4 Ways To Prevent Cellulite Development
Cellulite is an unavoidable aspect of life. It’s estimated that nearly 80% of all women will develop some form of cellulite within their lifetime, regardless of their health history and body mass index (BMI). Fortunately, there are some ways to help prevent cellulite or at the very least limit its visual appearance.
Here are 4 simple ways to help prevent cellulite:
Exercise Regularly
Cellulite is linked to inactivity, with a correlation between patients with less physically demanding jobs developing more severe cases. Exercising regularly is one of the best ways to limit the formation of cellulite. Most people will think to do cardio workouts, but weight training is actually more beneficial in reducing cellulite as it strengthens the connective tissues of the muscles. Ideal exercises include squats, lunges, and leg presses as they focus on areas most susceptible to cellulite development like the thighs or glutes.
Another great form of exercise to stave off cellulite is yoga, which improves the lymphatic flow of the body. Kristin McGee, a leading yoga and Pilates instructor, recommends these yoga poses to specifically focus on cellulite prone areas.
Eat Healthy
Another way to prevent the formation of cellulite is to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet. Focus on eating lean protein, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains while avoiding excess fat, salt, sugar, and alcohol. Regularly eating protein provides the body with amino acids, which have been shown to work against cellulite.
Note crash or trendy diets are not recommended. Studies have linked crash diets, hormonal changes or imbalances, and dramatic metabolism changes as common factors that can aggravate cellulite. Instead you should focus on making long-term healthy choices.
Drink Water
Staying well hydrated is essential to your overall skin health. Drinking lots of water works to flush toxins out of the body and keep the skin firm and supple. Dehydrated skin is highly prone to the formation of wrinkles, lines, and cellulite. Try to drink at least 8 eight ounce glasses of water daily (and more on days where you are outdoors and/or undertake physical activities).
Skin Care
Keep your skin looking and feeling its best by following a sound daily skin care regimen. Two of the basic pillars of any routine should be cleansing (to remove built up dirt and debris) and moisturizing (to lock hydration into the skin). Regularly exfoliating the skin using a body scrub can also help by removing old dead skin cells to make the skin appear more toned and vibrant. Wearing sunscreen is also imperative to prevent damage from the sun.
Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD is a board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon specializing in the practice of both cosmetic and medical dermatology. Dr. Geddes-Bruce is fellowship-trained in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. She served as Chief Resident at one of the nation’s top dermatology programs – The University of Texas at Houston and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
I’ve been struggling with cellulite on my stomach after having 2 kids. Going to try laser treatments this fall. Thanks for sharing this!