Herbs are plants that are used for medicinal purposes. When consumed or applied externally, they strengthen the body’s systems and increase the body’s natural healing powers. Herbs by themselves are not often recommended as a cellulite treatment but are instead usually found in anti cellulite creams, lotions used for body wraps and other natural cellulite treatments where they assist other active ingredients or therapies.

This article will focus on herbs that are usually recommended for home treatments in the form of food, supplement capsules, aromatherapy or body oils.

Birch Tea

Sweet birch contains salicylate, which is the active ingredient found in aspirin. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of birch tea enable it to eliminate cellulite toxins and the accumulation of fluid in the fat cells.

Everlasting Essential Oil

This oil is distilled from the flowers of the Helichrysum angustifolium plant. With its anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, it is commonly used to treat cellulite and stretch marks. The oil is also known to stimulate the production of collagen. It can be used in aromatherapy or as topical treatment for the skin.

Kelp

Kelp is also known as Bladderwrack or most commonly, seaweed. This is a herb that is commonly used for cellulite and is found in many cellulite creams or it can be taken as a supplement capsule. It is thought that the high iodine content of Kelp stimulates the thyroid and this causes the body to burn more energy, reducing the amount of fat and associated cellulite.

Gotu Kola

Gotu kola stimulates both blood flow and collagen production, and can stabilize the connective tissue of the thighs via glycosaminoglycan production. The herb can be consumed as a tea or applied as a lotion.

Grapefruit Oil

When used during massage, grapefuit oil stimulates the lymphatic system and tones the skin.
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Guarana

Caffeine enriched herbs like guarana are thought to reduce fat and decrease the built up fluid from under the skin. In fact, caffeine is the main stay active ingredient found in the majority of anti cellulite lotions. It is recommended that you apply guarana as an external treatment to the cellulite affected skin.

Horse Chestnut Bark

Horse chestnut bark contains aescin, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling qualities, and this helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite. It is often found in cellulite creams but can also be taken as a tea.

Juniper Essential Oil

Juniper essential oil is often used in cellulite massage to help draw out the toxins from the fat deposits, increase circulation and detoxify the skin.

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Cellulite usually appears on the hips, lowers limbs and stomach. For the majority of women, leg cellulite is often the most problematic because it is difficult to conceal when wearing shorts, skirts, swimsuits and other pieces of clothing that reveal the lower limbs. While the treatments for cellulite are the same regardless of where it appears on the body, here are some specific tips about leg cellulite that could help you refine these methods.

Anti Cellulite Creams for the Legs

Cellulite lotions use ingredients that help to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Some creams are specifically marketed for leg cellulite but the fact is that all lotions will work the same no matter where it is applied on the body. When researching which cellulite cream to use, ignore this type of marketing and instead closely examine the ingredients in the product. You want to see cellulite-busting ingredients such as caffeine, Retinol (also known as Vitamin A), ginko extract, bladderwrack and aminophylline. It is also important to see plenty of positive customer reviews of the cream.

Massage Away Leg Cellulite

Anti cellulite massage is a very popular way to treat cellulite. By gently massaging the legs, it is possible to reduce the condition by increasing lymphatic drainage, stretching and relaxing the connective tissues and breaking up the fat deposits.

Generally, there are two ways you can conduct this type of massage – at home or in a beauty clinic. Your at home options include massaging the area with your bare hands in conjunction with a moisturizer or cellulite cream; or using a home massage device such as the Verseo cellulite roller. The main problems with only using your hands is that can be difficult to apply enough pressure, lead to sore fingers and some women find it hard to reach the back of the legs effectively. A massaging device can overcome most of these difficulties and can reduce the time it takes to effectively massage your entire legs.

There are a number of commercial anti cellulite machines that are used in beauty therapy clinics. Endermologie, Velasmooth and TriActive are the most well known. These machines are non-invasive and give a gentle and pleasant massage that is much more effective than a home massage device. However, a complete block of treatments on these machines can be expensive. Sessions cost between $60 and $100 each, and up to 15 sessions are normally needed to see the best results. To keep the results, you will need ongoing sessions once per month.

Exercise: How to Correctly Tone The Legs

Clinical trials have shown that an exercise program that balances both cardio and weight bearing exercise can significantly reduce cellulite when performed over 8 weeks. As a result, a correct anti cellulite exercise program should not just focus on reducing fat levels with intensive cardio exercise. Instead, it should also have a major strength training component to increase lean muscle mass in the legs.

Lean muscle gives the legs a smooth and firm look by tightening the skin and supporting the natural subcutaneous fat layer that cannot be removed by cardio exercise. It is recommended that women focus on leg exercises for cellulite that work the hips, legs and buttocks like the squat, leg curls, lunges and the leg press machine.

However, not everyone likes to lift weights. An alternative to an intensive strength training routine is to undergo a program which utilizes your own body weight such as those based on Pilates or dance moves.

One of the most highly recommended programs like this is Kim Overton’s Love Your Legs, Cellulite Reduction At-Home Program DVD. This DVD is designed specifically to be used at home. Ms Overton has a background in Pilates and gymnastics, and has a sports nutrition certification through NETA.

Her program consists of 3 components: nutrition, exercise and circulation. The exercise component has 10 home exercises that tighten and tone the legs and butt without weights. The nutrition element has suggestions about what foods to eat and an interview with Dr Howard Murad, a cellulite expert, and Dr Jack Tipps, an expert nutritionist. Finally, the circulation component has techniques on how to increase circulation in the legs and thighs.

Women who follow the love your legs cellulite reduction at home program can expect to see results in 2 weeks and maximum results in 6 to 8 weeks. Customer reviews of this program have been excellent.

Ultrasound is one of the newest beauty spa treatments for cellulite. It has been previously used to treat soft tissue injuries such muscle sprains, tendonitis and bursitis and has the ability to speed up healing, relieve pain and decrease inflammation. Ultrasound has only recently been discovered as a method to reduce cellulite and several machines have been developed specifically for cellulite reduction.

Dermosonic Ultrasound Cellulite Treatment

Dermosonic is the most well known machine that is designed for cellulite and has been used in Europe since 1999. It uses a combination of external ultrasound and non-invasive subdermal therapy (NIST) to achieve cellulite reduction, inch loss and body contouring. The machine can also be used to increase local blood circulation and relieve minor muscle aches, pains and spasms. The treatment is a non-invasive and non-surgical system that has shown to be effective and safe.

To address cellulite, the Dermosonic treatment consists of two steps. In step one, external ultrasound is applied to the target area or areas for two to three minutes. This softens the connective tissue that pulls down on the skin which creates the dimples and liquefies the fat cells so that they can be absorbed by the body. The external ultrasound can be applied using four different emission modes so that the treatment can be changed to suit the client’s particular condition.

Step two utilizes NIST -- a vacuum therapy form of lymphatic drainage massage. Using a vacuum hand piece, the NIST modality helps the body to flush out the fat liquefied by the ultrasound, increase blood flow and drain the toxins trapped under the skin. It also contours the body and helps stretch the connective bands that pull on the skin.

The treatment is painless and many people describe it feeling like a pleasant massage. Some clients may experience minor bruising that goes away in a few days. Clients are asked to drink plenty of water for 72 hours after the treatment to assist the body in flushing out the liquefied fat and toxins.

Soft cellulite responds best to this type of ultrasound cellulite treatment.

Treatment Frequency and Costs

A single session lasts 50 to 60 minutes on average and costs about $100.

Clients often see results in the first one or two sessions and research shows that 87% of clients will have ½” to 1 ½” reduction in the treatment area in the first session. In total, ten to twelve sessions are recommended at a rate of two per week. In order to maintain results, one session per month is usually recommended.

Dermosonic Video

Dermosonic was recently featured on CBS’ The Doctors’, a successful CBS show where four renowned physicians give solutions to guest issues. The SlimLine Pod mentioned in the video clip is separate to Dermosonic and is an optional and additional cellulite treatment.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU05R1FCH18

Caffeine is often the main active ingredient found in anti cellulite creams. It is a natural diuretic and is thought to improve the look of cellulite by increasing blood flow, removing built up fluid in skin cells and decreasing fat. Given caffeine’s anti cellulite proprieties, the question naturally rises whether it is possible to use coffee grounds as an inexpensive cellulite treatment. However, the answer is not entirely simple. Coffee can be both an enemy and an ally in the battle of cellulite reduction.

How Coffee Can Increase Cellulite

While coffee can certainly help the appearance of cellulite, consuming it as a drink can actually worsen your cellulite. One to three cups a day will have little effect but as you go beyond three cups a day the risk of lymphatic blockages increase. This is due to the caffeine – in its role as a diuretic – dehydrating the skin cells and impeding circulation to the skin. When your skin cells are dehydrated, fluid containing toxins can build up between the cells because there is no water to flush them away. The end result is lumpy hard deposits under the skin.

Treating Cellulite With Coffee

When applied externally to the skin, coffee is thought to help reduce the number of fat cells under the skin and increase the blood flow to the skin to help flush away the toxins. The coffee grounds also act as a gentle exfoliant for the skin due to their coarse nature.

Coffee Grounds and Cellulite Wrap: A Simple Home Remedy

If you can’t afford cellulite cream or another similar treatment, a cheap home remedy that you can try is a coffee ground body wrap. Many women swear by this remedy, including celebrities and catwalk models. It is actually a very old technique, originating in the 1950s with Hollywood starlets. In general, you should do this procedure about two to three times per week depending on how severe your cellulite is.

Here is how you can do your own cellulite body wrap:

• Warm the coffee grounds in a microwave (but not to a point where they are hot enough that they will burn your skin).

• Go into the bathroom or a similar tiled room in the house. Mix about a tablespoon of olive oil with the coffee grounds and apply the mixture to the problems areas.

• Take some plastic wrap and wrap it around the area that has the mixture applied. Leave for ten to fifteen minutes.

• Remove the plastic wrap. Shower to remove the excess coffee.

Ionithermie is an anti cellulite treatment offered in spas, salons, and physicians’ offices by certified Ionithermie therapists. It was originally invented in 1978 by Olivier Fouche, who was a French biochemist. Today, over 1 million Ionithermie treatments are conducted worldwide and scientific research has shown that it is effective way to reduce cellulite.

According to the proponents of the treatment, a single session is equivalent of doing 600 steps on a Stairmaster for 30 minutes. Ionithermie reduces the appearance of cellulite by smoothing the skin, slimming the body, firming and toning the muscles, and detoxifying the body of toxins and fluid.

In clinical trials, the average client lost 4.6 inches after one session and gained a significant reduction in the appearance of cellulite. The best results are usually seen on the hips, knees, thighs, arms, stomach, buttocks and bust.

How Does It Work?

The therapist will begin by rubbing down and scrubbing the problem area with hot mitts and exfoliating cream. This helps to increase circulation to the skin and cellulite, and removes dead cells to prepare the skin for the treatment.

A mask of purifying algae is then applied to the cellulite area. Other natural ingredients can also be applied along with the algae and can include ivy, amino acid, kelp, seaweed, ribonucleic acid and vegetable extracts. Fabric is wrapped around this mask and it is covered with a mixture of thermal clay and algae.

Electrodes are attached to specific points along the clay mask and two types of electrical stimulation are used via a handheld machine. Galvanic stimulation consists of positive and negative ions which draws toxins out from the skin and helps the body to absorb the nutrients of the clay mask. Faradic stimulation causes the muscles to contract and assists in firming the muscle and improving skin tone.

The clay helps to conduct the electricity. The stimulation is not painful but there can be some discomfort that is similar to a strenuous muscular work out. The therapist will control and balance the strength of the electrical impulses to minimize any discomfort.

At the conclusion of the session, the now hardened clay mask is peeled from the skin and moisturizing lotion is gently rubbed into the treatment area. The main reported side effects are reddening and irritation of the skin.

Treatment Frequency and Costs

A typical treatment session will last 35 minutes and usually costs about $140. Most clinics will offer a discount if your purchase a large number of treatments upfront.

Minor to moderate cellulite will require around 5 treatments. More serious cellulite may need 10 or more treatment sessions.

The results of Ionithermie cellulite reduction program are not permanent. How long they last will depend on the severity and type of cellulite, and the lifestyle of the client. Proper nutrition and exercise can prolong the gains of the treatment.

Ionithermie Video

The following is a good video on what an Ionithermie session is like.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tc5nHW7cDo

Are you one of the 90 per cent of women who suffer from cellulite? Do you wonder how to get rid of cellulite?

This website is dedicated to discovering the best cellulite treatment for you. Whether you are looking for cellulite reduction from cream, massage, diet or exercise we will show you what to do and what products are worth your investment of time and money.

But like anything that is worth it, cellulite removal takes time. There is no miracle cure or fool-proof solution. Learning how to get rid of cellulite is easy but it is only 5 per cent of what is required. You will need to invest effort and hard work in order to see results.

Hopefully, we can help you save time and money by showing you the best cellulite cream, massager or machine for your budget or circumstance. Will we also show the the diet and exercise programs that have been known to help people lose cellulite as quickly as possible.

Many women who suffer from this unsightly condition believe that they are in the minority. The fact is that most women at some point in their life will get this skin condition. Age and being overweight are the main risk factors. But there are also many others as well including smoking, alcohol, toxins and genetics.

There are many treatments available. The most popular is creams, lotions and gels. Body wraps, massage, laser therapy, sound wave therapy and body scrubs are some others.

This website is aimed to provide you with information on these treatments and aid you in finding the best cellulite treatment for you. We say ‘for you’ because every woman is different. Not only do we have different levels of free time and money to invest in looking better, but the factors that are making our cellulite worse vary from individual to individual.

Accent cellulite laser removal is a worthwhile option if you require an effective commercial machine-based treatment or are looking for an alternative to surgery for cellulite. It differs from other cellulite laser removal (ie. TriActive) in that it utilizes radio frequencies (RF) instead of laser light. The FDA approved the AccentXL laser in 2007, making it the newest commercial anti-cellulite machine on the market.

The AccentXL is produced by Alma Lasers and is only found in beauty or dermatologists’ clinics. Alma Lasers produces a range of machine lasers for beauty purposes and in recent years, their machines have started to make a foothold in the US and European beauty market – of which, the AccentXL is one of the most popular.

AccentXL Aesthetic RF System

The AccentXL is the first device of its kind. Using RF technology, it is a virtually painless treatment for cellulite, and is used to tighten the skin and shape the body. The main advantage over other treatments is that it is a non-invasive and non-ablative therapy which can be used on all skin types and ages. It has minimal side effects.

The technology works on the cellulite problem in four ways. Firstly, the radio waves penetrate the skin up to an inch and heats the fatty tissue underneath which causes the fat cells to shrink. Secondly, connective tissue contract to improve the skin’s contour, texture and architecture. Thirdly, more collagen is stimulated so that over time the skin becomes tighter. And finally, increased circulation to the cellulite area assists in lymphatic drainage -- the removal of ruptured fat cells and any built up fluid, helping to improve the healthy appearance of the skin.

The machine utilizes two types of radio frequencies. The BiPolar RF focuses on the surface layer of skin. In contrast, the UniPolar RF goes deeper through the skin to target the down reaching tissues.

The single treatment can be done in under an hour and patients can return immediately to work. The main reported side-effect is redness and swelling. This will disappear after a day or so.

AccentXL Laser Cellulite Removal Cost and Number of Treatments

AccentXL is charged by area, much like liposuction. The larger the area, the more expensive the price. As an example, the stomach would be 2 to 4 areas and will cost around $500. Most patients will require three to six treatments with the average cost of a treatment block being about $3,000.

As with most laser for cellulite removal therapies, the results of the AccentXL are not permanent. You will need to continue maintenance sessions in order to keep the cellulite at bay. However, a recent study has shown that results last longer than other similar treatments like TriActive and Endermologie.

AccentXL Video

The following video clip gives a good overview of the AccentXL laser therapy.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4oqQwoaaUk

Many women are interested in cellulite laser removal. In the main, they first hear about how laser therapy is a useful cosmetic tool for reducing the appearance of such skin problems as wrinkles and scars, or how it can be used to assist in painlessly removing fat below the skin. They naturally then assume that laser therapy can be successfully applied to the skin for cellulite removal.

However, laser therapy by itself is not a sufficient treatment for cellulite. Most systems specifically designed for cellulite combine the laser treatment with suction or roller massage. The most popular and well known of these systems is TriActive by Cynosure.

TriActive Cellulite Treatment

TriActive is a cellulite laser removal method that is used in beauty spas and plastic surgeries. It helps the client achieve a more contoured and healthier looking physique by smoothing and toning the skin. The treatment is painless and is suitable for all body and skin types.

It is important to note that the system doesn’t exclusively use lasers for cellulite reduction. Instead, it combines the effect of six near-infrared diode lasers with localized cooling and mechanical massage.

The mechanical massage breaks up the fatty deposits, improves circulation and skin elasticity, and assists in lymphatic drainage. The improved circulation helps the body to eliminate the ruptured fat cells and toxins. The massage is comfortable and pleasant, with many patients falling asleep during the treatment due to the relaxing and soothing feeling.

The six diode lasers stimulate collagen production for smoother and healthier-looking skin. It is also thought that the lasers target the fat cells and encourage them to rapture, assisting the massage in breaking up the fat deposits. The localized cooling ensures that there is no heat sensation from the laser and helps to re-hydrate the skin.

TriActive is commonly used in conjunction with invasive treatments such as surgery for cellulite and non-invasive options such as anti cellulite creams.

Treatment Frequency and Cost

For best results, once or twice weekly visits are recommended for at least 8 weeks or 8 to 16 sessions. Each session lasts approximately 20 minutes and costs about $100. This puts the price of a full treatment block at between $1000 to $1600 or more.

The main disadvantage of this type of treatment is that the cellulite will return in around a month or so at the conclusion of the group of sessions. It is therefore recommended that patients receive monthly maintenance sessions to keep their results.

TriActive Video

The following is a video clip from when TriActive was featured on NBC 5 News.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpqVPovv-YE

Lymphatic drainage massage is designed to stimulate the lymphatic system in order to drain the build up of waste fluid from cells in the body. It is a well known treatment for cellulite and can be conducted manually by hand or specially designed anti-cellulite machines.

What is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system plays an important role in regulating the immune system and removing toxins from the human body. Consisting of an intricate and vast organisation of ducts and vessels, the lymphatic system circulates special fluid to various cells in order to remove waste and to assist in the elimination of foreign viruses.

The Lymph System and Cellulite

At the subcutaneous layer of the human body, cells receive fresh blood from capillaries and have their waste and toxins removed by the lymph system. When there is a blockage in a lymph node, the system will try to move around the obstruction. But if this is impossible, fluid and toxins begin to build up in the affected area leading to localised swelling, and systemic nausea and fatigue.

In cellulite prone areas, the lack of circulation causes a decrease in the amount of oxygen and nutrients flowing to the fibrous tissues holding the fat cells together. The fibrous tissues then harden and thicken causing them to pull down on the skin above. At the same time, the accumulated fat, fluid and toxins bulges upwards and presses against the skin. The result is the dimples, dents and bumps that is cellulite.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic drainage massage was originally developed in the 1930s by a French physician named Dr Emil Vodder. Using gentle massaging strokes, it aims to stimulate the lymphatic system to flush out the build up of waste and toxins.

For cellulite, the improved circulation removes the backup of fluid and toxins, reduces swelling and enables the fibrous tissues to relax and soften. This all leads to a reduction in the appearance of cellulite.

For best results, you should have lymphatic drainage massage conducted manually by a trained therapist. Working with bare hands, therapists stimulate the lymph system by using gentle, wave-like movements. An alternative would be to conduct the massage yourself at home but results tend to be limited.

Another option is to utilize an anti-cellulite machine designed to cause lymphatic drainage. There are a number on the market but one example is the Tri-Active. This machine uses suction massage to gently pull the skin in various directions and assist in the drainage of the lymph system.

Other Options for Lymphatic Drainage

While massage is the most effective way to stimulate lymphatic drainage, there are also a range of other options you can possibly try instead.

Pressotherapy is a mild form of lymphatic drainage massage. It involves wrapping the legs with inflatable pads. These pads and inflated and deflated a number of times to cause alternating pressure. This inflation-deflation cycle causes lymphatic drainage but at a much less effective rate than massage.

Lymph drainage can also be encouraged by factors that don’t involve pressure and massage. Colon cleansing and nutritional detoxs can help eliminate toxins from the body, including the lymphatic system. Other things you can do to increase lymph drainage include: eating more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet; drinking plenty of water; deep breathing; regular exercise; a daily or weekly sauna or steam bath; acupuncture; and avoiding tight and restrictive clothing.

When undertaking some sort of lymphatic drainage massage, it is often recommended to also undertake a number of these activities in order to assist the process and help you achieve the results you want.

If you are like most women who have cellulite, you will have investigated a number of cellulite reduction treatments. You may have even tried some. Unfortunately, not every treatment will work for every woman and many will be out of your price range or may not suit your personal preferences.

Below you will find a list of the best ways to reduce cellulite and a brief discussion of each possible treatment. You will be able to find more information on each cellulite treatment on this website.

Diet and Exercise

One of the main causes of cellulite is too little muscle and too much fat. Fat is extremely soft and without enough firm and smooth muscle for support it will clump. This is the reason why skinny women often get cellulite – there is not enough muscle to support the underlying layers of fat. In contrast, if there is too much fat it will naturally clump together, no matter how firm the muscle is underneath.

In order to lose cellulite through diet and anti cellulite exercise, you need to strike the right balance between muscle and fat in your problem areas. You can achieve this by undergoing a cardiovascular exercise program to burn the fat away and combine it with an intensive strength training program.

A specific cellulite diet is important to reduce the fat levels in your body, improve circulation and reduce inflammation. The right diet will reduce fluid retention and improve the firmness and look of the skin. It is important that you combine the diet with exercise. Otherwise the diet can actually cause you to lose muscle along with the fat and actually make the cellulite look worse. Diet and exercise is one of the best natural ways to reduce cellulite.

Massage

Cellulite is tiny pockets of fat that is trapped between fibrous tissues. Massage works on these pockets of fat in a number of ways: it improves circulation (this removes toxins and fluids), softens and breaks up the fat deposits, smoothes the skin and draining excess fluids from the lymphatic system.

The most well known type of cellulite treatment massage is Endermologie. Developed in France, the technique involves a trained technician using a device that pulls, suctions and squeezes the problem skin and fat of the problem areas. Other examples include TriActive laser treatment which uses laser and suction, and VelaSmooth which combines laser and massage therapy. Sessions with all these devices can be expensive and must be done over many weeks.

A cheaper alterative is home massage using your hands and this can be effective when combined with cellulite cream. Another alternative is to use a body brush in the shower to increase circulation and break down the fat deposits.

Cream

There are literally hundreds of cellulite treatment creams on the market. Unfortunately, very few are of reasonable quality. You should look for ingredients such as caffeine, antioxidant extracts and a skin firmer. An advantage of using a lotion is that you can apply it home and you are usually required to apply it twice per day.

Mesotherapy

This treatment is not for everyone. It involves the injection of conventional or homeopathic medicines, vitamins, minerals and amino acids into the middle layer of the skin. Minophyilline and isopronternal are often used for cellulite due to their ability to break down fat.

Body Wraps

This treatment is usually conducted in a spa or salon. The aim is to improve the texture and appearance of the skin by assisting the body in eliminating excess fluids and toxins. This ensures improve body contours, a boost to the metabolism and lymphatic system, skin tightening and softening. With a body wrap, the client has a part of their body wrapped with elastic cloths that have usually been soaked in a homeopathic solution. A session can last up to 90 minutes.