

10 All-Natural Ways To Reduce The Appearance Of Cellulite
Let me just start this particular article off by saying that approximately 98 percent of women have cellulite somewhere on their body (men? Only around 10 percent of them do). While that might make some of you want to give me the cynical "gee, thanks" (or quite possibly, even the finger), I actually said that so you could let yourself off the hook a bit. Because, while I don't know too many women who are thrilled at the thought of having cellulite on their body, since it is so common, it's definitely nothing to feel ashamed of or insecure about. After all, cellulite are simply fat deposits (that sometimes look like lumps or dimples) that are underneath the top layers of our skin. And while some are more genetically prone to have more of it than others, factors including body fat percentage and even age play a role in it too.
And just where does cellulite tend to show up the most? Thighs, buttocks and abdomen area are pretty typical. So are underneath and behind our arms. And is there nothing that you can do? Well, that's where today's topic comes in. While in extreme and excessive cases, there are things like laser therapy and other relatively safe procedures that doctors will sometimes recommend, there are also all-natural at-home remedies that can significantly soften the appearance of cellulite too. I've got 10 of 'em right here.
1. Dry Brushing
A very popular way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is a process known as dry brushing. It's a fan favorite because it is a fairly simple way to stimulate blood circulation (which helps to keep fat from accumulating) as it exfoliates dead skin cells too. If you add 3-5 drops of an essential oil like fennel, lavender or rosemary to a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba or sweet almond and then rub the combo into the areas where you'd like to see less cellulite before brushing your skin, the oils will help to soften the appearance of those stubborn fatty areas over time. Byrdie has a list of some of the best dry brushes that are currently on the market; you can check those out here. I also found a video that features some dry brushing hacks that you can watch by going here.
2. Coffee Scrubs
Body scrubs are pretty dope, period, because they are such a great way to exfoliate your skin in order to give it a natural glow.
The reason why coffee scrubs are a good idea when it comes to reducing cellulite is 1) the caffeine in coffee can actually help to tighten up your skin and 2) massaging the scrub into certain areas of your body will increase blood flow which releases toxins which can decrease the amount of cellulite that you have in certain areas of your body.
If you combine a cup of fresh coffee grounds with one-third cup of brown sugar (it's a gentle exfoliant) and ½ cup of grapefruit oil (it helps to detoxify your skin) and apply it while you're in the shower, making sure to focus on the parts of your body where cellulite is, it will help to reduce fat cells and increase the production of collagen. Do this 1-2 times a week for the absolute best results.
3. Body Massages
If you want to go the pampering route in order to get rid of some cellulite, you absolutely can't go wrong with setting up a massage appointment. In fact, if you add dry cupping to your request, that can help to aggressively pull toxins out of your system. While it's not a "cure" for cellulite (unfortunately, nothing can full-on cure it), it is a surefire way to significantly reduce the appearance of it; at the very least, temporarily so.
4. More Potassium and Protein
Potassium is a very necessary mineral; one that, as far as cellulite goes, helps to flush out unnecessary bodily fluids and waste that cells can sometimes accumulate. As far as protein goes, did you know that it helps to keep your metabolism running just as it should? Not only that, collagen and elastin (skin tighteners) are proteins, so, of course, a diet that consists of protein made this list. I put these two things together because a meal that is rich in both potassium and protein can be a delicious way to get rid of stubborn cellulite. Potassium-rich foods include spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, cucumbers, peas and potatoes. Foods that are rich in protein include beef, poultry, fish, eggs, quinoa, lentils and Brussels sprouts.
5. Less Sugar and Salt
When it comes to overdoing it on the sugar and salt, it's underneath my arms where I will see some signs that I need to hold myself more accountable. Makes sense too since sugar triggers inflammation as it stores up more body fat and salt causes water retention (bloating). Y'all, it doesn't make sense to eat all of the right foods if you're going to continue to eat a lot of what isn't good for you too. If you're noticing more cellulite than usual, stop to consider if you're spending too much time in fast food drive-thru lines. If so, pulling back from those could cause you to see a noticeable difference.
6. Omega 3s
Some fats are actually really good for you. One of those would be omega-3s. They are a kind of fatty acid that can reduce the risk of heart disease, fight bodily inflammation, decrease the amount of fat that is in your liver, improve bone and joint discomfort and yes, help to dissolve some of the "bad fat" that could be leading to the appearance of cellulite. Foods that are loaded with omega-3s include salmon, trout, sardines, chia seeds, kidney beans, walnuts and flaxseeds.
7. Fiber
I'm thinking that you can probably guess why adding more fiber to your diet is an awesome way to decrease the amount of cellulite that is in your body. Fiber helps to keep us regular and the less toxins that are in your system, the easier it is for stubborn fat deposits to be eliminated. Not only that but fiber can also boost your metabolism levels too. So, if you know you're not consuming as much fiber as you should, be sure to pick up some dark leafy greens, berries, avocados, carrots, oats, chickpeas and almonds the next time you're at the grocery store.
8. Chemical-Free Moisturizers
Oftentimes, when we discuss toxins and how they work against our system, the things that we eat are typically what gets brought up.
Yet it needs to go on record that what we put on our skin can play a direct role too. This is why a lot of holistic experts live by the motto that if you can't eat it, you shouldn't put it on your skin; after all, we've all got around five million pores on our body and many studies support the fact that 60 percent of what we put onto our pores goes directly into our bloodstream (another reason to rethink chemical relaxers; that's another message for another time, tho). For this reason, it really is best to go with chemical-free moisturizers. They're toxin-free and, if you add an essential oil like chamomile, lemongrass, rose, geranium or patchouli to a carrier oil such as argan or avocado, the combo will help to boost collagen while tightening your skin in the process.
Plus, your skin will feel really soft and smooth after applying which is always a bonus.
9. Water
Between 60-65 percent of our body is made up of water. That alone should be more than enough reason to drink as much of it as you can throughout the day. On the cellulite tip, though, it's beneficial because water flushes toxins, increases blood circulation and helps to keep your lymphatic system (it consists of your lymph, lymph nodes and vessels) working properly. On the outside, allowing cold water to hit the areas where any cellulite is for a few minutes every day can trigger blood circulation as well. So, if you don't do anything else on this list, get that water going. It's something that cellulite loathes. And that's a good thing.
10. Exercise
C'mon. Don't act like you didn't see this one coming. All throughout this article, I've talked about how increasing blood circulation and removing toxins can help to get rid of cellulite; well, exercise certainly does both of these things. It also helps to tighten your skin which is always a bonus. Cardio, squats and lunges are super effective ways to make cellulite less of an issue. This is why you should commit to exercising 30-45 minutes a day, 2-3 times a week. Your thighs, buttocks and tummy area will be so grateful. You will be too.
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Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Blac Chyna Opens Up About Her Initial Fear To Share Her Spiritual Journey With Others
Watching Angela “Blac Chyna” White’s transformation in real-time has truly been a sight to see. It wasn’t that long ago that she announced that she was reversing her cosmetic surgeries in an effort to go back to who she was before the world came to know her as Blac Chyna. In previous interviews, she stated that she was dissolving her facial and lip fillers, removing her breast implants, and getting a butt reduction, as well as removing the dimple piercings that enhanced her fame and controversial tattoos.
In a recent Tamron Hall interview, the mother of two said that she has “fully recovered” from the procedures. She is also celebrating one year of sobriety and opened up about being worried about how her new journey would be received by others.
“I’ve been in the entertainment industry for so long, right, and of course, like, you know, coming out, I’m like young, I’m gonna do wild things as we all have,” she said.
“...I feel like by me being vocal and showing everybody you can change your life and things can get better, like through myself, that right there is an accomplishment, and that’s a part of freedom, too.”
But as she started on her journey, many people have shown her grace, which is something she’s grateful for. “And then the fact that people have been showing me grace, it’s like amazing,” she said. “And I feel like when I did it, I just did it. It was more so like spiritual thing and I feel like people see that, and I’ve always been like my authentic self, so what you see is kinda what you get with me, and that’s just kinda what it is.”
Chyna, who recently received an honorary doctorate from Sacramento Theology Seminary and Bible College, has also repaired her relationship with her mom, Tokyo Toni. The social media celebrity surprised her daughter on the Tamron Hall Show. Prior to the sentimental surprise, Chyna dished on the reconciliation and having a better understanding of her mom.
“I must say, some of the things I have to take accountability for because, like my actions. As a mother, you don’t want to see your daughter doing certain things ‘cause it’s like it doesn’t matter what my past was or what we’re going through, I didn’t raise you that way,” she admitted. “So, it’s like, okay, maybe I was a little bit wrong. Maybe I was acting out a little bit. But I feel like as we grow older, I kinda see more, and I understand more.”
Chyna will be starring in season two of Fox's reality competition show Special Forces: World's Toughest Test.
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