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Cellulite treatment
At 39, I gave birth to my first child last year. I gained three stone during the pregnancy and still have about 12lb to lose. What worries me more is that I have been left with terrible cellulite on my legs and backside. Are there any alternative treatments?
Skin brushing is cheap, simple and highly effective against cellulite. Most health stores sell a long-handled brush that is specially designed for the job but if you cannot find one locally, you can mail order one from Revital (0800-252875). It costs £7.95 plus £1.50 p&p.
The best time to brush your skin is after a shower or bath. Towel yourself dry and skin brush each morning before you dress. As well as boosting the circulation of the lymphatic system, skin brushing will remove dead skin cells and keep the pores working so they don’t get clogged.
To start, begin with the soles of the feet and work upwards towards your heart, brushing gently at first, until the skin gets used to the sensation. It will redden - but if it hurts, you are being too rough. Brush the skin in single, upward strokes towards the middle of the body. After your legs, thighs and torso, front and back, brush both arms from the tips of the fingers to the tops of the shoulders. Never brush the face but do brush the scalp and the neck. Brush the neck, downwards from under the chin, and the top of the chest downwards too.
The medical herbalists at Farmacia (020-7831-0830) have formulated a natural Cellulite Kit which contains a herbal elixir that contains fennel and kelp to regulate metabolism and digestion, psyllium husks to cleanse the bowel, an Ayurvedic formula called Gymnema sylvestre to help stablise bood sugar, Gotu Kola herbal tea to speed up the metabolism and a special cellulite massage oil. The complete kit costs £25.
*Avoid skin brushing if you have an infection, cancer, high blood pressure or any underlying heart condition. Avoid Kelp if you have thyroid problems.