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Beating Cellulite and looking after your skin this summer

Beating cellulite

With summer on the way it is time to start thinking about your summer holiday. One thing you need to plan in advance is making sure your body will look as good as that new bikini you've brought. When your boarding the plane, or worse still when you first hit the beach is too late.

So what is it?

Fatty deposits laid down during puberty are not as flexible in women as those of a man and as the woman ages and/or puts on weight these fatty cells expand and as they tend to be just underneath the skin they give the orange peel effect called cellulite. Men don't suffer like women because they lay down fat cells differently to women and generally have thicker skin with less fatty deposits below.

The causes of cellulite in some women but not in others and the age with which you start noticing it are not really known. People will say 'All you can do is lead a healthy lifestyle and eat non-fatty foods, cut down on salt, increase fibre and reduce stress' and whilst this is sound advice it's not 100% accurate. There is something you can do. For some people, no amount of dieting and exercise will cure cellulite; it is after all a natural part of being a woman. But there are products available that can help tone and smooth your cellulite that will make it less visible and give you more confidence on the beaches this summer.

What can you do?

Firstly drinking plenty of water is very good (and not just for cellulite). Try and drink at least 2 litres (or 3 pints) of water per day to flush out any excess sodium that causes fluid retention. Herbal teas or ;fruit juices are also ok (as long as they have no sugar) if water gets a bit bland.

Exercise as weight gain can cellulite make cellulite appear worse. If you combine a cardiovascular exercise programme (jogging, aerobics or swimming) with some resistance training (light weights, even those that you stick onto your wrists and legs as you carry on your normal day) should reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Try and cut out as much stress in your day-to-day life as possible. As stress causes hormonal changes that can affect the skin. Try yoga, cycling or walking, and aim to get eight hours sleep per night.;

Smoking can worsen cellulite as it has a negative effect on the elasticity of your skin, thereby worsening cellulite. It can also age you faster than you want to age.

Massage has a host of benefits. It can help reduce stress, increase circulation and lymphatic drainage which will enable your break down the fatty deposits easier.

What products can I buy that will help?

Avon Anew Clinical Tri-laser Cellulite Corrector

Powerful cellulite fighting daily moisturiser. To use, massage thoroughly onto areas prone to cellulite,such as thighs, abdomen, waist, buttocks and hips. Use every morning and evening in conjunction with 6-8 glasses of water.

Avon Solutions Cellu-sculpt Anti-cellulite Body Sculpting Treatment

Massage into skin for 5 minutes, twice daily. Use in conjunction with regular excerise and drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.

Comfort Zone Body Strategist Concentrate

A concentrated cellulite serum, exerting a strong and deep reducing and reactivating action to improve the signs of any cellulite type.

Transformulas Firm Slim Cellulite Mousse

It's hard to believe that something as simple as a spray-on mousse can help to slim, tone and combat cellulite - but that's exactly what it does! Proven results after just 28 days of usage demonstrated a mean average loss of over 2.8 cm from the thighs.

Cleansing and moisturising your skin

To get summer-beautiful skin that looks radiant and shines it is very important to have the right cleansing and moisturising regime. It is equally important to use the right products that match your skin type.

It doesn't matter when you wash, whether it is when you wake up and before you go to bed or at various times through the day (although washing too much or with too abrassive soaps and cleansers will do more damage than good). If your skin is oily or you work in grimey enviroments then we would advise washing more often. If your skin is dry, then avoid washing it too much. Try to use a gentile soap , or better still a cosmetic oil-based cleanser as normal soap can strip too much moisture from your skin and end up making it drier than it was before.

Soap, if allowed to remain on the skin, attracts dirt, and can also cause irritation to the skin. If you have a normal skin, then 2-3 washes with soap will not do your skin any harm, while an oily skin will benefit from an even more frequent cleansing with soap and water. Cleansers are generally better for your skin than soaps as they are not so harsh and drying, although moisturising soaps do help a bit.

After washing it is important to moisturise your skin to help lock in moisture and keep skin supple. Choosing the moisturiser to suit your skin type is important. The proportion of oil varies according to the type of skin for which the product is formulated. Generally speaking, products meant for well-balanced normal skins are water-based, containing a little oil. Those designed for dry skins make up for the lack of oil on the skin, by increasing the quantity of oil in the moisturiser. Not only will moisturisers enhance your skin they also make putting on make up easier. Most dermatologists agree that moisturisers effectively combat skin dryness and make the skin soft and supple.

See our full range of cleansers > See our full range of moisturisers >

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