Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Natural Skin Care Can Help You Look Better in That Bathing Suit

You may have been working hard to lose those few extra pounds so you can get into a bathing suit, and you may have thought the cellulite was going to disappear with them. Big disappointment – it’s not that easy. For years I’ve been told that there’s no way to get rid of cellulite – once you’ve got it, you’re stuck with it. Fortunately, I now know that’s not true. It takes a little work, but with a healthy diet and lifestyle, and natural skin care products that don’t cause dry skin, you’ll see a remarkable difference.

What causes cellulite? Unfortunately, no one really knows. Since is consists of little collections of fat, it has been traditionally thought of as something that affects only those who are overweight. But, as you can see from the slim bodies on the beach, no one is immune. Researchers have narrowed it down to genetics, age, thickness of the skin, and who knows what else? In other words, it hasn’t been narrowed down at all.

However, regardless of the cause, we can do something about it. Not surprisingly, the same natural skin care techniques that improve just about any skin problem will also help cellulite. Here’s what it takes.

1. Diet: this is probably the first thing you’re going to have to change. Get rid of processed foods and eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables as you can. If you can eat them raw, so much the better. Buy organic so you’re not burdening your body with chemicals, and keep it simple - salads with olive oil and vinegar or lemon dressing, fresh vegetable juices, eggs, raw milk cheese, natural yogurt, lean meat, fish and poultry. Get rid of the pasta, bread, potatoes and sugar – all the things you know cause excess fat.

2. Hydration: drink six to eight glasses every day, more if the weather is particularly hot, and stop using chemical skin care products that dry the skin and cause moisture loss. Instead of the traditional moisturizers that coat the skin with something that just feels good, use a shielding lotion. A good shielding lotion locks in the skin’s natural moisture and keeps out chemicals that cause irritation and dryness.

3. Exercise: your best bet for cellulite is stretching and yoga, but aerobic exercise is also an important part of any natural skin care routine – good circulation allows the blood to carry more nutrients to the skin cells.

4. Massage: massaging to reduce cellulite requires special techniques. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune in a spa to get them, and you can do them at home. Begin by stroking the area (always towards the heart) to get the circulation going, then knead the flesh with your fingers to loosen the fat deposits. Always follow with another stroking to flush away the loosened cells. The massage should be hard and deep, but not enough to cause bruising.

There are several other cellulite treatments available - chemical creams and lotions, liposuction and mesotherapy (the injection of drugs into the cellulite) – and they may even get some temporary results. However, the steps above will result in something more permanent, and will improve your overall health. If cellulite is keeping you off the beach, make these changes in diet and exercise, try the massage, and use natural skin care products. You’ll look better in your bathing suit, and feel great.
by:www.theopenpress.com

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