We all want them, the elusive slender thighs and beautiful booty! We are plagued with cellulite, spider veins and flabbiness! With some effort, there are some ways to reduce, minimize, firm and camouflage. This is booty boot camp!
#1 Nemesis: Cellulite
Cellulite is that lumpy, bumpy, dimpled, cottage cheese, orange peel look that 80-90% of all women experience at some point. It is fat that bulges through the mesh of connective fiber under our skin. It primarily affects the thighs, buttocks and, for some people, the stomach.
A doctor will say it's just fat, but I think there is more to it after my years of skin care and spa training.
The fat cells in the thighs, derriere and stomach are sensitive to fluctuating female hormones which cause water retention and the breakdown of collagen fibers. As a result, fat looks puffier and skin and connective tissue become less elastic. It is cellulite!
You may not be able to eliminate it, but with some determination, you can improve the look of it. Ready for combat? Here we go! I have include some Amazon Affiliate links in this post to assist you in finding the best products for your needs.
Cellulite Treatment
1. Increase Circulation to Improve Cellulite
Better blood flow provides more nutrients to skin tissues and elimination of excess fluids, aka toxins, to help reduce the puffiness of the cellulite. Better circulation of lymphatic fluid also removes excess fluid/toxins.
Dry Brush
Give yourself a dry brushing. Use a dry body brush before a shower. Not only does this stimulate circulation, it give you a nice exfoliation.
Start at your ankles with long strokes upwards using light pressure. Light pressure will help stimulate the lymphatic system. Work your way up each leg covering all sides of the legs. Continue over your whole body.
Exfoliating gloves are another option you can try. Same idea as the brush but some people find them easier.
Shower Mitt
Use an exfoliating bath mitt or a nubby bath mitt designed to massage areas that have cellulite in the shower. You can also do a good exfoliating with a body scrub in the shower.
Light Lymph Drainage Massage
Light Lymph Drainage Massage
Give your legs a daily light, almost tickly massage. Use long upwards strokes. This type of massage encourages lymph drainage.
Keep warm
Cold restricts blood flow to the surface of the skin. Keep the skin warm with layers of clothing on cold days.
Cold restricts blood flow to the surface of the skin. Keep the skin warm with layers of clothing on cold days.
Exercise
Exercise increases circulation, warm the skin and firms the muscles.
Exercise increases circulation, warm the skin and firms the muscles.
2. Tone the Muscles
Exercise! I know. I don't want to do it either, but toning up the muscles makes the thighs and fanny look better.
A combination of cardio and strength training works best. The cardio helps burn fat and strength training tones muscles.
Hit the gym. A trainer will be able put together a workout to target the legs and derriere. Pliates, yoga, barre and Zumba classes are fun and fabulous for toning. If the gym doesn't strike your fancy, work out at home. Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
Exercise! I know. I don't want to do it either, but toning up the muscles makes the thighs and fanny look better.
A combination of cardio and strength training works best. The cardio helps burn fat and strength training tones muscles.
Hit the gym. A trainer will be able put together a workout to target the legs and derriere. Pliates, yoga, barre and Zumba classes are fun and fabulous for toning. If the gym doesn't strike your fancy, work out at home. Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
Walk it off
Brisk walking is a good weight bearing exercise (good for our bones!) that is aerobic, tones muscles, and improves circulation. Try some leg toning sneakers like Shape Ups, to intensify your walking workout.
Brisk walking is a good weight bearing exercise (good for our bones!) that is aerobic, tones muscles, and improves circulation. Try some leg toning sneakers like Shape Ups, to intensify your walking workout.
Toning Exercises
Here are some easy and effective classic exercises to help tone the thighs and butt.
Here are some easy and effective classic exercises to help tone the thighs and butt.
Lunges
Squats
Inner Thigh Lift
Outer Thigh Lift
Glute Bridge
3. Topical Creams
There are many topical cellulite treatment creams out there designed to help eliminate excess fluid and firm the skin which will help improve the appearance of cellulite.
Firmer skin will hold back the bulges better than flabby skin.
Some creams claim to breakdown fat. I'm not so sure a topical cream can do much breaking down of fat.
Here's is a list of popular active ingredients in cellulite creams and what they do.
Aminophylline
A drug used in asthma treatment when applied to the skin, can reduce fat cells.
Bladderwrack
A marine plant, aka seaweed, extract when applied to the skin, stimulates the metabolism of fat.
Botanical Extracts
They are many plant and flower extracts use in cellulite creams to stimulate circulation and remove toxins. Some are Glaucine from the horned poppy, Cat's Claw and Horse Chestnut.
Aminophylline
A drug used in asthma treatment when applied to the skin, can reduce fat cells.
Bladderwrack
A marine plant, aka seaweed, extract when applied to the skin, stimulates the metabolism of fat.
Botanical Extracts
They are many plant and flower extracts use in cellulite creams to stimulate circulation and remove toxins. Some are Glaucine from the horned poppy, Cat's Claw and Horse Chestnut.
Caffeine
Caffeine when applied to the skin is inflammatory and helps remove excess fluid.
Capsicum
Pepper. Stimulates circulation.
CoEnzyme Q10
Anti-oxidant naturally produced by the body helps to firm the skin.
Essentials Oils
Penetrate the skin easily and detoxify. Cypress, Grapefruit, Juniper, Rosemary, Sage, Tangerine.
Green Tea
Anti-oxidant that improves the appearance of the skin.
L-Carnitine
This is an amino acid that naturally occurs in the body. It helps breakdown fat when applied to the skin.
Retinol
This is a vitamin A derivative that stimulates collagen production strengthen connective tissue.
Seaweed and Algae
They both help detoxify, eliminating excess fluid and also firm the skin when applied topically.
Caffeine when applied to the skin is inflammatory and helps remove excess fluid.
Capsicum
Pepper. Stimulates circulation.
CoEnzyme Q10
Anti-oxidant naturally produced by the body helps to firm the skin.
Essentials Oils
Penetrate the skin easily and detoxify. Cypress, Grapefruit, Juniper, Rosemary, Sage, Tangerine.
Green Tea
Anti-oxidant that improves the appearance of the skin.
L-Carnitine
This is an amino acid that naturally occurs in the body. It helps breakdown fat when applied to the skin.
Retinol
This is a vitamin A derivative that stimulates collagen production strengthen connective tissue.
Seaweed and Algae
They both help detoxify, eliminating excess fluid and also firm the skin when applied topically.
The Best Cruelty Free Cellulite Creams
Bliss fabgirl firm Body Firming & Contouring Cream
This vegan body firming cream contains caffeine and botanicals to help firm up the skin reducing the the appearance of cellulite. It was formulated by Bliss from their iconic FatGirlSlim Body treatment product.
Give yourself a 20-30 massage as you apply this cream to desired areas morning and evening. $18.49
Honeydew Coffee Caffeine Firming Cream
Honeydew's body firming cream contains caffeine extract to reduce the look of cellulite and coconut oil, jojoba oil and more wonderful oils to condition the skin. $11.95
The Seaweed Company Detox/Firming Body Cream
This fabulous vegan body cream contains bladderwrack seaweed, caffeine and essential oils to reduce the appearance of cellulite. It's healing oils soothe and condition the skin. $12.00
Ingredients: Aqua (Water) with Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwrack Seaweed) and Chlorella Vulgaris Extracts, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 80, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Aleurites Moluccana (Kukui) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Coffea Arabica Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Mentha Spicata (Spearmint) Oil, Orange Terpenes, Juniperus Virginiana (Cedarwood) Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Oil, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Origanum Majora (Sweet Marjoram) Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Allantoin, Tromethamine, Caffeine. *Certified organic
4. Body Wraps and Salt Scrubs
A salt scrub done before a wrap will enhance the penetration of the active ingredients in the wrap.
A Lymph Drainage Massage in conjunction with a body wrap will enhance the elimination of fluids even more. Use an anti-cellulite cream at home to prolong the effects of the body wrap.
You can certainly do a DIY body wrap at home. It is a little messy but it's so nice to jump into your own shower to rinse off the wrap. Apply a seaweed body wrap product. Wrap yourself with plastic wrap. Rest and relax following the manufacturer's instructions on how long to leave the wrap on. Unwrap and rinse off in the shower. Apply a firming body cream.
5. Camouflage
Start spreadin' the self tanner! A tan gives the illusion of less cellulite. Many salons and spas offer airbrush tanning which gives you a beautiful even tan. For at home tanning and toning, Fake Bake Sunless and Skinny is a firming, toning self tanner containing seaweed and copper to detoxify and firm the skin.
5. Camouflage
Start spreadin' the self tanner! A tan gives the illusion of less cellulite. Many salons and spas offer airbrush tanning which gives you a beautiful even tan. For at home tanning and toning, Fake Bake Sunless and Skinny is a firming, toning self tanner containing seaweed and copper to detoxify and firm the skin.
Click here for How to Apply Self Tanner
There are many foods that can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.
The Anti Cellulite Diet
Eat your VeggiesFruits and vegetables contain antioxidants and phyto- chemicals that help keep the skin firmer. Eat at least 5 different kinds of fruits and veggies per day.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps rebuild collagen which makes your skin firmer. The RDA is only 75mg. for women. Up to 2000mg. per day is tolerable. Some foods high in C are broccoli, grapefruit, oranges, potatoes, bell peppers, strawberries and sweet potatoes.
Drink water
The kidneys need a constant supply of water to eliminate excess fluids effectively. 8-10 glasses are recommended each day.
Limit your Sugar
It can cause water retention and inflammation. 25 grams is all the added sugar that is recommended for women.
Eat foods with diuretic properties
Some of them are alfalfa,apples, asparagus, beets, chamomile tea, cucumber, grapes, parsley, strawberries, watercress and watermelon.
Calcium
It helps prevent fluid retention. Some foods high in calcium are baked beans, broccoli, cheese, dark leafy greens,
sesame and flax seeds, tofu, almonds, brazil nuts, fortified juices and soymilk, milk, cheese, yogurt and surprise, dried herbs! Savory tops, celery seed, thyme, dill, marjoram, rosemary, sage oregano and basil are dried herbs that are high in calcium.
Vitamin B6
It helps prevent fluid retention. Eat these foods: Cod, Atlantic Salmon, Yellowfin Tuna, garlic, bananas, bell
peppers, broccoli, spinach, baked potatoes including skins,
yams, green peas, asparagus, turnip greens,peanuts,
cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios, sesame and sunflower seeds, whole wheat, cereals, bran, wheat germ, brown rice, chickpeas, lentils, soybeans, kidney beans, chili powder. If you take a B6 supplement, take no more than 100 mg. B6 can be toxic.
Limit caffeine and salt
They both can cause water retention.
7. Laser and Light Therapy
Med spas and cosmetic doctors offer various infrared, LED, radio frequency and laser treatments, such as Smart Lipo, to treat cellulite.
These treatments are designed to breakup and dissolve fatty tissue. The liquefied fat is then eliminated by the body over a course of a few days. The treatments also encourage the growth of collagen and help tighten the skin.
The cost and length of treatment varies according to the what type of procedure is performed. Visit dermanetwork.org for a great list of treatments.
There are some light therapy devices you can use at home to treat cellulite. They use infrared light to help burn fat and firm up the skin along with vibration to stimulate circulation.
This skin treatment device uses infrared light and vibration to accelerate the breakdown of fat cells and stimulate circulation. It also has various shades of light to treat acne, redness and other skin problems. $79.99
What Does Not Help Cellulite
High Pressure Treatments
Any mechanical devices that apply suction, rolling and pressure. They can damage already weakened connective tissue.
Liposuction
Liposuction removes fat from the deep layer of fat leaving the superficial layer of fat and skin looking more flabby.
Another nemesis! Spider veins are tiny blood vessels in the skin that have become dilated on enlarged. The tendency to get them is an inherited trait. Pregnancy, weight gain, excessive sun exposure, injuries and smoking cause them.
Treat, Prevent and Hide Spider Veins
1. Sclerotherapy to Treat Spider VeinsSclerotherapy is a treatment for spider veins. A doctor injects saline or other substance into the problem veins. This causes the veins to stick together shutting the veins down. Sclerotherapy is a wintertime project because there can be some bruising and use of compression stockings. Laser Therapy and Intense Pulse Light Therapy are also used to treat spider veins.
2. Camouflage Spider Veins
Self tanner is a great way to hide spider veins. Another option is leg makeup. Many brands are waterproof, such as Smart Cover and The Right to Bare Legs, so you can even go swimming wear them! You can even hide them with concealer if you don't have too many to cover.
3. Prevent Spider Veins
Sunblock
Wear sunblock to protect the skin and veins from UV damage.
Vitamin C
Eat a diet rich in Vitamin C which help strengthen blood vessels.
Exercise
Exercise to improve circulation and strengthen veins. Walking is particularly good.
Follow the nun's rule
Cross your legs at the ankles not at your knees to allow proper blood circulation.
Maintain a healthy weight
Don't Smoke!
Beauty is all about maintenance and self care. Gravity is not on our side. We have to constantly use all the products, proven remedies, and beauty tricks available to us so we can always look our best.
I hope this page has inspired you to spend a little time taking care of yourself with a bit of TLC.
Have a Beautiful Day!
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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. That keeps my blog running and supports the care of animals in need!😸