With summer around the corner, it’s that time of the year when you start paying closer attention to your body and perhaps thinking of adopting a new beauty regime, which can help you achieve a more toned figure.

To make matters worse, you may even have been working out regularly without seeing significant results. Your muscle definition might have improved but the dreaded orange peel skin is still visible, affecting your confidence. This stubborn, bumpy ‘orange peel’ texture is most commonly known as cellulite.

What exactly is cellulite and why do we have it?

Cellulite is not excess of fat, but a cosmetic skin condition that causes a dimpled appearance on the surface of the skin. This is the result of fat deposits that push and distort the fibrous connective tissue bands beneath skin, causing the appearance of lumpiness and leading to the characteristic ‘cottage cheese’ texture of the skin.

While the appearance of cellulite tends to worsen in proportion to the amount of fat present in the affected area, cellulite can affect even the thinnest of ladies. The reason for this is that while fat deposits do exacerbate the condition, fat itself is not the primary cause.

Cellulite is, therefore, perfectly natural and affects 80% of women of all sizes and race. The most common places to see cellulite are the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen. People are also more likely to be affected by cellulite as they age due to natural skin thinning and the loss of skin elasticity. This exposes the rippled connective tissues underneath.

There are three common types of cellulite:

• Adipose cellulite, which is the firm cellulite, orange peel appearance on loose skin.

• Oedematous cellulite, which is fluid retention, soft cellulite often on loose skin.

• Fibrotic cellulite, which is hard, compact cellulite with cottage cheese effect.

There are also four grades of cellulite appearance:

Grade 0 cellulite: You have smooth skin while laying down and standing up.

Grade 1 cellulite: Dimpling only appears when you pinch the skin

Grade 2 cellulite: You have smooth skin while laying down, but some dimpling appears while standing.

Grade 3 cellulite: Dimpling appears while you are standing and laying down.

The causes of cellulite include hormonal changes, genetics, weight gain or loss, a poor diet, accumulated toxins, pregnancy, a sedentary lifestyle or smoking. There is also speculation that tight clothing and frequent sitting can cause cellulite.

While all of these facts can make cellulite appear like an acceptable skin condition, most of us will admit we want to see it gone for good or at least, improve its appearance.

The truth is that cellulite can really affect your self-confidence, making you feel uncomfortable in situations when your affected skin areas are exposed.

Endoshape 3D Body™ is a clinically proven system, which uses a combination of cavitation, radiofrequency and lymphatic drainage to treat stubborn cellulite.

Cavitation is combined with radiofrequency, an aesthetic technique which heats up the different layers within the skin to promote the creation of new collagen and improve the elasticity of the skin.

Radiofrequency sends an electric wave of micropulses, to generate heat in the treated area. The heat acts on skin tissue and as a result, stimulates blood circulation and the formation of collagen and elastin, reducing the ‘orange peel’ effect by sculpting the body, tightening sagging skin and improving its luminosity.

The treatment involves a few sessions, depending on the cellulite’s grade, with an interval of approximately 10-12 days between them.

To maximise results and enable maintenance at home there are also many topical creams on the market which claim to reduce cellulite and fat. The following creams have been clinically proven to improve the look of cellulite and tone the skin;

Firming and Body Shaping Cream

This clinically proven, highly effective cream has an incredible 3 in 1 effect. It helps promote the development of muscle and lower the expression of the genes which are involved in the accumulation of fat. As a result, your skin becomes visibly firmer and smoother, whilst feeling intensely soft and hydrated.This miracle-in-a-pot is formulated with Nano Gold Technology and a biotechnological active of a special sea sponge, which is only found in the oceans of Bermuda.Apply it twice a day to decrease the size of your arms, thighs and abdomen and generate an overall improvement in the appearance and tone of your silhouette.

Anti-Cellulite Cream

An amazing lotion to further improve the effects of cavitation and radiofrequency at home. It visibly reduces the size of thighs, abdomen and arms as well as boosting the skin’s firmness.

With a high concentration of Shea butter to provide deep skin nourishment, its clinically proven formula significantly improves skin texture while minimising the appearance of visible cellulite. You can use it all year round to maximise its efficacy. Click here to purchase online.

Body Brushing

Dry body brushing encourages important blood flow which has a plumping effect on the skin and helps reduce the appearance of cellulite. The best way to do it is to apply a good pressure to the brush as you stroke upwards to aid the circulation process.

Getthegloss.com recently reviewed body brushes, click here to see their recommendations

If you want to visibly reduce the appearance of cellulite and keep it at bay, why not try one of these treatments and see what difference they can make for you? Book an online consultation to find out which treatment would be best for you.