We’ll hit you with the bad news first; there’s still no cure for cellulite, despite it affecting around 90% of women over 20. However, there are some things you can do to downplay the appearance of those lumps and bumps, and celebrity skin expert, Nurse Jamie, has given us the lowdown.
From the laser treatments that actually help to the at-home methods that will firm and smooth, she told us everything you need to know about battling pesky ‘orange peel’ skin…
1. First things first, what is cellulite and why do so many of us have it?
In the simplest terms, cellulite is nothing more than normal fat beneath the skin. The fat appears bumpy because it pushes against connective tissue, causing the skin above it to pucker.
Even the tiniest amount of fat can cause that uneven appearance, which means that anyone – even the most honed and toned of supermodels – can have it as it’s all down to genetic code.
Women are more likely to have cellulite than men because our skin is thinner, and our hormones have more of an effect on our fat and connective tissue. If we have a high level of the hormone estrogen, it works to break down collagen, so fat cells are able to move to the surface of our skin and enlarge to their full size.
2. What are the four stages of cellulite?
Stage 1: is the kind of cellulite that you cannot see when standing up, but when you pinch the skin, it appears as wrinkles, not dimples.
Stage 2: is similar except that, when you pinch the skin, you see dimpling instead of wrinkles.
Stage 3: means dimples can be noticed on the buttocks, belly or thighs when standing, but not when you stretch out the skin and body.
Stage 4: means dimples are noticeable whether or not you’re stretching out, and in some cases, you may experience painful cellulite.
3. What should we look for in topical treatments when treating cellulite?
Look for a lotion or cream that contains caffeine for a temporary tightening effect that helps bumps look smoother. To minimise fat stores, improve circulation and/or burn existing fat stores, look for something with Niacinamide or Horsetail Extract. Properties like EGF, Peptides or Vitamin A are great, too, as they thicken and build the skin, thus creating a firmer look and feel.
Make sure you massage the cream on vigorously in circular motions - this helps plump up skin. For quick-fix coverage try combining the cellulite cream with an instant false tanner or a tinted skin perfector. Grazia loves: L’Oreal Paris Dream Legs BB Instant Perfecting Tanning Care, £9.99.
4. Are there any products that you particularly recommend?
Nurse Jamie EGF Stem Cell Complex, £92, is ideal for revitalising and restoring cellulite-affected skin with a clever combination of Plant Stem Cells, Peptides and powerful EGF. Use with the Nurse Jamie Beauty Stamp, £38,a non-invasive beauty tool that imparts microimpressions on the skin for enhanced penetration and resurfacing.
5. What else could we be doing at home to treat our cellulite?
If you eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and exercise regularly it will gradually minimize the fat deposits. Exfoliation and massage are both great at helping break down fatty deposits, improving circulation and evening out the skin surface; I recommend using a dry body brush morning and night. Grazia loves: Mio Body Brush Natural Dry Brush, £14.50.
Also, regular use of Nurse Jamie ACELLerator Ultra Beauty Device, £175, will mimic the effects of some in-spa treatments and temporarily minimise the appearance of the skin dimpling, while firming the areas.
6. Do professional treatments really work and are they worth the cost?
If you want a longer-lasting result, then yes. I recommend a Vacuum Massage such as iLipo or Endermologie, which uses kneading and rolling suction to boost toxin-burning circulation. Find a clinic for iLipo at ilipo.comand Endermologie at lpgendermologie.co.uk.
On cellulite at stage 1 and 2, Collagen Induction Therapy can, in my opinion, offer a permanent improvement on the smoothness of skin. It uses a sterile micro needle to promote collagen remodelling, resurfacing of the skin, and a tighter, firmer feel.
There’s a new treatment that I’m really excited about called Cellulaze. It’s similar to laser-assisted lipo, but uses a bidirectional beam to break up the banding of connective fibres and liquefy fat cells.