How to Deal With Cellulite: Can Collagen Help?
Every year, people spend a lot of money to fight cellulite. Whether it’s personal fitness coaches, laser surgeries, liposuctions, or fancy creams, it’s still hard to get rid of it completely.
If you’ve been trying to find the best ways to reduce the appearance of cellulite, you’re probably wondering whether collagen can help you do so. In this article, we’ll dig deeper into the advantages of collagen and how your skin can benefit from it.
Are you ready to say “NO” to cellulite? Let’s dive in.
What Is Cellulite?
Even though we’re sure you know how cellulite looks when you see it, let’s discover its scientific explanation.
Cellulite is the irregular fat build-up beneath the skin that pushes connective tissues out of shape. As a result, it creates a dimpled, lumpy “cottage cheese” look on your thighs, hips, thighs, buttocks, and arms.
“To understand cellulite, you have to understand what collagen is. Collagen is a protein structure, and when it comes to cellulite, it's responsible for essentially keeping fat where it belongs. It's almost like a protective band. If this band tightens too much, fat can escape and rise up to the surface of the skin, causing what we know as cellulite. Collagen supplements work by providing more of the necessary protein to strengthen this band, which means fewer fat cells will get through.”
Rex Freiberger, CEO of Discuss Diets
If you’ve been obsessed with the idea to get rid of cellulite, you’re not alone. 85 - 98% of women suffer from cellulite. This issue is more than ordinary, and that’s why there’s nothing to be ashamed of.
The good news is, you can focus on your health and figure out the ways to eliminate the appearance of cellulite without expensive surgeries and medical interference.
Spoiler alert: collagen might become your most potent weapon in this battle.
What Causes Cellulite and How Is Collagen Connected to It?
With age, our skin slowly stops stretching, loses its elasticity, and starts rolling. But don’t worry, it happens to almost everyone. And, yes, even men.
So, how is collagen connected to all of this?
Firstly, collagen works from inside your body. It’s exactly where the cellulite appears. And unlike creams, it affects your skin from within, which is much more effective.
Secondly, collagen works to strengthen the connective tissue, make your skin more elastic and reduce the signs of aging. It also helps you hydrate skin from the inside and thus, leave it firm and plump (in a good way).
“Cellulite is a very common, harmless skin condition that causes dimpled skin that is uneven and lumpy on the thighs, buttocks, hips, and abdomen. It's also referred to as orange peel skin and affects both men and women, with a tendency to be more prevalent amongst women. It occurs due to the misshaping of connective tissues due to fat pushing through. Collagen can help improve the appearance of cellulite as it strengthens the connective tissues, hydrates and improves the elasticity of the skin from within.”
Lina Velikova, Medical Advisor at Supplements101
In short, cellulite is a change in the look and texture of your skin. Collagen can slow down these changes and help you fight them without invasive medical procedures.
A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food looked into the effects of bioactive collagen peptides on the moderate cellulite of 105 healthy weight and overweight women between the ages of 24 and 50. They were taking 2.5 grams of collagen daily for six months.
In comparison to the placebo group, those women taking a daily dose of collagen noticed a considerable reduction in the appearance of cellulite. The results were the most significant among women of normal weight.
So I Just Start Taking Collagen Supplements Then? How Does It Work?
As we always state, there’s no magic pill against aging, which is usually the main cause of cellulite. That’s why you need to have realistic expectations when it comes to collagen and other types of supplementation.
Collagen can help you reduce the appearance of cellulite and improve your skin’s elasticity, yet, it won’t happen overnight. You should also note that it can’t fully reverse cellulite, but it can make your skin look smoother and healthier.
If you want to see the benefits of collagen for the skin yourself, choose collagen peptide products that are made using collagen type I and III. These are the best types of collagen to promote the synthesis of collagen in the dermis layer of your skin and bring noticeable results.
“I would recommend collagen peptides for cellulite. Bioactive collagen peptides are easier for your body to fully absorb, so less will be converted to waste.”
Rex Freiberger, CEO of Discuss Diets
Thankfully, there are tons of creative ways to include collagen into your daily diet. For example, you can add our Gelpro Advanced Marine Collagen Peptides into your favourite juice, smoothie, coffee, water, or any other drink you prefer. It’s 100% water-soluble, so you can experiment with mixing it into different meals too. Plus, it has no carbs, no sugar, and no fat. Our Advanced Marine Collagen is Type I Collagen, which is what our skin is made of.
3 More Ways to Reduce Cellulite Naturally
Not being able to get rid of cellulite entirely doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to reduce its appearance. In this case, a few lifestyle changes can come in handy. Here are five things you can do to fight with those pesky skin dimples on your thighs, buttocks, or abdomen.
1. Exercise Regularly
No one has cancelled moderate exercising yet. Except for being generally good for your health, it can also help you have firmer and smoother skin by increasing muscle weight and burning fat.
You don’t have to spend seven days per week in a gym to keep yourself in shape. Here, consistency is the key, especially if you focus on your lower body. Choose the type of exercise you prefer and try to stick to your regimen. It can be swimming, jogging, dancing, cycling, or simply walking. As long as you do some physical activity, you’re already working towards eliminating the appearance of cellulite.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Strive for the balance. If you want to achieve good results and relatively soon, then you have to combine exercise with a healthy diet. Try to avoid processed food and products full of harmful sugars, fat, and carbs.
“In addition to your supplement, you should try eating more foods which contain collagen or promote natural collagen growth. Bone broth is formed by simmering meat bones for hours, and sometimes overnight. It's filled with collagen so it's nice to strengthen your stomach so improve the immune system too. Both fish and beef are high in collagen. Foods which promote skin health and potentially the development of collagen include lemon, leafy greens such as kale and spinach, and vegetables containing vitamin A. You can eat as much as you want of these true, whole foods. They will help make your diet collagen-rich and clean, so your body and skin will be particularly healthy.”
Lesley Reynolds, Co-Founder of Harley Street Skin Clinic
With the number of recipes online, you’ll definitely be able to find meals that would be nutrient-dense, healthy, and delicious. And in general, excess body weight can cause many more health problems. That’s why staying fit and giving your body all the vital vitamins and antioxidants are critical to sustaining a healthy lifestyle.
3. Hydrate
If you want your skin to stay plump and radiant, you need to supply it with enough water just like the rest of your body. Not only will it help you avoid dehydration but also maintain a healthy look of your skin.
According to these recommendations, it’s advised to consume around 2.7 litres of water per day (including from foods.) Of course, the final amount of water you’re going to drink will largely depend on your health, age, gender, and activity levels.
“Another method you can try is dry brushing, which helps reduce the appearance of cellulite. Alternatively, you can also try a coffee scrub to help remove water and toxins from your skin.”
Lina Velikova, Medical Advisor at Supplements101
Bottom Line
Is it possible to eliminate cellulite? No. Is it possible to reduce its appearance? Luckily, yes. Healthy lifestyle and collagen peptides are some of the ways that can help you prevail over cellulite.
Are you ready to be patient, have a balanced diet, do enough physical activities, and maintain a healthy lifestyle? Then you’re on the path to success when it comes to reducing cellulite without medical interference.
Note: always listen to your body and consult with your doctor first before adding new products to your daily diet.
