Slaying cellulite through internal skincare
November 8, 2006 | 12:00am
Although women strive for perfect bodies with a healthy lifestyle, they still can’t escape the cellulite problem. The awful truth is, the lumpy cottage cheese-like skin and orange-peel thighs affect 90 percent of women of all shapes and sizes. Even physically fit celebrities like Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears have it. Check out www.gossiprocks.com for pictures.
There are a lot of anti-cellulite products out in the market today with their own set of claims. Most women have tried them all, from miracle diets and topical creams to high-tech treatments that provide temporary results. Wouldn’t it be nice to actually have a cure to reduce dimpling of the skin and maybe stretch marks, too?
At last, Dr. Howard Murad discovered the "cellulite-slaying" method. This three-part program includes internal nutrients, topical creams to nourish the skin surface and a healthy-eating program. The philosophy behind this method is to effect change from the inside-out. Murad calls this internal skincare, which is the only way to heal the skin.
"My research shows that if we are to repair cellulite and stretch marks, we need to focus on repairing the skin, not on burning fat," says Murad. "By simply getting key hydrating, cell-fortifying nutrients to our skin we can rebuild, re-hydrate, and revitalize our skin, forcing stubborn fat cells back invisibly below the surface – and keeping them there. "
Christine Arriola, brand manager for Murad, asked me to try Murad’s body-care regimen for cellulite and stretch marks. She explained to me the secret to getting rid of cellulite and stretch marks is a matter of education and nutrition – nutrition for your body’s cells and connective tissue.
Before I started the eight-week program to smoother skin, I read Dr. Murad’s book, The Cellulite Solution, where he explained the causes and effects of cellulite. In order to repair the damage and prevent cellulite, you need to understand his Water Principle. Since drinking water is not enough, it is important to keep cells hydrated, which is essential to healthy and younger-looking skin.
I initially had to cut down on my favorite sweet things in the world like cookies, candy and cake. Other foods I avoided were red meat, pork and butter. Instead, I ate smarter with a lot of tofu, cauliflower, spinach, oranges and tomatoes. All have lecithin which strengthens skin and makes it harder for cellulite to show.
Murad also suggested eating food rich in essential fatty acids (salmon, walnuts, almonds, cashew, Brazil nuts, olive and canola oil), which help repair connective tissue. Load up on dairy like chicken, fish, soy cheese and eggs that all have amino acids to pump up collagen. Snack on brightly colored fruits and vegetables and green tea that are rich in antioxidants that stave off connective tissue damage. Broccoli, spinach, peas and lima beans help fight inflammation and free radical damage.
For eight straight weeks, I strictly followed the Murad Cellulite Solution Program. I religiously had to take care of my body, which I really enjoyed. As a new obsession, here are the products I used in the process:
The day and night packs contain multivitamin and antioxidant tablets to promote healthy skin function, microcirculation and it improves the skin’s smoothness and visual appearance. It also has essential fatty acids that hydrate the skin with water-attracting ingredients. Plus, cell-energizer (prevent skin cell damage while promoting cellular energy production) and connective-tissue dietary supplements (strengthen blood vessels, promote collagen and elastin production and improve skin elasticity and firmness) as well.
Lorena, my therapist from the Murad Medi-Spa, worked oh-so very patiently on me for eight weeks. She first warned me that this wasn’t a relaxing treatment but rather a treatment to target specific flawed areas. Lorena used the Activating Body Scrub to exfoliate my skin. Then, she used a prepping solution before applying the Vitamin C Firm and Tone Infusion, a 55 percent vitamin C concentrate that targets cellulite and stretch marks. She then wrapped my legs with plastic for 10 minutes. After my shower, Lorena applied the Vitamin C Body Firming Cream to moisturize the skin.
With this holistic approach to beating cellulite and stretch marks, the results were just great. In four weeks, my cellulite and stretch marks weren’t completely gone. But, there was a major improvement, though – my skin became firmer, smoother and softer. In eight weeks, my skin became even more firm by 78 percent. I had less visible stretch marks and my skin structure looked absolutely stronger and healthier (individual results may vary).
Now, my cellulite and stretch marks are nothing but a distant memory.
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