February 3, 2009

Beauty Tip of the Day: Sweet Buns

You thought I forgot, didn't you? Sorry, it's been one of those days! Here is your late, but not forgotten beauty tip of the day:

Are you bothered by a lumpy butt? No, not your boyfriend! You know what I mean. Think of all the lovely words used to describe that evil condition that plagues us after puberty and more often than not, childbearing. Orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese butt, the mattress phenomenon, and my all time fave, hail damage. Cellulite (adiposis edematosa), as if we don't already know more than we want to, describes the appearance of fat deposits that appear just below the skin usually located in the abdomen, thighs and/or buttocks region. Both men and women are affected by this condition, though it occurs a lot more often in women. Of course, right?

How can we avoid this condition? We can't really as you can be genetically predisposed (thanks Mom). It is possible to limit the occurrence and appearance by eating healthy fibrous foods, staying active and limiting smoking or drinking alcohol as it reduces blood flow. I read that "Wearing thongs, boyshorts, or sleeping naked can reduce the impact underwear plays on cellulite's development." This tip must have been written by a man, but in essence it makes sense as it would help increase circulation in the gluteal area.

Try this quick treatment to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. After a warm shower use a mixture of olive oil, brown sugar and coffee grounds as a body scrub, focusing your attention on the areas where cellulite tends to occur (butt, thighs, belly, etc). Rub in gentle, but firm circular motions for about 10 minutes and then wash off with a cleanser and warm water. What does this do besides make you smell like breakfast? The caffeine in the coffee grounds will help to increase circulation and firm up the appearance of your skin while the sugar and oils exfoliate and smooth. The massaging is a critical component in this treatment as it helps stimulate lymphatic flow. Try this inexpensive but effective treatment at least 3 times a week.

Additional recommended treatments include massage, ultrasound, and ginkgo biloba just to name a few. I recently heard that a good spanking (lymphatic drainage massage) will help the blood flow and reduce the lumps. I'm just saying...

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