Dimpling of the skin in the areas of the hips, thighs and buttocks due to deposition of fat is called as cellulite. The French refer to it as peau d’orange (orange peel) because the dimpling of the affected areas resembles the depressions of the orange skin.
About 85% to 90% of the women are affected by cellulite and request treatment. The stubborn cellulite is commonly seen in obese women. The earlier it is recognized the faster it can get treated.
Deposition of cellulite is multifactorial in origin with genetic and hormonal factors playing a major role. Other contributory factors are the lack of physical activity, improper diet, and improper circulation of blood and lymph through the body and accumulation of excessive fluids in the body. The above acquired factors often form a vicious cycle which continues to cause further cellulite formation and deposition. Unless the cycle is broken, often a multipronged approach required, the problem is not completely resolved. These could be the reasons why lean women may also be affected with cellulite.
Various therapies are available for cellulite control, some being invasive and others non invasive. Women always prefer the noninvasive methods to invasive techniques. Among the noninvasive methods, natural remedies are gaining popularity as they are cheaper and also safe. Sea weeds have been used in the treatment of cellulite as body wraps, massages and soap. Seaweeds can be used alone or in combination with other agents like ivy extract, Juniper, Aminophylline, Coffee Bean Extract, Fennel Seed Extract, Aloe, Hyaluronic Acid, Ginko Biloba, Horse Chestnut, Bentonite etc. They are used both in the spas as body wraps and massages and at home in the form of soaps. The convenience of using the seaweed as soap at home for cellulite reduction makes women pick up this choice of therapy.
Seaweeds soaps help in the absorption of excess fluid thereby providing firmness to the skin and reducing the appearance of cellulite. It also stimulates the skin surfaces and removes dead cells on the surface of the skin making the surface appear smooth. This is also accompanied by the destruction of harmful bacteria present on the surface of the skin. When used in body packs, the temperature of the area where the pack is applied increases and causes lysis of fat in the affected areas. Also, there is improved circulation due to increase in the poresize of the blood vessels beneath the skin surface. The improved circulation flushes away the waste and toxic products from the areas involved.
To get the best benefits of the anti cellulite soap it is to be used it at least 3 – 4 times in a week. This will maximize the effectiveness of the soap. It is best to rub the soap in the areas that are affected by cellulite very rigorously. This can also be alternated with light surface strokes with the seaweed soap and circular motions toward the inner and upper thighs. Anti Cellulite Sea weed soaps do not directly bring about reduction of cellulite but definitely decrease the appearance of cellulite in about three to four weeks.
