Mesotherapy involves a shot containing a special formula that is given to the patient in the effected area. The special injection formula includes pharmaceutical and homeopathic medicines, vitamins, amino acids and minerals. This formula is designed to promote the destruction of the fat in the cells, the metabolism of that fat. This leads to a renewed appearance of the skin and less cellulite.

Mesotherapy injections are given in a doctor’s office or medical center under local anesthesia. There is no recovery time needed so you can walk out of the office and go about your daily routine. Multiple injections may be needed depending on the severity of your cellulite. But mesotherapy is reknowned for being a real solution to banishing cellulite.

Products that usually provide no value in treating your cellulite include over the counter vitamins, herbs and cellulite wraps. However some women swear by certain products that have improved their skin. In general, cellulite pills are not effective and can contain herbs that interfere with your other medications. However it is important to find something that works for you.

Another tip for banishing cellulite is to lead a healthy lifestyle and follow proven healthy habits. All around us are toxins that can find their way inside our bodies. These toxins can build up in the body over time and lead to various health problems and skin disorders. By eating fresh, healthy foods and getting regular exercise, you can decrease the amount of cellulite on your body. You will also gain immense health benefits as well.

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Smoking and Cellulite

Monday, April 27th, 2009
by El Bilson

You may have wondered if smoking and cellulite go hand in hand. Smoking is one of the most widely practiced bad habits in the United States. The habit slowly destroys your lungs and leaves you at greater risk for many types of cancers. And while smoking can cause issues with all organs of the body, it also deteriorates the quality of your skin.

Cigarette smoke contains various toxic chemicals – among them, cyanide, benzene, formaldehyde, methanol, acetylene (the fuel used in welding torches), and ammonia. Each of the chemicals are harmful to the body. Some of them are lethal if consumed in any other form, so its no surprise that these toxins can lead to skin problems including cellulite.

Smoking can be very harmful to the skin. One of the ways smoking damages your skin is by affecting collagen. Collagen is the main structural protein of the skin. It provides the necessary structure to keep skin firm and taut. Collagen is also a component of everything from blood vessels to organs. Naturally as a person ages, the cells of the body gradually produces less collagen. Smoking accelerates the breakdown of collagen in the skin and in the body. Collagen breakdown starts at a younger age and a faster rate for regular smokers.

Smoking also affects the bodys production of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a compound produced in the body that adds fullness and tautness to the skin. It helps prevent the hollow look that is often seen in older skin. It works by helping the cells retain moisture. As with collagen, the body naturally produces less hyaluronic acid as it ages. But the free radicals that are either present in cigarette smoke breaks down the chains of hyaluronic acid, leading to skin that is more dry and haggard-looking.

The problems of collagen and hyaluronic acid loss have great effects on cellulite. Firm skin is able to retain moisture and will be able to better hide the fat that cellulite exists on the body. Think of skin like fabric. Healthy skin is like denim, and can better hide cellulite infected thighs. But skin that has been ravaged by years of smoking is more like spandex – stretchy, weak, and shows everything!

Smoking also affects the quality of the blood and lymphatic vessels. This is due to the fact that both compounds are major components in the pipes that support our blood and lymphatic fluids. Smoking damages the vessels in our body, making them less able to transport nutrients to the organs that need them, including the skin. Smoking also affects blood flow by constricting the vessels. Both of these side effects contribute to poor nutrient transport and fluid retention which can lead to an increase in cellulite.

The only upside to the effects of smoking and cellulite is that the effects of smoking are not seen for awhile. In fact, if you are a younger adult, many of the physical problems that come with smoking may actually be reversed by living a healthy lifestyle. However, the longer you wait, the more irreversible damage that will be done to your body.

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Cellulite Vitamin Supplements

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
by El Bilson

Taking vitamin supplements is one way to combat the appearance of cellulite. However, if a product claims to cure cellulite, beware. Vitamin supplements are an important element in fighting off cellulite but are not a cure. A low fat/high fiber diet, exercise, drinking plenty of water, and taking vitamin supplements are the most effective ways to reduce cellulite.

Several vitamins and minerals aid in the reduction of cellulite. Moreover, there are specific reasons why these vitamins and minerals work against the appearance of cellulite. Vitamin C is one of the best vitamins you can take for cellulite. Vitamin C helps strengthen the skin and is a powerful detoxifier. Good food sources of Vitamin C include asparagus, berries, tomatoes and onions, however one of the best sources of Vitamin C is citrus fruit. The recommended daily allowance for Vitamin C is 75 mg. for women and 90 mg. for men. Smokers should add an additional 35 mg. per day because their metabolic turnover of Vitamin C is more rapid.

Another vitamin supplement that can be used to combat cellulite is Vitamin E. Found at your local vitamin store in oil capsules, Vitamin E improves circulation in the body and helps improve the appearance of this skin. A good source of vitamin E is nuts which are high in protein as well. However, nuts also have a high fat content. If you are on a low fat diet, limit the intake of nuts and add a vitamin supplement of Vitamin E instead. Green leafy vegetables are another good source of Vitamin E.

Selenium can also help get rid of your cellulite. This supplement works by improving the action of vitamins C and E. Broccoli is one vegetable that is an excellent food source of selenium. Broccoli contains lipoic acid, which helps prevent the hardening of collagen in the skin cells.

In addition to selenium, calcium is another vitamin supplement that will assist in reducing cellulite. Calcium is important for fighting body fat and providing strong bones. Some good food sources of calcium to add to your diet are plain, low fat yogurt, skim milk, spinach, cottage cheese, and baked beans.

It is recommended that adults between the ages of 19-50 should have approximately 1000 mg of calcium per day. For adults over 50 years of age, the RDA is 1200 mg. per day. It is often difficult to get the RDA of vitamins and minerals in the diet alone. Vitamin supplements can help assure your body has all the vitamins and minerals it needs to fight cellulite.

Scientists feel that there is no one method that cures cellulite. However, vitamins and minerals are crucial in increasing the bodys ability to maintain healthy skin elasticity. When the collagen, septa and other components of healthy skin are properly nourished, then the appearance of cellulite can decrease eventually. A long-term change in lifestyle and diet is necessary to maintain healthy, cellulite free skin.

Proper diet, exercise, drinking an adequate supple of water and adding vitamin supplements are the lifestyle changes that need to be made. Lifestyle changes such as reducing intake of alcohol, quitting smoking will help reduce cellulite. Also exercises such as yoga that increase blood circulation will help reduce cellulite. In addition, there is the extra-added benefit of having a healthier body over-all with these lifestyle changes.

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Does Milk Cause Cellulite?

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
by El Bilson

I definitely enjoy my diary products, but I have often wondered ” does milk cause cellulite? Is it possible to improve the appearance of your skin simply by making a dietary change?

Have you ever thought about the connection between the foods we eat and the appearance of our skin? More specifically have you wondered ” does milk cause cellulite? Some people feel that milk does indeed lead to this skin disorder. While some of us would not enjoy giving up our daily dairy products, others might find this to be worth a shot if it means no more cellulite!

One of the biggest controversies surrounding milk is the amount of hormones contained in milk. These hormones are mainly from the hormones given to the cows to enable them to produce more milk. Many feel that these extra hormones can do damage to our bodies when we regularly ingest them.

Since cellulite responds to hormonal changes with in the body, it would make sense that more hormones in the body would trigger an increase in the amount of cellulite. Some studies have shown that a reduction of cellulite was found in women who stopped using diary products. It took about 6 to 12 months for these women to notice a difference in their skin.

For many women who are desperate to get rid of their cellulite and have tried many different products in the past with no success, a simple diet change may be the solution they are looking for. This can be hard however. Diary products are found in many foods we eat ” just try eating something that doesnt contain cheese!

A an easy solution to regular cows milk is to use goats milk. Goats milk doesnt usually have the hormones found in regular cows milk. Be careful with yogurt too as yogurt is made from cow’s milk and can contain hormones.

Other people may feel that there is no true answer to the question does milk cause cellulite. They feel that this topic has not been studied much and therefore no scientific conclusion can be drawn. While this point is valid, it should not be used to dissuade those who are interested in eliminating diary from their diets in order to get smooth skin.

Not only are women asking does milk cause cellulite, but many are wondering if milk products are the source of some of their other problems as well. These can include things such as digestive issues, weight gain and acne. Going off diary products may be helpful for many reasons, not just cellulite.

In conclusion, only you can decide if milk really does impact your cellulite. If you decide to stay away from diary products, make sure you give yourself enough time to notice results. A week or so probably will not cut it as our bodies are often slow to change. You will most likely need to dedicate 6 months to a year towards this project. While after this amount of time you may not find any results with your cellulite, you may notice that you do not crave or tolerate milk products any longer.

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A Detox Diet for Cellulite

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
by El Bilson

Cellulite is a condition that many women wish they didn’t have to deal with. A detox diet for cellulite is something that may help you get rid of ugly skin for good.

Interested in learning about a detox diet for cellulite? While there is no diet that will cure cellulite, following a detox diet can help reduce the problem. There are several detox diets that you can try and we will look at where to research those.

Wondering how a detox diet helps improve your skin? What does it mean to detox the body? This article is a good starting point for more information on detox diets and how they work. Before you start a detox diet it is important to check with your doctor. This is especially crucial if you have health problems or are on any medications.

Several organs in the body help clean toxins from the blood. The main detox organ is the liver. However other organs such as the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph, and skin all play their part in cleaning the body. Our bodies are a miracle in that all the systems work together.

After many years of cleaning the body, the cleansing organs often contain built up toxins. These toxins hamper the functioning of the body’s organs. Cellulite can improve with a healthy diet. However you may want to start is by detoxifying your body through a good cleanse. After that you can choose low fat, high fiber foods that will continue to improve the functioning of the body.

Like most of us, you are no doubt eating foods that are high in fat and low in fiber. Its easy to do. My husband and I travel a lot and most of our meals are take out. Many people give into their cravings for french fries or pizza on a regular basis. But over time these foods and others like them cause the body to be loaded down with toxins.

These toxins put a lot of work on the liver and kidneys and the other detox organs. Going on a brief detox diet gives these organs a rest and allows them to clean the toxins from the body. Detoxifying the body allows these organs to play catch up on the work they are designed for.

Cellulite is the term used to describe the dimpled look that is found on the skin. As skin ages the connective tissue, called septa, in the subcutaneous layer of the skin loses its elasticity. When this happens, the fat deposits that are a normal part of the body push up between the septa. This is what causes cellulite to have a rippled or dimpled appearance.

By changing what we eat and drink, we can improve circulation to the septa. When blood circulation is improved, a reduction in cellulite can be achieved over time. Of course, this is a change in lifestyle. Permanent results require us to give up some of the foods we may enjoy. But the good news is that the healthy change in diet will not only improve the look of skin but will result in a healthier body overall.

There are a number of detox diet for cellulite to choose from. Visit your local library or bookstore or do a web search and you will find many methods to detoxify the body. Some of these detox diets include fasting. Others are liquid diets that include fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Whatever method you choose to detox, remember that you are giving your body a chance to rest. This will lead to not only improve cellulite, but improved health overall.

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Cellulite Diet Tips

Thursday, April 9th, 2009
by El Bilson

Ladies here’s what you’ve been waiting for – some cellulite diet tips and the best foods to incorporate into your diet to get rid of cellulite! To follow a diet that is specifically designed to reduce cellulite does not necessarily revolve around weight loss. It does involve minimizing the foods full of toxins which can lead to cellulite.

With a diet for cellulite, a person needs to include as many iodine rich foods as possible. Among other things, iodine is required for normal functioning of the thyroid gland. Iodine is needed by this gland so that it may produce T3 and T4 which are required for normal body functions.

It is important to remember that yo-yo dieting is believed to make cellulite worse. When planning a diet for cellulite be prepared to make permanent changes in the foods you eat. Some of these changes will be easy because they are foods that you already enjoy. The challenge is in avoiding the foods that are not a part of the cellulite reducing diet. Change the foods you eat permanently for long term results in reducing the appearance of your skin.

If you are serious about a cellulite reducing diet, you may want to consider investing in a juice extractor. These juicers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It is important to find one that fits your needs and is within your budget. Vegetable and fruit juices extracted from fresh produce are one of the best ways to get the nutrients the body needs. This can lead to healthy skin and detoxification of the body.

Many of us know we should be regularly consuming water. Water is needed in order to flush out toxins from the body. It is important to be well hydrated for healthy a body to function correctly. The rule of 6 to 8 glasses of water a day is a good rule of thumb. However if you would like a more personalized requirement amount, you can divide your body weight in pounds by 18. This will give you a daily water consumption requirement.

Eggs, cheese and milk”eggs are high in protein and easy to prepare but have them boiled or poached. Stay away from frying them in oil, butter or margarine. Cheese is okay but choose the low fat kinds. For example, cottage cheese contains about 4 grams of fat per 100 grams. And regular cheddar cheese contains about 32 grams of fat per 100 grams serving. Milk is high in calcium but a good rule to follow is to always choose skim or 2%. Some people feel diary may cause cellulite – you may want to avoid it all together.

Vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals. Try raw veggies thinly sliced in a salad to add crunch. Since they arent cooked they retain all their nutrients. Vegetables to include are radishes, asparagus, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, leeks, artichokes, turnips, onions, watercress, string beans, mushrooms and lettuce. Fresh fruits that are water rich such as melon or cantaloupe are great snacks. Due to their high water content, they will aid in the detoxification process. Other fruits to include are bananas, strawberries, grapes and pears. You can even grow your own veggies and fruits in a garden! Look to buy organic fruits and veggies as much as possible. Pesticides can remain in the body and lead to toxin build up.

Protein is needed by the body for proper functioning. Always choose lean cuts of meat and remove any excess fat or skin from poultry or meat. Fish and seafood are iodine rich and contain the omega fatty acids. Omega fatty acids are very beneficial to the skin. Seafood is also high in iodine to boost thyroid functioning. Be sure you try a vegetable source of protein such as soy or tofu. You might enjoy them and they can be used in many different recipes.

There are many foods to avoid when on a cellulite diet. These include pickles, chips, cold cuts or similar processed foods. Also anything with a high salt or sugar content, and large amounts of caffeine should be avoided. I know this is a wide range of the foods available to us – it can be hard to eat healthy! When eating out, ordering a salad is a good choice just be aware that most salad dressings at restaurants contain MSG, a high sodium preservative.

If you are taking vitamin supplements to help aid cellulite reduction, always take them with meals for maximum vitamin and mineral absorption. Be sure to consult your physician before starting a special diet, especially if you are on any medications or have health concerns.

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