Aging, hormones, and weight changes can all play a role in the appearance of unsightly cellulite.
"These factors can cause connective tissue bands under the skin to
stiffen and the fat cells they surround to become larger and push up
into the skin — which creates the 'cottage cheese' effect we all
loathe," says Natasha Sandy, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City and Maryland.
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While you can't control whether you get cellulite, you do have new options on how to deal with it — and most of them are a far cry from the major plastic surgery used for decades. "Liposuction never really worked on cellulite — while it did deal with the amount of fat under the skin, it didn't address the tight, fibrous bands that create the dimpling look," explains Babak Dadvand, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California. The procedures, products, and tricks below, however, do work.
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While you can't control whether you get cellulite, you do have new options on how to deal with it — and most of them are a far cry from the major plastic surgery used for decades. "Liposuction never really worked on cellulite — while it did deal with the amount of fat under the skin, it didn't address the tight, fibrous bands that create the dimpling look," explains Babak Dadvand, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California. The procedures, products, and tricks below, however, do work.
Topical Creams
The quickest way to improve the appearance of cellulite is with a lotion or a cream containing caffeine,
which has a temporary tightening effect. Plus, the act of massaging a
cream in daily (or twice a day) may improve circulation to the area to
minimize bumps, says Sandy.
Try Frownies AromaTherapy Cellulite Cream ($49; frownies.com), which is made with essential oils, natural caffeine, and plankton, or Art Naturals Anti-Cellulite Kit ($13; artnaturals.com), which includes a massager and cream that will diminish fatty acid deposits as well as firm and smooth skin.
Try Frownies AromaTherapy Cellulite Cream ($49; frownies.com), which is made with essential oils, natural caffeine, and plankton, or Art Naturals Anti-Cellulite Kit ($13; artnaturals.com), which includes a massager and cream that will diminish fatty acid deposits as well as firm and smooth skin.
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Self-Tanner
If you want a quick, temporary solution to concealing cellulite, try slathering on some self-tanner or getting a spray tan at a salon. "The tanner creates the appearance of even skin tone and has a slimming effect," says Sandy.
Try Xen-Tan's Clean Collection Fresh Tanning Mousse ($48; amazon.com) which gives you quick color with the first application, and then creates a gradually darker tan. The quick-absorbing mousse also contains peptides to build collagen and aloe vera to retain moisture.
Try Xen-Tan's Clean Collection Fresh Tanning Mousse ($48; amazon.com) which gives you quick color with the first application, and then creates a gradually darker tan. The quick-absorbing mousse also contains peptides to build collagen and aloe vera to retain moisture.
Massage
"Massage boosts circulation and plumps the skin, creating a smoother
look that lasts for days," says Shelley Bawiec, director of spa
education for Aveda. Her fast D.I.Y. technique: In the shower, apply a
body scrub like Bliss Hot Salt Scrub ($36; bluemercury.com) in vigorous, sideways back-and-forth motions. After you've dried off, use a body oil (try Neutrogena Body Oil, $10; neutrogena.com)
for a two-minute deep massage: First, smooth your palms in long strokes
down the backs of your thighs, then use your fingers to apply pressure in slow, circular motions.
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Squats
"Strong muscles make cellulite less obvious," says trainer Lacey Stone, who has worked with Nicole Kidman. Just squeeze in these squats to tone the area while watching True Blood:
Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, stick your butt out as you
bend your knees to a sitting position; hold for two seconds, then return
to standing. Repeat15 times, three days a week.
The Angel Trick
Victoria's Secret models seem immune to cottage-cheese syndrome,
but makeup artist Stephanie Flor, who preps them at the brand's runway
show, says even they get a little help: "If you attract light to the
rest of the legs, cellulite is less obvious." Dust a shimmery bronzer
like NYC New York Color Bronzer ($5; amazon.com) down the front of your legs. For medium or dark skin, use a body oil instead.
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Lasers
Radiofrequency
"Non-invasive with little to no
downtime, radiofrequency technology basically heats up the fat cells to
help liquify and reduce the appearance of cellulite," says Dadvand. The
procedure takes about 30 minutes and feels like a warm massage. You
should see results in a few weeks, and while radiofrequency — also
called ultrasound or ultrasonic fat cavitation (brand names include
Velasmooth and Velashape and the newer BTL Exilis Ultra)
— isn't permanent, after about six or so treatments, you'll see
long-term but temporary results (the results wear off in a few years).
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Cellfina
If fat reduction and skin tightening
isn't your issue — but persistent dimpling is — check out the new
Cellfina, which lasts longer than radiofrequency but doesn't have the
recover time of traditional lasers. Minimally invasive, the in-office
procedure works like this: First, your cellulite dimples are marked by
your doctor and local anesthetic is applied. Then the Celfina machine
suctions the skin up while small needles go under the skin and cut the
tight fibers to release the upper layer of fat from the skin "The
pressure from the suction and release of the tightened fibers results in
a softening of the cellulite dimples," explains Sandy.
Endermologie
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