Dimples are totally cute! And we fully support rocking your tiger stripes with pride because we are human women, not plastic Barbie dolls. But when you work out, eat right, and feel fantastic in your favorite booty jeans, sometimes some extra ripples on the backside of your thighs and bum are perplexing.
It’s clear that cellulite is not what Fergie meant when she was talking about her lovely lady lumps. So what causes it, exactly? You can’t get rid of it completely, it’s 100% natural, and nearly every single female in the history of forever will begin to see it around the time of puberty, increasing with age. So get rid of those ideas about scourging your body from cellulite fully and permanently, because only Photoshop can do that.
It’s caused from the fascia—the structural tissue in our body that makes everything the shape that it is—running from skin to muscle, which means it has to make it through your layer of fat, causing some uneven bulging. And since fluctuating hormones regulate everything including your blood vessels, we get decreased circulation, oxygen, and nutrients that build collagen in that area. Obviously, if someone has extra EXTRA junk in the ol’ trunk, this texture will be emphasized. But a layer of fat on the thighs and butt is not only normal and healthy, but totally necessary.
First of all, you do NOT need to starve yourself. Cellulite is not necessarily a byproduct of excess stored fat. And ANYone with an enviable booty obviously has what we technically call “junk in the trunk.” Thick thighs save lives. Twerk material. We could go on. But to make that booty pop the way you want in shorts or a bikini, it’s nice to have a few techniques that help smooth things over.
We know we talk a lot about lymph drainage here, but it’s literally the fluid that moves through your whole body, cleansing and flushing at all times so, yeah, it’s kind of a big deal. Dry brushing is an amazing tool to not only help with lymph flow to prevent extra fluid from accumulating in the area, but also to help increase circulation in the top layers of the dermis. Increased circulation means less constricted blood vessels, which over time may make your cellulite less noticeable. To top it off, it’s exfoliating, which contributes to a smooth appearance.
Get your blood flowing with some movement first thing in the morning to boost circulation. Any workout, from yoga to a more intense HIIT circuit to a brisk walk will do the trick, but rebounding (jumping on a sturdy, bungee-tight mini trampoline) is known to jumpstart the process with dependable efficiency, not to mention bring out your inner child.
Roll it out. After your workout and cool-down (don’t forget to stretch—it will help lengthen and smooth as well) foam rolling will help loosen up tight fascia to prevent further constriction. In addition, it massages worked muscles to help them recover faster, and simply feels like you are steamrolling the lumps out. It doesn’t quite work that way (wouldn’t that be nice), but you will notice a difference with dedicated use.
Keep hydrated internally of course, because constricted blood vessels are exacerbated by dehydration. While you’re drinking all that water, use an emollient cellulite-reducing oil, like the birch blend by Weleda. It’s an energetic fusion of oils like rosemary, birch, grapefruit, and cyprus that are both invigorating and help with the skin’s natural detoxification and metabolic processes. The jojoba carrier in this product is super moisturizing, so feel free to rub this everywhere twice a day for a firmer, more toned look.
Caffeine is a stimulant when applied topically too, and makes for a really effective, invigorating scrub followed by an emollient cream. Chicory root has a retinoic-like effect on sagging and rippling skin in the super hydrating coconut-based firming lotion by Eminence. It’s great for preventative care as well as for aging skin, and we wish we could bathe in this every day.
Since collagen is a major part of your skin support and is responsible for that purposeful bounce and firm appearance, add a powder to your morning and/or evening routine to amp up your production, not to mention your hydration game. And lastly, don’t worry about it too much. If someone has an issue with something so natural and inevitable that is a part of life and your body, their shallow energy ain’t worth your time, sweet cheeks.
