Oh, cellulite.
Our genetics are the biggest cause of cellulite. Exercise, diet, hormones, laxity of the connective tissue, and our overall lifestyle can attribute to the expression of cellulite.
If we want to create a smooth silhouette, what can we do? Let’s talk technology first.
They’re have been many medical treatments that have provided some good results, but mostly have been disappointing and costly. Two new machines that came out this year have some promise, but time will tell if they can create anything more than temporary results.
Stubborn Toxins
Most treatments use a vacuum feature that creates swelling which only delivers a temporary result. It can be beneficial by creating a “detox” of the area and better circulation, but there are many ways to create this on your own via exercise, saunas, massage, etc. The homecare massager “Body Belle,” is an amazing way to boost blood and lymphatic flow. It also stretches the fibrous tissue to improve elasticity. This strengthening of the connective tissue is key.
Dermal Bonding
When the skin on our body looses elasticity and the connection between all the layers weaken, cellulite looks it’s worst! We need to strengthen the relationship between all the layers. Stretching, yoga and Pilates can really help. I target this factor at my clinic by mixing radio frequency skin tightening treatments with CIT collagen building treatments to get the skin pillowy and youthful looking.
Daily Rituals
Exfoliating on a daily basis in the shower is essential. It wakens up the skin, and preps it for the topicals you apply during your morning beauty ritual. You can use the body brush head on your clarisonic or you can get create your own homemade sugar scrubs. Add a little rosemary oil to your recipe for blood flow. The one skincare line for the body that I’ve seen deliver real results is called Kayo. Their Concentrated Slimming Serum creates not only amazing instant results, but also truly accumulative benefits. The Vitamin Boost is essential for rebuilding the skin. For a supportive supplement, I love ATP by Meehan Formulations. This formulation keeps your body clean and fine-tuned by energizing your cells and keeps you fit on a truly molecular level.
Hormones
Cellulite can be related to hormone imbalances, specifically an excess of estrogen and a deficiency in progesterone. It’s so important for women to get their hormones checked regularly. It has an astronomical effect on our skin. You can create a hormone-balanced climate through naturopathy and even easy diet changes. Other internal contributors to cellulite are low thyroid, adrenal dysfunction, and blood sugar imbalance.
Cellulite can be a telling sign that we need to shift things in our whole-body health routine. Giving some extra love to ourselves is a priceless investment on our path to living our most vital life. Empowering our bodies empowers our lives.
Image via LVBX Magazine
Glow October 13 2016
Want to achieve the Hollywood Glow that you see on the red carpet?You can get your skin in shape and glowing by supporting your skin inside and out. You can achieve a face that the camera loves under any light with a few top tips from me below!
1. Start from within! My go-to skin supplement is "Bend Beauty."
It's packed with anti-oxidants and omegas. After a month your skin will have a natural internal defense against harmful rays from the sun and you will a notice an improvement in the appearance of the size of your pores, creating a beautiful texture. Your skin will be nice and plump with the right, balanced amount of lipids. This formula helps defend your skin from environmental factors, which is super important for us living in Los Angeles.
2. Hydrate.
A majority of people have little water content within their skin climate. Dehydration causes fine lines and a lack luster complexion. Drink water high in enzymes and electrolytes. It's even more effective to eat foods high in water content like cucumbers and watercress. Topically apply a hyaluronic acid morning and night to feed your skin with high performing hydration. My favorite is Luzern's "Rehydrate."
3. Skin Gym.
Getting a monthly skin treatment is very important to keep your skin in tip-top shape. It's natural for our skin to have different needs month to month due to stress, weather, hormones, etc. I work from a place of inspiration versus inflammation. Treatments that work with the skin's own phenomenal ability to stay beautiful are the best if you want to stay youthful and natural looking.
4. Know your ABC's!
Support your skin with vitamins A, B, and C. These are the building blocks to strong skin.
Vitamin A supports proper exfoliation, builds collagen and helps to diminish fine lines.
Vitamin B increases the production of ceramides and fatty acids, major components of your skin's outer protective barrier. This creates a calm environment for the skin and prevents water loss. It also evens out skin tone by preventing melanin transfer, helping to creating a beautiful glow.
Vitamin C helps protects against oxidants, balances pigment by being a natural tyrosinase inhibitor. It also supports production of collagen type 1.
5. Tone your muscles.
To create your most photogenic, Hollywood glam face, you have to create clean lines by having a defined and toned architecture. Due to internal and external factors, our muscles weaken and the layers of our face start to loose their once strong and vital connection to each other. You can receive treatments like the Bio-Lift, or DermalBonding at my clinic to keep these layers strong and to retrain and tone the skin and muscles of the face. You can purchase a NuFace devise and use on a very regular basis to help achieve toned skin and muscles at home.
Whether you're walking the red carpet or just want to feel camera ready at any moment, you can feel confident by just giving a little extra love and time to your face!
Photo courtesy of LVBX Magazine
Being in the sun is an important and enjoyable part of many people’s lives. You don’t have to give up the outdoor activities that you love, just stay protected and educated.
We want to protect our skin to avoid inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and oxidation from UV radiation that activates matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), enzymes that beak down elastin and collagen. Mineral SPFs are becoming very popular among consumers. I recommend Zinc Oxide as a healthy and effective option. Zinc Oxide is a healing mineral with anti-inflammatory properties that is used for sun protection. It helps to reflect both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays, making it a broad-spectrum sunscreen ingredient. Upon application, zinc oxide particles sit on the outermost layer of your skin, where they scatter and absorb ultraviolet radiation, protecting your skin below. In non-nano particle form, it is considered to be safe for all ages and skin conditions. It’s important to make sure the zinc oxide in your sun protection is NON–nano zinc oxide. A nano particle will enter the blood stream but a non-nano will not. Chemical sunscreens, containing nano particles, will enter the bloodstream and that is why DNA altering ingredients like oxybenzone have gotten such a bad rap.
Powdered sun protection, such as Colorescience, is a great option because it’s not sensitive to the heat. Liquid sun protection degrades in heat but the powder stays stable. I keep a tube in my car and apply to my hands while I’m driving. It’s also great since we have to reapply our sun protection throughout the day, we can just powder up versus having to layer on liquid sun protection every 90 minutes!
Did you know that you can also drink your sun protection? Internal sun protection has been mainstream in other countries and it’s now becoming known here in the United States.
Introducing antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein are effective at neutralizing free radicals generated by sun exposure and their unique properties help filter out harmful rays. Further sun protection can be provided by EPA which reduces your skin’s sensitivity to UV rays and significantly reduces UV-related skin inflammation.
In clinical trial results from Bend Beauty’s supplement, participants using “Bend Anti-Aging Formula” saw a significant increase in skin resistance to UV burning and damage. At four weeks of use the increase was 39% and increased to 83% after 8 weeks of use.
Drink up, powder up, and enjoy the summer all while staying healthy and beautiful.
-Mia Belle
Photo courtesy of LVBX Magazine
