The French Gave Us Cellulite. A French Company, Vichy, Treats the Problem.
That ripply, orange peel'y skin that shows up on many a thigh, derriere, arm, knee and is virtually impossible to get rid of - even in the face of painful and costly treatments such as endermologie. Whether you're tall and thin, or short and round, medical studies show that between 90-95% of women are afflicted with it. "As of today, realistically there is no cure for cellulite," confirms Dr. Soren White, the respected New York Derm I turn to for what's hype and what works.
Cellulite originates within the skin, in the millions of cells designed to store fats. Adipocytes can swell up to 60 times their initial size, deforming the network of vertical fibers that connect the skin to the lower layers of fat. The deformed fibrous network traps the fat, forming stubborn fatty deposits that are difficult to break down; deep down, the tissues are infiltrated, sometimes even causing discomfort, and the resulting compression impedes circulation & makes it sluggish. This is when cellulite begins to take hold, dimpling and mottling the surface of the skin.
In my own case, when I eat right, hydrate, exercise 6 days a week and have no stress in my life, I noticed an improvement in the appearance of cellulite - but who can sustain such a regime over the long haul? After testing numerous products and enduring a few painful endomologie sessions myself, I discovered the best results using a $38 product from VICHY LABORATOIRES: Lipometric Contour Refining Intensive Care.
VICHY INNOVATION: Lipometric contains Vichy's patented "Adrenalyse" complex - a mixture of vegetable saponins extracted from horse chestnut and yam, which are known to act as cellular stimulants and lipidic barriers; it also includes caffeine, known for its decongestant characteristics. The result is a cellular stimulant that targets and helps eliminate built-up fatty deposits and a lipidic barrier. The resulting 4-week anti-recurrence action reduces that orange-peel look, and makes skin smoother, firmer, and with more defined contours.
According to Caroline James, Scientific Advisor for Vichy Laboratoires, Lipometric activates specific fat-related pathways. "To encourage the mobilization of lipids in cellulite-prone areas and to help shrink the adipocytes, the evacuation of glycerol is stimulated by activating the adipose aquaglyceroporine channels. To slow down excess lipogenesis in the cellulitic areas and prevent cellulite recurrence, lipid entry is limited by mimicking the action of cholesterol in the adipocyte."
Lipometric has been tested extensively, including on a panel of 50 women between the ages of 18-45, all of whom had cellulite visible to the naked eye. When the participants used the product twice daily for 4 weeks, the results were fabulous: visible and significant improvement in the appearance of their cellulite. The hydrating, ultra-absorbant, non-sticky texture allows you to dress immediately after use; it's also allergy-tested, and contains Vichy Thermal Spa Water. For the best results, apply Lipometric Contour Refining Intensive Care once or twice daily for a minimum of 1 month. Repeat treatment several times a year.
TO THIGHS: Sit down, with the leg out in front, and spread Lipometric between the palms of both hands.
1. To stimulate circulation: Starting just above the knee, cup the thigh in your hands, and slide hands up to the top of the thigh. Repeat 5 times.2. To help circulation: Join the thumbs together above the knee. Slide thumbs outwards. Repeat 5 times at the top of the knee, then mid-thigh and finally at the top of the thigh.
3. To finish and help promote detoxification: Using pressure, massage the top of the knee, mid-thigh and top of the thigh in a circular motion using the palms of both hands.
TO THE WAIST: Lay down and spread Lipometric between the palms of both hands.
1. To stimulate circulation: Place both hands on the lower area of the tummy. Massage using a clockwise motion.
2. To help circulation: Between thumbs and fingers, take a fold of skin from the upper tummy area and slide downward and outward to one side. Repeat 5 times to each side.
3. To help refine skin on the tummy: Apply pressure working from the center, gliding outward towards the sides over the upper tummy area and then over the lower tummy area.
I see a difference have an heir and a spare, and so does heiress Lydia Hearst.
Available at Vichy.com.
- Michelyn Camen, Editor at Large
(cellulite diagram: source)
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