I’ve never given cellulite a second thought. This isn’t because I have none, I hasten to add, merely that my beauty gripes reside elsewhere, so cellulite’s never really had a look in.
That said, I was trotting around one morning entirely nude earlier this year while moisturising my body and seeking out clean clothes, caught sight of my body in the mirror and was struck by the smoothness of my thighs, the absence of something that on closer inspection revealed itself to be cellulite — or rather the lack of cellulite. I’d just spent a week at the Mayrlife clinic, where they fed me mostly vegetables and broth and encouraged me to walk around Lake Altaussee daily, and drew the conclusion that those salubrious habits had sent the dimples away.
My cellulite returned with my bad habits, and I have to say I truly couldn’t care less — but I know that if you’re here reading this, you probably do care at least a modicum and possibly an awful lot. On your behalf, I determined to look at cellulite earnestly, talking to experts in lots of different fields to see if the trick is merely vegetables and hiking, or if there actually is a lotion or potion that can do the job.
First thing’s first: vegetables and hiking may have had an effect on my cellulite, but that doesn’t mean it will on yours. As cosmetic scientist Sam Farmer explains, “cellulite is a structural issue, the skin is bound from underneath — and what affects that matrix of your skin is so complicated and varies from person to person. Some people can do something through diet and exercise, for others their genetics play too strong a role and the same measures simply won’t have an effect.”
I continued to dig for answers. Facialist and founder Teresa Tarmey explains that “cellulite is closely linked to hormonal balance, specifically oestrogen secretion… it forms as the result of pressure from enlarged adipocytes (a type of fat cell) pressing on blood and lymphatic vessels, which weakens blood circulation. The disruption makes it hard for cells to absorb oxygen and nutrients while properly excreting toxins, and metabolic products accumulate along with water, putting pressure on the connective tissue and forming cellulite.”
Tarmey adds there are many factors that contribute to cellulite’s formation. “The list is huge: sedentary lifestyle, wearing tight clothes, being overweight in general, experiencing large weight fluctuations (particularly during and after pregnancy), having a progesterone deficiency, suffering from circulatory problems, smoking, consuming a poor diet (especially one containing excessive salt and sugar), and posture defects which may impede proper blood supply to the limbs.”
To my mind, Tarmey’s insights added credence to the notion that certain protocols — body brushing, for example — might actually make a difference, but Farmer warns that lifestyle tweaks might not provide the longterm solution. “Yes, doing that sort of thing will have an effect but it’s temporary — they won’t ‘get rid of’ cellulite — that’s simply not how it works.”
Over to aesthetician and skin expert Dr Sophie Shotter to see if there’s anything in her arsenal. She suggests a new device by Deleo called Collation which “uses a certain wavelength of LED to break open fat cells, combined with a mechanical massage to promote lymph drainage and a vibration wave to reduce water retention and boost microcirculation — though I haven’t seen it demonstrated yet or any studies, for complete clarity.”
Tarmey often uses a machine called Prime X by Alma — which uses ultrasound to break down excess fat, radiofrequency to tighten, and lymphatic drainage to move that excess fluid — on clients concerned about cellulite, recommending 6-8 sessions a week apart. She also, like me, advises a holistic approach because even if it does little by way of cellulite, at least you’ll feel better overall as a result.
These are things I’ve tried and tested that are excellent and may well help you on the cellulite front...
Aromatherapy Associates Polishing Body Brush
Even if it did absolutely zilch for cellulite, I’d recommend body brushing — it helps flush out sluggish lymphs, aids circulation, softens skin. Also, price per use? Pennies. Brush up limbs towards the heart before you get in the shower and you will notice good things happening — perhaps one of which will be a bit less cellulite.
Buy now £28.00, Space NK
Legology Cellu-lite
The brand Legology have, as the name suggests, devoted themselves to the betterment of legs — and they do it very well indeed. Their approach to cellulite primarily comes down to moving the fluid to reduce its appearance — and few oils smell or feel as good as this one while doing it.
Buy now £62.50, Legology
Iraye The Shaping Body Cream
Iraye products have been proven to have an effect on the lymphatic system, helping it to usher waste fluids out of the body. This may for you have an effect on cellulite — but again, if it doesn’t, you’ll at least notice your body feels like it’s been slightly drained, in the good sense.
Buy now £95.00, Harvey Nichols
Guillaume Guibordeau The AXO Method
Combining stretching, lymphatic drainage, and something called osteopathic scooping (which aims to release tension and improve circulation), be under no illusion that this is a massage — it’s borderline painful. Guillaume scoops each bit of fat on the body with a rather firm grasp. The movements made me feel like a piece of meat being tenderised for the oven — but my goodness does it work. After 90 minutes of being pummelled, my jeans were loose, my muscles lying smoothly in the lines nature intended along my body.
Buy now £180.00, AXO Method
Joonbryd Heartwarmer Body Gua Sha
If massaging is the route you’d like to go down, and you have the discipline to do it often, it can make a huge difference to muscle tension while ushering along the lymph and, you guessed it, potentially helping smooth cellulite. This gua sha is made of amethyst which the brand tells me aids healing, and I find the rubber element handy to keep grip of it while sliding it around my body.
Buy now £88.00, Joonbryd
