What Is Cellulite?

Fat is deposited under the skin in clusters of cells held together by a fibrous network of connective tissue. The pattern of fat storage in your body is partly controlled by the sex hormones. In men, the fat is stored in a fairly uniform manner. In women, on the other hand, fat is stored to a large extent, in one or two specific areas like the thighs and buttocks. Some “body care people” have termed the fat stored in these areas as cellulite.

Cellulite, according to these people, is a gel like substance made up of a mixture of fat, water and waste materials, all trapped as immovable lumps, just beneath the skin. The protagonists of this theory believe that when the connective tissue is “poisoned”, it begins to expand abnormally, accumulating fat, water and body wastes-cellulite is thus formed.

Tension, fatigue, smoking, lack of exercise, alcohol, and drugs have been held responsible for the poisoning of connective tissue and formation of cellulite; these factors are thought to slow down the rate of elimination of waste materials from the body and these then collect in the connective tissues. It stands to logic that if you eat more than you require, you would put on weight. The body can easily store this excess fat in the skin. When too much fat is stored, it tends to bulge out between the fibers of connective tissue. The overlying skin then begins to look and feel uneven and flabby. Doctors also agree that too many calories and too little exercise both contribute to this excessive collection of fat. Doctors, however, do not regard cellulite formation as a special condition at all; they think cellulite is nothing but a fancy name for excess fat. Chemical analysis has shown that cellulite is similar to ordinary fat. There is also no indication of the presence of any abnormal connective tissue or excess amount of water in the skin of people having excess amounts of the so-called cellulite.

What Are Anti-Cellulite Diets?

These diets claim to purify the body and to eliminate the so-called “poisoning agents”. They basically contain the all too familiar list of low calorie foods-plenty of raw vegetables, skimmed milk, cheese, fish and lean-meat. Logically, they exclude the so-called “body-polluters” like chocolates, chips, and alcohol-all having many calories. So, naturally these anti-cellulite diets will help you lose weight.

Apart from their low calorie value, these anti-cellulite diets contain plenty of fluids, restrict salt intake and contain large amounts of iodine. Fluids are included because they are supposed to increase kidney activity and speed up the rate at which your body gets rid of the waste materials. Once the ‘poisons’ are eliminated, the cellulite would follow. But this is a hypothetical explanation, because doctors do not believe that the kidney activity has anything to do with accumulation and elimination of fat. Iodine is included to hasten up burning up of fat. Iodine is used uo normally in the body by the thyroid gland to produce hormones which control the rate at which fuel is burnt. Including extra iodine in the diet is, however, unlikely to be of any use in speeding up the process of getting rid of fat, as the thyroid gland only needs a minute amount of iodine and this is generally provided by a normal balanced diet.

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Diet And Your Skin

If you want a healthy skin, it is important for you to have a healthy diet- a diet which contains adequate amount of vitamins, minerals and proteins. Balance is the key word. No single diet is responsible for building up or maintaining the skin- so fad diets, which over-emphasize one food in preference to others can actually deprive you of essential nutrients and so may even harm your body and skin.

Moreover, there are a lot of misconceptions about the effect of certain foods on your skin. It is not true, for instance, that eating chocolates, sweets or rich cakes will give you spots. Neither is it true that eating greasy, fried foods will give you a greasy skin or make your hair greasy.Nor can it be guaranteed, that if you fill yourself with cucumbers, grapes, carrot juice or lettuce you will acquire a beautiful, flawless complexion. Some people have even come out with extraordinary claims, suggesting, for example, that salads will dramatically change your appearance and to develop a perfect skin you must take vitamin and mineral supplements.  All this to my mind is humbug.Although there is no denying that you must take a varied and a balanced diet, it is equally important to remember, that the single most important factor in determining the beauty of your complexion is heredity and that your eating habits play only a very small part in it.

However, if your diet is grossly deficient in certain elements, then the skin can develop problems. In people taking normal balanced diets this does not happen. But after severe illness, surgery and in people who are on crash diets, problems might occur.

With gross nutritional deficiencies, as occurs in severe illness of any type, the skin becomes dry and dark.The lips become sore, the hair falls, and the nails develop ridges and may even get discolored. The feet becomes edemas.

Vitamin A is very important for the health of your skin and eyes. The richest sources of this vitamin are cod-liver oil, liver, carrots, spinach, milk and egg-yolk.If the diet is lacking in this vitamin, the skin becomes excessively dry and develops pimples. Vision at night becomes defective. But remember, neither should you overdose yourself with Vitamin A, because this can cause dryness and roughness of the skin, falling of the hair and soreness of lips. Cracking and soreness of lips also develop in vitamin B deficiencies. Liver, meat, milk, greens, pulses and cereals are rich sources of vitamin B, Vitamin C, found in all citrus fruits, is also needed for the health of your skin.

Apart from vitamins, your diet should also include minerals.Iron makes the blood healthy-consequently it imparts a healthy pink glow to your skin. Iron is found in several green vegetables, in fruits and in meats. Zinc is also very important for the health of your skin.

Beverages And Skin

Many beverages can actually harm the skin. Alcohol and coffee cause the small blood vessels, under the skin surface to widen. This results in the familiar flushed look. Though, the effects of both alcohol and coffee are initially only temporary, excessive drinking will cause permanent widening of blood vessels making them apparent as thread veins. There are also several other causes of thread veins: heredity, effects of the sun, a highly spiced diet and extremes of temperature. You can’t help inheriting your genes, but you can certainly avoid the other factors to retard the appearance of thread veins.

Food Allergies And Skin Problems

Foods often play an important role in causing, at least, two types of skin problems-hives and eczemas. Although, there are several types of eczemas which are not due to food allergies, “atopic eczema” is frequently its resultant. Certain food stuffs, such as milk, eggs and preserved foods are most likely to cause allergies. A person may also be allergic to more than one food stuff.Often a number of hours elapse before the reaction occurs; so it is quite a problem to identify the culprit. Luckily, most people outgrow their food allergies and it is really not always necessary to look very carefully for the causative agent.

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Skin Types And Skin Care

It is really important for you to be able to identify your skin type. This is to enable you to look after your skin correctly. Also the selection of your cosmetics is, to a considerable extent, influenced by your skin type. Although no two skins are exactly similar most have characteristics which enable them to be grouped into one of the following types: Dry skin, Normal skin, Combination skin and Oily skin.
To determine your skin type, wash your face with a mild face wash. Then, after 30 minutes, press a clean tissue against your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. If the tissue shows no trace of oil, then you have dry skin. Dry skin looks rough and is prone to premature fine lines and wrinkles. If your skin is oily in some parts but dry in others, then you have combination skin. Normal skin usually looks smooth and is not prone to break outs. Oily skin feels oily to touch and tends to shine. Oily skin is also prone to blackheads and pimples. A sensitive skin needs special care, as it may be sensitive to some ingredients found in popular cosmetics. Those with sensitive skin should always use beauty aids that are hypoallergenic to protect their skin from allergic reactions. A regular skin care programmer, adapted to the needs of your particular skin type, goes a long way in keeping your skin radiant and problem free.

- Dry Skin:

Dry skin needs extra care, as it is prone to fine lines and wrinkles. This is especially true during the winter months when it feels even drier and may feel too taut or may even flake. A few measures help alleviate dryness and keep your skin supple and, at the same time, guard against premature aging.
1.Always wash your face with a mild, soap-free face wash. Never use soap, as that would further strip your skin of natural oil.
2.Always use a moisturizer during the day. Use upward, circular motion to lightly massage the moisturizer into your face. Make sure not to pull or tug your skin.
3.You should consider using a night cream before going to bed at night. It is advisable to use a cream that contains Alpha Hydroxide Acids (or AHA’s, as they’re commonly known). AHA’s are derived from sources such as milk, fruit and sugar-cane. These acids gently exfoliate the dry, dead, outermost layers of skin while they moisturize the newly revealed layers. They greatly benefit complexions that look dull, dry or flaky and they give your skin a beautiful glow.
4.Both AHA and Vitamin C help reduce fine lines and other signs of aging. Thus, you may get good results quickly by using a moisturizer or cream that contains Vitamin C during the day and an AHA-based night cream. Most known brands have moisturizers and creams that contain these.
5.If you have dry skin that tends to flake off, looks red and has some itchy patches that scab, consult your doctor to rule out eczema. Eczema, also known as a topic dermatitis, is generally considered to be a hereditary condition that can occur throughout the year. Other causes of eczema can be fabrics such as wool, some skin-care products or detergents etc. Your doctor may prescribe a cream to soothe the redness and irritation. Non-irritating fabrics such as cotton also help avoid flare-ups.
6.Many people suffer from weather-related dry skin.  If the weather in the winter months is normally drier and this tends to dehydrate your skin, regular use of moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated and supple.

Home Remedies For Dry Skin
1. Add 1/2 tsp of rose water to 1 tsp of honey and gently apply to the face. Leave it for about 15-20 minutes, then wash off with tepid water. Honey moisturises and soothes dry skin, and is gentle enough for daily use.
2. Massaging you face regularly with almond oil or olive oil works wonders for dry skin.
3. Take 1/4 of an apple. Peel off the skin and grate. Cool in the refrigerator. Apply it on the skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. Wash off with cool water. Apple helps soothe dry skin and gives it a pleasant glow.
4. Take 1 tbsp of cream. Stir lightly till it becomes a smooth paste. Apply to face and neck before bath. Cream helps remove suntan and makes your skin silky and supple.

- Normal Skin:

Normal skin is usually trouble-free and needs simple care to keep it healthy and glowing. Normal skin also tolerates most popular lotions and creams as well. A regular skin-care program combined with a balanced, healthy diet helps keep normal skin stay supple and young. Regular care for normal skin should include a few simple steps.
1.Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing daily keeps normal skin in great shape for a long time. It is advisable to use natural products on your skin.
2.It’s easy to take trouble-free skin for granted. But, if neglected, it will begin to develop fine lines and wrinkles. So always remember to nourish and moisturize your skin.
3.Creams and lotions that contain vitamin A, C and E help improve the texture of your skin, making it smoother and softer. Moreover, these vitamins counter the effects of free radicals.
4.Even if your skin is normal, you still have to give it regular care. Your skin, like any other skin type, is constantly assaulted by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules formed in the skin when it is exposed to the environment, pollution, or sunlight.

Home Remedies For Normal Skin
- Mash 1/4 of a ripe banana. Apply on the face, taking care to avoid the areas under the eye. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then wash off with cool water. Banana is excellent to do away with dead skin that makes your skin look lifeless. Regular use of banana gives your skin a fresh, healthy glow.

-Combination Skin:

Skin that is oily in some parts but dry or normal in others is considered as combination skin. The oily skin is concentrated on the T-zone, which is across the forehead, down the nose and chin. Whenever you wash your face, you may find that some areas of your face feel tight after washing; and that these parts look dull or feel dry and rough whereas the T-zone looks shiny, feels oily to touch and is prone to pimples and blackheads. Combination skin needs special attention because the dry parts of your face need to be considered, whereas the oily parts need to be kept clean to avoid breakouts. Follow these simple tips each day and see what a difference they make to your skin.
1.Cleanse your entire face twice a day. Always use a mild cleanser to gently remove dirt, grime and make-up from your face.
2.The dry areas of your face need to be moisturized to prevent the formation of premature wrinkles. Use a good moisturizer on the dry parts of your face, and if possible, use an oil-free moisturizer on your T-zone.
3.If you use make-up, try and use oil-free/shine control type of make-up on the T-zone. These products are easily available in the market today and help absorb all the excess oil secretion and control the shine.
4.If you have a combination skin, your skin will greatly benefit from AHA and Vitamin C moisturizers and creams. Products that contain AHA tend to normalize the skin.

Home Remedies For Combination Skin
1. Always keep a small bottle of rose water in the refrigerator. Saturate a bit of clean cotton with cool rose water and dab liberally on your face. Enjoy the fresh feeling.
2. Take 3-4 tbsp of ripe, reseeded papaya pulp. Mash well and cool in the refrigerator. Apply on face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then wash off with cool water. Papaya helps normalize combination or oily skin and gives it a beautiful healthy glow.

- Oily Skin

Skin that looks oily,  feels greasy to touch and is prone to blackheads and pimples is known as oily skin. It is imperative to keep oily skin clean and to control the excess secretion of oil. On the positive side, oily skin tends to age more gradually as compared to other skin types, as natural oil protects oily skin from fine lines and wrinkles. A simple but regular skin-care programmer coupled with a well-balanced, healthy diet helps manage oily skin and minimizes skin break-outs.
1.It is essential to cleanse your face twice a day, once in the morning and once at bedtime. Always use a mild cleanser. They help prevent clogged pores and reduce pimples..
2.Follow up the cleanser with an astringent as this will remove all excess oil. It is best to avoid an alcohol-based astringent. Instead, it is advisable to use natural products. Alcohol-based products strip too much oil from the face.
3.If your skin does break out, do not touch or squeeze the pimples. Pimples, if squeezed, may leave permanent scars. There are a number of effective pimple creams available in the market today. Consult a dermatologist to know which one is best suited for you.
4.If possible, get your face professionally cleansed once a month.
5.Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day. Water helps flush out toxins from the body.
6.Avoid fried foods and chocolates.
7.Make sure that you eat a well-balanced diet which includes fruits and green leafy vegetables daily.

Home Remedies For Oily Skin
1. Keep a bowl of water in the fridge and splash this cold water on your face 3-4 times a day. Cold water will not only leave you feeling refreshed but will also tighten the pores.
2. Seem leaves are excellent for pimples. Crush washed seem leaves to form a paste and apply this to the affected parts. Leave it on for at least an hour. Seem will help the pimples dry up faster.
3. For marks and blemishes left behind by pimples use calamine lotion. Just dab some lotion on the blemishes at bedtime and they will gradually fade away.
4. A great pack for oily skin is the chilled cucumber. Finely grate cucumber or blend a cucumber in the blender to form a paste. Chill in the fridge. Apply it on the face and relax for 15 minutes. Wash off with cold water. For best results, repeat twice a week, on a clean, cleansed face.

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Some facts to know
Cosmetics play many roles as they are more than just blush and mascara. They can protect you from the sun, change or protect your appearance. Cosmetics like perfumes and deodorants are part of your everyday life. Learn more on DermatologyCare.ca including tips and facts about your skin and your skin health.

Cosmetic or Cosmeceutical?
Skin products are either classified as drugs or cosmetics. A drug can alter the function and structures of the skin while a cosmetic just changes the appearance. The term cosmeceutical describes products that use ingredients that have some biological effect on the skin but are not classified as drugs. It means that these products cannot make claims about improving the skin function only that they improve the appearance.

Natural doesn’t mean non-allergic
Just because a product contains natural ingredients, doesn’t mean that it won’t be potentially irritating. Products with rosemary, tea tree oil, lavender and chamomile can provoke an allergic reaction. Before using any new product, it’s wise to apply a very small amount first to make sure that it’s safe for your skin.
Caution when buying cosmetics
Sample the makeup – not the germs! If you’re trying out makeup samples at the cosmetics counter, be sure to use a disposable applicator to decrease the risk of contamination. For the same reason, you should never share your friends’ makeup either.
Is a natural ingredient really natural?
The botanical or plant sounding components that are in products labeled “natural” are usually synthesized in a laboratory rather that extracted from plants. These natural ingredients may still cause allergic reactions.
Does perfume-free always mean no perfume?
Perfume free products can sometimes have perfumes in them to block the chemical smell of a cosmetic but they are labeled as preservatives. The only topical preparation that does not need a preservative is pure petroleum jelly.

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