3 Tricks to Banish Cellulite

On your cheeks, dimples are perfectly fine—cute even. On your thighs? Not so much—especially with short-shorts season right around the corner. But cellulite is more than just a bummer; it can also be a major blow to your self-esteem. Women who have cellulite think they’re less attractive than women without cellulite, according to a new Harris Poll commissioned by Cynosure Inc, a cosmetic, aesthetic, and medical laser company.

Harris Interactive surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. women above the age of 18. Out of the women who admitted to having cellulite (40 percent, for the record), 90 percent were bothered by the condition. Of the women who reported feeling insecure due to their cellulite, 76 percent also said that it makes them feel unattractive.

So what is cellulite exactly? Basically, the layer of fat beneath your skin gets squished and squeezed by bands of collagen, fibrous connective tissues that are arranged in a manner that makes bits of fat pop out and up, resulting in the dimpled appearance, says Alicia D. Zalka, MD, a Yale-affiliated dermatologist and founder of Surface-Deep.com. Being overweight isn’t the culprit behind spongy-looking thighs, though having more body fat might make it appear worse, she says. Genetics, inflammation, and hormonal fluctuations due to having your period or aging can all make cellulite worse, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Cellulaze, a procedure offered by the company that commissioned the study, is the only FDA-approved cure for cellulite. Cellulaze involves inserting a tiny laser under the skin to break down the actual structure of cellulite, says Barry DiBernardo, MD, director of New Jersey Plastic Surgery in Montclair, NJ, and one of the lead clinical investigators affiliated with Cynosure. The procedure can be pricy—anywhere from $ 300 to $ 8,000, depending on how large the treatment area is—but you only need to do it once to see results. About three months post-treatment, you should have noticeably smoother skin, and about six months post-treatment, you shouldn’t see any cellulite at all, says DiBernardo.

If you can’t shell out $ 300 (or more) right now, there are some strategies that’ll temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite. Try these stay-smooth tactics:

Apply topical exfoliants and creams
Dead skin cells on the surface of your skin can make dimpling look worse, says Zeichner. The easy fix: Exfoliate to buff your skin so it looks as smooth as possible. Certain creams are also designed to minimize the appearance of cellulite. Look for ones that contain caffeine since it can shrink fat cells by dehydrating them. You may also want to consider using a topical retinoid: It’ll boost collagen growth and repair damaged collagen, plumping up your skin to minimize the quilted appearance, says Zalka.

Be OCD about sunscreen
UV rays can damage collagen, which ultimately makes cellulite more apparent, says Zeichner. Wear SPF daily to protect your skin (click here to find the best sunscreen for you). Creams containing antioxidants can also help since they can reduce UV-induced collagen damage, resulting in healthier-looking, stronger skin, says Zalka.

Eat well—and exercise regularly
Loading up on veggies and hitting the treadmill won’t actually get rid of cellulite, but dimples are much less noticeable on toned legs, says Zeichner. Plus, maintaining your weight through exercise and a healthy diet will help keep skin in top, taut shape. (Try these two yoga poses to help smooth spongy thighs.) Zalka also recommends indulging in a massage: Stimulating blood flow will temporarily smooth out rumpled skin.

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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3 Easy Tricks to Beat Motion Sickness

Motion sickness can throw a real wrench into your travel plans. And once it strikes, it feels like nothing can provide you the quick relief you need from feeling nauseous, dizzy, and downright terrible. Soon, that may no longer be the case.

NASA is working with California-based startup Epiomed Therapeutics to develop a new medication to treat motion sickness.

The nasal spray, called intranasal scopolamine (INSCOP for short), has been shown to be faster acting and more effective than when administered as a pill, according to a press release from NASA. Scopolamine, the nausea-fighting drug used in the nasal spray, is currently typically administered as a patch.

But why do astronauts—and Earth dwellers—get unsettling motion sickness in the first place?

“Motion is sensed by the brain through four means: the inner ear, the eyes, and skin and joint sensory receptors throughout the body,” says Keri Peterson, M.D. internal medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and Women’s Health advisor. “When the signals from each of these does not match—for example if you are in the cabin of the boat and your inner ear senses motion but your eyes do not see motion, then the brain perceives a discrepancy in signals and you can get motion sickness.”

With the floating and bouncing around that astronauts do in space, it makes sense that these confusing signals can trigger stomach-churning and light-headed responses. But you don’t have to be space-bound to be hit with head-spinning motion sickness symptoms.

Fortunately, while INSCOP isn’t available to the public (yet), there are other ways to keep your wits about you (and your food down) the next time choppy water, air turbulence, or an out-of-control cab driver gives you a case of the spins. Try these three tips:

Seat yourself wisely
“Always ride where your eyes will see the same motion that your ears and body feel,” says Peterson. So in a car, ride in the front seat; on a boat, position yourself on the deck and keep your eyes on the horizon; on an airplane, try to score a window seat over the wing of the plane, she suggests.

Grab a fan
Direct a stream of fresh air at your face, if you can. Though there’s no documented medical reason behind this strategy, it’s possible that makes you feel better because it lowers your body temperature, says Peterson. Hey, worth a try.

Get medical
Peterson also recommends Dramamine or scopolamine patches to nix the nausea, dizziness, and vomiting that result from motion sickness.

photo: Pixland/Thinkstock

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